College vs. High School: The Syllabus

A rookie mistake made by many new college students is too overlook the syllabus. Do NOT do this. Though it may only be a sheet or two long, it is a valuable resource and will be a reliable friend for the entire semester.

When you receive a class syllabus, take the time to read through all of it. Be sure that you know and understand the professor's attendance, exam, and make-up policies as well as the grade breakdown. If the information is not available or you do not understand the wording, be sure to speak up—doing so could prevent negative consequences later on! You should also highlight the professor's contact information so that you can easily find it should you need to schedule a meeting or receive extra help.

After reading through the syllabus, mark down the dates of assignments, quizzes, papers, and exams. You can do this on a calendar, in a planner, or in your iPhone. The method you choose is not important, just be sure that you choose one that is accessible and easy to use. It may also be helpful to note the amount of points or grade percentage assigned to each item. Lastly, remember to refer back to the syllabus to ensure that you are on track with assigned readings.

Live and love your syllabus—it is one tool to success that you do not have to pay for!

College vs. High School: The Amount and Type of Work

When you signed up for college, you were probably aware that the subject matter you studied would be more difficult. However, you might not have expected the many differences that exist between the work you did in high school and what is expected of you as a college student.

An obvious difference is the workload. In high school you may not have needed to study more than a few hours per week. College classes require greater attention and devotion. How much time you ask? A good rule of thumb is to add up the hours of class you have each day and multiply that number by two. For example, if you have two hours of class on Monday, you should plan to spend about four hours doing work. Remember that this is only a general guide—you may need more or less time depending on your individual ability, needs, and learning style.

The type of work you are assigned in college is different as well. High school generally consists of a lot of “busy work” including items such as worksheets, small essay assignments, and short answer questions. College assignments, however, generally include large textbook readings or in-depth papers and projects. Because of the nature of the beast, you must learn to break assignments down into smaller chunks that can be spaced out over several days. Doing this decreases the likelihood that you will have to pull an all-nighter to meet deadlines. Remember too, that some work, such as reviewing your notes, is not assigned. Instead, it is up to you to review textbook and in-class information on a regular basis.