In high school, if you skip a class, a school administrator may call your parents or guardian to inform them of your absence.
In college, you’re accountable for your own attendance, grades, and overall educational experience. Some classes will take attendance as part of a participation mark, but no one will call your parents or guardian to let them know you were away.
This means that, for the most part, you’re responsible for showing up to class. And if you miss too many of those classes, it could have a serious impact on your grade.
TIP | Try to get into a groove. Create a schedule that incorporates your regular events – from shifts at a part-time job to extracurricular activities – and stick to it.
Consistency will help keep you on track.
In college, class sizes average around 30 to 50 students, making them slightly larger than high school classes. But don’t try to blend into the crowd – instead, expect your classes to be full of spontaneity and energy, led by passionate and knowledgeable instructors who try to challenge you to engage openly, ask questions and share ideas. Don’t be surprised if classes often switch to hands-on work that will help you retain the information you just learned.
TIP | Get to know your classmates and instructors. Small study groups can help broaden your perspective of class topics, while instructors can help you better understand confusing subjects.
Unlike high school, where most classes are the same length, in college class dynamics vary depending on the program and course. Class length typically ranges from one to three hours, so it’s important to consider how frequently you need mental breaks when picking your schedule for the semester. Back-to-back classes could mean you get some more time to yourself but also that you’ll be required to absorb a lot of information in a short amount of time.
TIP | Come to class prepared for the day ahead. If you have a busy schedule, remember to bring a laptop/phone charger and food for between classes – so you don’t run out of energy.
Unlike high school, in college your instructors typically lay out all assignments required of you at the beginning of the semester. This gives you ample time to prioritize your work and prepare for deadlines, but also means your work can pile up quickly if you don’t stay on top of it.
TIP | Start assignments early and create a calendar with assignment due dates and reminders. Seneca Polytechnic has a great Assignment Planner tool that can help you estimate how long tasks will take and point you in the direction of helpful resources.
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We hope some of these tips help you manage your transition to college!
Keep an eye out for the next newsletter focusing on some of the changes you might encounter outside of the classroom.