Understanding the Difference
Between High School and
College
Created by Magda Hayes
Student Responsibility
High School
College
"teacher-supported” “student-directed”
1. High school and
teachers require
attendance.
1. Successful students
attend all classes
although attendance
may not be required.
2. Teachers remind
students of
assignments, tests,
and make-up work.
2. Students complete
assignments & take
tests.
High School
College
"teacher-supported” “student-directed”
3. Teachers guide
research and the
location of information.
3. Successful students
possess library and
internet research skills.
4. Teachers give students
supplementary
information.
4. Successful students
seek background
information.
High School
College
"teacher-supported” “student-directed”
5. Teachers:
*Summarize main ideas
*Outline notes
*Provide study guides
*Formulate questions.
5. Successful students:
*Use effective reading
skills
*Take notes and study
them
*Create their own study
guides
*Create questions and
answers.
High School
College
"teacher-supported” “student-directed”
6. Teachers monitor
student performance
by providing grade
sheets.
6. Students monitor their
own performance and
set improvement goals.
7. Teachers discipline
inappropriate talking in
class.
7. Teachers do not
tolerate inappropriate
talking in class.
High School
College
"teacher-supported” “student-directed”
8. Teachers usually
require less outside
studying than college.
8. Students study 2-3
hours for each one
hour of class time.
9. Teachers provide inclass study time and
students often study
with many distractions.
9. Students use study
areas on campus and
create a study area at
home.
High School
College
"teacher-supported” “student-directed”
10. Others schedule a
student’s time for
classes and work.
11. Students often choose
elective courses based
on interest.
10. Students must
develop personal time
management systems
for school, work, and
social life.
11. Students choose
courses based on
program, degree, or
transfer requirements.
Academic environment
High School
"student-focused”
College
"content-focused"
Teachers give short
lectures that often
duplicate reading
assignments.
1. Teachers present
extended lectures that
supplement assigned
readings.
2. High school classes are
usually limited to 30
or fewer students.
2. College classes are
usually larger with 40100 plus students.
1.
High School
"student-focused”
College
"content-focused"
3. High school classes
meet daily.
3. College classes meet 23 times per week.
4. Teachers provide
necessary background
knowledge.
4. Teachers assume
students have
background knowledge
and skills.
High School
"student-focused”
College
"content-focused"
5. Teachers focus student
learning with
questions.
5. Teachers expect students
to generate questions.
6. Teachers cover all
content in class.
6. Students have to know
all the material.
7. Teachers provide
organization.
7. Students must organize
their notes and handouts
(notebooks/folders).
Sources:
www.mnade.org
MNADE Publications
Minnesota Association for
Developmental Education