College is a field of independence. I know that very so often in high schools, teens find themselves getting in trouble, some that are so severe they get expelled. I believe that college has more mature students; those that are looking forward to their future careers. That's not to say college never had someone who misbehaves in and out of classrooms. Consequences in college are really focused in a more individual way than those in high schools. In addition, colleges also allow more freedom for students for recreation and relaxation purposes.

In college, classes are more flexible and short. A typical college schedule for a full-time student may consist either of two one-hour courses on Mondays, Wednesday, and Fridays, and two more on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Or, all four classes are given two or three days a week, and the student can call the unscheduled class days "open days." These days are good for studying, relaxation, work, and other personal priorities. High schools always have schedules for students that require daily class attendance. Average high school hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and college classes have times that extend until 5:00 p.m. Evening classes are available on most college campuses as well; many high schools do not have them.

As for rules, high school is really more strict when it comes to classroom behavior and arriving on time. When the school bell rings, that's an indication of either a warning bell or students should be in classrooms by that time. In classrooms themselves, students are not permitted to eat food, drink, or chew gum. If a student misbehaves, he is usually given an option to stay after school for detention time or be sent directly to the principal's office. On the other hand, colleges tend to be a little "soft." Most of them, at least, allow students bring food to class, and professors usually do not care when students chew gum during lectures. It does not happen very often, but if a college student disrupts his classmates, the professor has the right to dismiss the student for the day rather than sending him to a office. Of course, that does call for a deduction in class attendance.

Once again, college is all about independence. Of course, whether you are in college or high school, the best way the be treated like an adult is to act like one. Somehow, that is one of the most valuable things that do have similarities between secondary schools and higher institutions.

Learn more about this author, Sam Smart.
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