Is College Easier Than High School? Surprising Reasons

I’ll outline some of the aspects of college that are simpler than those of high school in this post. Please keep reading.

High school graduation is an achievement and a difficult task. Spending eight hours a day in the same building, moving from class to class, and having to finish daily and weekly assignments for classes that aren’t always interesting is challenging.

And at this point, you might be wondering whether going to college will be harder than going to high school or unexpectedly simpler.

In general, because of the more challenging coursework and classes, college is harder than high school. Aside from being separated from their families and friends, college students frequently live alone.

The quality of your life is about to significantly improve if you are already the kind of motivated and ambitious high school student. Here is why:

Is College Easier Than High School?

Making a generalization about whether college is easier or harder than high school is challenging because it can vary depending on a number of variables, including the student’s academic aptitude, the particular college or high school they attend, and the courses they take.

College courses tend to be more challenging and independent learning-intensive than high school courses. The additional freedom and flexibility that college students frequently enjoy in their schedules can be both a blessing and a curse.

While having more control over one’s time can be liberating, some students may find it difficult to maintain motivation and manage their time efficiently.

The individual’s specific circumstances and experiences ultimately determine whether college is easier or harder than high school. It’s crucial to go into every educational experience with an open mind and the desire to improve.

Reasons Why College is Easier

Additional justifications for why college study may be simpler than you think are provided below.

The Classes and Subjects

You get to pick this time! The college offers many more options than high school does. You have the option to select your elective courses in addition to the significant decision of which degree to pursue. You choose to study these subjects even though they may not be directly related to your degree.

This is what makes college so wonderful: you get to study the subjects that interest you! Along with getting a degree in your field of choice, you also get to learn about other topics and increase your general knowledge.

Related: Is Community College Easier Than University?

We are more likely to take pleasure in our work when we have the freedom to choose. Who wants to be forced (ahem, high school) to learn certain things and perform well in them? Since you are already interested in the subject, it is simpler to enjoy the classes you take in college. Everything is so much simpler as a result.

No More Surprises!

Just knowing that you won’t come to school one day and have your teacher say, “Pop quiz!” should be enough to convince you that college is easier than high school. Not everyone is a fan of surprises, let alone the “quiz” type. You are fully aware of what you are getting into in college.

You receive a syllabus the moment you enroll. The syllabus (a.k.a. the course “Bible”) tells you exactly what you are going to be doing. You will receive a list of the readings, assignments, and other requirements for the course. It’s much simpler to succeed and live up to expectations when we are aware of what is expected of us.

Your Schedule

Your schedule in college is more open-ended and dispersed. Compared to high school, you will take a lot fewer classes. Additionally, there are fewer assignments due to fewer classes. So there will be more free time.

Additionally, more free time means more sleep time! Do not underestimate the value of sleep. Getting enough sleep is crucial in general, but it’s especially important when it comes to learning.

Fewer Assignments

You have homework every night in high school, and you have quizzes at least once every couple of weeks. In college, things are very different; assignments are almost never due more frequently than once a week. And many classes only have one or two papers due the entire semester.

Don’t do any more pointless assignments just to check your work. What chapters of your textbook are you outlining? You’re going to grade your binder and put it in a specific order? answering multiple-choice comprehension questions on a worksheet about the reading?

These are typical assignments from high school that don’t exist in college. You are responsible for learning the material, and how you do it is not being micromanaged. In college, the amount of output you have to produce is way less than it is in high school.

Your output is also more significant. You must solve challenging puzzles and conduct in-depth text analysis.

It’s okay if reading the book helps you to understand that. It’s also acceptable if you can accomplish that by taking meticulous notes in class. Nobody cares how you learn just that you learn.

Fewer Classes

It sounds normal to take six to eight classes. Although it might be standard in high school, the majority of college students would consider the number outrageous. The maximum number of courses per term recommended by colleges is five.

And at some colleges, like Colorado College, students only take one class at a time. By their junior and senior years of high school, ambitious students pack a ton of AP classes into their schedules. AP courses are meant to be taken at the college level!

While this is more than they would ever take in college, students frequently take six or seven of them at once. Additionally, these driven students manage clubs and organizations at school, prepare for the SATS, make a list of potential colleges, and submit scholarship applications all at once.

That is crazy!

It is a huge relief to learn in college that a semester only requires taking half as many classes as in high school. You can finally immerse yourself in each subject you study rather than hopping between more topics than you can comprehend.

You’ll also have plenty of time for extracurricular activities and socializing. Less classes mean less stress, which allows you to put more effort into everything you do.

Professors (vs. Teachers)

Professors in higher education differ significantly from teachers in many ways. Your freedom to be yourself is typically increased by professors. One major difference between online and in-person learning is the classroom environment. You are free to use your cell phone, open your laptop, and wear whatever you want to class.

You can go to class whenever you want from any location, including your bed, with online courses. In college, your professors’ primary responsibility is to instruct you on the material you are studying. You won’t be told to take off your hat or sit up straight.

Also, professors are known to be more adaptable. You do indeed have a syllabus with due dates. But if you approach them with a personal request and a compelling enough argument, they’re almost always open to discussing those dates.

The majority of the time, they are prepared to collaborate with you because they respect you as a responsible learner. Respect typically involves reciprocity. Your professor is more likely to respect you if you respect them. And learning is made even more enjoyable in this respectful environment.

Freedom

You get more freedom in college. Yes, freedom comes with responsibility. So, you are solely responsible. Your classes, schedule, grades, and other factors. Your professors won’t be reminding you about your assignment that is due the following week, unlike in high school.

Your support system has been abandoned. Keeping up with the work is your responsibility. And one of the biggest factors is how you manage your time. Time management is a crucial skill and a factor in academic success.

Support and Guidance

Each and every student in college is entitled to a variety of resources and forms of assistance, and using them is even encouraged. Each student has access to mentors who serve as a source of support, direction, and inspiration throughout the procedure. Click here to learn more about the mentoring services that are offered to you.

Additionally, you can access individual advising as a college student. A personal program advisor can be set up for you, who will support you all the way through earning your degree. Having quick access to student services and a network of people who are there to assist you is one of the best things about college. It’s an effective tool, so use it.

Challenges You May Face in Colleges

Remember that even though the college has more advantages than high school, there will also be new difficulties. However, if you are already considering getting a degree, you are probably a challenge-taker.

A sense of accomplishment comes with overcoming each challenge. Here are some challenges that college students might face:

• Work will still be required of you. You are responsible for completing any assignments, exams, and/or other requirements for each course.
• You’ll have to collaborate with your peers. There are still some courses that demand collaboration with others and teamwork. Of course, this is a difficult skill set, but it is also one that almost all employers value.
• A lot more people attend college than in high school. So, you’ll be a tiny fish in a very large pond. A lot of fish are present, though. In addition, you can swim with them. Because so many people in college share your interests, making new friends is simple.
• The population is larger and more diverse in colleges. Individuals have varied perspectives and come from various cultural backgrounds. The interesting part of life is that, though! Consider it a new opportunity for learning.

Conclusion: College is Easier

College is reportedly more difficult than high school, according to general opinion. According to the institution and the student, high school may, however, be simpler than college. In other words, it’s a relative and individualized issue.

It can be difficult but rewarding to have the freedom to select the courses you want to take, to carve out time in your schedule for both work and play, and to generally take charge of your life. You will undoubtedly benefit from your time in college, which is a significant period in your life.

FAQs