Transitioning High School Students into College Courses

*This article is written by my friend, Beth Hammett. Beth teaches English on the college level. This is exactly where I am in my life as my son transitions from high school to college. 

For twelve years, parents and teachers manage students’ progressions in schools.  After that, students take control of their academic successes and failures. There are many differences between high school and college classes.  Helping students know what to expect in their first-year courses can ease the high school to college transition.

First, students should realize their classes may be very large in size, and they will be diverse in age, ethnicity, and gender.  Some classrooms at four-year universities hold up to 500 students.  In large classes, professors may not learn students’ names or remember their faces. Attendance might be taken by card swipe systems, clickers, participations, or sign-in sheets.  There are plenty of stories of students sitting through classes without knowing they were supposed to punch their identification numbers into keyboards.  Some colleges allow professors to set their own attendance policies, so students need to read and follow their syllabus, which is like a contract.  Students should ask questions about attendance policies if they are unsure.  

Courses meet from one day a week to five days a week and extend for longer periods of time than high school classes.  Students should plan three hours of study time for each course they are enrolled, so twelve credit hours requires thirty-six hours of study time.  Scheduling all courses on one or two days sounds great, but is it feasible?  Students do not realize course grades may be two only tests grades: one mid-term and one final exam.  In-class discussions, labs, and lecture notes are used to study for tests. The preparation times needed for passing courses is longer than in most high school courses due to less meeting times. 

Students monitor their own progress  and keep up with their grades in courses.  This is a major change from high school where parents and teachers assist, encourage, and remind students to turn in assignments.  Then, students get into college courses, and safety nets are removed.  Progress reports are not sent to college students. Sometimes, computerized grading software, such as Blackboard or WebCT is used.  Students log-in and track their progresses.  Students must also take necessary steps, such as attending study groups or tutoring, on their own to ensure academic successes.  Passing or failing courses are students’ responsibilities.

There is much more freedom, yet a great deal more responsibility, in college courses than in high school classes.  The quality of education in college depends upon students’ commitments to courses.  The transitions from high school to college courses can be eased when students know what to expect.  Encourage students to explore their options with Finding the Perfect College.