IN HIGH SCHOOL

IN COLLEGE

High School is Mandatory.

College is voluntary and you have many choices.

Time is structured by school officials and parents.

Students manage their own time.

Daily classes follow one after the other, with a few minutes between classes.

Students often have gaps between classes; class times vary from day to day.

Most class schedules are arranged by the school.

Students, along with their academic advisor, set up their own schedules.

HIGH SCHOOL CLASSES

COLLEGE CLASSES

Students can get by with less study outside of the school day.

Students are expected to study at least 2-3 hours outside of class for each hour in class.

Reading is often re-taught in class; listening in class can be enough for success.

Students are assigned a substantial amount of reading which may not be directly addressed in class, but will show up on tests.

HIGH SCHOOL TEACHERS

COLLEGE PROFESSORS

Teachers check completed homework.

Professors may not always check completed homework, but they assume the student will be able to perform the same tasks on a test.

Teachers remind students of incomplete work.

Professors may not remind students of incomplete work.

Teachers approach the students if they believe they need assistance.

Professors are usually open and helpful, but most expect the students to initiate contact if they need assistance.

Teachers are often available for conversation before, during, or after class.

Professors expect and want students to attend their scheduled office hours.

Teachers use lesson plans and might teach multiple subjects.

Professors have been trained as experts in their field of research and have a specific focus.

Teachers provide students with information in the case of an absence.

Professors expect students to get notes from classmates if they miss class.

Teachers present material to help students understand the material in the textbook.

Professors may not follow the textbook. Instead, they may use other materials to supplement the text; or expect the students to relate the readings to class.

Teachers usually outline their notes on the board.

Professors usually lecture or lead discussion without outline notes for you. Good note taking skills are a must.

Teachers often take time to remind students of assignments and due dates.

Professors give out syllabi that students are responsible for. If there is a due date in the syllabus the professor may not mention it in class.

Teachers carefully monitor class attendance.

Professors usually don't take formal attendance, but are likely to know who is attending class.

TESTS IN HIGH SCHOOL

TESTS IN COLLEGE

Testing is frequent and covers small amounts of material.

Testing is infrequent and may be cumulative, covering large amounts of material.

Makeup tests are often available.

Makeup tests are not always available.

Teachers are open to rearranging test dates to avoid conflict with other activities.

Professors in different courses usually test without regard to the demands of other courses or outside activities.

Review sessions pointing out the most important concepts are common.

Professors rarely offer review sessions, and if they do, they expect students to come prepared with questions.

GRADES IN HIGH SCHOOL

GRADES IN COLLEGE

Grades are given for most assigned work.

Grades may not be provided for all assigned work.

Extra credit opportunities are common.

Extra Credit opportunities are not common.

Students may graduate as long as they have passed all required courses with a grade of "D" or higher.

Students must meet core, departmental, and collegiate standards for graduation.