The Benefits of High School and College Educational Attainment

â€Å"Life belongs to the living, and he who lives must be prepared for changes. † Johann Von Goethe wrote the previous quote. He was trying to emphasize that everything in life brings about change. Attending high school and college is a decision that brings about consistency as well as change. Even though they both serve the purpose of educating, there are great differences and similarities in the high school and college experience. Honors and advance placement classes in secondary school prepare one for the challenge of higher educational opportunities in college. On the other hand, the freshmen experience in college is much more challenging. One must dedicate much more time to his or her studies in order to succeed. Essentially, in order to move on to a higher educational level, one must enhance his or her character, mature, and accept and adapt to change. Both high school and college make a certain commitment to each student. They are committed to provide the students with remarkable opportunities to pursue and enhance their education. For example, scholarships, loans, and financial aid can provide the student with an opportunity to pursue his or her education, no matter what their financial status is. Aside from the students, high school and college would be meaningless without its faculty. Most teachers and professors in high school and college are well-educated individuals. They have spent some years studying to obtain a teaching degree. As teachers and professors, their main concern (or goal) is for the student to learn, understand, and master the course they teach. The teacher or professor may accomplish this goal by reviewing the material, emphasizing key points, or providing the students with examples that they could easily relate to. Most of them are willing to dedicate extra time to help the student meet his or her needs. Several high school teachers, as well as some college professors go beyond reading, writing, and arithmetic. They teach you about life in general, all its hardships and all its rewards. Receiving a good education is great, but enhancing your individuality and growing as a person is just as important. Some teachers and professors discuss their own personal experiences and lessons, which they have encountered throughout life. These lessons in life could impact the student and educate them as well. As high school or college level students, countless efforts are required to successfully achieve certain goals. One common goal shared by many high school and college students is the desire to get good grades. This goal is not always easy to attain; therefore it requires much effort. Determination, dedication, perseverance, and patience are all key factors for success in school. It is also necessary to pay attention in class, take down good notes, complete all the assignments instructed by the professor, and study (in advance) for exams. These key factors and study habits will help you attain a good grade. Remember, successfully achieving in school is hard, yet not impossible. Another similarity between high school and college is the multi-cultural and multi-racial school setting. It is quite interesting to observe many different and unique individuals coming together for one sole purpose: to receive an education. Similarly, both high school and college provide the opportunity to meet and associate with a variety of different people. Having group discussions in class, and doing assigned group projects may lead to meeting different students that you normally would not associate with. Meeting these different students could result in the beginning of flourishing friendships and wonderful relationships. There is a distinct variation between the teaching methods in high school and in college. In high school, most teachers lecture and dictate the exact notes necessary to pass the exam. Most classes function and interact on a more personal, one on one level. On the contrary, in college, the professor lectures while the student has to use his or her own judgement to gather important information for the notes. Some college classes consist of about two hundred students, making it difficult to carry on class discussions and to become familiar (or build a student-teacher relationship) with your professor. Another difference between high school and college is the change from being fairly dependent to becoming independent. In high school, you are constantly depending on your teachers. You expect the teachers to remind you when assignments are due, or about quiz and test dates. College, on the other hand, is different. All college professors provide their students with a syllabus. This syllabus explains all the requirements and objectives of the course. It is the student†s responsibility to refer back to the syllabus. You have little or no freedom in high school, whereas in college, you experience much more freedom. Along with this freedom comes great responsibility. College professors refer to the students as mature adults, and they have high expectations from each student. High school and college vary in other areas as well. There is a wider age range in college than in high school. A college class may consist of students that range from the ages of eighteen to forty, or perhaps even more. In college, you also receive the benefit of choosing classes that will accommodate your daily schedule. For example, if you have a part-time job in the mornings, you can choose classes in the afternoon. Unfortunately, you do not get this same opportunity in high school. Although getting good grades is a common goal shared by many high school and college students, they have different goals as well. The goals students set for themselves in high school tend to change when they get to college. For instance, when you are in high school, one of your main goals is usually to get accepted into the college of your choice. However, the college student sets different goals and priorities for himself or herself. Now that they already entered college, they are concerned about their major and starting a successful career. Attending high school and entering college is a path in life that many of us choose. This path in life, along with any other of life†s routes, brings about change. You may view change as being positive or negative. Whichever way you view it, change is a part of life. It can bring forth many challenges, as well as adventures and new experiences. When people are confronted with change, some feel awkward and insecure. Although several people attempt to avoid it, change is inevitable. Despite change, these remain: the importance of setting priorities and goals for yourself, having determination, and doing your outright best. (Faith, hope, and love will also remain constant, steadfast and true. ) Do not only grow intellectually (in book knowledge), but be wise and grow as an individual with morals and values as well. The following quote, written by John Dewey, summarizes the definition of education. â€Å"Education is a social process†¦ Education is growth†¦ Education is, not a preparation for life; education is life itself. â€Å"