It doesn’t matter if you’re at the top of your high school class or you’re somewhere in the middle of the pack. You’ve heard college isn’t going to be easy. But could it really be that hard? Find out how college and high school compare, and learn how tough college actually is.
Are College Courses Easier Than High School Classes?
If you took advanced placement or honors courses in high school, you’ve already passed challenging classes with flying colors. College classes have to be easier, right?
Here’s the thing: College classes usually require much more high-level reading, in-depth discussions, and academic writing. Because you get to choose the courses that interest you in college, they might seem much easier than your high school classes were.
Is It Harder to Make Friends in College?
Making friends is easy in high school. If you’re like most high school students, you either hang out with the same crew you’ve known since forever, or you make new friends naturally through sports teams and after-school activities.
The thought of starting over and making new friends in college can be intimidating. Fortunately, everyone has to make a new set of friends in college, so meeting people couldn’t be easier. Whether you become BFFs with your college roommates, your orientation crew, or your study buddies, you’ll find the perfect group in no time.
Do You Have More Responsibilities in College?
In high school, you might juggle a full slate of classes with an after-school job, a few activities, and all the socializing you can squeeze in. When you’re in college, you’ll probably have a similar number of things to juggle.
But once you move on to college, you won’t have your parents to set rules or your teachers to make sure you turn in assignments on time. That means it’s your responsibility to handle everything. Not sure if you can handle it? Your advisors, roommates, and new friends will all be there to help.
Is It Impossible to Stand Out in College?
If you attend a small school or if you’re at the top of your class, you know it’s easy to stand out and succeed in high school. In college, it doesn’t matter if you go to a huge state school or a private university. Being a star is much harder, since you’ll typically have much more competition.
Don’t consider the extra competition a downside, though. Surrounding yourself with other overachievers can help you find like-minded friends who push you to be your best.
Is It Tougher to Join Extracurricular Activities in College?
If you’re used to being the star soccer player or the first chair in your school’s orchestra, you might be worried that more competition in high school could make it too tough to join your favorite activities. While being number one will be harder, there’s a definite upside to extracurricular activities in college.
You’ll find many activities to choose from in college. Whether you’re into arts and music, languages and culture, or sports and working out, you’ll discover that it’s easier than ever to find an extracurricular with your name on it.
Making the transition from high school to college can be challenging for anyone. However, with the right mindset, you’ll settle right in and make college the best years of your life.
