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College vs. High School

Classes

Classes in High School Classes in College
Bells ring to alert students when class begins. Students bear the burden of getting to class on time.
Each day students proceed from one class to another in succession. Students often have hours between classes and class length can vary throughout the day.
Students spend six hours a day - 30 hours a week in class. Students spend 10 to 15 hours a week in class
Students are provided with textbooks for each class. Students must purchase their own textbooks for each class budgeting $200 to $500 each semester.
Teachers carefully monitor class attendance. Some professors may not take roll, and each determines their own criteria for excessive absences and publishes this in the class syllabus.
Course selection is fairly standard depending on the students' grade in school. Course selection varies greatly depending on a student's major and the year they start college. Attending a SOAR workshop eliminates a lot of the confusion.

Grades

Grades in High School Grades in College
Grades are given for most assigned work. All assigned work may or may not be graded.
Consistently good homework may help raise students overall grade even when test results have low grades. Students should check the course syllabus for how assignments are weighted. Results on tests and major projects or papers typically provide most of the course grade.
Extra credit projects are often available to students to help them raise their grade. Extra credit projects are seldom available.

Personal Choices

Personal Responsibility in High School Personal Responsibility in College
Parents can talk to their child's teachers about their grades and can have access to their student records. The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) governs College policies regarding students' records and, without the student's written permission, parents are not allowed access. For more information refer to the TMCC College Catalog.
The high school counselor can register students in class. A TMCC academic advisor can help students select courses and develop an educational plan, but students are responsible for enrolling and managing their schedule.
The high school counselor can advise students on course selection and personal matters, too. In college there is the distinction between a counselor and an advisor. A counselor can offer personal counseling and advise students academically, whereas an advisor can only provide academic assistance.
Students can count on parents and teachers to remind them of responsibilities and provide guidance as they set their priorities. Students will be faced with a large number of decisions. Students must balance their responsibilities and set priorities.

Studying

Studying in High School Studying in College
Teachers may often set aside class time for students to work on homework. Study time outside of class may be as little as two hours a week. Students need to plan to study two to three hours for every hour they are in class.
Students are expected to read short assignments that are then discussed and often re-taught in class. Students are assigned substantial amounts of reading and writing that may not be directly addressed in the classroom.
Teachers often remind students of their incomplete or pending work. Students are expected to complete homework listed on the syllabus without being reminded.
Students will usually be told what they are expected to learn from assigned materials. It is up to students to read and understand the assigned material; lectures and exam schedules are based on the assumption that they have done so.

Teachers

Teachers in High School Professors in College
Teachers check students' homework and give them feedback. Professors may not always check homework.
Teachers approach students if they believe the need assistance. Professors are usually open and helpful, but expect students to initiate contact if they need assistance.
Teachers are usually available before and after class to answer questions or provide additional information. Professors expect students to meet with them during scheduled office hours.
Teachers provide students with information they missed if they missed class. Professors expect students to get notes from classmates if they miss any class.

Tests

Test in High School Test in College
Testing is frequent and covers small amounts of material Testing is usually infrequent and often cumulative, covering large amounts of material
Makeup tests are often available. Makeup tests are seldom an option.