It is a common perception that high school is easier than college. But is it true? Let’s find out more in this article.
In some ways, this may be true, as high school generally has a more structured environment and fewer academic demands. However, college also has its own unique challenges that can make it more difficult than high school.
For example, college courses may cover more complex and advanced material, and students are often expected to take more responsibility for their learning.
Additionally, college students may have to balance a heavier workload with other responsibilities, such as part-time jobs or internships. Ultimately, whether high school or college is easier depends on the individual student’s strengths, weaknesses, and circumstances.
The Argument For High School
There are several reasons why high school may be perceived as more convenient than college.
Structured Environment
In high school, students generally have a set schedule of classes they must attend, and there is often less flexibility in course selection. This structure can make it easier for students to plan their time and stay on track with their studies.
Though repeating a routine can become quite tiresome, it sets most students up for success. You start and end your days at the same time every day. Moreover, your classes are at the same time, and your schedule will stay the same for the duration of the academic year.
Set Up Schedule
You only realize the stress high school counselors have to go through once you get to design your own schedule in college. Only then will you recognize the privilege of having your classes set up for you.
Though this tends to limit students in choosing the classes and times they wish to take them, it removes the stress of picking. Furthermore, the classes you must take are clear year after year, which is not always true in college.
Fewer Responsibilities, Fewer Problems
High school is easier than college because students have fewer responsibilities outside of their studies. They may not have to worry about balancing their academic workload with a part-time job or other commitments, which can be a major challenge for college students.
Regardless of what you believe, high school is hard. It can be difficult for teens to grow up and become adults. Choosing a college, fitting in with the other kids, and more challenges arise.
Academically Less Demanding
Lastly, another reason why high school may be more manageable is that there are generally fewer academic demands. High school courses often cover a wide range of subjects, but college courses may be more in-depth and challenging.
Additionally, high school students may have more support from teachers and counselors, who can help them stay on track and provide guidance when needed. Teachers spend the whole day at school and can be easy to track down; no need for office hours.
The Argument For College
Though some people argue high school is easier than college, there are various factors that say otherwise. Let’s discuss why college will be a breeze.
Fewer Classes
One of the best things about college is the number of classes you take per semester. That’s right! No more nine-week quarters. Instead, college is broken down into semesters. If you want to know how many years are eight semesters in college, check out the article!
In high school, six or eight classes are standard. In college, you should take at most five classes per semester. Fewer classes with a longer duration can relieve a college student’s stress of getting everything done at once.
On the one hand, in high school, you take up to eight courses for a total of nine months. The academic year is broken down into four quarters. Each quarter lasts nine weeks.
College, on the other hand, has five courses each semester. The academic year has three semesters, spring, summer, and fall. Each semester lasts 15-17 weeks.
Who won? Clearly, college allows students to take way more courses in a shorter period of time without stressing students out. That is a win-win.
Schedule With Sleep Included
Most high schoolers start their day by waking up around six or seven in the morning to get to class on time. They spend seven hours in school and often have after-school activities, hobbies, or even part-time jobs.
Unfortunately, teens have a natural sleep schedule that operates at a later time than adults. That is why they often struggle to fall asleep before 11 pm. Then they must wake up early and miss out on getting their much-needed nine hours of rest.
The cycle of sleep deprivation continues to happen over the course of their high school careers. This causes significant issues when trying to focus and learn and can have detrimental effects on teens’ moods and hormones.
Nevertheless, in college, students can start their day when they want to though there are some exceptions. Designing your schedule allows you to select what days and times you want your classes to be on.
If you are not a morning person, you might choose to attend your classes in the afternoon. Thus, leaving your mornings free to rest or study and work.
Having control over your schedule is something that all college students love. It allows you to set yourself up for success in the majority of situations. This way, you get to class fully awake.
Courses Interest You
When you begin college and are working towards your Associate degree, you might have to take general classes, including math, science, history, and English. Much like you did in high school.
However, once you are working towards your major with your Bachelor’s degree, you get to have all the classes you like. Instead of fulfilling your science requirement with biology, as you do in high school, some colleges allow you to fulfill that credit by taking astronomy, meteorology, or geology courses.
Furthermore, college courses often cover more advanced and specialized material. This can be both a challenge and a benefit for students, as it allows them to delve deeper into a subject that they are interested in and gain a more in-depth understanding.
For motivated and engaged students, this can be a rewarding experience that may make college seem easier than high school. Plus, students tend to do better in classes they want to be in.
In addition, college students may have fewer distractions and distractions outside of their studies. Many college students live on campus or in other dedicated housing, which can provide a more focused and distraction-free environment for studying.
Besides, college students may have different social and extracurricular demands than high school students, which can also make it easier to focus on their studies.
No Busy Work
College tends to be more straightforward than high school. On the first day of classes, professors review the syllabus, which will become your map for the semester.
Syllabi include all the homework assignments, tests, quizzes, deadlines, days off, and more. It becomes a calendar for your classes and can help set you up for success in classes.
Moreover, assignments in college are strictly crucial for your understanding. Meaning there is no busy work. You can expect to have one assignment per class per week. If you take five classes, that is five assignments a week.
In college, you usually have a longer time to get assignments done. Say goodbye to the worthless worksheets and time-consuming tests you had every week in high school.
College students are often expected to take more responsibility for their own learning. This can be a positive aspect of college, as it allows students to develop self-discipline and time-management skills that will be valuable throughout their lives.
For self-motivated students and able to take charge of their education, college may be easier than high school, where there is often more structure and guidance from teachers.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, whether high school or college is easier depends on perspective. Are you okay teaching yourself at times? What about picking your classes? Or do you prefer to have your schedule set for you? Do you want every day to look the same?
High school may be easier for some students due to its more structured environment, fewer academic demands, and less responsibility outside of their studies.
However, college can also have unique challenges, such as covering more advanced and specialized material and expecting students to take more responsibility for their own learning.
Ultimately, it is essential for students to be aware of the differences between high school and college and to be prepared to meet the challenges that come with each level of education.
