3 answers
Cristian
Student
Humble, Texas
1
Question
Asked
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What was the most noticeable difference in work load and experience during freshman year of college and highschool?
I am currently planning on studying Electrical Engineering and I am curious to know how the work experience will be different from high school courses.
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3 answers
Nicole Baillie
Data Analyst
499
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Nicole’s Answer
Hi Cristian. What a fantastic question....
It is important to note that often times, there are many differences between your high school years and your college experience. I will share my top 5:
1. You will not be constantly reminded to do/turn in your homework or when you have exams. More likely, you will get a syllabus at the beginning of your semester and be instructed to "follow the syllabus". The syllabus is generally chock full of information on things like when homework is due and when you have exams. Your professors will expect you to perform as an adult would..who is responsible enough to read instructions and complete tasks.
2. If you plan to soak up the richness of campus life, no one will be coming to wake you up to get to class on time.:) Again, you are embarking on the journey to being a responsible adult.
3. No one will be pressuring you about study time. You will have to time-manage what you need to focus on and for how long.
4. No one will force you to take specific classes. In high school, you may have had the opportunity to take electives but many times even that option of electives can be pretty narrow. Generally, you have many more choices on electives in college.
5. You will spend more time problem-solving in college than you did in high school...and I mean even outside of the classroom. Adjusting to roommate life, learning the quickest routes to get to class on time, who are the most effective TAs (teachers assistants)...these are just small examples of the many things that you will learn in college that you likely didn't have to think about in high school.
Hope you find this information helpful and best of luck to you!
It is important to note that often times, there are many differences between your high school years and your college experience. I will share my top 5:
1. You will not be constantly reminded to do/turn in your homework or when you have exams. More likely, you will get a syllabus at the beginning of your semester and be instructed to "follow the syllabus". The syllabus is generally chock full of information on things like when homework is due and when you have exams. Your professors will expect you to perform as an adult would..who is responsible enough to read instructions and complete tasks.
2. If you plan to soak up the richness of campus life, no one will be coming to wake you up to get to class on time.:) Again, you are embarking on the journey to being a responsible adult.
3. No one will be pressuring you about study time. You will have to time-manage what you need to focus on and for how long.
4. No one will force you to take specific classes. In high school, you may have had the opportunity to take electives but many times even that option of electives can be pretty narrow. Generally, you have many more choices on electives in college.
5. You will spend more time problem-solving in college than you did in high school...and I mean even outside of the classroom. Adjusting to roommate life, learning the quickest routes to get to class on time, who are the most effective TAs (teachers assistants)...these are just small examples of the many things that you will learn in college that you likely didn't have to think about in high school.
Hope you find this information helpful and best of luck to you!
Chiquria Willis
Loan Processor - Rocket Mortgage
94
Answers
Dearborn Heights, Michigan
Updated
Chiquria’s Answer
Great question! Moving from high school to your first year of college, especially in a field like Electrical Engineering, is a big step, but it's an exciting one with lots of opportunities for growth:
1. Embrace the Challenge:
In college, especially in engineering, you'll have more homework and projects. But this is your chance to dive deeper into subjects you love. You'll have fewer class hours, giving you the freedom to manage your time and focus on what interests you most.
2. Rise to the Occasion:
Professors cover material quickly and expect you to think critically. You'll tackle more open-ended problems in calculus, physics, and engineering, which helps you learn to apply concepts creatively.
3. Take Charge of Your Learning:
Unlike high school, where teachers remind you of deadlines, college encourages you to be proactive. You'll learn to organize your study time and use the syllabus to keep track of important dates.
4. Connect and Collaborate:
Working with others becomes essential. Join study groups, clubs like IEEE, or engineering societies to share ideas and learn together. Use campus resources like tutoring centers and office hours to support your learning.
5. Balance and Thrive:
Balancing studies, internships, and personal life is key. Prioritize your tasks, seek help when needed, and maintain a healthy lifestyle to succeed.
Overall, college is a rewarding journey. You'll gain independence, develop problem-solving skills, and explore subjects you're passionate about. Many students find this newfound freedom and focus incredibly motivating.
1. Embrace the Challenge:
In college, especially in engineering, you'll have more homework and projects. But this is your chance to dive deeper into subjects you love. You'll have fewer class hours, giving you the freedom to manage your time and focus on what interests you most.
2. Rise to the Occasion:
Professors cover material quickly and expect you to think critically. You'll tackle more open-ended problems in calculus, physics, and engineering, which helps you learn to apply concepts creatively.
3. Take Charge of Your Learning:
Unlike high school, where teachers remind you of deadlines, college encourages you to be proactive. You'll learn to organize your study time and use the syllabus to keep track of important dates.
4. Connect and Collaborate:
Working with others becomes essential. Join study groups, clubs like IEEE, or engineering societies to share ideas and learn together. Use campus resources like tutoring centers and office hours to support your learning.
5. Balance and Thrive:
Balancing studies, internships, and personal life is key. Prioritize your tasks, seek help when needed, and maintain a healthy lifestyle to succeed.
Overall, college is a rewarding journey. You'll gain independence, develop problem-solving skills, and explore subjects you're passionate about. Many students find this newfound freedom and focus incredibly motivating.
Charlotte Geiger
Public Health Science Student at the University of Maryland
151
Answers
Sykesville, Maryland
Updated
Charlotte’s Answer
Hi,
Great question! Transitioning from high school to college, especially when studying a challenging field like Electrical Engineering, can feel overwhelming at first. Here’s what you can expect in terms of workload and experience during your freshman year of college compared to high school:
1. Workload: More Intense and Self-Directed
High School:
You typically have structured schedules, with teachers reminding you about assignments and tests.
Homework is often checked regularly, and there’s more guidance with each lesson.
College:
You’ll have fewer classes per day but far more independent work.
Professors won’t constantly remind you about assignments, and it’s up to you to keep track of deadlines.
You might have only 2-3 exams per class per semester, so each one carries a lot of weight.
Electrical Engineering Specific:
Expect problem sets that take several hours each, requiring critical thinking and applying complex concepts.
You’ll need to balance lab reports, problem-solving assignments, and theory classes.
Labs may involve building circuits or coding, with detailed lab reports required afterward.
2. Depth of Material: More Theoretical and Complex
High School:
Classes focus on foundational concepts and basic problem-solving.
You usually get practice problems directly related to what was covered in class.
College:
Concepts are deeper and more abstract, especially in classes like Calculus, Physics, and Intro to Electrical Engineering.
You’ll learn theories, derivations, and complex problem-solving techniques that build on high school material.
Application Matters: You’ll move from just solving problems to applying concepts in real-world scenarios, like designing simple circuits or analyzing data.
Electrical Engineering Specific:
Subjects like Digital Logic Design, Circuit Analysis, and Programming can be mathematically intense.
You may need to learn software like MATLAB or Python for simulations and calculations.
3. Study Methods: Self-Discipline is Key
High School:
You might get by with cramming the night before a test.
Study guides and reviews are often provided.
College:
You’ll need to study consistently, as last-minute cramming rarely works for technical subjects.
Use active learning methods like:
Practice Problems Daily: Regular problem-solving to reinforce concepts.
Group Study Sessions: Engineering students often collaborate on tough assignments.
Office Hours: Professors and TAs can clarify difficult concepts—don’t hesitate to use this resource.
Electrical Engineering Specific:
Practice is essential—solving previous exam questions and understanding problem-solving techniques will be key.
Balance your time between theory (lecture content) and practice (lab work and problem sets).
4. Independence: Taking Control of Your Learning
High School:
Teachers often check homework, give reminders, and offer extra credit opportunities.
College:
You are responsible for managing your schedule, completing readings, and doing homework on time.
No one checks whether you did the reading or practiced problems—it’s on you to stay on top of things.
Electrical Engineering Specific:
You may have weekly problem sets, lab reports, and project milestones.
Time management is crucial since labs and programming assignments can take much longer than anticipated.
5. Social and Extracurricular Balance:
High School:
You likely had a set routine—school, homework, and some extracurriculars.
College:
You’ll have the freedom to choose your schedule, but balancing social life, clubs, and rigorous coursework can be tricky.
Electrical Engineering Specific:
Consider joining engineering clubs (like IEEE or robotics teams) to network and apply what you’re learning.
Balance your workload by setting aside time for hobbies or campus events to avoid burnout.
Tips for Managing the Transition:
Plan Ahead:
Use a planner or digital calendar to track exams, homework, and lab deadlines.
Practice Time Management:
Break down large assignments into smaller tasks and set deadlines for each part.
Seek Help Early:
Don’t wait until you’re drowning to ask for help—visit office hours regularly.
Form Study Groups:
Collaborate with classmates to tackle tough problems and share study techniques.
Stay Curious:
Engage with real-world applications of your coursework—it will make the material more interesting and easier to retain.
Great question! Transitioning from high school to college, especially when studying a challenging field like Electrical Engineering, can feel overwhelming at first. Here’s what you can expect in terms of workload and experience during your freshman year of college compared to high school:
1. Workload: More Intense and Self-Directed
High School:
You typically have structured schedules, with teachers reminding you about assignments and tests.
Homework is often checked regularly, and there’s more guidance with each lesson.
College:
You’ll have fewer classes per day but far more independent work.
Professors won’t constantly remind you about assignments, and it’s up to you to keep track of deadlines.
You might have only 2-3 exams per class per semester, so each one carries a lot of weight.
Electrical Engineering Specific:
Expect problem sets that take several hours each, requiring critical thinking and applying complex concepts.
You’ll need to balance lab reports, problem-solving assignments, and theory classes.
Labs may involve building circuits or coding, with detailed lab reports required afterward.
2. Depth of Material: More Theoretical and Complex
High School:
Classes focus on foundational concepts and basic problem-solving.
You usually get practice problems directly related to what was covered in class.
College:
Concepts are deeper and more abstract, especially in classes like Calculus, Physics, and Intro to Electrical Engineering.
You’ll learn theories, derivations, and complex problem-solving techniques that build on high school material.
Application Matters: You’ll move from just solving problems to applying concepts in real-world scenarios, like designing simple circuits or analyzing data.
Electrical Engineering Specific:
Subjects like Digital Logic Design, Circuit Analysis, and Programming can be mathematically intense.
You may need to learn software like MATLAB or Python for simulations and calculations.
3. Study Methods: Self-Discipline is Key
High School:
You might get by with cramming the night before a test.
Study guides and reviews are often provided.
College:
You’ll need to study consistently, as last-minute cramming rarely works for technical subjects.
Use active learning methods like:
Practice Problems Daily: Regular problem-solving to reinforce concepts.
Group Study Sessions: Engineering students often collaborate on tough assignments.
Office Hours: Professors and TAs can clarify difficult concepts—don’t hesitate to use this resource.
Electrical Engineering Specific:
Practice is essential—solving previous exam questions and understanding problem-solving techniques will be key.
Balance your time between theory (lecture content) and practice (lab work and problem sets).
4. Independence: Taking Control of Your Learning
High School:
Teachers often check homework, give reminders, and offer extra credit opportunities.
College:
You are responsible for managing your schedule, completing readings, and doing homework on time.
No one checks whether you did the reading or practiced problems—it’s on you to stay on top of things.
Electrical Engineering Specific:
You may have weekly problem sets, lab reports, and project milestones.
Time management is crucial since labs and programming assignments can take much longer than anticipated.
5. Social and Extracurricular Balance:
High School:
You likely had a set routine—school, homework, and some extracurriculars.
College:
You’ll have the freedom to choose your schedule, but balancing social life, clubs, and rigorous coursework can be tricky.
Electrical Engineering Specific:
Consider joining engineering clubs (like IEEE or robotics teams) to network and apply what you’re learning.
Balance your workload by setting aside time for hobbies or campus events to avoid burnout.
Tips for Managing the Transition:
Plan Ahead:
Use a planner or digital calendar to track exams, homework, and lab deadlines.
Practice Time Management:
Break down large assignments into smaller tasks and set deadlines for each part.
Seek Help Early:
Don’t wait until you’re drowning to ask for help—visit office hours regularly.
Form Study Groups:
Collaborate with classmates to tackle tough problems and share study techniques.
Stay Curious:
Engage with real-world applications of your coursework—it will make the material more interesting and easier to retain.