difference between high school and college

• In the U.S., "college" and "university" are often used synonymously when referring to higher education after high school.
• Outside the U.S., "college" can mean further education or vocational training programs.

Freedom

• College often marks a significant increase in personal freedom, presenting both opportunities and challenges.
• Many students experience complete independence for the first time, sometimes leading to poor financial choices.
• Homesickness can affect students, particularly those who do not live on campus.
• Balancing increased freedom with responsibility is key to college success.
• Excessive partying can negatively affect both academic performance and overall health.
• College necessitates self-discipline and the ability to make well-informed decisions.

Finances

• College attendance can be financially challenging, incurring costs beyond tuition fees.
• On-campus housing averages approximately $10,800 per year.
• The cost of textbooks and required learning materials approximates $1,250 annually.
• Additional expenses, including transportation, personal items, and entertainment, can total around $2,730 each year.
• Many student discounts are available for a range of products and services.
• Potential discounts include those at clothing retailers, furniture stores such as Overstock, and for subscriptions to The Economist and The New York Times.
• Student discounts are often offered by tech companies, movie theaters, museums, and restaurants.
• Transportation costs via train or bus may be reduced with a student ID.

Social Life

• Building new friendships is crucial during the college experience.
• Students should actively participate in conversations, events, and parties to foster social connections.

Health

• Weight gain is a common problem due to reliance on inexpensive, unhealthy food options.
• Learning to cook is recommended for both health maintenance and financial savings.
• "Tiny Budget Cooking" by Limahl Asmall is a useful cookbook.

Academics

• Students must take responsibility for arranging their courses and understanding all graduation requirements.
• Class sizes can be significantly larger than those in high school, sometimes exceeding 100 students.
• The National Center for Education Statistics reports that the average high school class size is 26.8 students.
• Independent study is more heavily emphasized; Universities often suggest 2-3 hours of private study time for every hour spent in class.
• American high school students spend an average of 6.1 hours on homework each week.
• Finland has the least amount of homework at 2.8 hours weekly, followed by South Korea at 2.9 hours.
• Students in Russia complete the most homework, averaging 9.1 hours per week.
• Extensive reading is required, demanding self-discipline to manage.
• Students are often responsible for selecting their own reading materials.
• Professors may not always monitor the completion of assignments.
• Seeking guidance from professors is encouraged, but they generally do not closely supervise students' progress.
• College-level work necessitates independent thinking and the creation of original solutions.
• There are usually fewer tests than in high school, and make-up exams may not be an option.

Behavior

• College promotes a departure from high school social structures.
• Student interactions with professors are more mature and resemble peer relationships.
• Self-restraint and diligent effort are vital for achieving goals.
• The goal is to foster self-reliance, critical thinking abilities, and maturation into adulthood.