When graduating high school, students often have plans to attend college the next fall or winter.  College is a big step in a young adult’s life because they finally realize they are no longer a child and are becoming more and more of an adult.  If you’re a high school student that is looking forward to your college years and you’re wondering what the difference is between the two, continue to read below.  Below we talk about the major differences between high school and college to prepare the high school students so they are one step ahead when the time comes.

Away vs. staying home – One of the major differences is that you can pick whether you want to stay home or go away to college.  They are both great options but are for different people.  If you’re planning on staying home with your parents and working then you may want to consider staying home for college.  On the other hand, if you’re dying to get out of your parents house and want to go to school farther away and make new friends, then you may want to consider going away to college.  This is one of the first things you’re going to want to decide on.

Campus atmosphere – Once you decide on whether you want to go away for school or stay home you’re going to think about the atmosphere.  The atmosphere is similar to high school.  There is the whole college area but there is also a bookstore where you can buy your books, a college library for studying and the building may be one big building or separated by subjects like a science building, math building and so on.  There are also a lot of different ages that range in college.  You will see young adults that are 18 to people that are 70.

Things you’ll need – It is also different because you will need more than what you needed in high school.  You will actually have to be prepared with pencils, pens, your books (that you will actually buy), paper and so on.  It is also a good idea to get a laptop.  Most likely you will be writing a lot of papers so it will be extra nice if you have your own laptop or desktop to write them on.

Expensive – The major difference between high school and college is that college is very expensive.  You now have to pay for your own classes, your books, the gas to get there and more.  It is a good idea to save up money and to also get student loans so you have the money to pay for them.

Now it matters – College is a thing you don’t want to screw up.  You don’t want to fail your classes because they are expensive and you will have to pay for them yourself, so the more times you fail the more money you’ll be dishing out.  You will also want to show up to class every time.  A lot of professors will fail you if you don’t show up the minimum amount of times.

College is definitely something to take seriously since it could be your future and it is just that expensive.  Take your college years seriously, be responsible and still have fun.  College is like high school although, it is not only harder but expensive as well.