Parent and Family Handbook
Differences Between High School and College
| High School |
| Teacher/Student Contact |
Contact closer and more frequent (5 days a week).
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| Competition/Grades |
Academic competition is not as strong; good grades can often be obtained with minimum effort.
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| Status |
Students establish a personal status in academic and social activities based on family and community factors
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| Counseling/Dependence |
Students can rely on parents, teachers and counselors to help make decisions and give advice. Students must abide by parents' boundaries and restrictions.
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| Motivation |
Students receive stimulation to achieve or participate from parents, teachers and counselors
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| Freedom |
Students' freedom is limited. Parents will often help students out of a crisis should one arise
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| Distractions |
There are distractions from school, but these are partially controlled by school and home.
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| Value Judgments |
Students often make value judgments based on parental values; thus, many of their value judgments are made for them
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| College |
| Teacher/Student Contact |
Faculty are available during office hours (posted hours each week) and by appointment to address students' concerns.
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| Competition/Grades |
Academic competition is much stronger; minimum effort may produce poor grades.
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| Status |
Students can build their status as they wish; high school status can be repeated or changed.
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| Counseling/Dependence |
Students rely on themselves; they see the results of making their own decisions. It is their responsibility to seek advice as needed. Students set their own restrictions.
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| Motivation |
Students apply their own motivation to their work and activities as they wish
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| Freedom |
Students have much more freedom. Students must accept responsibility for their own actions.
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| Distractions |
The opportunity for more distractions exists. Time management will become more important.
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| Value Judgments |
Students have the opportunity to see the world through their own eyes and develop their own opinions and values.
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Adapted from Mullendore, R.H. and Hatch, C. (2000). Helping your first-year college student succeed: A guide for parents. Columbia, S.C.: OCM. and Texas A&M University (2000).