3 answers
Ariana
Student
La Ceiba, Atlántida Department, Honduras
5
Questions
Asked
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Is university harder than high school?
Because a lot of people said no and others said yes.
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3 answers
Rachel Moriwaki
Supply Chain - Order Management
3
Answers
Solon, Ohio
Updated
Rachel’s Answer
Hi Ariana,
Your experience in high school can make a difference, but don't worry too much. In Ohio, expectations vary by school district, but you'll find your way. I was nervous too, but once I started, it wasn't as different as I feared. University brings more freedom, which can be exciting, but staying focused is key. Some classes might be tough, while others could be easier than you think. Make sure to use the resources available, like office hours and tutoring sessions. I attended these even when I was doing well, and it helped me understand how others were coping and prepared me for what might come.
Wishing you the best,
Rachel
Your experience in high school can make a difference, but don't worry too much. In Ohio, expectations vary by school district, but you'll find your way. I was nervous too, but once I started, it wasn't as different as I feared. University brings more freedom, which can be exciting, but staying focused is key. Some classes might be tough, while others could be easier than you think. Make sure to use the resources available, like office hours and tutoring sessions. I attended these even when I was doing well, and it helped me understand how others were coping and prepared me for what might come.
Wishing you the best,
Rachel
Karin P.
Lecturer, Academic Advisor, Career Coach, Mentor
1221
Answers
Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Ariana,
That's an interesting question and the answer will depend on your high-school and how rigorous it was but also on your university, your own talents and interests and your work ethics.
So, let's look at it from a few different angles:
It's completely normal to think about university and wonder if you are even "good enough" or "smart enough" to go to university. Realistically, if you enjoy learning, if you are curious and/or ambitious and did well in school, you can go to university and will probably be successful.
High-school education is different in different countries. In some countries, it's 13 years of schooling before you go to university, in others it's 12 or even 11 years.
In some countries, undergraduate programs include a fair amount of general education, in others you go straight into foundatoonal classes in your chosen major. Finally, some high-schools are more rigorous than others and prepare you better for college. I have no way to tell where you would fall on that spectrum.
So, you can certainly find yourself behind in some classes, but there is no reason why you can't catch up if you are willing to put in the work. Personally, I felt well prepared for university. I was happy that we had covered e.g. some math topics in high-school that I needed for my university classes so I didn't have to start from scratch.
Of course, the content is at a much higher level in university than in high-school, but if you have a good foundation, there is no reason to assume that you can't learn at a higher level. After all, even Nobel prize winners start as clueless first-year students at some point.
University comes with much more freedom than high-school. You'll be an adult. Nobody will run after you to make sure that you do your homework and submit on time. You'll have to be self-motivated and organize your time efficiently. For some, that can be a problem that makes it more difficult to succeed.
Overall, I felt university was easier than high-school in the sense that I could focus on what I am interested in and didn't have to study subjects I didn't care for.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
That's an interesting question and the answer will depend on your high-school and how rigorous it was but also on your university, your own talents and interests and your work ethics.
So, let's look at it from a few different angles:
It's completely normal to think about university and wonder if you are even "good enough" or "smart enough" to go to university. Realistically, if you enjoy learning, if you are curious and/or ambitious and did well in school, you can go to university and will probably be successful.
High-school education is different in different countries. In some countries, it's 13 years of schooling before you go to university, in others it's 12 or even 11 years.
In some countries, undergraduate programs include a fair amount of general education, in others you go straight into foundatoonal classes in your chosen major. Finally, some high-schools are more rigorous than others and prepare you better for college. I have no way to tell where you would fall on that spectrum.
So, you can certainly find yourself behind in some classes, but there is no reason why you can't catch up if you are willing to put in the work. Personally, I felt well prepared for university. I was happy that we had covered e.g. some math topics in high-school that I needed for my university classes so I didn't have to start from scratch.
Of course, the content is at a much higher level in university than in high-school, but if you have a good foundation, there is no reason to assume that you can't learn at a higher level. After all, even Nobel prize winners start as clueless first-year students at some point.
University comes with much more freedom than high-school. You'll be an adult. Nobody will run after you to make sure that you do your homework and submit on time. You'll have to be self-motivated and organize your time efficiently. For some, that can be a problem that makes it more difficult to succeed.
Overall, I felt university was easier than high-school in the sense that I could focus on what I am interested in and didn't have to study subjects I didn't care for.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
Eric Hong
Consulting
2
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Eric’s Answer
Hi Ariana,
The biggest challenge in university compared to high school is managing your time and staying disciplined. At university, you'll have a lot of freedom to plan your schedule. If you're already good at managing your time and staying focused on your studies, you'll find university life easier. Many students struggle because it's their first time away from parental guidance, and they can't manage their time well. Like in the real world, university has many distractions that can pull you away from your studies. But if you learn to handle these distractions and balance your time between school and fun, your university years can be very rewarding.
I believe in the idea of balance. Focusing too much on one thing isn't good. Make sure you spend time on all parts of your life, like family, friends, school, and health. Think of each part as a flower that needs water, which represents your time. If you give all your water to one flower, the others will suffer.
I hope this advice helps! Good luck!
Eric
The biggest challenge in university compared to high school is managing your time and staying disciplined. At university, you'll have a lot of freedom to plan your schedule. If you're already good at managing your time and staying focused on your studies, you'll find university life easier. Many students struggle because it's their first time away from parental guidance, and they can't manage their time well. Like in the real world, university has many distractions that can pull you away from your studies. But if you learn to handle these distractions and balance your time between school and fun, your university years can be very rewarding.
I believe in the idea of balance. Focusing too much on one thing isn't good. Make sure you spend time on all parts of your life, like family, friends, school, and health. Think of each part as a flower that needs water, which represents your time. If you give all your water to one flower, the others will suffer.
I hope this advice helps! Good luck!
Eric