College adjustment
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High school vs. college
Teacher/student contact
High school: Students know their teacher’s names, have the same classes every day, and sit with their best friends.
College: Students may be in class for a month and still not know the professor’s name (even though they have class two or three times a week). Everyone in the room is a stranger.
Grades
High school: Students may never crack a book and still get straight A’s. Parents try to keep students focused on school and activities.
College: Freshmen get acquainted with Hale Library within the first week of classes, and they can find a tutor. Students learn to keep focused and manage their time.
Social status
High school: Students are typecast as jocks, class clowns, drama geeks, class presidents, airheads, indie rockers, bullies, bookworms, or even brownnosers.
College: What’s the best part about college? No one knows what high school clique anyone is from, so break free from old stereotypes. Students can reinvent themselves and create new reputations.
Independence
High school: Students rely on parents, teachers, and counselors to help make decisions and give advice. Students must abide by parents’ boundaries and restrictions.
College: Students rely on themselves; they see the results of making their own decisions. It’s their responsibility to seek advice and help as needed. Students set their own restrictions.
Motivation
High school: Students are encouraged to achieve or participate from parents, teachers, and counselors.
College: Students apply their own motivation to their work and activities. Or not.
Make decisions
High school: Students often consult their parents when making daily decisions. Parents have more involvement in their students’ lives.
College: Students learn to make major decisions on their own, without a parent’s input. Parents won’t have the same level of involvement they previously had.