Moving from secondary school to university makes for a big change. This can be exciting, but may well leave you with many questions and concerns. You know that things will be different, but in what ways? If you are looking for answers, we can help. Read on, as we explain some of the key differences between school and university.
Depth of study
At school, you may have studied several different subjects at the same time, and these may have been distractingly different. Balancing maths with English can be a challenge for some, but you should have no such problem at university. There, you choose the subject you want to study, and delve into it deeper than you ever have before. This is the time to greatly develop your knowledge and expertise in your favoured area.
Of course, you may still have the option to take classes beyond your main study subject. Elective modules are especially common in the American university system, where you can often choose a minor to go alongside the major part of your degree. Elsewhere in the world, you could study a joint honours degree. This leads to one qualification in two different subjects.
What's more, many subjects are multidisciplinary by nature. If you study English, for example, you could learn about anything and everything that relates to the language. That means literature, history, sociology, psychology and much more.
For advice on selecting a subject, read our guide to choosing a major.
Active participation
If you ever shy away from speaking in classes at school, university is a place where you can do things differently. Active participation is encouraged, and will help you make the most of your studies. This could mean asking questions in lectures, or sharing your thoughts in seminars.
You will not be penalised for speaking up when appropriate – if nobody did, your silent classes could be uninspiring or even awkward. By entering into a discussion, you allow an exchange of ideas that will benefit everyone involved. Plenty of people will be cautious about contributing, and they may well appreciate it.
Want some tips on taking part? Explore how to communicate at university.
Free time
At secondary school, you may well be used to the day starting and ending at the same time throughout the week. If so, university will be a different experience. Your timetable can vary greatly from day to day, with your first and last classes potentially being earlier or later than in the past.
For some students – particularly those taking humanities degrees, where contact hours can be low – this can mean having a lot more free time in the middle of the day. That can be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on your perspective. There is the potential for plenty of waiting around on campus. In that case, you might want to take a trip to the library or student union.
However, not every student is blessed with this problem. Certain subjects, including many in the STEM field, can require your in-person attendance for a much greater period of time. Be prepared for long bursts of intensive learning, which may be counteracted by long holidays. Depending on where you study, the university year could last for only around half of the calendar year.
Advice on time management can be found in our guide to balancing socialising and study.
Diversity
As an international student, you will be especially aware of how far some travel to attend their dream university. Wherever yours may be, you are very likely to encounter people from all walks of life and many parts of the world. This gives you the chance to make friends with vastly different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives to yours.
Doing this promises to be fun and eye-opening for you and everyone you meet. Embracing differences is a key part of university life. If you welcome it, you can expect to be welcomed in return.
Learn more about the ways in which diversity is celebrated as we explain how international students are included at university.
Independent learning
One of the biggest differences between school and university is that you will take more responsibility for your learning. You might be pleased that there will be no more parents' evenings or report cards, but this should underline the fact that at university, it is down to you to ensure you get the best out of your studies.
You can expect to do more reading and independent research, to avoid falling behind. This is especially important for students who do not have a lot of classes. You will be given guidance on what to explore – a reading list should be supplied at the start of every module you take – but most of this will have to be done outside of the classroom.
Of course, the focus on self-directed study does not mean that you are alone. University support services are usually strong, offering help with any challenge you may face, whether academic or personal. It can also be beneficial to study alongside other people on your course. Supporting each other in this way can make things feel much more manageable, and lead to strong relationships.
If you'd like to know more about where help can be found, we can show you. Learn how to get support at university.
Essay writing
Many university courses require a lot of writing, with assessments based on essays that must adhere to very particular conventions. Knowing how to write academically will be important, but it is not something to fear. With time and practice, you will gradually get used to what is needed.
To help, your university will offer support services that can give you good advice on everything from essay structure to how to reference correctly. You could get this in person or online, with written guides likely to be available in your virtual learning environment. Universities know that many students find academic writing challenging, and are therefore keen to help. They do not want you to struggle in silence.
For a head start, try our introduction to essay-writing skills.
Friendships
At university, you will constantly be given the opportunity to meet people and make friends. This is made easier when you put in effort to do it. You might find that the friendships that formed quickly in the structured environment of school come less easily when things are more fluid.
This is one reason why universities have clubs and societies. These groups bring people together around shared interests, giving you the chance to make like-minded friends with whom you can do the things you enjoy. Whether you love films, politics or sport, you will have a place to meet people on your wavelength.
Not sure what club to join? Take our advice on choosing a university society.
Terminology
You might have heard of lectures, but exactly what is a seminar? There will be many new words and terms that you'll encounter at university, but that is no cause for worry. Every institution has its own way of talking about things that can be unfamiliar to outsiders, and most of the time, those things will not be complicated.
While their names might be new, you will soon understand what they mean. When you don't, there will always be someone who can explain, so do not be afraid to ask. It is all part of the process of learning – and that's what university is about.
Hopefully, you now feel a little clearer about the differences between school and university. If you'd still like some more guidance, we can offer it. Try our university exam advice, our note-taking tips, or our suggestions for making friends in your first week.
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