How hard is college compared to high school?

United States
December 6, 2006 2:00pm CST
I'm a senior in high school and I'll be starting college next year. I've been asking around lately asking how college compares to high school in terms of work load. Some people have told me high school was harder than college but others have told me college workload is killer. I'd like input from anyone in college or who has recently been through it to give me some info. Thanks!
1 person likes this
14 responses
@MissGia (955)
• United States
7 Dec 06
I would have to say from my experience that neither is easier or harder than the other. Point being is if you worked hard and did good in highschool and want to do good in college as well, you'll work hard anyways. A difference between the two for me was probably the atmosphere, the non-pushiness. In highschool it was more strict, you were treated like a child, stuff was limited. College i would have to say is more laid back. You are able to express yourself in your classes/papers you write as an adult. I just felt more of a comfort in myself at college, i could be me..and not have to make myself up because of stupid guidelines. I dont know if anything i have said can help you, but it's nice to ponder upon.
• Philippines
7 Dec 06
i like what you said. if i learned something from this, the one who posted this discussion must have, too. thanks for sharing your ideas.
• United States
8 Dec 06
Yes thank you and everyone else here who also commented. It's good to know that I won't completely suffocate under a gigantic workload once I end up at college
@lissaj (532)
• United States
7 Dec 06
College is harder than high school. You have more personal responsibility. It is up to you to make sure you make it to each class, and yes, there is more work. But if you get your priorities in order and stick to them, you shouldn't have any problems. Just don't overload yourself with classes.
1 person likes this
• Romania
7 Dec 06
well... for me is not very hard, because I like to study and learn.
• United States
7 Dec 06
In my opinion, the first two years of college are like 13th and 14th grades. It's more basic stuff just on a more in depth level. Your high school grades will represent how you'll do your first two years. The second two years will be more focused on your major and be really hands on with workshops, labs and training classes. This is also where the projects come in. Don't worry, these are always group projects and they are really fun! If you're college is small, you'll be better off, you get to interact more with the professor. If you're in a large college with large classes, you may want to form study groups, because tracking down the teacher can be near impossible out of class.
@shyam4uall (1002)
• India
7 Dec 06
College-Life - College-Life
I would say with my experience that College is much easier in terms of loads ...But can be a head-ache is not properly mantained.. U ahve to be very much efficient in utilizing the time..In college Time is very much handy...Is the place where u really learn ur life style..
• United States
7 Dec 06
The key is time management. Assuming you have classes for 2-3 hours a day, study, read, do homework for another 2-3 hours a day, you still have plenty of time to go to parties, hang out, join clubs, etc. As long as you keep up the time needed with the schoolwork, you will still have plenty of time, and won't have to panic over the work. It will be a heavier load, but you will have plenty of time to get it done, as well as have a lot of time to fully enjoy your college experience
1 person likes this
@Glenn2007 (235)
• United States
7 Dec 06
to tell you the true College is the Harder b/c now days you got have great grades get in College High School prepard you for College level If you play any sports you got a big break buy everything b/c you can get everything free Like room on campus and books and the only thing you pay for your Clothes and Food part what you going take in College Like my Cousin is going be Pycho Dr His Just finished 4 years at UGA and and Now his in Macon ga take 2 more years Dr College His is part time working too with Local macon Dr his told me College was very tough for him for 4 years
• India
7 Dec 06
nothing ,to be willing is only the hard thing in this world
@volschenkh (1043)
• South Africa
7 Dec 06
I guess you are talking about the USA college system? Well then I cant really give you a answer. What I do know however is that normally the volume of work is significantly more after school, and you would need some good learning/studying techniques to cope.
• India
7 Dec 06
I am also feeling it now. I am also entering college .
• India
7 Dec 06
COLLEGE WORK LOAD IS NOT A KILLER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YA AS WE GO IN HIGHER CLASSES STUDY LEVEL INCREASES ,BUT ITS NOT DAT WE WILL BE UNABLE DEAL WITH IT . ONE SHOULD NO HOW TO MANAGE TIME APPROPRIATELY .JUST TRY TO CONCENTRATE AT DA TIME OF STUDY AND N JOY DA REST PART OF LIFE.
@mashimaro (1094)
• Philippines
7 Dec 06
the harder thing is you cannot experience what will you experienced in highschool days? in college you are more mature..unlike in highschool a lot more experience, crushes, more friends, about the prom etc..in college, you will encounter thesis,an apprentice to work..nahhh in other words highschool days is great!
@saeedsid (1119)
• Pakistan
7 Dec 06
well starting a college from a high school is as though as going to the sixth grade from the fifth..... if you take it harder then you'll make it harder....
@ricky1209 (1675)
• India
7 Dec 06
both r hard according to situations