4 answers
Xen
Student
Morton Grove, Illinois
1
Question
Asked
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What does my life look like in the future if I think I'm successful in life?
I go to Niles West High School in Skokie Illinois and I'm a senior. What could I do to make college easier for me? Why do most people find college so hard? How come I find high school not hard at all?
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4 answers
Kate Hoving
Executive Coordinator
1
Answer
Flower Mound, Texas
Updated
Kate’s Answer
All good questions! I felt the same when graduating. High school was easy for me, but I found college more challenging for several reasons.
First, I am neurodivergent and my executive functioning skills are not the best. This leads me to procrastinate sometimes and/or lose track of time. It wasn't a big deal in high school because, as I mentioned, I found the curriculum easy enough to finish last minute. However, in college, you are often assigned large chunks of materials to complete within a certain timeframe, and it's not broken up and paced the same way as it is in high school. The amount of reading material may seem outrageous as well. You have to be very good at time management, which I learned quickly.
If that applies to you at all, my advice would be to find a system that keeps you organized and/or someone who can help you study/stay on track. I had a good planner and my roommate and I would regularly set homework/study dates to make sure we were getting everything done. Would we sometimes blow off these study dates to grab a coffee or go on a drive? Yes. But we would eventually come back around to it because we were holding each other accountable. Your teachers in college generally will not remind you of assignments or let you turn them in late, either. It's all up to you.
That's the other big difference: high school is extremely structured. College is not structured at all--you choose your class times, and you have the freedom to do whatever you want whenever you want. It can be very tempting to blow off an assignment or skip a class when there is something fun going on. I'm not going to say you should never do this. Just be wise and make sure it won't negatively affect you later on.
Lastly, the curriculum will be more challenging in one way or another. Maybe you'll find some classes easy--great! But there will be some that seem ridiculously hard with unreasonable expectations. I used to teach high school, and when we were building curriculum, we had to consider both the high-performing students and the lower-performing students. It's a balancing act to make sure everyone can be successful. College does not care about you like that. They are experts in their fields and you are expected to keep up.
As far as success goes--everyone's definition varies. Most will see success as the most money possible. Personally, I switched careers in order to have a better work/life balance. To me, success is being able to hang out with my family and friends and pursue hobbies while also maintaining a respectable career. It comes down to your values and what you want your life to look like. Do you want to help others? Fight for social justice? Live a balanced life? Be super rich but work all the time? Just things to think about when you're choosing a career path.
Best of luck to you!
First, I am neurodivergent and my executive functioning skills are not the best. This leads me to procrastinate sometimes and/or lose track of time. It wasn't a big deal in high school because, as I mentioned, I found the curriculum easy enough to finish last minute. However, in college, you are often assigned large chunks of materials to complete within a certain timeframe, and it's not broken up and paced the same way as it is in high school. The amount of reading material may seem outrageous as well. You have to be very good at time management, which I learned quickly.
If that applies to you at all, my advice would be to find a system that keeps you organized and/or someone who can help you study/stay on track. I had a good planner and my roommate and I would regularly set homework/study dates to make sure we were getting everything done. Would we sometimes blow off these study dates to grab a coffee or go on a drive? Yes. But we would eventually come back around to it because we were holding each other accountable. Your teachers in college generally will not remind you of assignments or let you turn them in late, either. It's all up to you.
That's the other big difference: high school is extremely structured. College is not structured at all--you choose your class times, and you have the freedom to do whatever you want whenever you want. It can be very tempting to blow off an assignment or skip a class when there is something fun going on. I'm not going to say you should never do this. Just be wise and make sure it won't negatively affect you later on.
Lastly, the curriculum will be more challenging in one way or another. Maybe you'll find some classes easy--great! But there will be some that seem ridiculously hard with unreasonable expectations. I used to teach high school, and when we were building curriculum, we had to consider both the high-performing students and the lower-performing students. It's a balancing act to make sure everyone can be successful. College does not care about you like that. They are experts in their fields and you are expected to keep up.
As far as success goes--everyone's definition varies. Most will see success as the most money possible. Personally, I switched careers in order to have a better work/life balance. To me, success is being able to hang out with my family and friends and pursue hobbies while also maintaining a respectable career. It comes down to your values and what you want your life to look like. Do you want to help others? Fight for social justice? Live a balanced life? Be super rich but work all the time? Just things to think about when you're choosing a career path.
Best of luck to you!
Teklemuz Ayenew Tesfay
Software Engineer and Career Mentor
674
Answers
Ethiopia
Updated
Teklemuz Ayenew’s Answer
To succeed in college, effective time management is key. Use tools like Google Calendar to stay organized and avoid procrastination. Experiment with different study techniques to find what works best for you, and get involved in campus activities early to build a strong support network. Focus on developing independence, managing your finances, and prioritizing your mental health while maintaining a growth mindset.
While college may feel more challenging due to a heavier workload and increased responsibility, building good habits now will set you up for success. If high school feels easy, it’s likely because of your solid study habits. However, college demands more critical thinking and organization. Utilize resources such as tutoring centers and build strong relationships with your professors for guidance.
In addition to academic success, it’s important to stay physically healthy, gain real-world experience, and avoid overloading your schedule. Gradually increase your course load to avoid burnout, and always prioritize your mental health. Don’t hesitate to seek support when needed—whether through campus counseling or academic advisors. Staying organized, taking care of yourself, and asking for help will make the transition to college much smoother.
While college may feel more challenging due to a heavier workload and increased responsibility, building good habits now will set you up for success. If high school feels easy, it’s likely because of your solid study habits. However, college demands more critical thinking and organization. Utilize resources such as tutoring centers and build strong relationships with your professors for guidance.
In addition to academic success, it’s important to stay physically healthy, gain real-world experience, and avoid overloading your schedule. Gradually increase your course load to avoid burnout, and always prioritize your mental health. Don’t hesitate to seek support when needed—whether through campus counseling or academic advisors. Staying organized, taking care of yourself, and asking for help will make the transition to college much smoother.
Michelle Fryar, MBA
Telecommunications / Operations
6
Answers
Wilmington, North Carolina
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hi Xen! To do well in college, stick to a schedule. Try to arrange your classes on the same days and times to save travel time and increase study time. Use your free time for personal activities, work, friends, family, study, and sleep. A schedule will boost your productivity and keep you on track.
In college, you have more freedom than in high school. You might not live with your family anymore and could have a job. Friends and other activities might distract you. Unlike high school, no one will make you attend class.
Good luck in college and your career! If you miss a class or fail a test, don't worry. Aim to improve the next day. You can do it!
In college, you have more freedom than in high school. You might not live with your family anymore and could have a job. Friends and other activities might distract you. Unlike high school, no one will make you attend class.
Good luck in college and your career! If you miss a class or fail a test, don't worry. Aim to improve the next day. You can do it!
Navneet Kashyap
Software Engineer
119
Answers
Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
Updated
Navneet’s Answer
If you’re successful in the future, your life usually looks like this: you’ve built skills you enjoy using, you have a stable career, and you feel like your work actually has direction instead of confusion.
To make college easier:
learn how to study actively (practice, not just reading)
manage time early (deadlines come fast)
take intro classes seriously—they set your foundation
don’t ignore help (office hours, tutoring, asking questions)
Why college feels hard for many people:
less structure than high school
more responsibility and self-discipline needed
faster pace and harder material
people underestimate how much independent work is required
Why high school may feel easy for you:
more routine and guidance
teachers remind you of deadlines
To make college easier:
learn how to study actively (practice, not just reading)
manage time early (deadlines come fast)
take intro classes seriously—they set your foundation
don’t ignore help (office hours, tutoring, asking questions)
Why college feels hard for many people:
less structure than high school
more responsibility and self-discipline needed
faster pace and harder material
people underestimate how much independent work is required
Why high school may feel easy for you:
more routine and guidance
teachers remind you of deadlines