This isn't 13th grade: college isn't high school Part II

There is a huge difference between a high school environment and college. One of the first things I always said to my students was about the end of high school and the beginning of college life.  It went something like this:

  "THERE'S NO LOCKERS, NO HALL MONITORS, NO SCHOOL BUSES, NO GYM CLASS, NO DETENTIONS, NO SUSPENSIONS, NO LUNCHROOM, NO MORNING ANNOUNCEMENTS, NO HAND-OUTS FOR PARENTS, NO LATE SLIPS, NO LATE BELLS, NO JANITORS, AND NO EXCUSES. NO ONE CARES ABOUT THE LABELS OR FASHIONS YOU'RE WEARING, AND THERE'S NO CLIQUES EITHER. NOR DOES THE FOOTBALL TEAM WEAR THEIR JERSEY TO SHOW TEAM PRIDE. YOU PAY FOR YOUR BOOKS, AND I EXPECT YOU TO GET THE ONES I WANT. YOUR PAPERS WILL BE DONE THE WAY I WANT, AND IF YOU'RE GRADE-PHOBIC, A 'D' IS A REAL THING. I CAN AND WILL CALL YOUR PARENTS IF I THINK YOU'RE WASTING THEIR MONEY OR WHEREVER YOU GOT YOUR TUITION.  AND YES: YOUR WORK IS DUE WHEN I SAY SO, AND I CAN AND WILL THROW YOU OUT OF MY CLASS. And welcome to college."

(Some students later confessed that they were terrified, especially the freshmen, and that they wanted to go as a group to the registrar to sign out immediately when I signaled for a break during the first day.)

But seriously:  college is not a privilege, nor is it to be taken for granted.  Now...I KNOW I could tell stories about the things I did...such as cutting a final exam...but that's not for this blog.  Instead, try this, which is the topic I have students do on their first assignment:  The Difference Between Ending High School Life and Beginning it at College.

Changes that make the difference in college

    The requirements and life changes that make for a successful transition from high school to college are extensive.  Students are often overwhelmed by challenges to class schedules, independent time management between academics and work obligations, instructors’ styles, financial limitations, and peer support.  Managing these factors must become part of the lifestyle for today’s young men and women and returning (older) students.

(Okay. What I just said there):

"Everyone in college today must learn various life management skills in order to be successful—and they are valuable growth opportunities. Each one must be resolved.  Too often, students enter the college environment totally unprepared for them. They include (a) freedom of choice for time management to handle obligations for work and study, (b) a much quicker turnaround response on assignments with much stronger rules and enforcement for grades, (c) tuition and scholarship decisions, and (d) hello-goodbye encounters with friends and classmates. They can lead to the building of a stronger person or the downfall of a weak one depending on personal choice.  And they are necessary steps to be taken if one is to be a successful college student."

(Now then.
There’s your first and last paragraphs. Let’s see you use the ideas you have heard me use and shown you in the syllabus—and build your paper.  And what I said was this):

"Wow. I have to handle a totally different way of living and learning. I’m responsible for the results—and not much room for slack. I have to juggle my job and class, get my assignments in on time (and they’re tough!), deal with much more serious teachers, and not have anyone to hang out with after class. Bummer! 

"Am I ready for this? How are they making a difference for me?  And what do I have to do to make it work? Why do these things matter?" (Answer: It’s your degree and your life skills for handling challenges and developing strength of character that you’re building by learning these lessons.)

Remember the “list” in the thesis sentence. Pull down each one (a-d), rephrase “how and what” it is that's important--the specific "I've got to do 'this' thing well," then take the “why and how it matters to {you}” apart in each. You’ve already got your opening and ending.  

And don’t you “you” me to death. I already know these things! Go find “people” and “students” so that “they” can learn from YOU. Or “someone” so that “he or she” understands. "Future students should learn these things so that they graduate."

(By the way, yes, that IS "Hahvahd" University.)