As a sophomore in college, I've come to realize that college is much different from high school. In fact, it's also nothing like how my high school teachers described it, either. I'm going to tell you why.
1. There are many buildings on a college campus!
As a former high school student from Ponca City, I've realized how small that school really was. I currently go to the University of Oklahoma, and there are dozens of different buildings. I only have classes in a handful of those buildings, so I might not even get to see every building on campus by graduation!
2. Classes aren't all in one day!
College classes are much more spread out than high school classes. In high school, there were six to seven classes a day and they would follow one after another. In college, you may have one class one day and three classes the next. I have three classes on Fridays and they're each an hour apart from the end of class to the beginning of the next.
3. The time is up to the professor!
There are no bells in college. Generally, professors will let you go on time. Sometimes they run over, but they are very apologetic about it. Sometimes, professors will let you out early. For some part, it's the professor's decision for when class ends. However, if a class runs over and you have another directly afterward, then you're free to walk out and go to your next class.
4. Your schedule is up to you!
You can build your own schedule. If you want 8:30 classes every morning, then you can enroll into those classes. However, if you want to sleep in everyday and get 11:00 classes, then that's your choice as well. Sometimes, you may be done with classes by noon! When you enroll, you're able to choose (depending on availability) when you want to go to class.
5. There are evening classes!
Some classes are evening classes. You may take a foreign language or a film course that happens to run from 6-9. If you prefer evening classes to morning classes, then some courses have that option.
6. Most courses have prerequisites or corequisites!
Most courses have classes that are required before you can take them (prerequisites). Other classes may have other classes that are required to be taken alongside that course (corequisites). Some examples of corequisites would be labs or discussion groups.
7. You can study practically anywhere!
There is almost no limit to where you can study. There are a lot of study rooms on campus and sometimes, if a class is empty, then you can study in there! For my German final last semester, a group of us decided to find the testing room beforehand and we held a group study. It's helpful to have chalkboards and bigger spaces to allow for such study sessions. The library on OU campus is open until two in the morning on weekdays. So, if you're cramming for an exam, it's good to be able to utilize the library.
8. You can live at school!
As a freshman, you are required to live on campus at the University of Oklahoma - unless you live in Norman or the surrounding area. For the most part, students live in the dorms. It's not too bad, you share a room and a bathroom and make a lot of friends. After freshman year, you're able to live off-campus at the many different apartment complexes near campus.
9. You have a meal plan!
If you're living on campus or through housing and food, you are given a meal plan. This essentially is added to your bursar and they give you an allotted amount of money to be used for food on campus. The only downside to this is that it only counts for on-campus restaurants.
10. You can work at school!
There are many jobs available on campus, if you're willing to sign up for them. These jobs range anywhere from food services to office work. There are many office assistant positions for students. I had an office assistant position last semester, and it was one of the best things I had done. I not only was able to commute to work easily (I walked), but I was able to do homework if they didn't have work for me to do.
11. There are tons of activities!
There always seems to be something happening on campus. Whether it's a pageant or an improv show, there is such a wide variety of things to do. There are also a ton of groups or organizations to join. They have something for anyone. You're almost never bored on campus!
12. There are two weeks devoted to finals!
There is a thing called Dead Week. This is the week before finals. There is this idea that it means that professors don't assign anything new during this week, however most of that is just myth. There are days devoted to studying for the finals during this week, though. And during finals week, there are no classes - just finals!
As you can see, college is truly nothing like high school. It's better, if I do say so myself. The amount of opportunities given at college is exorbitant. Anything is possible.
