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Ayla
Student
1
Question
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What can I do to prepare myself for life outside of high school?
I want to go to my state university, but I'm still trying to figure out how I can prepare myself for it. I want to be as ready as possible for what is going to happen once I leave high school.
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6 answers
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1360
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
Ayla the biggest difference between high school and college is responsibility. You are responsible for attending class, even when it is at a bad time or not required. You are responsible for making yourself crucial to classroom discussions and the grading curve. You are responsible for your future. This shift is an opportunity to prove your independence, initiative and changing your life for the better. Below are some examples Ayla.
CLASS TIME
• HIGH SCHOOL — You spend on average 30 hours each week in class, proceeding from one class to the next. The school year is 36 weeks long; with a short break in the spring and a long one over the summer.
• COLLEGE — You spend 12 to 16 hours each week in class, usually with breaks in between. Classes are not limited to the day with many classes offered in the evening. In most cases, the academic year is divided into two 15-week semesters with an additional week after each for exams.
HOMEWORK
• HIGH SCHOOL — You will usually be told what you need to learn from assigned readings and teachers will remind you of assignments and due dates. They will check your completed homework.
• COLLEGE — Professors expect you to utilize the course syllabus (outline), which spells out exactly what is expected of you, when it is due, and how you will be graded. It's up to you to read and understand the assigned material; lectures and assignments are based on the assumption that you've already done so.
GRADING
• HIGH SCHOOL — Good grades are based on the ability to comprehend what you were taught in the form in which it was presented to you, or to solve the types of problems you were taught how to solve. Courses are usually structured to reward a "good-faith” effort so consistently good homework grades may help raise your overall grade if test grades are low. In addition, extra credit projects are often available to help raise your grade.
• COLLEGE— Good grades are based on your ability to apply what you've learned to new situations or to solve new kinds of problems. You must do well consistently: grades on tests and papers usually provide most of the course grade. Unlike high school, first tests may account for a substantial part of your course grade and extra credit projects are rarely used to raise a grade.
Hope this will help you in adjusting to college life Ayla
CLASS TIME
• HIGH SCHOOL — You spend on average 30 hours each week in class, proceeding from one class to the next. The school year is 36 weeks long; with a short break in the spring and a long one over the summer.
• COLLEGE — You spend 12 to 16 hours each week in class, usually with breaks in between. Classes are not limited to the day with many classes offered in the evening. In most cases, the academic year is divided into two 15-week semesters with an additional week after each for exams.
HOMEWORK
• HIGH SCHOOL — You will usually be told what you need to learn from assigned readings and teachers will remind you of assignments and due dates. They will check your completed homework.
• COLLEGE — Professors expect you to utilize the course syllabus (outline), which spells out exactly what is expected of you, when it is due, and how you will be graded. It's up to you to read and understand the assigned material; lectures and assignments are based on the assumption that you've already done so.
GRADING
• HIGH SCHOOL — Good grades are based on the ability to comprehend what you were taught in the form in which it was presented to you, or to solve the types of problems you were taught how to solve. Courses are usually structured to reward a "good-faith” effort so consistently good homework grades may help raise your overall grade if test grades are low. In addition, extra credit projects are often available to help raise your grade.
• COLLEGE— Good grades are based on your ability to apply what you've learned to new situations or to solve new kinds of problems. You must do well consistently: grades on tests and papers usually provide most of the course grade. Unlike high school, first tests may account for a substantial part of your course grade and extra credit projects are rarely used to raise a grade.
Hope this will help you in adjusting to college life Ayla
I appreciate this, thank you for the advice.
Kim Igleheart
Career Counselor | Police Officer
1667
Answers
San Antonio, Texas
Updated
Kim’s Answer
Hi Ayla,
Assuming you will be leaving home to go to school, you really need to know how to stay up with running a household! This is everything from managing finances, shopping for groceries, doing laundry, preparing meals, and cleaning house. You will need to find time to do these things while also keeping up with your studies.
Beyond that, learn proper nutrition, stay hydrated, exercise, sleep. Learn to take care of your body - it improves your ability to learn and retain new knowledge.
Preparing academically, learn good note-taking and record-keeping. Learn to keep files on the computer and quickly access them. Learn how you learn! Figure out what study techniques work best for you. Learn what times of day your brain shuts down - so you know not to schedule difficult classes for those times!
Take a look at the websites for rating professors. Become familiar with the campus, the resources offered, and extracurricular activities. Expect the first semester to feel a little discombobulated. So don't overload yourself academically. It all starts to come together the second semester.
Good luck!
Assuming you will be leaving home to go to school, you really need to know how to stay up with running a household! This is everything from managing finances, shopping for groceries, doing laundry, preparing meals, and cleaning house. You will need to find time to do these things while also keeping up with your studies.
Beyond that, learn proper nutrition, stay hydrated, exercise, sleep. Learn to take care of your body - it improves your ability to learn and retain new knowledge.
Preparing academically, learn good note-taking and record-keeping. Learn to keep files on the computer and quickly access them. Learn how you learn! Figure out what study techniques work best for you. Learn what times of day your brain shuts down - so you know not to schedule difficult classes for those times!
Take a look at the websites for rating professors. Become familiar with the campus, the resources offered, and extracurricular activities. Expect the first semester to feel a little discombobulated. So don't overload yourself academically. It all starts to come together the second semester.
Good luck!
bill Bill Latter
chiropractor
42
Answers
Las Vegas, Nevada
Updated
bill’s Answer
Funding: It's a good idea to start working while you're still in high school and continue through college, as much as your schedule and studies permit. Save as much as you can and try to live as economically as possible once you're in college. This will help you avoid relying too heavily on student loans, which can accumulate into a large debt with interest. If your parents or anyone else can lend a hand, don't hesitate to accept their help.
Make sure to explore every opportunity for grants or scholarships. College can be very costly and if you don't have any financial support, it can be challenging to survive solely on student loans, let alone pay them back. So, do your research on grants and scholarships - this should be your first step. If you have financial assistance, then you're already one step ahead.
Avoid joining fraternities as they are often associated with partying, which can distract you from your studies. Learn essential life skills like cooking and cleaning, as living away from home can be a tough transition.
Remember, planning and preparation can make your college journey smoother. Good luck!
Make sure to explore every opportunity for grants or scholarships. College can be very costly and if you don't have any financial support, it can be challenging to survive solely on student loans, let alone pay them back. So, do your research on grants and scholarships - this should be your first step. If you have financial assistance, then you're already one step ahead.
Avoid joining fraternities as they are often associated with partying, which can distract you from your studies. Learn essential life skills like cooking and cleaning, as living away from home can be a tough transition.
Remember, planning and preparation can make your college journey smoother. Good luck!
Marti Derow, MBA, PMP
Products Services Manager
13
Answers
Fort Myers, Florida
Updated
Marti’s Answer
Here are some ideas on how to prepare for life after high school:
1. Consider college, vocational training, or specialized courses that align with your interests and career goals.
2. Seek internships, part-time jobs, or volunteer opportunities to gain practical experience and develop skills relevant to your desired field.
3. Learn about budgeting, managing finances, and understanding the basics of credit and loans.
4. Focus on improving communication, time management, teamwork, problem-solving, and adaptability skills, which are essential in various professions.
5. Build connections with professionals in your field of interest through mentorship, informational interviews, and networking events.
6. Cultivate hobbies, interests, and habits that contribute to your personal growth and well-being, such as reading, exercising, or developing a creative skill.
7. Research different career paths, industries, and opportunities to make informed decisions about your future.
8. Work on managing stress, building resilience, and seeking support when needed, as the transition from high school to the next phase of life can be challenging.
9. Practice self-reliance by learning practical skills like cooking, laundry, basic car maintenance, etc.
Remember, the key is to explore, learn, and adapt as you move forward into the next phase of your life.
1. Consider college, vocational training, or specialized courses that align with your interests and career goals.
2. Seek internships, part-time jobs, or volunteer opportunities to gain practical experience and develop skills relevant to your desired field.
3. Learn about budgeting, managing finances, and understanding the basics of credit and loans.
4. Focus on improving communication, time management, teamwork, problem-solving, and adaptability skills, which are essential in various professions.
5. Build connections with professionals in your field of interest through mentorship, informational interviews, and networking events.
6. Cultivate hobbies, interests, and habits that contribute to your personal growth and well-being, such as reading, exercising, or developing a creative skill.
7. Research different career paths, industries, and opportunities to make informed decisions about your future.
8. Work on managing stress, building resilience, and seeking support when needed, as the transition from high school to the next phase of life can be challenging.
9. Practice self-reliance by learning practical skills like cooking, laundry, basic car maintenance, etc.
Remember, the key is to explore, learn, and adapt as you move forward into the next phase of your life.
Alan Weber
writer and retired teacher, teacher educator and academic advisor
207
Answers
Woodstock, New York
Updated
Alan’s Answer
Ayla, this is a broad question. So let's break it down. First, do you think it would be better for you (assuming it's possible) to take a year off between high school and college or to go straight to college? Each has its benefits and drawbacks. If you take a brief time off you can recharge, mature a little more, gain some real world experience, make some money, maybe travel a little, and gain more perspective on what you really want to do with your life. On the other hand, you might forget things you learned in high school, fall out of "school mode," waste time, and get seduced by making money and not think about the greater long term earning potential of a college degree. That might lead you to put off going to college and miss all of the opportunities it offers in helping one learn to think, to assess information, to explore career possibilities and to grow personally. My advice would be that if you're unsure, go straight in.
In terms of preparation, when it comes to college, I'd strongly suggest working on your writing, organization and time management skills. They will be crucial in being successful. I would also start thinking about what career path might best suit you. Consider your interests, hobbies, skills, interests and values, and see how they might translate into careers. There are quizzes, like those on MyPlan.com, that can help with this. When you have some idea of what seem to you your best possibilities, go to different college websites and look at the programs and courses they offer. See where you find matches and what feels right to you.
Most importantly, don't be so worried. It's not like your world will change dramatically, it's just another step in life. As with any step, the best thing you can do is try to figure out who you are, what makes you special, what you stand for, what potential you strive for, and what the next step is, one step at a time. Have confidence, be yourself and move forward.
In terms of preparation, when it comes to college, I'd strongly suggest working on your writing, organization and time management skills. They will be crucial in being successful. I would also start thinking about what career path might best suit you. Consider your interests, hobbies, skills, interests and values, and see how they might translate into careers. There are quizzes, like those on MyPlan.com, that can help with this. When you have some idea of what seem to you your best possibilities, go to different college websites and look at the programs and courses they offer. See where you find matches and what feels right to you.
Most importantly, don't be so worried. It's not like your world will change dramatically, it's just another step in life. As with any step, the best thing you can do is try to figure out who you are, what makes you special, what you stand for, what potential you strive for, and what the next step is, one step at a time. Have confidence, be yourself and move forward.
Mahi Patel
Student Advisor and Dental
99
Answers
Davie, Florida
Updated
Mahi’s Answer
Work to gain some spending money and to cover expenses. Know that it is an adjustment and that you will miss being home. Know that it will get better. Practice good study habits, and enjoy the process. Buy a lot of clothes.