College is a significant step from high school in terms of learning. College professors do not really "teach" in the same way as a high school teacher. They expect students to take responsibility for their learning. Independent learning is crucial in college, but high school students need to practice more of it before college. In this guide, we will share what college professors wish they high school students already knew to set high school students up for success, confidence, and preparedness for their first day in college.
1. Learning Won’t Be Spoon-Fed
In high school, teachers typically show you how to do things in a stepwise fashion. In college, professors expect you to teach yourself and do a lot of work outside of class time. The lecture only covers the idea students are expected to explore the ideas beyond the textbook, find other resources, and ask questions. Professors want students to be self-directed learners, not consumers of information. Students should develop curiosity and an initiative to take the lead right now to ease the transition and avoid an academic life that is far more stressful.
2. Office Hours Are a Goldmine
Many students do not understand these beneficial hours. Professors want high school students to feel they can - and should - come up to them and ask questions, or seek clarification or direction. The office hours are not only for those times when you are really lost. They are intended to develop relationships and to go beyond the surface of the understanding of the topics discussed. High school students should begin reaching out to teachers hoping to open the channels of communication, so they are comfortable with recognizing and utilizing this resource when they arrive at college.
3. Time Management Is Everything
Students don't always know how to plan their time, much to professors' surprise. While a college experience has more time for leisure, it also requires more self-discipline. There are fewer reminders and deadlines, but professors want their students to have a feel for how to plan, prioritise, and space their learning over the semester. Students should learn to utilize planners (or digital calendars), plan larger tasks into smaller tasks, and schedule their time in blocks of study time. Anyone creating habits at this early stage of the learning process is creating the best style of foundation to support larger, heavier academic workloads later on.
4. Read to Understand, Not Just Finish
Typically, high school reading equates to skimming or memorizing to be ready for a test. In college, reading involves deeper thinking and analysis. Professors want students to engage with the text—highlight it, annotate it, question it and connect ideas to other readings or material, and so forth. Professors usually expect that a student comes to class prepared (to have contemplated the reading). When high school students practice active reading in all subjects, especially literature or history, they develop the complex skill set of comprehension that will prepare them for college-level processes.
5. Take Ownership of Your Education
Professors want students who take charge of their own learning, where they complete the assignment, when help is needed, the use of campus resources, and following up on the feedback is expected behavior. Professors wish that high school students learned to learn by growth rather than grade. You can start this today, by setting your own academic goals, critically reflecting on your own work, and asking for feedback and not just grades! Independence is a mindset, not just a skill!
6. Learning Doesn’t End With the Exam
In college, professors will not just be testing students on memorized facts. They want to see how students apply concepts in real-world contexts or new settings. High school often emphasizes "studying to the test," but deeper understanding is meaningful in college. Professors would like to think that students will continue learning after the test is over, such as by reviewing mistakes, researching any questions they had that still need answers and exploring related topics. Develop a lifelong learning mindset instead of a last-minute, short-term memorization mentality.
7. Collaboration Is Still Independent Learning
Collaboration is not answering people's questions for them; it is having a real discussion about the materials in study groups. Faculty want students to come in ready to talk about their thinking, push each other, and grow as informed thinkers. Independent learning is knowing how to collaborate with others in a responsible way. High school students can experience this in study groups, by taking charge of group project work, or even as a peer teacher. The process of listening, or explaining, or thinking through someone's thinking will help them experience the collaboration that is part of many college-level courses.
8. Digital Tools Are Your Friends
College professors assume students can independently use digital tools (research databases, citation tools, and online learning platforms). High school students are used to relying on the teacher to direct them, while college students are expected to approach digital literacy as an aspect of their learning. Professors wish students would be more comfortable exploring tools like Zotero, Google Scholar, or learning management systems (LMS), especially when they are not being graded. Developing the familiarity of these tools now can give students a leg-up on their college coursework.
9. Questions Are a Sign of Strength
Students often feel embarrassed to ask, but college and university professors appreciate students who ask questions. Questions demonstrate engagement and critical thinking on the part of the student. Professors wish that more high school students would learn to see questioning not as a form of weakness, but as a way to develop a deeper understanding. Students should start by making notes of things they don't understand, turning that into definitive questions, and then being willing to ask the questions either in class or afterwards, assuming the appropriate context for that question format. Instructing students that if they want or need something clarified, that is a natural and anticipated part of the learning process, and an important aspect of becoming an independent learner.
10. Failure Is Part of Learning
In high school, failure often feels like it is final. In college, failure is part of the process. Professors know that independent learners are going to take chances, make mistakes, and learn from them. They wish students could realize that it is not shameful to fail; it is a lesson. We need to encourage high schoolers to think about their failures and learn from feedback. Resilience and reflection are two traits that professors wish to see from independent learners who will succeed.
Independent learning distinguishes high school students from successful college students. College professors want not perfection, but effort, curiosity, responsibility, and a willingness to learn and grow. By beginning to develop these habits in high school, students will feel somewhat less shocked by the transition to college and take advantage of the opportunities for autonomy when they enter college. Learning to learn will be the most important subject you will ever study, and it begins before you even set foot on your campus.
FAQs
1. Why is independent learning essential in college?
Because it is up to you to propel yourself and seek support on your own – professors aren’t going to chase you down. Professors expect you to develop independence in managing your progress, asking for help, and keeping track of things.
2. How can I start to prepare for independent learning in high school?
Start by using a planner for both academic work and assignments. Be reflective of feedback, ask more questions in class, and study ideas and concepts outside of assessment periods or even in preparation for exams.
3. What if I feel like I don't know what's going on in my college classes?
Well, that is completely normal! Go to your professors’ or teaching assistants' office hours, talk to your peers, utilize campus support resources, and remember that asking for help is always a smart and effective choice and never a sign of weakness!
4. Is it okay to learn using Youtube videos or AI programs like ChatGPT?
Yes! Most professors see creative learning as a valuable alternative. Just make sure you also understand what you learned and can talk about it in your own words.
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