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What's it like being a freshman in college and how does it differ from being a freshman in high school?

I just want to compare my freshman year from high school to what my freshman year might be like in college.

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Ann’s Answer

This is a great question, and I love that you are thinking about this. Depending on the type of college you go to there is a huge difference from freshman year of college to freshman year of high school. First, the responsibility is shifted to be completely on you. You will have to wake yourself up and you will have to find all of your classes in your own. Time management will be key to success. If you live in a dorm there is the general transition from living in shared spaces with strangers as well. You'll have a new roommate and many dorms have shared bathroomsas well. Also, the schedule is much different. Instead of having set periods of 8 or more subjects, you will be taking at most 5 classes that can be spread out through the day and week. Lastly, the method of learning can also differ depending on what your high school was like and what college you attend. In high school students are often taught to memorize and regurgitate information. In college the focus will shift to be much more about your ability to take what you learn and apply it to real life examples. You'll still have tests, but papers and projects will be far more common. The homework will be more time consuming because the homework is just as important as the time you spend in the classroom.

That all maybe seem overwhelming, I have some tips to prepare. I will include them in the next steps. Don't hesitate to reach out with more questions! College is an adjustment, but it is great once you get situated!

Ann recommends the following next steps:

Take a tour or multiple ones before classes begin. Take time to learn the campus so you know how to get to each class. I even recommend doing a dry run of your walks to each class once you get your schedule. This way you aren't lost getting from class to class.
Talk in depth with your advisor about your schedule. If you have classes scheduled close together make sure you have enough time to walk to the next class. Also, your advisor will be able to make sure you have a course load you can handle and helps with your goals. Your advisor can also point you to resources available when you are struggling. If you ever feel like you don't know what to do, the answer is talk to your advisor.
If living in dorms they will likely send you a survey about yourself. Take this seriously and be thoughtful in your answers. This questionnaire is how they will pair you with a roommate and you want to make sure they match you well. Also, once they assign you a roommate make sure to speak to them several times. Moving in with someone is much easier if you know them a bit before that day.
Have a stragey for your downtime in between classes. It's really easy to just go back and nap in between or other unproductive things. In the evening you are going to want to participate in a lot of events and activities. It's easy to think the homework can be done later. Use that downtime to get most of your work done. This will help eliminate all nighters.
If they offer it I highly recommend taking the humanities course Critical Thinking in your first semester. When I was an advisor I made all of my students take this class first. It's a hard one, but it will absolutely help perpare you for the type of assignments you get in college that you don't get in high school. If you only take one piece of advice from me make sure it's this on!
Thank you comment icon Productive use of downtime is essential, thanks for pointing that out! I found it worked best to have a two-class break between classes to best use the downtime - (a class from 9-10, and the next one from 12-1, for example) Kim Igleheart
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Melanie’s Answer

It is definitely a different experience. In college, for most people, you are choosing to be there. With high school, you don't really get a choice. This makes college more exciting as a freshman than in high school. In high school you still have a lot to learn academically and emotionally. By college, you will likely have a better understanding of who you are and what you want for your life and this makes it easier to focus on your passions in college. Like others said, there is also a lot more freedom in college. You're not having to schedule your life around your family's plans and have more choice in your life. I will say though, in high school it is easier to get acquainted with things because teachers are pretty lenient with freshman at first and it is much easier to make friends in high school. In college it can feel a little isolating at times, but you will find your way.
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De'Jahnique’s Answer

Freshman in College compared to a freshman in high school is the complete opposite. When you are a freshman in high school, you are really only responsible to work on your studies, extracurricular activities, household chores maybe, and just enjoying life as a kid. When you get to college it's an entirely different ball game. There is no one to tell you that you need to do your homework, clean your room, come downstairs for dinner, make sure your alarm is set for work or school. Your life is now in your hands. Every decision you make is something you chose to do. Time management and making a schedule for yourself will be your key to success. The biggest thing that helped me keep up with everything was by getting a dry erase calendar,. Make sure when you're looking for a job that is works with your school schedule and also that you are not overworking yourself. You cannot call your professor to have your job vouch for you or even have your parent to call your job to vouch for you once high school is over and you turn 18 everything changes in a sense. College is so much fun outside of having to be an adult, you can do whatever you want, when you want, no curfews etc, but make sure your priorities are completed first. It's funny because one day your going to practice in high school and the next day yore having dinner with future doctors, lawyers, engineers, and artists.
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