University and High School

Hey all,

In this post, I will examine the big step between university and high school generally in terms of academic & social life, and personal growth. This is not a comparison as to which is better, but rather the differences between the two and why many people see it as a big step in life. I have been wanting to write this post for a while now, but haven't been able to get the time nor the initiative to do so.


Academics
University is definitely tougher than high school, and yes, that includes IB. IB felt tough, but not as tough as university. University is tougher simply based on the pace that everything is taught. For example, I have friends who took IB Psychology HL (2 years) and felt that they needed to learn a lot more in order to catch up with our first semester Introductory Psychology course (4 months).  There is so much material to cover in uni every week and it's incredibly hard to catch up once you fall behind. 


Some people feel that because they have taken a particular class in IB, that will mean that uni would be easier. Not necessarily. There may be some repeat, but there's always new material to learn. I know friends who did IB economics HL and are finding it hard to even get a distinction (75%) in an introductory microeconomics course. Perhaps economics' the only exception, as economics in university = pure math, which leads me to my next point. 


Only in university do I realise that maths is indeed everything. You can never escape it, unless you do the arts or humanities, such as English, music and what not. IB economics was pure conceptual, whereas in university it's all maths. Not only do you need maths in sciences such as biology, physics and chemistry, you also need to know lots in the social sciences, especially economics. Maths, and especially statistical maths, is a must-know in research. So yeah, those who took IB Maths studies would feel sorry because they are already behind. I got out of high school thinking that I wouldn't ever need to do a voluntary maths class ever again, but one year later, I'm reconsidering. The key to academic success definitely a certain level of competency in maths.


Also in university, depending on the approach you have towards learning, you get a lot of freedom. There are so many subjects on offer, and who's to say you can't just pop into random lectures and learn a few bits here and there? University, also called the centre for learning, offers plenty of opportunities to learn things other than the field that you're studying in. For example, I'm doing economics and psychology, but who's to say that I can't visit the libraries, borrow academic books on law, pharmacy, or physics and start self-learning? It's probably the only time in your life where you can feel so absorbed into study and learning. Additionally, instead of having the mentality to learn materials just enough to pass your exam, why not learn more? Take the initiative to research on a unexplored theory in class and take more away from it -- because sooner or later in your second and third years, you probably have to learn it anyways. The more you know, the better off you are. Cultivate the learner's habit the second you come to university.

Social
I'm currently living in an on-campus dormitory/college (as Australia calls them) so my social life would definitely be different to those who live out there by themselves or shares a flat with room mates. Also, because everyone's social preferences are different, I'm going to generalise here.

There's a lot of freedom as to what you can do. I guess that's expected. Nobody's going to stop you in doing a lot of things. You yourself have to take control of your life, and that requires careful planning. But as long as you have a strong discipline, you should be fine.


The transition from high school to university shifts your role as the old teenagers to the ignorant adults; from the seniors to the freshers. Coming to first year of university, there are a lot of things that will be new. Especially when, like me, your transition is from a small high school to a big public university. Over time, you will meet so many people, most of them older and wiser than you. Get to know them, and learn from their experiences. You get a lot of great insights into the real adult world this way. 


Also, because university's so big and diverse, it's almost impossible to find someone who share your timetable. As a result, you'll find it harder to make new close friends. People mind their own business and you mind yours. Talking to a person in one lecture often meant that you'll never see that person ever again. More often that not, your friends would be those people who share the same interests as you (such as photography) or who are from the same country as you (forming a little diaspora!). Being open-minded and schedule-free definitely helps in getting friends. 


In university, like in the working world, networking is of utmost importance. Networking means to get out there and place yourself among the crowd and share contacts. University's huge, with so many opportunities to potentially boost your resume as well as contribute to your personal growth. The key to success is networking. You'd most likely be working sometime during your university career, and networking can get you plenty of opportunities to the hidden market (which probably takes up something like 60% of the job market!). Networking's like an accumulation of contacts who can potentially offer you opportunities to grow in your field. You'll have to do it sooner or later when you work, so why not start in university?

Personal Growth
To sum up, university's the best time to start developing as an individual. The environment provides it all. People, skills, resources, opportunities. This is definitely the step to mature and make a contribution to the world. You no longer have that family shell that constrain you; you are out there in the real adult world, with plenty of options as to what to do with your life. All your actions lead to consequences, good and bad. Learn to be responsible and mindful, and that'll bring more good than bad consequences. True, you may not have financial independence yet, but you have the opportunity to accumulate and mold your environment to achieve a smooth transition into financial independence.

Not only should you grow socially, academically, and financially, you will also have plenty of opportunities to grow spiritually -- immerse yourself or strengthen your bonds with religion and values -- and recreationally -- work on a hobby, do volunteer work, teach etc.

Be sure to grab all that university has to offer. Good luck!