essay on difference between college life and university life

Talk to our experts

1800-120-456-456

• College Life Essay

Anticipated Experiences During Our College Life

College Life is one of the most remarkable and lovable times of an individual's life. Unlike School Life, College Life has a different experience, and a person needs to have this experience in his/her life. College Life exposes us to whole new experiences which we always dream of experiencing after our school life. Lucky are those who get the chance to enjoy their college life, as many people don't get this chance due to their circumstances or financial issues. For every person, College Life has a different meaning. While some people spend their college life partying with friends, others become more cautious about their careers and study hard. Whatever the way, every individual enjoys their college life and always wishes to relive that time once it is over.

College Life Experience: How is it different from School Life?

Both school life and college life is the most memorable time of a person's life, but both of them are quite different from each other. While in School life, we learn everything in a protected environment, College Life exposes us to a new environment where we have to learn new things and face new challenges by ourselves. We spend half of our young lives in school, and thus we get comfortable living in that environment. But College Life is for three years only, where every year introduces new challenges and lessons to us. While in school, our teachers and friends always protect and guard us, in college life we form a relationship with our mentors, and they don't protect us all the time as our school teachers did. 

Unlike school life, we don't have many limitations in college life, and it is up to us how we want to spend our college life. In college life, we see new faces and experience a unique environment in which we have to mingle ourselves. We make new friends there who stay with us for the rest of our lives. Also, we get a chance to shape our careers asking the right decisions and studying hard. College life is not only about the study but also about the overall development of an individual through various activities and challenges.

In College Life, one gets a chance to make their own decisions. In school life, students get an opportunity to be class monitors. In College Life, an individual gets a chance to nominate himself/herself for more prominent positions like College President, Vice President, Secretary, and Vice Secretary. Apart from deciding the course and stream, an individual gets a chance to build his/her confidence by being a part of various societies and events that take place all year.

Different from School Life, College Life has its importance in a person's life, and one should always enjoy his/her college life.

A Bridge Between Our Student and Adult Lives

College life is considered a bridge in our lives between our school days and our career. It prepares us with the finest academics and platform to generate dreams into realities. It acts as a transition to prepare us to be more independent. In school, we were dependent on our parents. However, we became independent in college regarding studying, traveling, decision-making, and financially independent after college. It is a valued and very smooth transition where we do not realize that we have become independent. 

Some Fun Memories from College Life

Firstly, some of the most fun memories of college are “college canteen”. The canteen is supposed to be where most of the students satisfy their hunger and hang out with their friends. 

Secondly, it’s the “annual fest” of the colleges. Fests always filled the student’s life with excitement and buzz. It gave new opportunities to explore, compare, compete and provide a platform to showcase their talent. It became a place where students take lots of pictures and record their experiences. 

Last but not the least, it’s the college trips. One of the best things in college life is field trips where they can go out and have quality time with their friends and teacher and learning experience. Field trips or just any other college trips are filled with stories and dramas. Every student has their own story to tell about their college trips. 

We should enjoy our college days as they cannot be brought back just like our school days. 

The Hardest Part of College Life

As a college student, the hardest part of college life was leaving college after graduation or post-graduation. The last days of college were the hardest, knowing that soon you will be departing your friends, the campus, teachers and completely leaving behind a part of life.  

My College Days Experience

Talking about my college life, I had enjoyed my college life to the fullest and had some of the best college days of my life. I was a student of one of the most reputed colleges of Delhi University and, i.e. Gargi College. I have completed my B.A. (Hons.) in Applied Psychology from there. Gargi College is one of the renowned and best colleges of Delhi University. Built in a larger area, it is a beautiful college with many courses in streams like Science, Commerce, Arts, and Humanities. With an outstanding academic record, it is a girls college.

When I took admission to this college, I was really afraid as all the people were new to me. But soon, I started enjoying my college life and made some fantastic friends. I loved everything about my college and participated in the events at my college. Even I joined the dance society of my college and participated in many dance competitions that occurred in different colleges of Delhi University. 

One of the best things about college life is that you get a new experience every day. In my college life, along with studying, I and my friends enjoyed a lot of other things. We traveled to lots of places, had new experiences, and learned many new things. Our college's canteen was a remarkable place in my college life as whenever we got time, we used to chill in the canteen. 

Another thing I loved about my college life is Annual Fests. Every year, every college of Delhi University organizes an annual fest that lasts for 2-3 days. In this annual fest, various competitions happen, and students from various colleges come to be a part of this annual fest. Every year, our college organizes a massive annual fest and all the students of our college participate in various events and enjoy a lot in this fest. These fests allow students to socialize with new people and showcase their talent to everyone which builds their confidence and helps them in their future. I have participated in my college's annual fest for all three years, and I have got the best exposure and experience of my life through this fest. I had the best time of my life in college, and my college life memories will always make me happy.

Life After College

One fine day, you will be silently smiling with wet eyes, looking at the pictures from your college and old friends, and remembering all the good times you had in your college days. That is the beauty of studying in a college. Despite climbing the ladders of success, you will cherish the memories of your college life.

College Life is a remarkable and essential time in a person's life, and everyone should enjoy it. College Life teaches us many things and builds our confidence to face the challenges and struggles in our future. Instead of just focussing on the study, a person must participate in other activities and socialize as much as possible in his/her college life as all these things help in the overall development of a person.

FAQs on College Life Essay

Q1. What is the difference between college life and school life?

When compared to each other, they both are completely different from each other. College life provides us with different opportunities to explore to nurture our confidence in the outside world. In school, the teacher acts as a monitor whereas, in college, they act like our friends, and not to forget, in college, we face more challenges than we had in our school.

Q2. Explain some of the common memories of college life.

Whenever you hear the word college, the first thing that comes to our mind is “college canteen”. The most beloved place for every student was to feed their empty stomach, spend time with friends, and create thousands of memories. Another most common memory is of the annual fest that bought buzz in every student’s life.

Q3. Why are colleges necessary?

When we go to school, they ensure that we have common educational knowledge. Whereas in college, we get specialization in a particular field we want to pursue as our career. That’s the reason our school friends get scattered in various colleges to make their dreams a reality and open better career options.

Q4. Which two things need to be focused on the most in college?

The two most important things in college are the Grade Point Average (GPA) and your participation in other co-curricular activities.

• The University of Warwick

How different is University life from college or high school?

Share this article:

Living away from home, becoming independent and meeting people from around the world. In this blog, James discusses what he found to be the biggest changes between school and university life.

The resources available to prospective students through the WBS website, social media channels, brochure and open days gives a real flavour of the Warwick experience. However, some students may still be wondering how university truly differs from life as they know it. Ultimately, how different is life at Warwick from college or high school?

There are the obvious differences. For many students, this will be the first time living away from home. Living away from home means there is no parent checking up on your homework progress or regulating your bedtimes. School offers a rigid schedule that is easy to follow and gives you a helping hand through your studies. Whilst there is a wealth of support at Warwick, there is a greater focus on individuality and independence, allowing students to work in a style that is best for them.

For students at WBS, there are exciting opportunities to explore new ways of learning. This includes partaking in the creative modules that are on offer, or experiencing the flipped classroom techniques that many enjoy. There is also a greater focus on making mistakes and asking questions. This allows students to grow and ensure that content being learnt is retained in the long-term.

Another distinct difference between school and university is the relationship students enjoy with their lecturers and seminar tutors. In school, it is common to learn in a rote fashion, learning with the main goal to pass exams. This could not be further from the truth at university. WBS focuses on questioning common beliefs and challenging yourself, with seminars offering a dynamic environment to question some of the best minds contemporary management has to offer.

An example of this occurred in my first term. I was surprised that lecturers wanted you to question and check their work, rather than take it at face value. WBS undergraduates are shown a wide range of historical and contemporary viewpoints on specific topics, giving students the tools to make up their own minds. This ensures that the learning experience is more engaging, and critical thinking is treasured as a core component of this approach.

Perhaps the biggest difference I have found is the need to be self-motivated, unlike at home, where your parents will be there to push you to get up and attend school, at University you have to do that yourself. This can be particularly difficult when you have looming deadlines or exams. However, a huge benefit of this need for self-motivation is the ability to shape your studies. School offers a strict curriculum, where academic success is underpinned by reinforcing this content. At university, the curriculum extends infinitely. Many lecturers take a holistic approach, whereby management is placed in an interwoven web of branches of academia. It is common for modules to draw on insights from psychology, politics and many other fields. This scope of study ensures each student graduates with unique perspectives, something that is in high demand in the professional world.

On a lighter note, WBS is a truly multicultural institution. In a second-year project, my group consisted of working alongside students from three different continents. With 29 nationalities represented on my course, BSc International Management , WBS is so much more than a prestigious Business School. It gives you an opportunity to learn about different cultures and build networks across the globe. It gives you a chance to explore how business is conducted across the globe, and potentially even a way to travel during the holidays!

While it is obvious that school and university are different, this should be reassuring. With the right perspective, WBS offers an exciting challenge where you can explore new avenues of studies, question traditional approaches and gain friends from across the globe.

You can find out about all of the WBS Undergraduate Programmes here .

Calculate for all schools

Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, university vs college: what's the difference.

Hey guys, I'm a bit confused about the difference between a university and a college. Can someone help explain the main differences in terms of academics, extracurriculars, and campus life? I'm a junior trying to figure out which type of school to apply to.

Hello! The distinction between a college and a university may seem a bit unclear, but there are some key differences to consider. Here's a breakdown to help you understand each type and better inform your decision:

1. Academics: The primary difference between a college and a university is the range and focus of academic programs offered. Universities typically offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across numerous fields, including professional degrees like law, business, and medicine. On the other hand, colleges tend to be smaller and offer more focused academic programs, usually in specific disciplines such as liberal arts or STEM. While both types can provide excellent education, colleges are often known for their more intimate academic environment and closer interaction with faculty.

2. Extracurriculars: Given their larger size, universities generally provide more diverse extracurricular opportunities, including clubs, organizations, and sports teams. However, because colleges are smaller, it might be easier for students to take on leadership roles and actively participate in such activities without getting lost in the crowd.

3. Campus life: Universities, being larger institutions, usually have more extensive campus facilities like bigger libraries, research labs, cafes, recreational areas, and a wider range of housing options. This can result in a more bustling and vibrant campus atmosphere. Colleges, with their smaller student populations, are known for fostering tight-knit communities where students get to know each other better and have more individualized attention from faculty and advisors.

Ultimately, the choice between a college and a university comes down to personal preferences and priorities. Consider what kind of academic experience and campus atmosphere you're looking for as you begin your college search. It's essential to visit campuses and talk to current students to get a feel for the environment and decide which type suits you best. Good luck with your search!

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.

BestDifferenceBetween.com

Home » Difference Between School, College and University life Essay

Difference Between School, College and University life Essay

If you are reading this article about the difference between School, College and University life Essay. It means you are a student or parent of one. So, you have finally reached a right place. In this piece of writing, you are going to learn and observe different aspects of the school, college and university life .

Difference Between School, College and University

• Family Difference

School: During school life, you have to live with your family due to various reasons. The most important one is your age factor. But this may not be the case with the kids living in boarding.

College & University: When you start your college and university, most probably you have to leave your family and start living in a hostel. While a student is about to enter college, he/she has become mature enough to take care of himself.

• Friends Difference

School life: You will make a lot of friends in and outside your school. These friendships will last longer because all friends know they will be together for a long time. Another factor behind these longer friendships is living in the same town or county. You can also meet with them after school time.

College life: But you will miss those friendships in college because you usually don’t know about any person in your college. In college, there are few chances that you will start a long-term relationship because everyone has his own plan for next stage of their education life: the university.

University life: Now you have reached university of your choice and got admission in your desired faculty. Here, you are likely to build strong and long-lasting relationships. The reason is that in your classroom or laboratory you will find people with same goals and future plans. So you will share your destiny with them.

• Your Daily Routine

School Routine: There are also a big difference of daily routine between college and university. In schools kids have the same routine and schedule to follow. Early to bed and early to rise. They cannot skip or change their routine.

College & University Routine: But, as the school kid reaches next stage, his entire routine changes. Now, he will sleep according to his preference and awake at the time of class. He is only one to manage and draw his daily routine.

• Education of Your Choice

School: oh little school kid, it feels sorry but you have nothing to do with your choice and taste of subjects. You will study what your teachers will tell and teach you. Either you love or hate it, you are most likely to accept this reality.

College and university: So you have passed school life which you did not like ever. Now as a fruit of your patience, you will enjoy the freedom of selecting, studying your subjects. Congratulations.

• Free and Relax Mind

School: While in school, the students only have to worry about their pocket money or the hamburgers, coke, French fries. Their highest level of tension is regarding exams, class test. For this reason, this life is called the best life.

College: As you reach college, you have to worry about other things. Healthy food, hygiene environment and good laundry acquire central place. Besides, you have to decide your subjects in college, how to study them and get good grades to get admission in the best university

University: Fortunately in university, you have passed college and secured a seat in university. But this is not the end of all problems. A number of serious problems are waiting for you here. The first one is about basic amenities of life. But you have solved the problem. Ok, that’s great. Next is the most serious problem, maintain your grades, completing assignments on time, and polishing your skills. This Pandora box of problems will haunt you for the next years.

• Financial Matters

School: In school, you don’t have to worry about money. Go and ask your mom or dad. Apart from them, you can get chocolates, toys and other things from your relatives, neighbours, uncles and aunts.

College & university: At College and University stage, your childhood luxuries are no more and you are on your own. Accept and acknowledge it. Here your financially independent life starts. You start earning money and makes plans to save it or utilise it better. But, this may not happen to you all. Your expenses depend upon your college or university and its location.

• Discipline, Strictness Difference

School: In school, we all follow strict discipline rules and may not think of breaking it. From school uniforms to haircut, your school management dictates you. Even, in many schools, your teachers tell you where to sit.

College and University: Here starts your glamorous life. No more school uniforms and haircut. You may sit at your favourite place with a favourite partner. Don’t want to take a class, simply go outside or bunk it.

• Attitude Towards Grade

School: Oh my God! I got C and started crying. How did he got A+ and I have only A. These are few memories of school life, where your whole world revolves around grades, exams, results, etc. Getting low grades is a nightmare for all students,

College & University: So, you have grown up from a crying child to a young man. Your whole lifestyle and attitude have changed. Now low grades are not an issue for you. You will most probably say: Oh my God! I got C, let’s have a party. So, your approach took an 180 0 turn. Yesterday’s low scores are today’s high scores.

• Meeting New People

School: You will find your fellows from same community or town. There are few chances of interaction with new people and cultures. Your whole knowledge of other people will be possible through books and videos only. Unfortunately, there are no chances of personal experiences.

School & University: It always fascinated you to meet new people, but you did not get a chance. Don’t worry! You have come to right place to meet new people, see new cultures and listen to new stories and enjoy in other ways. During your whole time, you will always find new people wanting to tell you about themselves. So, make yourself ready for this new era of life.

• Personal Development:

School: You will not find adequate opportunities for your development. A reason may be that a kid at this stage does not have mantle or maturity level. But, if you are special, you can develop yourself on your own. Otherwise, sorry! You will remain mama’s child.

College and University: At this stage of your life, you may avail personal development and improvement courses, classes, etc. As the level of your personal development will rise, so your maturity level will improve.

• Extra-curricular Activities

School: Schools have limited areas of extracurricular activities. Those activities are usually related to your education and building your self-confidence. You are encouraged to take part in speech competition, tennis tournaments and other championships. There are few chances that you will be allowed to follow your favourite activity which is not permitted by the school.

College and University: After reaching college or university, you will find a large number of those activities, which you missed in school days. You are now free to join photography society, music band, theatre, etc. You are most likely to find ample opportunities for polishing your skills and become a star in your institute.

School: In schools, almost no children have any idea about his future plans, i.e. education, career, etc. These children live happily without having any tension or stress about their future. It is common that all children want to become pilot, police officer, or an actor.

College & University: Now you have worries regarding your future, career and education. You will try to make plans and decide about lifetime career. Now you have to come out of fantasy world and face bitter realities of this world. There is no path to escape but a road filled with challenges.

• Challenges and their Effects

School: Are you facing a serious problem? What will you do? Let me guess. You are going to share it with your elders. Okay. And they have solved your problem. So, the result is you did not learn anything from that experience.

College & University: You are facing the same situation. But, there is no one to help you except yourself. To overcome that issue, you will evaluate the situations and find out the solutions. At first, you will find these issues irritating and annoying. But, the exposure to the problem will not only improve your experience and maturity but also enable you to solve that issue.

Privacy Overview

What is the difference between college and university?

Moving from college to university can be a daunting prospect. University might be the first time you've really experienced independent living, whether that means you're living away from home or not. With this in mind, we thought it would be helpful if we gave you some guidance about making the transition from further education and sixth form to university.

The major difference between college and university is that you will be expected to rely less on the teaching staff and more on yourself. This mean you must take full responsibility for your study.

Although tutors and lecturers are there to help you, the emphasis is on them getting you to understand a subject for yourself. This means that you'll have to become very good at managing your time.

While it's likely that you will have fewer classes and lectures to attend than you do at FE or sixth form, this does NOT mean you'll have less work. There is an expectation at university that you will be undertaking a lot of individual study and background reading in the time when you are not in classes or lectures, and it's important that you take this on board from the start.

Assignments

At university you'll often be given long periods of time to complete assignments, sometimes as much as 12 weeks.

Try not to fall into the trap of leaving assignments to the last minute or simply forgetting about them until the week before they're due to be handed in.

The idea behind being given this amount of time is to enable you to read up on the subject, research and then have plenty of time to draft and redraft the assignment until you're happy with it. Last minute panics are never fun, so try and avoid them.

When the responsibility for managing your time falls to you, you need to find the right balance between work, study and socialising. This can be difficult, but it's important.

While you should be studying hard, you'll need to take a break from time to time. Socialising is an important part of student life - meeting new people and making new friends will help you settle in to your new student life, so make some time for it.

College Life vs Work life

Published by general education on april 6, 2020 april 6, 2020.

Many college students wonder about the difference between college life and work life. Many students may fear what life after college holds, as it is unknown to them. In the article “ College Life vs Work Life  ” Cody Stephens outlines some major differences and similarities of college life vs work life. Here are some highlights:

Changes in your social environment.  This is one of the first and most noticeable differences in life after college. When you are in college you have more time to hang out with friends. Some of this has to do with the fact that you are living with and taking classes with your friends. However, when you have a full-time job after graduating, socializing will look different. You may find that you need to be more intentional about your social life. You will also be exposed and make friends with people of all different backgrounds, ages, cultures, and stages which is different from school-life.

Responsibility.  After graduating, you will have new responsibilities that you must prioritize. In college, you can get away with pushing back deadlines and responsibilities somewhat. If you sleep through a class or turn in an assignment late, you will still get by. However, work culture is different. Your employer will expect you to show up and put in 100% effort every day.

Work clothes . In college, students can wear whatever and no one cares. However, in most jobs, there is some form of a dress-code. In almost every work culture, pajama pants or a ratty t-shirt is not acceptable. For some, dressing professionally might be a newfound joy, however, for others, it may feel like torture. No matter your attitude, you will need to adhere to the dress code rules or culture if you want to keep your job.

Food matters.  Most college students live on meal plans. They don’t have to worry about grocery shopping, meal planning, cooking, and cleaning after meals. So when students graduate, this can be a big adjustment. It’s important during this transition to implement healthy eating habits. Trust me, you will feel better for it.

Money.  A big concern on most recent graduates’ minds is money. Not only will you have student loans you may need to start paying, but for the first time you may be met with more bills than ever and probably more earned income than ever. Financial decisions and planning is a learning curve that everyone faces after college. You may make some financial mistakes, but learning from them and changing is key.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Related Posts

Humans of Roberts Alumni Spotlight – Rylie O’Connor

Why did you choose Roberts? What were your majors/concentrations? And why did you choose it/them? Communication was something I always knew I wanted to major in. I’ve always found theflexibility of the major appealing and Read more…

Tips for Success for Undeclared Students

All people have massive pressure when it comes down to deciding on what they want to major in or have a potential career path in. Just know that if you do not know what you Read more…

Keeping Positivity

Staying positive towards school can be a difficult thing to do for many students. School is a huge part of our lives. We usually start it at five years old and it can go into Read more…

What are your chances of acceptance?

Calculate for all schools, your chance of acceptance.

Your chancing factors

Extracurriculars.

Community College vs. University: Which is Best for You?

Do you know how to improve your profile for college applications.

See how your profile ranks among thousands of other students using CollegeVine. Calculate your chances at your dream schools and learn what areas you need to improve right now — it only takes 3 minutes and it's 100% free.

Show me what areas I need to improve

What’s Covered:

• Differences Between Community Colleges and Universities
• Should You Go to Community College, and Then Transfer?

The Bottom Line

When making a decision about higher education, many students never think to compare community colleges vs. universities—simply believing a university education superior. The fact is, while there are many characteristics that differentiate the two, students can receive a quality education from community colleges as well.

In this post, we’ll break down the differences between these two types of institutions.

Degree Type 

The type of degrees offered is one of the primary ways that community colleges and universities separate themselves. Graduates of community colleges generally earn associate’s degrees or professional certificates, while university graduates earn a bachelor’s degree or, in some cases, a bachelor’s and master’s degree. 

Associate’s Degree 

Associate’s degrees are also commonly called two-year degrees because they’re typically earned in two years, although students can take as long as needed to complete a program. Associate’s degrees are frequently used as a pathway into a particular career, but they are also commonly transferred to a four-year school, as they normally will fulfill the general education requirements necessary to earn a bachelor’s degree. 

If you’re planning on transferring community college credits into a bachelor’s program, it’s important to work with an academic advisor to ensure you take the correct classes—those being ones that will transfer. 

Professional Certification 

Professional certifications are typically earned between six months and a year and provide a shorter path to a career than associate’s degrees. It’s common for the professional certifications to reflect the employment needs of the region the school is located in, however, it’s common to see certificate problems in industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, business, and technology. 

Bachelor’s Degree

A bachelor’s degree is what most people commonly think of as a “college degree.” They’re four-year programs where students pursue a particular area of study and are the entry-level requirement of many careers. 

Master’s Degree

In addition to bachelor’s degrees, some students attending universities enter 4+1 programs. A 4+1 program allows a student to work toward a bachelor’s and master’s degree simultaneously—allowing students to accomplish in five years what commonly takes between six and seven. 

Affordability is one reason why some students choose community colleges over universities. According to U.S. News , the average cost of annual tuition and fees in the 2018-2019 academic year were: 

• Private colleges: $35,676
• Public colleges (for out-of-state residents): $21,629 
• Public colleges (for in-state residents): $9,716 

The $3,660 average tuition and fees for in-state students at public two-year colleges in 2018-19 stands in stark comparison to more costly four-year colleges. The cost savings is particularly impactful when you consider more than half of college attendees take on debt to pay for college, and the average amount of student loan debt per borrower has grown to $38,758 . 

It’s not only tuition and fees that make community colleges more affordable. The majority of community college students commute—and living at home can save on the expensive housing and meal plans found at four-year schools. 

Admissions Requirements and Selectivity

A big difference you’ll discover when comparing community colleges vs. universities is in their admissions requirements. Community colleges are much easier to get into—one reason why their academic reputation isn’t as strong as four-year universities—in fact, many have open admissions policies and will admit anyone who has graduated high school. 

Conversely, universities are much more selective in their admissions process, taking a host of factors into consideration when determining whether or not to admit a student—for example, grades, standardized test scores, extracurricular activities, and an essay. If you’re curious about your odds at a particular university, CollegeVine can help. Our free chancing calculator can predict your odds of acceptance at over 600 schools.  

This tool will let you know whether you’re academically prepared for universities, and how to improve your admissions profile.

Admission to a university is more rigorous, but the time spent at community college can make it easier. For many students, community college provides a chance to bolster their grades, take part in internships and extracurricular activities, hold a job, and become a more interesting candidate. Systems like the UC System prioritize students coming from in-state community colleges—they make up over 90% of the transfer class . 

Classes at community colleges are often smaller than comparable courses at universities, allowing students to have greater access to teachers, take a more active role in the classroom, and build relationships with their classmates. While many universities tout their small class sizes, it’s not uncommon for general education classes to fill a lecture hall and be taught by a graduate student.  

Discover your chances at hundreds of schools

Our free chancing engine takes into account your history, background, test scores, and extracurricular activities to show you your real chances of admission—and how to improve them.

[amp-cta id="9459"]

Academic Resources and Options

Universities have a huge edge when it comes to academic resources and options—one of the ways community colleges keep costs down is by limiting expenses like costly facilities, buildings, and staff. Universities, on the other hand, are known for their expansive libraries ( Harvard’s library houses over 20 million volumes), modern computer labs, and many have a variety of facilities devoted to research on their campuses. 

Universities also offer a variety of additional programming that you’re unlikely to see on a community college campus, like:

• Study abroad
• Large scholarship programs
• Student centers
• Study groups
• Athletic teams
• Student-run organizations
• On-campus events

Another difference between community colleges vs. universities is the number of areas of study. Community colleges offer general areas of study while universities offer a wide variety of academic areas—many large universities are divided into smaller, more specialized colleges. 

Campus Community 

Community colleges often have small, tight-knit communities, but they pale in comparison to the size and scope of the communities found on university campuses. The most obvious difference is that the majority of university students live on campus for all, or at least some, of their college careers. Many colleges even offer living-learning communities where students can live with students of similar backgrounds and interests. 

Additionally, universities have a variety of clubs and organizations—ranging from fraternities and sororities to groups bringing together students with similar interests or identities—all of which help build bonds between students. Universities also have athletic teams, host activities, and have facilities like student centers and dining halls that encourage interaction and unity among the student body. 

Job Placement

A bachelor’s degree isn’t necessary to have a successful career, but is, in general, beneficial—it opens doors and paves a path toward higher earnings. Bachelor’s degree holders are half as likely to be unemployed as a person with just a high school diploma and earn an average of $1 million over their lifetime.   

While attending a university, students can build their professional network as they earn their degree, connecting with other students, professors, and professionals through internships and alumni. Many universities provide resources to students entering the labor force. For example,

• Career counseling 
• Interview coaching 
• Resume help
• Recruitment resources 

Just because a university education gives students a leg up when entering the workforce doesn’t mean that community colleges don’t also have their merits. There are a handful of well-paying jobs that only require an associate’s degree . It’s also worth noting that while an associate’s degree holder may not earn as much on average as those with more advanced degrees, an associate’s degree provides the best return on investment .

Should You Start at a Community College, Then Transfer?

If you want to start at a community college and transfer to a university , check if the community college has an articulation agreement—a protocol for granting transferring admission and ensuring credit transfer to students who take particular classes and maintain a certain GPA. For example, Massachusetts’ MassTransfer program allows students to start at any of the state’s 15 community colleges and transfer into one of its 13 public four-year state colleges.

Articulation agreements vary from institution to institution (and from state to state), making it critical to know exactly what the future holds before committing to a program—consider that a 2017 report found that students who transferred between 2004 and 2009 lost 43% of their credits on average . 

If you take proper precautions to ensure your transfer will be smooth, this option is great for students who want to save some money, or aren’t quite academically ready for a university yet.

How a school “fits”—that is, how a school aligns with your goals, needs, and desires—is an important factor to consider when faced with the question of community college vs. university. Community colleges are a great choice for students who aren’t academically or socially prepared for life at a university. Community college allows students to get comfortable working with more academically rigorous material and get accustomed to the extra freedom afforded by college, without the high price tag and more competitive classrooms found at universities. 

Community college is also a great option for students with other commitments. Whether it’s working a job to help pay for school or the necessity to stay close to home to help around the house, community college offers a flexibility that is beneficial to many students. 

Lastly, community college is a fantastic choice for cost-conscious college students, who don’t mind forgoing some of the perks of a university experience to avoid student loans or to save on tuition.

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

Difference Between School and University Life

For sure applicants have wondered more than once what life awaits them in a couple of months. In fact, what awaits you is a student life that is radically different from the one you are living at the moment. Why? Let us tell you. Here are the differences between the life of a high school student and the life of a college student.

More freedom or responsibility? 

Many of you will move away from your parents, leave your hometown, and begin your adult life with a new start. You will be completely free from the control of your elders who have had their eye on you for 18 years. But any freedom is limited by the laws of nature and society. Now you are responsible for your actions, and you should be wise in taking this right to “be an adult and independent”.

New friends

From the first day of your studies, you will begin to integrate into student life and the university microclimate. Your communication will not be limited to the group, often only at one flowing lecture , which unites several groups of similar specialty, where there are about 100 or more people. In addition, universities have many activities and a wide variety of opportunities to participate in sports and academic life, where you will also find friends with interests.

New concepts 

Instead of a class teacher – a curator, instead of a headmaster – a rector, instead of a teacher – a lecturer (professor), and instead of classmates – groupmates. You’ll soon get used to it.

Most often your first job comes during your college years. Working in the catering industry or, as it sometimes happens, in your major, gives you a good start into the future, improving your professional and personal qualities. You can also get your first job at the university: you can work in the faculty, the canteen, or the technology park. In addition, you can be active in the Student Government and get a bonus for your scholarship. And if you want to make good money, you can provide your services in essay writing service , for example.

All absences are your own responsibility

The tutor or teachers will not worry if you do not show up for class, most parents will not be told about your absences either. But if your absences are systematic and unexcused, this can have dire consequences, such as a lack of admission to the exam and a large number of retakes.

 Grades at School VS Grades in the Credit Card

Your GPA now determines not your grade point average, but your scholarship for the semester. Based on your grades on your exams, your GPA will be calculated, affecting the value of your scholarship.

You are the only one who cares about what you’ve learned 

If at school the class teacher could convince you to learn something, at university you are the only one interested in your studies. The teacher gives you the knowledge in lectures and practicals, and it is your choice to assimilate it or to study on your own before the exam. People who have responsibly attended all lectures and completed practical assignments often get bonuses from teachers on the exam.

Is the dress code gone? 

If in school the class teacher could send you home to change your jeans, change a bright sweater or wash off your makeup, at university you can come as you want. This does not mean that the professor will ignore your flamboyant or unkempt appearance, you should use this opportunity wisely.

Figure it all out 

Living on your own means you’ll have to deal with a lot of things you haven’t dealt with before. For example, going to the bank and paying for your dorm room, getting a medical checkup every year, and getting your voucher for a doctor’s appointment, making a shopping list, and allocating your budget yourself so that you have enough for food, clothes, and entertainment. Many of you may have been self-sufficient before, but, more often than not, kids encounter these tasks for the first time after moving from their parents to another city.

Home — Essay Samples — Education — High School — Contrasting High School Life vs University Life

Contrasting High School Life Vs University Life

• Categories: High School University

About this sample

Words: 619 |

Published: Sep 1, 2023

Words: 619 | Page: 1 | 4 min read

Table of contents

Structured routines vs. autonomous decision-making, academic demands and intellectual exploration, personal growth and social exploration, embracing responsibility and independence, conclusion: a journey of transformation.

Cite this Essay

Let us write you an essay from scratch

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Verified writer

• Expert in: Education

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

3 pages / 1259 words

1 pages / 326 words

3 pages / 1513 words

3 pages / 1347 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on High School

Clary, G. L., Snyder, M., & Stukas, A. A. (2016). Enhancing the Motivation to Volunteer. Journal of Social Issues, 72(3), 371-388.Howe, N., & Strauss, W. (2000). Millennials rising: The next great generation. Vintage.Kuperminc, [...]

High school is a critical phase in a student's academic journey, laying the foundation for future endeavors. Achieving success during this period requires a combination of effective strategies that can be applied to both [...]

High school, the place where young minds are nurtured, friendships are forged, and the foundations of adulthood are laid. Or at least, that's what they want you to believe. In reality, high school is more like a three-ring [...]

High school and college are two pivotal stages in a student's educational journey, each contributing significantly to their growth and knowledge enrichment. While they may seem distinct in many ways, there are remarkable [...]

In Freemont High School, written by Jonathan Kozol, undesirable conditions of the schools are discussed. Although, the school is located in beautiful Los Angeles, the school is less than favorable. Many students, during any [...]

There are many reasons that we should not have year-round school, including it can actually be a problem for people’s health. Some childhood development experts believe that for some kids it’s vital to have time off. It is also [...]

Related Topics

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Where do you want us to send this sample?

By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

Be careful. This essay is not unique

This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

Download this Sample

Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

Please check your inbox.

We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free

Challenges in College , Getting Into College

High School vs College Life: Fun Must-Know Differences

Updated: October 13, 2023

Published: August 30, 2019

There are some very big differences between high school and college life. Both are fun in their own ways and both have unique experiences to offer you. But there is no denying that there are some fun and important differences between the two in terms of social life, academics, and sports. Finally, one of the biggest differences is how much more you are in control of everything. We’ll go over all of these differences here, and get you the lowdown on high school vs college life.

How Different Are College and High School?

In short, they are extremely different. In college, you can create your own future and your own identity. You get an entirely new social group and newfound independence. You are in full control of who you become.

College is unlike high school, where your identity and reputation has remained the same for a while. You choose your classes and can study anything and you are treated as an adult in those classes. So say goodbye to cliques, set schedules, and mandatory classes, and say hello to choice and independence.

Welcome to college!

High School vs College: Academics

From homework to class time to exams to teacher-student relationships, high school vs college life has its differences.

1. Time Spent in Class and Attendance

Your professor likely won’t be taking attendance, and even if they are, it’s up to you if you want those participation points or not. Your involvement in the class is also voluntary. Your teacher will not call on you like they did in high school, and it’s up to you if you want to do the bare minimum on projects and assignments or really take the time to learn and grow in a subject. Your relationship with professors is also up to you. You can choose to get to know them for networking, or choose to be an (almost) anonymous student in the crowd.

Photo by  Pixabay  from  Pexels

2. the workload.

Truthfully, college courses and materials will be more challenging than in high school. But that does not mean it is more challenging to succeed. Some even say college is easier than high school! Exams can be long, writing assignments are frequent, and there are more debates and discussions. Just study hard and be sure of what the teacher is assigning and you’ll be fine.

3. Grades and Graduation

It is your sole responsibility to ensure that you are getting the grades you want. There will be no one to remind you of deadlines, or to push you harder. If you want a bit of a push, try to join a study group in your major or classes but ultimately, it’s still your choice whether to succeed or not in college. Graduating on time is also under your control. You need to make sure that you are both taking and passing the classes you need to graduate from your program on time.

4. Textbooks and the Readings

In high school, textbooks are given to you, but in college they are very expensive. However, you will definitely get your money’s worth, because college is all about textbook reading. Expect to be assigned several chapters of a textbook per week, in addition to research papers, opinion pieces, and other types of books.

5. Class Size, Style and Variety

During college, you will be challenged, but in a good way. You will feel that your mind is being opened in a way that you enjoy, as there is much less rote work in college. In addition, you will finally be studying exactly what you want to study. In the first few years you may find yourself in larger classes, but they will get smaller as courses become more specialized.

At University of the People , as well as with many other flexible, online schools, the most fun part of college academic is the freedom you have to complete classes. You can arrange your flexible coursework for whenever works for your schedule. So whether you are a parent that is struggling to have a healthy work-life balance while you study, or just someone who wants to enjoy the best of all worlds during school- UoPeople is a great choice for you!

High School vs. College: Your Life Won’t Look the Same

Photo by  Giftpundits.com  from  Pexels

One of the most fun but also scariest differences in high school vs college life is that you are in the driver’s seat. You are in complete control of your time, your schedule, and your study habits. This can be a fun change because you are finally free to study and organize your day in a way that is best and most productive for you. On the flip side, this can backfire if you don’t organize your time well , or don’t implement enough self discipline.

1. Dorm Life and Roommates

Whether you are living on campus, off campus, or in the Greek community, chances are you will be cohabiting your room or living space with others in college. This is a great opportunity to learn to live with others, make the best friends of your life, and have an amazing support system. If you didn’t choose your roommates or housemates (or even if you did), keep an open mind and establish rules in the beginning.

2. Healthy Lifestyle and What to Eat

Worried about the freshman 15? While it can be tempting to eat whatever you want during college, and hard to stay on top of your health due to a busy schedule, staying healthy and fit is possible. Take advantage of your school gym or intramural leagues, and make the decision to eat healthy by making good food choices and avoiding too many tempting delivery and dessert options.

3. Time Management

In high school, your family members, teachers, and coaches had much more say in your schedule. Now you are on your own and need to learn how to manage your time. Create a weekly calendar for yourself with due dates and events, and make sure to review and update the calendar often.

4. Adulting: Responsibility and Independence

You are now an adult living on your own. That means increased independence and increased risks. It’s up to you to make responsible choices about drinking, drugs, intimacy, academics, and time management. There will be temptations in college to stray from your main purpose of getting an education. Create a strong social support for yourself to help you in college, and start each year with the right intentions.

You will also be forced to be either more or completely financially independent. Try to set up a budget as soon as possible that fits with your income and your lifestyle. Speak with your financial aid advisor at the beginning of college and whenever possible throughout to make sure you are doing what you can to either reduce tuition or quality for financial aid. You might need to find part-time work to make ends meet while you are in school as well.

High School vs College: Social Life

New school, new friends, new you! College is a whole new way to meet people and to make new, lasting friendships.

Photo by  Helena Lopes  from  Pexels

1. new friends = diverse social life.

In college, you will gain so many new friends — from your new living or studying spaces, from classes, extracurricular activities, and part-time work. This leads to a much richer social life than the one you may have had during high school. Your social calendar will be much more varied as well. With new things added such as club meetings, new volunteer opportunities, study groups and greek or dorm events if you choose to live on campus.

2. More Social Opportunities

Your more jam-packed calendar will lead you to meet countless people, and those people will introduce you to more people! You will have endless opportunities to meet others and will constantly be forming new friendships until you find the ones that stick.

3. More Student Diversity

College is full of students of more varied backgrounds than the classmates you spent your high school years with. In high school, you are all from the same area and are all of the same age. In college, you will meet people who came from all over the country, as well as international students from across the globe. There will be students much older than you, as well as people with differing opinions and backgrounds than your own.

4. Multiple Social Groups

Due to your varied social experiences in college, you will end up with multiple social groups — one of the reasons your calendar is so full! Make the best of all these new social experiences while you can and don’t be overwhelmed. You will soon get into your groove and find the groups that you really click with and topics you are truly passionate about that will stay in your life past college.

5. Student-Teacher Relationship: Being Treated as an Adult

At very large universities, you will no longer be able to see your teacher as your friend, or someone who knows you personally. In high school, you see your teachers in small groups every day, and for years throughout the school grounds. A personal relationship usually develops. That is not often the case in college — but use this to your advantage! The fact that not everyone has a personal relationship with professors makes it that much more unique and beneficial to you if you do. Get to know your professors from the start, and what research they are doing or what projects they have been a part of and see if you can get involved somehow. Never too early to start networking!

6. Try to Stand Out to Make New Friends

First of all, it will be harder to stand out in college, simply because there are so many more people there than in high school, and everyone has a wide range of interests and talents. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try. Put yourself out there, share who you are, and stand out in your own way and you’ll be rewarded with friends who share your interests and values.

High School vs College: Sports

Whether you are a player or a fan, there are some fun differences in college sports.

Photo by  football wife  from  Pexels

1. school spirit.

This one will of course depend on the high school and the college you attend. Some colleges don’t have sports teams, but if yours does, be ready for some fun! College sports becomes a big part of social life and the school spirit experienced in college is unavoidably contagious. Even if you are not a sports fan, you might get wrapped up in cheering for your school, or feeling pride with a big win. In addition, college sports are something that people of all ages attend, so you might continue your fandom and game attendance for years after you graduate college.

2. Being a Player

If you already play in high school and are looking to play college sports, make sure you know what you are getting into. Being on a college sports team is much more similar to a part-time job than an extracurricular in terms of commitment, effort and time. Playing in college is a big deal and a serious decision. Being on a sports team in college can also lead to bigger things such as being drafted for a national team, or coaching.

Prepare Yourself for Transition

Photo by  Gerd Altmann  from  Pexels

1. does high school prepare students for college.

Unfortunately, most people say that no, high school doesn’t prepare you for college academically or socially. You may be in for quite a surprise your first quarter of college, but remember you’re not alone — many freshmen students have a rocky start to college. If you took AP or IB classes in high school, you may be better equipped for college because you know what to expect academically.

2. Is College Easier Than High School?

College can be easier than high school in certain ways. While yes, it is more academically challenging, there are several things that make college easier than high school. First of all, you are taking less classes and therefore have less due dates and class material to keep track of. You also get a clearly detailed syllabus with class schedule, timeline, grade explanations, and student expectations in the first week, so you know exactly how the semester will go. You can plan ahead and be prepared for every class. Finally, college is easier because you are studying topics that interest you and you are naturally more motivated to study those topics of interest.

3. Is College Better Than High School?

Absolutely — college is the best time of many people’s lives. You are independent for the first time, you get to choose your classes, your social life, and your schedule. This is all very different from high school, where most things are chosen for you, and you have been with the same people and had the same reputation for some time.

In conclusion, high school vs college life does have many differences, but most of them are positive differences. After you graduate high school , you are ready for anything if you put your mind to it!

Check out our fun flip card game!

Related Articles

Choose Your Test

Sat / act prep online guides and tips, high school vs college: 15 key differences.

Other High School , College Info

Are you about to start college soon? Are you wondering what changes to expect? How is college different from high school? When you compare high school vs college, you'll find many differences, some of which are obvious, others less so.

It's important to understand how high school and college are different from each other so you know what to expect and can have a smoother transition when you begin college. In this guide, we explain the 15 most important differences between high school and college and give you tips to help make this major life change a bit less intimidating.

How Is College Different From High School?

There's a reason so many movies, shows, and books focus on new college students: many people see the transition from high school to college as one of the most important turning points in their life. You're no longer a kid living under your parents' roof; instead you're an adult living on your own and expected to make real, important decisions about your future.

You'll have a lot more freedom, but a lot will also be expected from you, both in class and out. Read on to learn specific high school vs college differences.

Below are 15 high school vs college differences you'll likely encounter once you begin college. There are pros and cons to both high school and college, but knowing what to expect will make you better prepared for this big change.

#1: You'll Have More Independence

The biggest change for high school vs. college is that, in college, you'll have much more independence than you had in high school. Many people focus on the fact that you'll be living away from your parents, and this is a part of it, but you'll have independence in many other areas as well.

You'll have the freedom to decide what you want to major in, which classes you want to take, when you want to schedule those classes, if you want to go out with your friends, how late you want to stay out, even what you want to eat in the dining hall. (I ate Reese's Puffs cereal every day for four years because my parents never allowed it and I was thrilled to finally be able to have it for breakfast.)

#2: You'll Be Treated Like an Adult

Along with your increased independence, you'll also be treated like an adult in college as opposed to a child under your parents' care. In college, you'll no longer need to bring your parents permission slips to sign, you'll be trusted to make your own choices for what you want to study, and you can arrange meetings yourself, without Mom and Dad helping you.

For many students, it's exciting to finally be viewed as an adult, but it also means an increase in responsibilities. If you have a problem with or question about homework, classes, a grade you got, etc., you are the one who will need to solve it. You can't expect your parents to call the school and fix the problem for you like they may have done in high school.

#3: There Will Be a Wider Variety of Classes to Choose From

In high school, you didn't have a lot of choice in regards to which classes you took. You could probably choose a few electives , but your schedule was mostly filled with the standard math, science, English, and social studies requirements that all students had to take.

In college, even if you attend a smaller school, you'll have many more options. They'll be a wider variety of classes to choose from , and many of them will focus on more specific topics like astronomy, ancient Roman history, French literature, the geography of the United States, and more. Many college students like this increase in class options since it makes it easier for them to choose classes on topics they're really interested in.

#4: Classes Will Have Different Formats and Sizes

Each class you took in high school probably had about the same number of students and consisted mostly of lecturing, maybe along with some individual or group work. This isn't true in college. Classes can range from two to 500 students, and their format can vary widely as well. Classes may be completely lecture-based, require hands-on lab work, or be discussion-based where you spend most of class time engaged in conversations or debates with your classmates and professor.

#5: Your Schedule Will Be More Complicated

In high school, school started and ended the same time every day, and your class schedule was probably the same for every day of the week. In college, things get a little trickier. Some classes meet three times a week for an hour and a half, some meet five times a week for an hour, some meet once a week for three hours, etc. This means you'll likely be starting and ending class at different times during the week, and you may end up with a different class schedule for every day of the week.

Some people like the variety this gives them, but it's important to stay on top of your schedule so you don't wind up forgetting to attend class.

#6: You'll Have a New Set of Classmates

One of the most jarring things for many new college students is they're no longer surrounded by classmates and friends they've known for years. Instead, you'll be in a sea of strangers (at least at first), many of whom come from different areas and backgrounds than you. Additionally, you'll likely have a different set of classmates for each of your classes. That's a lot of new faces!

This means you have lots of opportunity for making all kinds of friends, but expect there to be some awkwardness and loneliness at first as everyone gets to know each other and figures out their friend groups. Additionally, since in college everyone wants to be there (at least on some level), you may find your college classmates more motivated and dedicated to doing well in school compared to some of your high school peers.

#7: Classes Will Require More Critical Thinking

Is college hard compared to high school? Going to college isn't just like attending four more years of high school. This is a big step up in your education, and your classes will be more challenging and expect you to keep up. You'll be tested less on memorization and basic regurgitation of facts and more on critical thinking skills and being able to apply what you learned in class to other situations.

You may learn a specific math equation and then be asked to apply that knowledge to more challenging types of equations, learn about different historical events and be asked to analyze how they affected future events, learn a scientific process and be asked to describe how it affects the environment, etc.

#8: College Costs More

There's no way around it; c ollege definitely costs more than high school. Tuition is thousands of dollars, and you'll likely be paying for room and board as well. And those are just the main costs. College requires all sorts of smaller purchases too, like special goggles for your chemistry lab or official test taking booklets for final exams. Buying just one college textbook (often over $100) is enough to never let you take for granted all free materials you got in high school.

#9: You'll Spend Less Time in Class

Most full-time college students spend about 15-20 hours in class a week, which comes out to about three or four hours a day. This is probably much less time than you spent in high school classes every day which means you'll have a lot more unscheduled time to spend how you think is best.

#10: You'll Have More Schoolwork

Don't get too excited about spending less time in class; college definitely knows how to keep you busy. The general rule of thumb is that you'll spend about three hours a week on schoolwork for every one hour of class you're in.

With a standard schedule of 15 credits, that means you can expect to spend 45 hours a week on schoolwork, about as much as a full-time job! This is often much more work than students had in high school, so you should be prepared for an adjustment.

#11: Attendance Will Be Up to You

In high school, you had to go to class every day because if you didn't, you could get in trouble for truancy or (sometimes even more frightening) your parents could find out. In college, there are no requirements for attending class, and no one is going to call your parents if you don't show up. However, don't make the mistake some college students do and think this means you don't need to go to class.

Many professors include attendance as part of your grade, and some will even fail you if you miss a certain number of classes without a valid excuse. Plus, it's often very difficult to do well in a class if you never show up, and you're paying a lot of money for these classes! Make sure you get the most out of them that you can.

#12: You'll Have More Social Opportunities

Even if you were a social butterfly in high school, you'll have tons more opportunities to be social and make friends in college. There will be sports teams to join, parties to go to, clubs you can be part of, and more. Most colleges are large enough to have something for everyone, so you're bound to find an activity you're interested in, whether that's a recreational hockey team, the student government group, a club focused on promoting renewable energy, and more.

There are also likely many more students at your college than there were at your high school, so your opportunities for making friends will multiply as well. However, you do need to make an effort to get the most out of these opportunities. Push yourself to try new things and strike up conversations with new people, and if you're feeling nervous, just remember that they're likely feeling the same way. Standard questions to ask new people you meet in college include: Where are you from? What dorm do you live in? What are you majoring in? Get ready to ask and be asked these questions a lot!

#13: It'll Be Harder to Stand Out

Once you start college, you won't be a big fish in a small pond anymore, and it'll be harder to stand out from the crowd. While in high school you may have been the star student/athlete/singer, in college you'll be surrounded by many talented classmates, many of whom were also the best at something in high school. Some students struggle with no longer automatically standing out, but there are plenty of benefits to this.

First, you'll be able to bond with other students who are also skilled at your talent. If you were, say, the star drama student at your high school, you may not hold the same position in college, but you can befriend all the other high school drama stars and create some awesome shows together.

Additionally, some students like the anonymity being a new college student brings. If you've been labelled as a jock or theater nerd for all of high school, going to college--where people don't know you--allows you to shed or alter that identity if you wish and try new things (or try the same things with less pressure).

#14: You'll Get Fewer Grades in Class

In high school, you probably had daily homework assignments you had to complete and got a grade for. These, along with some larger projects, quizzes, and tests made up your final class grade. If you got a low score in one, it was usually fine since there were plenty of other chances to make up for the low grade.

Once you start college, you may find that many classes have far fewer assignments, meaning you'll receive fewer grades and each of those grades are worth more. Instead of regular homework assignments and quizzes, many college classes are based only on a midterm grade and a final grade. This means you need to take those exams/papers/projects very seriously because if you mess up on one of them it'll be very hard to raise your class grade back to where you want it to be.

#15: You'll Be Doing Lots of Reading

You know those pictures of exhausted-looking students sitting next to a pile of textbooks they need to get through? That's how many college students feel. Expect to do lots of reading in college, including textbooks, journal articles, and literature. If you're majoring in a field like computer science or math you can expect less reading (and more homework), but you're still guaranteed to have at least a few classes where you're assigned to read a couple dozen textbook pages before the next class. You'll get to know your school's library very well.

Tips for Making the Transition From High School to College

Going from high school to college can be tough no matter how excited you are to start at your new school. Below are three tips to help make the transition easier.

Know There Will Be Changes

You've already taken one of the most important steps to prepare for transitioning from high school to college: you're expecting and preparing for the differences. When you know that the high school to college transition will bring major changes, you'll be more prepared for anything that comes your way.

Be Prepared for Some Bumps

Many movies about college make it seem like new college students immediately find a group of close friends, know exactly what they want to study, and have an awesome social life. In reality, it rarely works like this. Many new college students have moments where they feel awkward, lonely, and homesick. This is completely normal; after all you're making a major life change.

By managing your expectations of college and not expecting to love it right away, you can better manage the transition from high school to college and not end up disappointed when it takes a little while to feel comfortable.

Put Yourself Out There

When you first start college, there will be a lot of changes, and it'll be easy to hang out in your dorm room and text with your high school friends. However, you should resist this urge.

College is probably the best time you'll ever have to meet new people and try new things, so you should take full advantage. Keep your dorm room door open to meet your neighbors. Strike up a conversation with your chemistry lab partner. Join a club or sport you've never tried before. Not only will this make the transition from high school to college easier since you'll be meeting more people, you may discover a new friend or hobby.

What's Next?

Not sure which college you want to go to? Check out our guide on choosing the right college so you can make the best decision.

Stressing over college applications? We're here to help! Our step-by-step guide breaks down the complete college application process from start to finish.

Worried about choosing a major on your college applications? Learn how to navigate the process and make an informed decision.

Christine graduated from Michigan State University with degrees in Environmental Biology and Geography and received her Master's from Duke University. In high school she scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT and was named a National Merit Finalist. She has taught English and biology in several countries.

Student and Parent Forum

Our new student and parent forum, at ExpertHub.PrepScholar.com , allow you to interact with your peers and the PrepScholar staff. See how other students and parents are navigating high school, college, and the college admissions process. Ask questions; get answers.

Ask a Question Below

Have any questions about this article or other topics? Ask below and we'll reply!

Improve With Our Famous Guides

• For All Students

The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 160+ SAT Points

How to Get a Perfect 1600, by a Perfect Scorer

Series: How to Get 800 on Each SAT Section:

Score 800 on SAT Math

Score 800 on SAT Reading

Score 800 on SAT Writing

Series: How to Get to 600 on Each SAT Section:

Score 600 on SAT Math

Score 600 on SAT Reading

Score 600 on SAT Writing

Free Complete Official SAT Practice Tests

What SAT Target Score Should You Be Aiming For?

15 Strategies to Improve Your SAT Essay

The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 4+ ACT Points

How to Get a Perfect 36 ACT, by a Perfect Scorer

Series: How to Get 36 on Each ACT Section:

36 on ACT English

36 on ACT Math

36 on ACT Reading

36 on ACT Science

Series: How to Get to 24 on Each ACT Section:

24 on ACT English

24 on ACT Math

24 on ACT Reading

24 on ACT Science

What ACT target score should you be aiming for?

ACT Vocabulary You Must Know

ACT Writing: 15 Tips to Raise Your Essay Score

How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League

How to Get a Perfect 4.0 GPA

How to Write an Amazing College Essay

What Exactly Are Colleges Looking For?

Is the ACT easier than the SAT? A Comprehensive Guide

Should you retake your SAT or ACT?

When should you take the SAT or ACT?

Stay Informed

Get the latest articles and test prep tips!

Looking for Graduate School Test Prep?

Check out our top-rated graduate blogs here:

GRE Online Prep Blog

GMAT Online Prep Blog

TOEFL Online Prep Blog

Holly R. "I am absolutely overjoyed and cannot thank you enough for helping me!”

School Life Vs College Life: Let’s Compare The School and College Lives

School and College life are two very distinct phases of life. School life prepares you to be an adult. College life teaches you how to actually adult. Both experiences are fun in their own ways and offer very unique experiences. It is definitely a tough question to answer when someone asks you which life was better. You’ve had your share of fun and experiences in both and will cherish it throughout your life. Although, everyone’s answers do differ. So how do we know the difference between School Life Vs College Life?

We have listed the most common experiences that almost everyone would have experienced in their school or college life. We do not want to know which life is better, we just want to bring back those memories. Good or bad, everything has helped shape us into what we are today. So let us forget everything and just appreciate the experiences we have had. This comparison of School Life Vs College Life will help you decide which life you like the most if you want to. If not, you can just read through and we are sure it will bring a smile to your face if not for a drop of tear.

Comparison of School Life Vs College Life

School life and college life are poles apart from each other. In school, you are treated as a child, you have friends from childhood and the dream of your ideal job. But in college, you are suddenly treated as an adult, have limited but true friends, work on building a career and pray to be a child again. These feelings are very common in a college-goer or any adult for that matter.

Now, let us quickly compare School Life Vs College Life and refresh our memories, shall we?

Table of Contents

1. Attendance

School: Attendance is taken once a day. After that, you are bound to stay in class/ school until it is time to go home. You cannot miss classes and go out of college. Your teachers call you out for not participating in class. You know all your teachers and they all know you. Teachers focus on students individually.

College: Attendance is taken during every lecture. It is up to you which lecture you want to attend and which you want to miss. Most colleges have a rule that a student must have a minimum of 75% attendance in a subject to write exams. You can participate in classes, or sit there as a silent spectator and no one questions you.

2. Assignments

School: There is homework every day. Students are required to study and write notes, worksheets, projects, and assignments on a daily basis. Though, the workload for each day would be less. Students find time to finish their homework and also play after school. The homework given in school was more of a learning experience.

College: Though you are not given an assignment each day, the frequency of assignments is often. There are presentations, research, projects, assignments, etc. These are very challenging as compared to school. The experience is more of a research nature. You will not find all your answers in a textbook.

Best Time to Study: What is The Best Time to Study?

School: Your teachers and parents constantly remind you to study. They are always pushing you to be better and score better marks. You do not choose when you graduate. There is a specific time of when exams will be conducted and at what age you will complete your schooling.

College: It is up to you to decide when you want to study, or if you want to even study or not. No one reminds you or forces you to sit down with your books. The colleges give you a time frame within which you can take up exams. You are in full control of your grades and when you graduate.

4. Class size

School: You generally have a small class size of 30 – 50 students. Everyone is paid attention individually. Generally, you know everyone in your class and school. All teachers recognize you.

College: The class sizes are generally huge (80 to 100 students or more). Lecturers do not pay attention to all students individually. The students are responsible for their learning. No one forces them or calls them out. You hardly know anyone in class or college.

School: During school, you mostly live with your parents. Even if you live in a hostel, you will be in a school hostel. The school decides who your roommates will be. And hostel warden is generally very strict at the school level.

College: Most college students stay in hostels or PGs. You have roommates from different classes, different streams, or sometimes even different colleges. It is here that you make amazing friends, who stay for life. You get to choose who you want to live with and where you want to live.

School: In school, you would wear your uniform every morning. Everyone in school was required to wear the same uniform to maintain disciple and uniformity among students. No matter how much you disliked it, you never had the tension to choose an outfit to look cool,

College: You get to wear what you want to. There is no uniform in colleges. You only have a dress code that you need to follow. There is always a tension to not repeat outfits and wear what makes you look cool, not comfortable. But no matter what, we all enjoyed dressing up for college.

How to Improve Handwriting Skills: Exercises to Improve Handwriting Skills

7. Waking up

School: You would wake up early in the morning for school. Get dressed and head to school. Reach school before the bell rings and take part in the assembly. Reaching late to school was punishable.

College:  You wake up when you want to. You try to reach college when the first lecture starts, but do not always make it. You go in and come out of college anytime you want to.

School:  You were never tensed about money matters in school. You did not have major expenses and most of it was taken care of by your parents. You used to receive pocket money for small expenses, snacks, and other entertainment.

College: You have many expenses that you need to take care of. You do not even take pocket money from your parents. Generally, college students prefer to find an internship or a part-time job to fund their expenses. You run on a budget and try limiting your spending. Nonetheless, you enjoy and do everything you want to do.

Top 10 Best Motivational Speeches For Students

In conclusion, school life vs college life have a lot of differences. But both have their own memories and experiences that we cannot trade for each other. People say that you can never forget your school life and college life, and it is true. You always want to go back to that phase in life. But school life vs college life will always be a question we will not find an answer to.

Had fun reading this? Subscribe to our youtube channel for more such information.

• Arts College Vs Engineering College Comparison | Fun Guaranteed :)
• Healthy Foods for Kids | Get the List of Healthy Foods & Fruits for Students

You May Also Like

Scope of nursing in india | all details here.

Benefits of Group Study : Best Study Guides for Students

Vocational education in india – need, training and courses, 2 thoughts on “ school life vs college life: let’s compare the school and college lives ”.

Best IAS Coaching in Delhi has given Best Information on Best IAS Coaching in Delhi. Plutus IAS Coaching is Best IAS Coaching. Follow Our Education for IAS Coaching Centers Information. Read Articles on to Know Best Coaching Institutes.

College life is more of the realities you get to phase. School was all about the place where teachers often helped you even during your rights whereas in college, it’s like a fun thing for people when you complaint about someone. Anyday school life was just better but in college, you need to be matured. I am in college and completed my schooling but personally school was anyday better. Proffesors in college are surely great as they make a person learn not only for grades which was in school. People think college life will be bollywood but surely it’s not as surely you need to face a lot of people and study well for making life perfect. Dressing in dress code is a mandatory thing if you are a law student but thankfully not everyday. You do not have every school friend to talk with however some are surely there as many friends get busy in life.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Compare/contrast high school life and university liife

Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Writing9 with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Fully explain your ideas

To get an excellent score in the IELTS Task 2 writing section, one of the easiest and most effective tips is structuring your writing in the most solid format. A great argument essay structure may be divided to four paragraphs, in which comprises of four sentences (excluding the conclusion paragraph, which comprises of three sentences).

For we to consider an essay structure a great one, it should be looking like this:

• Paragraph 1 - Introduction
• Sentence 1 - Background statement
• Sentence 2 - Detailed background statement
• Sentence 3 - Thesis
• Sentence 4 - Outline sentence
• Paragraph 2 - First supporting paragraph
• Sentence 1 - Topic sentence
• Sentence 2 - Example
• Sentence 3 - Discussion
• Sentence 4 - Conclusion
• Paragraph 3 - Second supporting paragraph
• Paragraph 4 - Conclusion
• Sentence 1 - Summary
• Sentence 2 - Restatement of thesis
• Sentence 3 - Prediction or recommendation

Our recommended essay structure above comprises of fifteen (15) sentences, which will make your essay approximately 250 to 275 words.

Discover more tips in The Ultimate Guide to Get a Target Band Score of 7+ » — a book that's free for 🚀 Premium users.

• Check your IELTS writing »
• Find writings with the same topic
• View collections of IELTS Writing Samples
• Show IELTS Writing Task 2 Topics

In the today’s world, many people own a smartphone. Do you think the advantages of owning a smartphone outweigh the disadvantages?

The best way to reduce poverty in developing countries is by providing at least six years of free education for each child, so that all children can read, write and use numbers.to what extent do you agree or disagree give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience., some people think that instead of preventing climate change, we need to find a way to live with it. to what extent do you agree or disagree, nowadays many countries have very cosmopolitan cities with people from all over the world. how can the government ensure that all these people can live together harmoniously give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience., some people think that now a days children have too much freedom. do you agree or disagree.

College vs. High School: Differences and Similarities

Many students can’t wait for high school to end and college to start which is associated with freedom, friends, living without parents and a chance to take control over your life. Most people admit that in college they’ve entered adult life.

We won’t talk about adulthood here – as it’s not the time for tedious matters – we are going to compare the differences and similarities of life in high school and college instead. What should you expect from each? What are the main challenges of each? Is college academically hard? Let’s go straight to business.

Comparing Two Milestones of Student Life

So, you want to move out of your parents’ house as quickly as possible to have fun and attend parties, as you’ve heard these are the only things college students do. However, this is not actually true.

Obviously, there are a lot of differences between studying in high school and in college. To help you figure out what they are, we’ve prepared the lists that are divided into categories determined by different spheres and aspects of both academic levels.

Studying Process

While high school studying process might seem difficult, many students find studying in college more challenging due to lack of self-motivation.

High School:

• You attend all the scheduled classes
• You have a lot of classes a day
• You are obligated to be in school and do your homework
• You schedule your classes the way you want
• You choose classes which you long to learn
• Attending classes and completing assignments are your responsibility
• You spend most of your time on homework
• Commonly your course grade is defined by one single exam or assignment

You might be also interested to know more about the differences between high school and college finals.

Lifestyle and Social Sphere

It’s hard to be objective when it comes to comparing college vs. high school social life because getting into a college can be too overwhelming to keep a clear mind. Parties, adulthood, numerous new friends, tight budget, anxiety, new everyday routine – all of these things are like an avalanche for a freshman.

High school:

• You need to get up early in the morning to be able to get to school right on time for your first class
• You live with your parents
• You know everyone in your class
• You have a schedule assembled by your teachers and parents
• Studying at home for 2-4 hours a week might be enough – the rest of your spare time you spend as you wish
• You try to look “cool” and often feel embarrassed
• You get to know a lot of new people from different parts of the country (or the world)
• You can stay up all night – anyway, getting up the next day will be only your problem
• You can schedule your weeks as you want to
• You spend less time in class, but you have to study more in the dorm or in the library
• You can visit events and parties without someone’s permission
• Everyone is too busy to pay attention to your outfits
• Establishing a friendship with your roommate is highly recommended

Teachers and Professors

It’s not a secret that most of the time in college you spend on trying to force yourself to complete your assignment. You will also need to learn how to contact your professor and how to find his or her office hours in a gigantic schedule.

• Teachers closely follow the books
• Teachers help to be right on time with all of your assignments
• Teachers try to motivate and engage you
• Teachers provide you with assigned material
• Professors follow the books they wrote and academic works or personal experience
• No one will hunt you down for attendance, but you will have problems if you skip the classes
• You are the only one who can motivate yourself – it’s not your professor’s business
• Professors treat you like a grown-up and expect responsible and deliberate behavior from you

Food is almost the last thing a student thinks about when imagining studying in college. But it’s a very significant issue which almost in all cases requires basic cooking skills.

• Your parents provide you with healthy dishes
• You can eat in a school cafeteria during a school year
• You rarely or never cook for yourself

Just find something more nutritious than a pack of chips. These Tricks for Cooking Healthy College Meals on a Budget can help you.

So, we’ve already defined some differences between these two life stages. Let’s make an overall comparison of student life in high school and college.

College vs. High School

Life in college has so many opportunities, which were banned for students during high school years. But it is also accompanied by many difficulties students face for the first time in their lives.

High School

• You don’t know what time-management is
• You need to learn how to take care of a plant in your room
• Teachers try to encourage you to learn
• You are banned from many events
• You wish you had more spare time
• You are anxious about specialization choice
• Sometimes you lie you’re sick
• Everyone attend high-school because they are obligated to
• You think that college level is the end of learning
• You believe that tests are the worst part of studying
• You think that college students spend the whole time at the parties
• You can’t wait to get into a college
• You wish you were older
• You need to work on your time management skills
• You need to learn how to plan your budget
• You need to learn how to take care of yourself
• Self-motivation is your main task
• Parties are not as fun as one says
• Studying takes a lot of spare time
• You choose college classes which you are interested in
• You have no time to be sick
• Those who attend college do that because they want to and chose to
• You know that you have a lot more things to learn after college graduation
• You need to perform actually in-depth researches
• You think that high-school students are kids
• You can find a part-time job
• You need to learn how long human can live without sleep

Related Posts

WAIT! Do you need help with your essay?

Enter your email to get 15% off your first order.

The discount is in your inbox.

• Bihar Board

SRM University

• NBSE Result 2024
• MP Board 10th Result 2024
• MP Board 12th Result 2024
• TS Board Results 2024
• NBSE Board Result 2024
• UK Board Result 2024
• Karnataka Board Result
• Shiv Khera Special
• Education News
• Web Stories
• Current Affairs
• नए भारत का नया उत्तर प्रदेश
• School & Boards
• College Admission
• Govt Jobs Alert & Prep
• GK & Aptitude
• Campus Life

Difference between school life and college life

High school and college life are two very different and contrasting phases of one's life. let's have a look some of most prominent difference between the two..

Difference between school and college

Learning environment .

This is one of the major difference between two student lives that we live. In school, attendance was compulsory if you missed out a day you had to take in a leave/sick application duly signed by one of your parents to school the next day. Whereas, on the other hand, attendance in college is taken more casually by students. And to avoid a complete no-show the entire semester a lot of college administrations have introduced a minimum attendance percentage for students to be able to sit in examinations. Mass bunk and proxy were like unheard concepts back in school but in college, they seem to be the only thing on a student's mind. 

Things every hosteller should know

Cultural Transitions

Back in high most of your friends were from the local community. There were only a handful of students who lived in another city and commuted some distance to come to school. The people all around you were from the same culture and traditions as you. There were hardly any cultural differences between you. But in college, the scenario is completely different. You come across people not only from different cultures within your own country but a lot of international students too. College teaches you to learn and be accepting of people from wide and varied backgrounds.

7 school habits you need to quit before entering college

Roommates and Friends

Back in high school no matter how rebellious you were as a teen every time you landed in trouble your parents were the first people you rushed up to. High school friendships are great and you surely keep a lot of secrets with friends but you still rely and bank on your parents for many things. Also, there was a defined privacy space that your high school friends were not supposed to infringe upon. But in college, there is hardly any such things as privacy. For when you are living in dorms and hostel rooms you are mostly living on twin sharing basis. Moreover, friends are the only people in the immediate vicinity in college whenever you want some company to celebrate with or when you need a shoulder to cry upon.

Keeping in touch with school friends while in college

In Summation

Get here latest School , CBSE and Govt Jobs notification in English and Hindi for Sarkari Naukari and Sarkari Result . Download the Jagran Josh Sarkari Naukri App . Check  Board Result 2024  for Class 10 and Class 12 like  CBSE Board Result ,  UP Board Result ,  Bihar Board Result ,  MP Board Result ,  Rajasthan Board Result  and Other States Boards.

• Nagaland Board Result 2024
• Nagaland Board HSLC Result 2024
• NBSE HSLC, HSSLC Result 2024
• Nagaland Board HSSLC Result 2024
• nbsenl.edu.in NBSE Result 2024
• MP बोर्ड 12वीं टॉपर लिस्ट 2024
• एमपी बोर्ड 10 वीं टॉपर लिस्ट 2024
• AP SSC Results 2024 Manabadi by Jagran Josh
• AP SSC Topper List 2024
• Settling In

Latest Education News

Nagaland Board Result 2024: NBSE Result at Jagran Josh and nbsenl.edu.in

Nagaland Board HSLC Result 2024: NBSE 10th Result at Jagran Josh and nbsenl.edu.in

Nagaland Board HSSLC Result 2024: NBSE 12th Result at Jagran Josh and nbsenl.edu.in

nbsenl.edu.in NBSE Result 2024: Official Websites to Check Nagaland Board 10th, 12th Results Online and Jagran Josh

NBSE Result 2024 LIVE Updates: Check Nagaland Board HSLC, HSSLC Results at nbsenl.edu.in by Roll Number, Date of Birth

Nagaland Board Result 2024 Today at 2pm: Check NBSE HSLC, HSSLC Result Notice at nbsenl.edu.in

NBSE HSLC, HSSLC Result 2024: How to Download Nagaland 10th, 12th Class Results, Check Merit List, Pass Percentage and Statistics

TS Inter Topper List 2024: Check TSBIE Intermediate 1st, 2nd Year Science, Commerce and Arts Toppers Name, Marks Memo

TS Inter Supplementary Exam 2024: Check Time Table, Form Date, Eligibility and Fee

World Intellectual Property Day 2024: Date, Theme, History, Significance, Facts & More

Find 3 Differences In 38 Seconds Within Two Kittens Scene

Assam HS Result 2024: Check Expected AHSEC 12th Result Date and Time, Steps to Download Marksheet at resultsassam.nic.in

VBSPU Result 2024 OUT at vbspu.ac.in, Direct Link to Download UG and PG Marksheet

JKPSC Assistant Professor Result 2024 Out at jkpsc.nic.in: Here's Download Link

BKNMU Result 2024 OUT on bknmu.edu.in, Download UG and PG Semester Marksheet

Chandigarh JBT Admit Card 2024 Out: Here's Download Link, Know Exam Center Update

(Updated) KKR vs PBKS Head to Head in IPL: Check Stats, Records and Results

MKU Result 2024 at mkuniversity.ac.in; Direct Link to Download UG and PG Marksheet

Today’s IPL Match (26 April) - KKR vs PBKS: Team Squad, Match Time, Where to Watch Live and Stadium

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: यहां देखें दूसरे फेज के 5 सबसे अमीर उम्मीदवारों की संपत्ति, उड़ जायेंगे होश

• Share full article

For more audio journalism and storytelling, download New York Times Audio , a new iOS app available for news subscribers.

• April 25, 2024   •   40:33 The Crackdown on Student Protesters
• April 24, 2024   •   32:18 Is $60 Billion Enough to Save Ukraine?
• April 23, 2024   •   30:30 A Salacious Conspiracy or Just 34 Pieces of Paper?
• April 22, 2024   •   24:30 The Evolving Danger of the New Bird Flu
• April 19, 2024   •   30:42 The Supreme Court Takes Up Homelessness
• April 18, 2024   •   30:07 The Opening Days of Trump’s First Criminal Trial
• April 17, 2024   •   24:52 Are ‘Forever Chemicals’ a Forever Problem?
• April 16, 2024   •   29:29 A.I.’s Original Sin
• April 15, 2024   •   24:07 Iran’s Unprecedented Attack on Israel
• April 14, 2024   •   46:17 The Sunday Read: ‘What I Saw Working at The National Enquirer During Donald Trump’s Rise’
• April 12, 2024   •   34:23 How One Family Lost $900,000 in a Timeshare Scam
• April 11, 2024   •   28:39 The Staggering Success of Trump’s Trial Delay Tactics

The Crackdown on Student Protesters

Columbia university is at the center of a growing showdown over the war in gaza and the limits of free speech..

Hosted by Michael Barbaro

Featuring Nicholas Fandos

Produced by Sydney Harper ,  Asthaa Chaturvedi ,  Olivia Natt ,  Nina Feldman and Summer Thomad

With Michael Simon Johnson

Edited by Devon Taylor and Lisa Chow

Original music by Marion Lozano and Dan Powell

Engineered by Chris Wood

Listen and follow The Daily Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music

Columbia University has become the epicenter of a growing showdown between student protesters, college administrators and Congress over the war in Gaza and the limits of free speech.

Nicholas Fandos, who covers New York politics and government for The Times, walks us through the intense week at the university. And Isabella Ramírez, the editor in chief of Columbia’s undergraduate newspaper, explains what it has all looked like to a student on campus.

On today’s episode

Nicholas Fandos , who covers New York politics and government for The New York Times

Isabella Ramírez , editor in chief of The Columbia Daily Spectator

Background reading

Inside the week that shook Columbia University .

The protests at the university continued after more than 100 arrests.

There are a lot of ways to listen to The Daily. Here’s how.

We aim to make transcripts available the next workday after an episode’s publication. You can find them at the top of the page.

Research help by Susan Lee .

The Daily is made by Rachel Quester, Lynsea Garrison, Clare Toeniskoetter, Paige Cowett, Michael Simon Johnson, Brad Fisher, Chris Wood, Jessica Cheung, Stella Tan, Alexandra Leigh Young, Lisa Chow, Eric Krupke, Marc Georges, Luke Vander Ploeg, M.J. Davis Lin, Dan Powell, Sydney Harper, Mike Benoist, Liz O. Baylen, Asthaa Chaturvedi, Rachelle Bonja, Diana Nguyen, Marion Lozano, Corey Schreppel, Rob Szypko, Elisheba Ittoop, Mooj Zadie, Patricia Willens, Rowan Niemisto, Jody Becker, Rikki Novetsky, John Ketchum, Nina Feldman, Will Reid, Carlos Prieto, Ben Calhoun, Susan Lee, Lexie Diao, Mary Wilson, Alex Stern, Dan Farrell, Sophia Lanman, Shannon Lin, Diane Wong, Devon Taylor, Alyssa Moxley, Summer Thomad, Olivia Natt, Daniel Ramirez and Brendan Klinkenberg.

Our theme music is by Jim Brunberg and Ben Landsverk of Wonderly. Special thanks to Sam Dolnick, Paula Szuchman, Lisa Tobin, Larissa Anderson, Julia Simon, Sofia Milan, Mahima Chablani, Elizabeth Davis-Moorer, Jeffrey Miranda, Renan Borelli, Maddy Masiello, Isabella Anderson and Nina Lassam.

Nicholas Fandos is a Times reporter covering New York politics and government. More about Nicholas Fandos

Advertisement