Dear High School Senior,
High School is fun and, as some make think, easy. The teachers are usually pretty lenient, and they are generous when it comes to breaks. Assignments can be found right in the book or directly online. The homework load is never too bad because the teachers know that there are student-athletes and many busy students. If you plan to take on the life of a college student and think that your life will not change, you're in for a rude awakening. College is a completely different ballgame than High School with a multitude of differences.
One difference that you will run in to is that high school teachers are considered generalists; whereas, college professors are specialists. High school teachers usually, only know so much on a number of different topics. A college professor is going to know a lot of information on a specific type of topic. Personally, my high school biology teacher was also my anatomy proctor, but she also had taught anatomy. She also teachers other forms of science, just like my chemistry teacher. He teachers chemistry, physical science, environmental science, and a few other sciences. Most of my college professors only teach specific kinds of classes. One of my professors only teaches the introductory level course for my major.
Another difference between high school and college is that you will have to have a lot more motivation and self-discipline to do the work that is required. You will have a lot more time and distractions during college than in high school. Some night, your friends may ask you to go out, but you have a paper due in two days that you barely have started. You will not have parents or others to tell you that you have to stay and get your paper done before you can do anything. Therefore, you go out with your friends, and the next night you're up until 1 o'clock getting your paper done. This goes for classes as well, your parents are not there to tell you to go everyday. This is why incoming students need to find some motivation and self-discipline to get things done. The biggest problem I have with this is pushing off my online class assignments and having to do them for hours on Friday before it's due, instead of being with my friends.
Most students come into college with a large culture shock. I know I did! I came from a small town in Northwest Ohio. Coming to college, I realized everybody wasn't from the same race anymore. There was a lot of difference and a lot of different color. The best way to deal with this is to go in with an open mind. Some of your best friends could end up being from a completely different race than what you are.
If you come into college as a student-athlete, you will also experience many differences than high school athletics. It can get very difficult juggling a college sport, academics, and a social life. Some athletes may find it to be too much stress and not fun anymore. Someone once told me, "College sports are not necessarily supposed to be fun, they are like a job." I found that to be very true. College sports take up so much time in your day, that it is basically like having a job that you go to everyday. Now, I'm not saying that you will not have any fun. The bonds that are made between teammates can be amazing, and you can have a lot of fun while participating. The best thing to do is to learn how to organize and manage your time so you can have that fun while playing.
A large thing to do that will help you with coming to college is to not believe it is not different than high school. You are essentially lying to yourself if you think that it is the same, and it will lead to being completely unprepared for college. This could lead to getting very behind on assignments and other works, that college won't be any fun. The best thing to do is to make sure that you understand college is a completely different world than high school. Also, always know that you are able to talk to upperclassmen or professors that you may know and ask them questions about the transition. They are always willing to help in the most positive way. I hope your transition goes the best way it possibly can.
Sincerely,
Michaela Bauer
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