Are You Ready to Take the Next Step?
By Abigail Sunga
Culture shock is what they usually call it. You, as a future freshie, will soon learn how to observe, adjust and adapt to the new environment you will be stepping in. High school and college are far different from each other. Let us count the ways.
FROM TEACHER TO PROFESSOR
You call your mentors Ma’m, Miss or Sir. They help you with every problem you encounter, may they be about academics, discipline or probably personal dilemma. They spoon-feed you with the words you have to define, equations to use, variables to find, lessons to learn. You can easily consult with them in case you need clarifications, explanations or more examples. They get anxious when you frequently miss class or when you are under academic or disciplinary probation. You and your instructor establish a real student - teacher relationship.
Once you enter the arduous world of college, you will call the professors that you hate different funny labels or conceal them with names of famous characters such as Power Rangers and Power Puff Girls. They will give you thick books to read after each meeting. They will ask you to accomplish assignments that are hard to decipher. Each professor will have his or her own policies and rules in class. It doesn’t really matter if you absent or not. And if you will be unfortunate, your grade will depend on a game of darts, your gender or your smile.
WELCOME THE NEW YOU
You are tagged to be the class nerd, leader, jock, athlete, dancer, singer or Ms. Congeniality. People in school attach you to a certain stereotype. They know your life story, your achievements and your misfortunes.
In college, you are given the opportunity to reinvent yourself and establish a new reputation. The friends you’ll be meeting will not be concerned whether or not you graduated with honors, won in this competition or sang in this event. You start anew. From being a geek in high school, you can join a drama guild and be a theatre artist. Search for your passion and you can be who you want to be.
LESS RULES = RESPONSIBILITY
Your student handbook contains a list of minor and major offenses and the sanctions that go with them. Be late, comb inside the classroom, bring cellphones or mall in uniform and you will be reprimanded and worse, your parents will be called for a parent-teacher conference to discuss your disobedience to school rules. Many eyes watch the violations you commit and you have no escape. Defiance of these rules will result to punishment.
There is a Student Tribunal to put you in trial in case of academic dishonesty or any major offense but other than that, you’re on your own. Whether you eat in class, forgot to put your cellphone in silent mode or cut classes, the university will not penalize you. Responsibility is expected from you now. Proper decorum and behavior are things you should have learned in GMRC back in elementary or CLE in high school. By college, you should have learned how to act accordingly. You should be aware of the consequences of your actions especially when cutting classes.
IT’S NOT A SMALL WORLD AFTER ALL
You see the same people every day. You know every person in the campus, what clubs they are in, subjects they are good at and their boyfriends or girlfriends. You are familiar with every corner of your school. You have eaten all the kinds of food available in the canteen. You have found the perfect spots in the campus to hang-out or study. You stay in your chosen or assigned seat throughout the day.
Your memory must be really good if you know every person in the university. Chances are minimal that you know the person you come across the street. You will be meeting people of different cultures from different places of origin. Diversity is something you will appreciate. In terms of the university’s geography, it will also take you a long time before you will be familiarized with it. The subjects you are taking may be in different buildings and will require you to walk for miles in between periods. Start to learn how to walk fast to avoid being late.
YOUR TIME IS IN YOUR HANDS
You attend the first day of classes and you teacher hands you over the class schedule for the whole academic year. You can’t argue with the short time for recess and lunch breaks and for the late dismissal time. You are frequently reminded by your teachers on deadlines for your reports and projects.
You will make your own schedule for the whole semester, choose the subjects you want to take and have your adviser approve it. Time management is a key to survive college. Soon you will be bound to choose whether to study, sleep or eat first. Learn to prioritize. At times, cramming becomes a necessity but is often not advisable. Professors often give ample time for you to finish a report or write a technical paper. You have to learn how to balance your time for academics, extra-curricular affairs and personal leisure.
Sounds heavy? College can be very demanding. Your decisions become crucial. Responsibilities become heavy. It’s just up to you how to handle these. You can make college more enjoyable and stimulating than high school. Build a reputation for yourself, establish long lasting friendships and in time, make a mark in your university. But for now just ask yourself, are you ready to take the next step?
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