High School vs College: a Great Comparison

High School vs College: a Great Comparison
Table of Contents
  1. High School vs College: a Great Comparison
  2. How is a high school different from a college?
  3. High school and college experiences: important differences
  4. More independence
  5. Treated like an adult
  6. More classes to choose from
  7. Classes have different sizes and formats
  8. A more complex schedule
  9. A new set of classmates
  10. More critical thinking
  11. High expenses
  12. Less time in class
  13. More schoolwork
  14. Attendance is up to you
  15. More social opportunities
  16. Harder to stand out
  17. Fewer grades in class
  18. A lot of reading
  19. Concluding thoughts

If you’re about to start your college studies, you may wonder what changes to expect and how your future experience is different from a high school. When making this comparison, you will find many differences. Some of them are obvious, while others are not. Check this information about how colleges and high schools are different to get a good understanding of how to assist your college life easy. This guide will give you many helpful tips. And don't forget that everything starts with a good application essay. Our writers will help you in case you need college application essay help.

How is a high school different from a college?

Many people see this transition as one of the key turning points in their lives because they no longer live under their parents’ roof. They’re expected to make important decisions about the future. You will not only get a lot of freedom, but you will also be responsible for many learning activities each semester. Read on to learn key differences.

High school and college experiences: important differences

There are certain pros and cons of college and high school experiences, but studying what to expect is required to make you ready for this major change. What are the main differences? Compared to a high school, college students:

  • Have more independence;
  • Are treated like adults;
  • Choose from more classes;
  • Have a more complex schedule;
  • Attend classes in different formats and sizes;
  • Meet new classmates;
  • Require more critical thinking;
  • Cover higher expenses;
  • Spend less time in the class;
  • Manage more schoolwork;
  • Have more social opportunities;
  • Decide on their attendance;
  • Find it harder to stand out;
  • Do a lot of reading;
  • Get fewer grades.

More independence

Compared to high school students, you have more freedom and independence in college because your parents are far away. Make your own decisions in different areas of life. If you are still thinking of which college to choose, find out colleges that are hard to get into first.

Treated like an adult

In college, you don’t need to ask your parents for their permission because you can make your own choice for what you’ll study every academic year. Many high school students want to be viewed as adults. Your responsibilities will increase because you’re the one who will have to solve problems with your grade, classes, or homework.

More classes to choose from

In high school, your schedule consists of standard subjects, including English, math, social studies, science, and some others. Even if you attend a small college, you have more options. Feel free to choose specific college essay topics that work for you.

Classes have different sizes and formats

Every class in high school has the same number of students and consists of lecturing and some group or individual work. Things are different in college. Some classes are lecture-based and require hands-on lab work, while others are discussion-based and you’ll spend a lot of time on debates or conversations with your college professor and classmates.

A more complex schedule

In high school, lessons start and end at the same time each day, and you follow the same schedule every week. Things are trickier in college. Some classes meet 5 times a week for an hour, while others have a completely different routine and this means that your schedule will change on a regular basis. Attend all classes and don’t wind up.

A new set of classmates

College students aren’t surrounded by high school friends they’ve known for long years because they will have a new set of classmates. They all want to succeed on some level.


More critical thinking

Your critical thinking skills will be tested in college, just like your ability to apply everything you learned in the classroom. In high school, memorization and basic regurgitation are important.

   High expenses

College fees are higher than high school costs. You will have to make a number of small purchases in college, including test-taking booklets for your final exams and notes or goggles for chemistry lab studies. High schools provide a lot of material for free.

Less time in class

College students spend less time compared to high school classes, and this means that they have more time to spend on other activities.

More schoolwork

With a standard college 15-credit schedule, it’s necessary to spend 45 hours on schoolwork every week, so high school students should prepare for that. University requirements are even stricter.

Attendance is up to you

Forget about requirements for attending classes, but keep in mind that most professors include your attendance as a part of final grades. It’s also difficult to study well if you miss classes.

More social opportunities

There are many social opportunities that you get, including:

  • Student government groups;
  • Recreational hockey teams;
  • Clubs for promoting renewable energy.

Make an effort to benefit from them. Ask new people you meet different questions to find out who they are, where they are from, or what they’re majoring in.

   Harder to stand out

In high school, you can be a good athlete, singer, or student, but there many other talented people in college so that it’s harder to stand out. Discover potential benefits in this situation.

   Fewer grades in class

High school students complete daily assignments, large projects, and tests to get grades for them, while college students have fewer tasks. That’s why they earn fewer grades, which worth more.

   A lot of reading

Be ready to do a lot of reading, including many journal articles, textbooks, and other literary works. Even if you choose such tech fields as math or computer science, you’ll be assigned to read textbook pages for classes. College students spend many hours in libraries.

Concluding thoughts

It’s obvious that high schools and colleges are quite different, and you should know what to expect to be a successful student. If you need help with academic assignments, don’t hesitate to turn to professional writers online.