DIFFERENCES BETWEEN HIGH SCHOOL AND POST-SECONDARY
-
Registering for School
High School
- Registration is only needed for Grade 9, or if the student is new to the school.
- There are no fees to attend high school.
College/University
- Students must apply to college or university by completing the necessary forms. There are fees to apply.
- Tuition and other fees must be paid in order to register.
- More information here
-
Registering for Classes
High School
- Students choose courses in February or March for the following school year.
- Some classes have a limited number of spaces, so you need to register early.
College/University
- Students must ensure they have the correct prerequisites and meet grade requirements. Many courses are only available to students in certain programs.
- Some classes or programs have limited student capacity, so you need to apply early and/or complete additional paperwork to be considered.
-
Class Size
High School
- Classes are usually less than 30.
College/University
- College classroom sizes range from 25-150.
- University Class sizes range from 50-400.
- Class size tends to shrink as classes and years progress.
- Supplementary class (i.e., labs) sizes range from 15 to 60 people.
-
Teachers
High School
- You see your teachers every day.
- Teachers are available after school if you need help.
College/University
- You might only see your instructors one to three times a week.
- Instructors are usually the primary source of instruction in both lectures and labs.
- Generally, you must make an appointment to talk with your instructor during their office hours.
- Most teacher/professors will meet with you before or after class for a quick discussion.
-
Routines
High School
- Students are given a schedule which is the same for most days.
- There are classes every day.
- School hours are between 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
College/University
- Students choose classes in June - July based on program requirements.
- Most classes are held 1 to 3 times a week.
- Classes are held between 8 a.m. - 10 p.m.
-
Responsibility
High School
- Teachers assign work, make deadlines, and remind you of due dates.
- The office will call home if you are not at school. The teachers may send work home if you miss a class.
- If you miss an exam or test, you can write it later.
College/University
- You must make sure your assignments are completed and handed in on time. Instructors may not remind you of due dates.
- Some courses do track attendance and may be a contributor to marks, however it is your responsibility to obtain any notes missed.
- If you think you will miss an exam or test, you must talk with your instructor. You won’t be able to write it later if you fail to make arrangements.
-
How Clases Are Taught
High School
- Teachers use different methods when they teach.
- Often there is time during class to work on assignments and homework.
College/University
- Instructors often lecture and there is no time for independent work during class. A lot of your learning will be done through reading (i.e., textbooks, assigned materials) and online components.
- Labs typically spend 50% of the time teaching and 50% of the time for practice or completion of assignments. Labs are a great time to ask questions and seek additional support from instructors. Labs are often taught by Graduate Assistants or Teaching Assistants.
-
Individual Support
High School
- Education assistants and special education teachers are provided by the school.
- The school ensures any assessments are done.
- Students get an Individual Education Plan
College/University
- Students must talk to student services to get special accommodations or supports.
- Students must provide assessments if necessary. If the student wants to get an assessment, they need to self-advocate by going to the student support center.
- Students create a Post-Secondary Learning Plan with the Student Support Centre.
-
Assignments, Tests and Grades
High School
- Different kinds of assignments are given. Late assignments are usually accepted.
- Teachers prepare students before a test (reviews, how to write the test, how to study)
- Final grades are based on many assignments.
College/University
- Read course syllabus carefully!
- Assignments have strict deadlines. Marks are taken off for late assignments.
- If you are caught plagiarizing, you will be given an automatic ZERO and can be expelled.
- Students are responsible for preparing for exams and tests.
- Exams may be written in classrooms or gyms with students from other courses.
- Some courses base marks on multiple assignments, lab performance and tests. Some courses will only base marks on 2-3 tests.