Comparison and Contrast Between School Life and University Life

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Final draft In each September, high school graduates prepare for the drastic transition from high school to university. When students were in high school, they heard someone said that university life is colorful, inviting, and relaxing. On the other hand, they also heard someone said that university life is kind of challenging and overwhelming, especially for freshmen. Except for feeling excited, anxious, nervous and a little bit frightened, these freshmen are going to embark on a new milestone in their lives, wondering whether they can fit in the university life. In fact, in order to adapt themselves into a new life in university, freshmen have to understand the differences between high school and university in the following aspects, including teaching styles, learning strategies and self- management. Teaching styles in high school are obviously different from those in university. Teachers in high schools teach detailed knowledge and facts step by step. That is to say, they guide students attentively. In contrast, instructors in university go through the textbooks quickly. In view of them, they expected students to think independently and critically. On the other hand, teachers in high school usually take time to remind students of assignments and the date of tests. In comparison with high school, instructors in university offer a pre-scheduled syllabus. They discuss the course schedule and some regulations to students in the first day of class. And then, students should follow the syllabus without being reminded about when assignments are due or when to have midterm exam and final exam. With the change of teaching styles, freshmen have to adjust their learning strategies in university. After understanding thoroughly the textbook contents, students in high school not only memorize all of it, but refer to ready-made notes which are organized by teachers. All they need to do is study diligently. Because of it, they lack the opportunities to think by themselves. Unlike high school, students in university need to learn how to organize and arrange the big amounts of materials by themselves. Also, analyzing the information and brainstorming are essential abilities for students in university. Furthermore, high school students are somewhat more passive than university students. They usually depend on “patient ”and “hard-working ” teachers. These teachers are nice enough to offer a plan of preparing the exam. In so doing, high school students just study hard according to the schedule. On the contrary, university students need to study spontaneously. That is to say, they have to be more aggressive and active to preview and review the course contents. In addition to teaching styles and learning strategies, the abilities of self- management must be the most significant difference and it is a prerequisite for a successful freshmen. Take class attendance for example, it is usually strict in high school. Thus, teachers in high school will check and monitor it carefully. However, attendance policy in universities might vary from instructors to instructors. Actually, most instructors won’t try to track you down if you don’t show up for class. On the other aspect, high school students often obey the decisions made by their parents or other people. They also don’t worry about something trivial in their daily lives. Compared with high school students, university students have to deal with something trivial but necessary by themselves. For example, schoolwork, interpersonal relationship, preparing for the meals and so on. Although university students have more freedom and flexible schedules, they have to be more independent and responsible for what they are doing. Also, they have to face different kinds of difficulties, solve the problems and overcome challenges. Before entering into a university, high school graduates are supposed to ask themselves several questions. For example, whether we can adapt ourselves into teaching styles? Could we grasp and skillfully apply the learning strategies? Could we manage ourselves well? Actually, by knowing these differences before entering a university is a good way for high school graduates to prepare and adjust beforehand.