What are the major differences between being a high school and being university student?

Answer 1

Are we talking behavioral because that can be a long list or a shorter more generic one. I'll try to meld the two.

The biggest differences between High School and niveristy students

I. You own your day

"What?" You say. For 18 years you re at the bidding of your parents, whether they be good or bad. However, if you GO to Univeristy (i.e. don't live at or too close to home) then you becom the master of all 24 hours of you own darn day! It's very amazing, and is a large factor in persoanlity differences

II. Cool?

In High School there are like 4 versions of "Cool" tops. In University, people who try to be cool are almost made fun of. Not to mention. the word has either been done away with (as in there's no way to be so & or no on gives a damn about being that anymore) or it has been expanded into 100 different meanning. No matter what you do, it's possible to find a large group of people who think you're cool. And anyone who is foolish enough to SAY otherwise is called "high school" becuase who care about being cool in University? Everyone is ther to get a degree!

III. Early and Late

The secnd you become a University student your perception of Early and late begins to shift. You begin to exist in a different part of the day, sometimes the wrong part.

In High School "early" means 6am and "late" means 11. You go OMG if you do homework past midnight (and so do your parents)
Furthermore, you can wake up at 7am without an alarm 5 days a week and go to 6 hours work of class without a yawn.

In University "early" is 8am (acutally 8am is "too early") or 9am. Having class at, or even getting up at 8 is complete torture which you will loath before half the semester is over. "Late" becomes 2am - because at this time you body actually willjust fall asleep on you. However, doing homework beyond 3am or starting homework at 11pm (you old HS bed time) is not uncommon.


IV. Legal vs Illegal

In HS people smoke drink, maybe even some drugs. Usualy those are the bad people. In University, the 4.0 students do all that and then some. Also, depending on where yu go, there are no real "stupd" and bad students that you can just pick out of the crowd. Not everyone in college is 21, but most of the drinker are under 21. By the time you're 21 in Univeristy you will have "gotten over" silly Freshmanic things like getting drunk.

V. Diversified focus

The focused people in HS are all about going to University. They tend to band together collaborate and make friends. The focused people in Univeristy are all about gettig the heck out of there. They tend to be isolated, work alone, and not help anyone elese because it will mess with ther curve and their grade in the class.


VI. Money-minded

High School students get paid. They get free everything. Water electricity laundry garbage food heat airconditioning chaffeuring gasoline insurance etc etc etc. In Univeristy, you get jack. Everything I just listed will eithe rhave to be paid out of your pocket, taken from the Bank/Federal govt's pockets (and as such you pay them back anyway) or you just don't have it. Thigns like buying new clothes bo by the way side. If you're lucky you get an Athletic or Academic Scholarsihp, but they your life is devoted to keep that "free" but with strings attached money by performin up the the necessary standards.

VII. Self-Planning

In High School there is this book that tells yu every single class you need to take to graduate. One path, with a few electives. You calmost can't go wrong. In University all plannign is up to you.


The visual difference of this eveidence can be seem by comparing a College Student and High School student on walking on the street.

The HS student will look happier have newer clothing, and a relatively empty backpack walk with a spring in there step and maybe be on the cell phone talking about nothing in particular or even have a few friends around them because HS student travel in packs.

The College student will have a full backpack basic clothing if not sweats, a more blank or jaded expression, be walking as if they are going somewhere very important, and if they are on the cellphone it's with their parents or roomate. They will most lkely be walking alone because Univeristy students don't have schedules that coordinate enough to tag along with someone else.

Answer 2

I think they are fairly different. In college you are on your own, no one tells you what to do, or when to do it. You have no real obligations. However in high school, you must get to class on time, be subject to detention, must live with your parents' rules, and just live each day in the same way.

However, college can also be like starting high school without your friends. Courses tend to be harder, and you need to study a lot more than you used to in high school. But the experience of being out there on your own is definitely worth every moment. It'll prepare you for the real world after graduation (in 2011 I'd expect).

Answer 3

at university you have more freedom of choise with the courses you´re taking, and after graduating you have better opportunities at getting a good job.

Answer 4

I guess you're older in university than in high school!