High School vs. College Classes

Transitioning from high school to college can feel very daunting, especially when you are the first in your family to go to college. There are so many “what ifs” and unanswered questions. One of the main questions incoming first-years ask is “How is college different from my traditional school setting?” To ease some of your nerves and answer some questions, I will break down some of the main differences between high school and college classes. 

Number of Classes:

One of the main differences is how many classes you take in high school versus in college. In high school, you usually take six classes, which are the same for fall and spring semesters. In college, most students take three to four classes a quarter. Although it may be fewer classes, they tend to be more challenging, and require a lot of readings or essays. 

Size of Classes:

Usually the number of students in your high school class does not exceed 30, but that can differ depending on the size of your high school. In college, the number of students in class differs by each specific course. Usually, classes that are more challenging have a small number of students (around 20), like upper division writing and math courses. General courses, like psychology and social ecology, can have up to 400 students in one class! Some courses with a large group of students also have discussion sections, which are smaller classes that allow for more individualized instruction and help. 

Schedule: 

Another major difference is the autonomy that students have in choosing their classes. In high school, you usually don’t have much choice in what you can take since there is already a set course path. This also means that you are at school for seven hours every day. In contrast, in college you get to choose what classes you want and when to take them. Although there are requirements you need to meet in order to graduate, there are several classes offered that you can choose from. Classes are also offered at different times, the earliest being 8 a.m., and ending with the latest at 9 p.m. This gives you the autonomy to choose when you’re in classes, which is beneficial if you have other commitments. 

Now that you know some of the differences, I hope that you feel more comfortable in the transition you are about to experience. Remember that it’s O.K. to feel nervous and a little overwhelmed. I can assure you that you will figure it all out and you will fit in in no time!