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cierra
Student
Gallup, New Mexico
1
Question
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How does college work? Is it like highschool
Im good. My favorite subject is math and world history. #cierra
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3 answers
Natalie Dunn
CareerVillage.org TeamProduct Manager at CareerVillage.org
30
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Natalie’s Answer, CareerVillage.org Team
Hi Cierra,
Great question! In general, the academics of college work like this:
- Every student, regardless of their major (more on that below), usually takes general requirement classes. These are things like english, history, sociology, and other areas depending on your college. This way, everyone gets some education in general subjects the school believes are important.
- You have a major, which is the area of academics you are focusing on in college. My major was Business Administration, I had friends whose majors were history, math, computer science, art history, biology, chemistry, the list goes on! There are tons of majors you could pick depending on what you're interested in. In order to graduate and complete your major, there is usually a list of classes you need to take, as well as electives you can choose from.
- Electives are classes that you get to choose! They could be electives related to your major, or completely unrelated. This is where you get to take classes you're interested in that may or may not be related to your area of study.
In general, there are definitely some similarities and differences between high school and college. I would say the biggest difference is that there's less "hand-holding" in college. What I mean by that is that in high school, I remember there was a lot of homework assignments and tasks teachers have students do so that they are learning and on track. In some of my college classes, there wasn't the same amount of checking in and it requires you (as a student) to make your own plan for studying, doing work, etc. There's also much more flexibility in college in terms of your schedule. My high school was about 8:30AM - 2:30PM Mon-Fri, but in college, my classes were smaller blocks throughout the days, and some days I only had an hour or two of classes.
I hope this was helpful, and please let me know if you have any more questions!
If you'd like to read more, here's a blog with many posts about how college works: https://pearsonaccelerated.com/blog/how-does-college-work
Great question! In general, the academics of college work like this:
- Every student, regardless of their major (more on that below), usually takes general requirement classes. These are things like english, history, sociology, and other areas depending on your college. This way, everyone gets some education in general subjects the school believes are important.
- You have a major, which is the area of academics you are focusing on in college. My major was Business Administration, I had friends whose majors were history, math, computer science, art history, biology, chemistry, the list goes on! There are tons of majors you could pick depending on what you're interested in. In order to graduate and complete your major, there is usually a list of classes you need to take, as well as electives you can choose from.
- Electives are classes that you get to choose! They could be electives related to your major, or completely unrelated. This is where you get to take classes you're interested in that may or may not be related to your area of study.
In general, there are definitely some similarities and differences between high school and college. I would say the biggest difference is that there's less "hand-holding" in college. What I mean by that is that in high school, I remember there was a lot of homework assignments and tasks teachers have students do so that they are learning and on track. In some of my college classes, there wasn't the same amount of checking in and it requires you (as a student) to make your own plan for studying, doing work, etc. There's also much more flexibility in college in terms of your schedule. My high school was about 8:30AM - 2:30PM Mon-Fri, but in college, my classes were smaller blocks throughout the days, and some days I only had an hour or two of classes.
I hope this was helpful, and please let me know if you have any more questions!
Natalie, CareerVillage.org Team recommends the following next steps:
Steve Swisher
Category Manager of Procurement
69
Answers
The Woodlands, Texas
Updated
Steve’s Answer
College is different. You need to be really focused on your studies to get good grades. Important to make friends of course, but do make a plan to get your sleep everyday. Try to find other students who compliment you nicely in the areas of study and being social. Take time off now and then and watch a basketball or football game. Support your college!
Enjoy college!
Enjoy college!
Lila Del Rosso, CPA
Technical Program Manager
7
Answers
Richmond, California
Updated
Lila’s Answer
It's way better! You are more independent, you have more flexibility in your schedule, can choose areas where you want to learn and have many clubs, sports or hobbies all available to you. My advice for college is to lean in and get the most out of it. It might feel like it is forever, but it will be over in a blip. This advice goes well for high school too.
In college you can:
- Take night classes so you can work during the day (if finances are tight)
- Take fewer or more classes depending on how long you want to be in college
- Take classes that interest you
- Meet a ton of new people
- Can go to a college in a new location
- Try things out that you never would have
- Start exploring career options early - intern, volunteer etc
- You are an adult so you have more independence and choices
In college you can:
- Take night classes so you can work during the day (if finances are tight)
- Take fewer or more classes depending on how long you want to be in college
- Take classes that interest you
- Meet a ton of new people
- Can go to a college in a new location
- Try things out that you never would have
- Start exploring career options early - intern, volunteer etc
- You are an adult so you have more independence and choices