Transitioning from High School to College

The New College Experience

The college experience is a transformational event for every student. Whether you attend a technical college, a two-year or a four-year institution, a small or a large university, change is inevitable. And change is more challenging when you are not fully aware of what’s ahead.

Have you ever thought about the many differences between high school and college? Understanding some of those differences could impact your college life significantly. Here are some things to have in mind before your arrival to campus.

1. Schedule

U.S. high school students spend between 30 to 40 hours a week inside a school building. Most of that time is spent taking classes. A traditional college schedule is very different. In college, the hours you spend taking classes is measured by the number of credits you take each semester (credit hours). The typical full-time college student takes close to 15 credits per semester, which means approximately 15 hours inside of a classroom (or equivalent work if enrolled online).

That brings the first big challenge for most students transitioning: the illusion of free time. While it’s true that you have more time available, that time is needed to do the hard work required to be a successful college student. It is recommended to multiply your credit hours by 2 in order to estimate how many hours outside of the classroom you should invest doing homework, projects, lab reports, reading, writing papers, getting ready for your exams, etc. Be aware that this is just an estimate. The difficulty level of some courses, any learning challenges or disabilities, and other factors influence the number of hours required for a successful academic experience.

2. Independence

Once you arrive in college you are in control of your destiny. And that could be a little scary because you are not used to it. That’s why it is important to start developing good self-regulation strategies, learning how to manage your time and priorities efficiently, and developing routines and habits that lead to success. This site includes plenty of advice on those areas.  

3. Faculty Expectations

In high school, if you were a minor, being in school was compulsory. College is voluntary and you are paying to be there; a lot. You are considered and treated as a young adult. The expectation is for you to be ethical, motivated, and eager to work hard to achieve your goals.  

College professors are not known for holding students’ hands. That’s not to say they are unfriendly or unwilling to help. On the contrary. College professors like to interact with students who are engaged and demonstrate respect and passion for learning.

4. Technology

Most students these days are very comfortable using technology. If you are comfortable using new technologies that’s a good start, but that doesn’t make you an expert by default. When you arrive at your college or university campus spend some time familiarizing with computer systems, portals, websites, apps, and the many tools available in the modern classroom environment. And be aware, you can not do everything on your phone. While modern technologies work very well with portable devices, not everything is optimized for mobile interactions.

Know your college or university

It is important to spend some time getting to know your new place of learning. Get familiar with campus policies, rules, resources, academic support services, advising, and the many services colleges and universities put in place to help you succeed. The time you invest knowing your institution will serve you well in your journey as a college student.

Take a look at the following animated video for an enhanced perspective on this topic: