Will College Be Harder than High School? Here’s What You Need to Know

College may not be a walk in the park, but you can still do well if you know what you expect

Last Updated: December 16, 2022 References

How College is Different From High School

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Tips for Being Successful in college

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Is college right for you?

Here’s the truth: college can be hard. The classes are more intense, the environment is different, and the challenges of living independently are no picnic. But don’t be intimidated! If you’ve been accepted to college—or expect to be soon—you definitely have the brains to do well there. All it takes is dedication, hard work, and an understanding of what makes college different. Want to be prepared? We’ve put together a guide on what to expect in college, plus some tips on how to succeed when you get there. Keep reading to learn how to put yourself on the right track from day one.

Things You Should Know

College classes are harder. The readings, exams, and homework are more intense, and the material itself is more complex.
You decide what you want to study. Your area of focus is usually called your “major.” Different colleges and universities offer different majors.
Practicing good study habits, managing your time, and seeking extra help are just some of the many things you can do to be successful in college.
College is not for everyone, but obtaining a college degree increases your chances of having a career you enjoy, and that pays reasonably well.

Section 1 of 3:

How College is Different From High School

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Your classes are more challenging. Required readings are harder and longer, and the material itself is more complex. Your quizzes, exams, and papers are also tougher and cover a lot more material at once.^{[1]
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- The hardest classes, like upper-level math and science courses, usually require you to have already taken certain lower-level classes (called “prerequisites”). For example, you may not be able to take a physics course until you’ve already taken and passed certain math courses.
- In some courses, your final grade can depend on just 1 or 2 major assignments. For example, in a course on American history, 30% of your grade might come from 1 midterm paper, and the other 70% could come from a big final paper.
- Some professors will also base your grade on class participation, attendance, quizzes, and homework assignments.
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You decide what to study. In most colleges, this means picking a major. You can major in anything from English, to art history, to electrical engineering. You can even change your major if you don’t like what you’re studying.
- Different colleges and universities offer different majors. Check the websites of the colleges you’re interested in to find out which majors are available, or speak to your high school guidance counselor about choosing a college with majors that interest you.
- Many colleges still have a list of “required courses” that all students have to take in addition to their majors. These might include history, English composition, and a basic science course, among others.
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Your classes are structured differently. Some classes meet in large lecture halls with hundreds of students, and the professor lectures from a podium at the front. Other classes, like advanced language courses, might be small and highly interactive, with just a few students working closes with the professor.^{[2]
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- In large classes, the professor may not even know your name. In their mind, you’re just one of a hundred other students taking the course.
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You pick your classes and make your own schedule. Not a morning person? Try registering for an afternoon English seminar. Want Fridays off? Don’t register for Friday classes. While you don’t always get the exact schedule you want, you have more control than ever before.
- You can also drop classes, especially early in a semester when you’re still trying to figure out your schedule.
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You have more control over your time. You can sleep in on days when you don’t have morning classes. But then again, you might be better off getting up at 8:00 AM anyway to get some extra reading done. Likewise, you can attend parties, join clubs, and spend time with friends whenever you like. Just make sure to set aside enough time for homework and studying.
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You do all your own chores. In college, nobody tells you to make your bed or fold your clothes—but then again, the laundry won’t do itself, right? The same goes for tidying your dorm room, washing cups and plates, and even keeping your minifridge stocked if you have one. It’s all up to you.
- Most dorms have laundry rooms where you can wash your clothes for a fee, and common spaces have sinks where you can wash dishes.
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You’ll need to be disciplined and self-motivated. Preparing for exams, doing homework, and taking good notes are all up to you. Some professors make homework a part of your grade, but others don’t assign homework at all. Instead, the required reading is the homework—and it’s definitely mandatory if you want to do well.^{[3]
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- At the beginning of every semester, your professors give out a schedule of all coursework, called a “syllabus.” These will help you keep track of your assignments and deadlines.
- Waiting too long to finish coursework could cause you to fall behind, so it’s best to stay on top of your assignments.
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You meet people from other cities, states, and even countries. Depending on where you go to college, some of your classmates may hail from other parts of the country. You might even meet international students who are spending a semester abroad in your country, or who are completing their whole degree at your college.
- Community colleges, state colleges, and smaller universities might have more “local” student bodies, while at some major universities, the student body may be very geographically diverse.
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You have lots of extracurriculars to choose from. Some colleges have dozens of student-run organizations: sports teams, music groups, choirs, prayer groups, fraternities, sororities, student government, and more. You can even start a club, or join the leadership team of a club that already exists.
- In some cases, you can also join organizations that are not directly affiliated with your school, like a local volunteer group.
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You have to pay for your education. College costs money, which means tuition, books, dorming, meal plans, and other expenses are all your responsibility. Luckily, there are lots of ways to pay for school. Scholarships, grants, student loans, federal financial aid, state financial aid (if you attend school in your home state), and work-study programs can cover the costs.
- Ask about financial aid when you apply to a college. Most colleges and universities have financial aid offices tasked with helping students pay for school. Your high school guidance counselor can also help you decide which schools are affordable and worth the cost.
- Public universities and community colleges are usually the most affordable, especially if you’re attending a public college within your home state.
- Private and out-of-state colleges are generally more expensive.

Section 2 of 3:

Tips for Being Successful in college

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Start with an easy course load. Pick 1-2 hard courses, then add electives. For instance, if you’re majoring in math, pick a difficult class that’s required by your school’s math department. Then fill the rest of your schedule with electives or other required courses.
- Avoid taking extra classes in the beginning. If your school requires you to enroll in a minimum of 4 classes to be considered a full-time student, stick with that minimum. You can take more classes at a time in a future semester.
- By minimizing your workload in the beginning, you’ll have an easier time adjusting to your new environment. This makes it more likely that you’ll succeed academically.
- Taking a variety of classes can also help you decide what to study. For instance, you might end up not liking your math course very much, but history or political science might be a perfect fit.
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Schedule your classes in a way that makes your life easier. Not a morning person, for example? Don’t bother registering for an 8:00am English seminar—you’ll just sleep through it. Would you rather have 3 classes back to back on Mondays? Or spread out across the week? It’s up to you. Whatever you decide, make sure your schedule is realistic and practical for you.
- If possible, give yourself one weekday off. Having Fridays or Wednesdays free gives you extra time to do homework, study, do extracurriculars, or just catch up on sleep.
- Sometimes, a class will only be offered at an inconvenient time. Other classes won’t be offered every semester.
- Talk to an academic advisor to plan your schedule. They can advise you on meeting the requirements for graduation, as well as choosing and completing a major.^{[4]
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Use a calendar to plan your semester week by week. Keep track of your classes, assignments, extracurriculars, and holidays. Designate blocks of time each week for studying, doing labs, writing papers, and so on.^{[5]
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- Use Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, or a similar calendar app if you prefer to keep things digital. Apps also let you set reminders for deadlines, upcoming events, and more.
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Attend every class. Avoid skipping classes, even if you feel unprepared. Going to every class helps you stay connected to your coursework. And besides, in college, it’s normal for classes to meet only once or twice a week. Missing one class in college is like missing a full week of class in high school.
- Save your absences for illnesses and emergencies.
- If you can’t attend class for any reason, let your professors know. They’ll often try to work with you, especially if you miss class due to physical illness, mental health, or family issues.
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Build study good habits. Choose specific times and places to study. Find a spot, like a library or empty classroom, that you can use regularly. Make sure your environment is free of distractions.^{[7]
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- Some people work better at certain times of the day. If you’re a night owl, you might prefer to write papers past midnight, whereas a morning person would prefer 8:00am.
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Seek tutoring or join study groups. Get extra help when you need it. It’s always a good idea, whether you’re struggling in a class or just trying to gain an extra edge.^{[8]
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- Many colleges and universities have tutors in multiple subjects.
- Study groups can be great—especially for subjects like foreign languages, where conversation practice is important to your grade.
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Get to know your professors. Go to their office hours or introduce yourself at the end of class. Many professors enjoy connecting with their students. Sometimes, they can even help you obtain internships or employment down the line.^{[9]
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- If your classes have Teaching Assistants—or “T.As.,”—talk to them too. Most of them will be graduate students or undergraduates with extensive knowledge of the course. They can be a great resource when you have questions or need extra help.
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Don’t worry about acing every class. Get the best grades you can, but don’t fret if you’re not a perfect student. College can be hard, especially in the beginning. It gets easier once you’ve adjusted to your new environment. A bad grade on an exam or paper—or even for a whole course—is not the end of the world. Give yourself room to make mistakes.^{[10]
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- If you’re having a hard time in a course, talk to your professor about it. They can answer your questions and connect you with tutoring or other helpful resources.
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Don’t worry about your major right away. If you don’t know what to study, take classes in a few different subjects. Most colleges don’t require you to pick a major until your second or third year anyway. Use your first year to learn what excites you, what bores you, and which majors are associated with certain careers.^{[11]
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- Each college and university has its own rules about when students must declare a major. Talk to an academic advisor to learn more.
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Do more than just academics. Join clubs, play sports, make friends, and explore your identity. If Greek life appeals to you, join a fraternity or sorority. Try out for the crew team or write for the campus newspaper. Join a prayer group. Run for student government. Attend your first drag show. Find the activities, people, and communities that you connect with—whatever those are. There’s way more to college than papers and exams.^{[12]
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- Many campus groups will advertise events through newsletters, flyers, and information tables during your initial orientation and throughout the academic year.

Section 3 of 3:

Is college right for you?

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College is necessary for certain careers. Many professions require at least an undergraduate degree, while others require additional degrees, like a master’s. And generally speaking, jobs that require college degrees usually pay more than those that don’t. While getting an undergraduate degree doesn’t guarantee a specific career or level of income, it dramatically improves your chances of finding a job that suits your talents and pays reasonably well.
- A bachelor’s degree sets you up to obtain higher degrees later on. For example, you may work as a banker for several years after college, before going to law school or business school.
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College isn’t for everyone. If you have no interest in school, attending college may not be worth the expense—especially if you leave without finishing your degree. Plus, some professions, like medical assistants and computer support socialists, don’t always require college degrees.^{[13]
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Research source} While your career prospects may be limited without college, it’s ultimately up to you to decide whether a college degree is worth the time, money, and effort.
- When in doubt, talk to a guidance counselor, college admissions officer, or even one of your teachers. They can help you weigh the pros and cons of attending college.
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You can delay going to college if you’re not ready. Not every college graduate goes to college directly from high school. Some people take a gap year to work or travel. Others attempt careers in sports or the arts, or even enlist in the military. Consider some of these options if you’re hesitant to go to college right away.
- Traveling abroad is easier when you’re younger. It can also give you valuable life experience, which you can take with you to college and beyond.^{[14]
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- Many servicemembers and veterans of the U.S. military receive tuition assistance, meaning that part or all of their college education is paid for after a certain amount of time served.^{[15]
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