A Primer on College Life

How is College Different from High School?
• Reason 1: College Requires Greater Independent Learning
• Reason 2: College Courses Move at a Faster Pace
• Reason 3: College Courses Require You to Think Critically
• Reason 4: College Classes Have Few Safety Nets
• Reason 5: College Requires You to Study Longer and More Effectively
• Reason 6: College Provides Fewer Chances for Evaluation
• Reason 7: College Gives You Greater Freedom and Greater Responsibility
• Reason 8: College Provides Greater Anonymity
• Reason 9: College Requires You to Be Proactive

Reason 1: College Requires Greater Independent
Learning
High school teachers provide many study aids, whereas…
College professors expect you to know learning strategies and to learn on your own.

Reason 2: College Courses Move at a
Faster Pace
College courses cover in one semester what a high school course may cover in one year, but… college professors may go into detail on just a few points and expect you to fill in the rest of the details on your own.

Reason 3: College Courses Require You to
Think Critically
High school courses emphasize memorization… but college professors expect students to perform higher-level tasks like analysis, synthesis, and critical thinking.

Reason 4: College Classes Have Few Safety
Nets
High school courses often have extra credit and bonus opportunities… however, college courses rarely provide opportunities for “second chances.”

Reason 5: College Requires You to Study Longer and More Effectively
Studying for high school courses often requires little more than skimming or reading over a study guide… while studying for college courses requires more studying time and a variety of more involved learning strategies.

Reason 6: College Provides Fewer Chances for
Evaluation
High school courses test you on small amounts of information at a time, in many small evaluations… whereas college courses rarely have assigned homework, and often assign a limited number of exams or papers that may cover a large quantity of material.

Reason 7: College Gives You Greater
Freedom and Greater Responsibility
High school teachers regularly monitor your work and keep you on task… yet college professors expect you to manage yourself and prioritize your studying and other responsibilities.

Reason 8: College Provides Greater Anonymity
Your high school teachers probably knew your name, and you probably knew all of your classmates… but in college larger college courses may mean your professors will not learn your name, and you can become “a face in the crowd.”

Reason 9: College Requires You to Be
Proactive
High school teachers monitor students closely and require them to get help when they experience problems… in college it is your responsibility to monitor your own progress and seek help when you experience academic (or other) problems.

8 Situations You Can Expect to Encounter Sooner or Later
1. Professors Who Take Roll
– Attend all your classes, whether your professor takes roll or not!
2. An Early Morning Class
– Try to go to bed earlier, and register for early classes that meet only two or three times per week.

8 Situations You Can Expect to Encounter Sooner or Later
3.
A Course or Professor You Don’t Particularly Like
– Take a positive attitude: acknowledge that this is just one course, and that you can get through it
4.
Cramming for a Test
– Use effective learning strategies we will cover to maximize your efficiency, and try to avoid putting yourself in a situation where you are forced to cram.

8 Situations You Can Expect to Encounter Sooner or Later
5. Difficulty Maintaining Motivation for
Academics
– Try setting some specific, reachable goals. (See
Chapter 3)
6. Personal Problems and/or Illness
– Incorporate flexibility into your schedule, and seek out campus resources that can help.

8 Situations You Can Expect to Encounter Sooner or Later
7. Frustration
– Deal with frustrations as they arise, rather than letting them build up. (See Chapter 5)
8. Juggling Too Many Responsibilities
– Think of college as your full-time job, and schedule your other responsibilities with this in mind. (See Chapter 2)

• New college students may feel intimidated by their professors because they believe they determine grades.
• Knowing your professors can help you to earn higher grades.

General Tips for Interacting with Your Professors
• Try to give a good first impression!
• Sit up front in class.
• Ask questions in class.
• Ask for help sooner rather than later.

General Tips for Interacting with Your Professors
• Be familiar with the requirements listed in the course syllabus.
• Know and follow the class rules.
• Talk with your professors via e-mail.
• Make an appointment to talk with your professor.