Life is a never-ending learning experience. We learn from the time we are born until the day we die. We learn from experience, from our caregivers, from the television, and of course from school. In elementary school we learn how to count and read. In grade school we learn grammar and mathematics, among other subjects. Once you enter the high school level things begin to change. In depth subjects are taught, such as calculus, biology and chemistry. High school teachers teach year long classes of these subjects and go into detail about the inner workings of these studies of interest. After high school a typical student goes to college and receives a second hand look at the subjects. It is here that one can grasp the fact that the education one receives in high school is insignificant compared to the education one receives in a college or university environment.
Take for example the subject of history. In High school you learn about the history of the world including information about wars; why they started, who was involved, when and how they ended. I detailed course curriculum might even include important roles played in the wars; famous generals and battles. At the college level you are taught these things but in more detail. In college it is possible to take an entire class not just one war, but perhaps one year out of that particular war. You could learn in extreme detail all about the subject that was covered in a week or less during your high school level class.
Memorization is a technique used often in the sciences. In high school chemistry teachers often have you memorize facts and formulas. They have you memorize electron configurations, chemical formulas, and even the periodic table. In a college setting professors go into greater detail of these things and explain them more thoroughly. They explain how to derive electron configurations from the periodic table so there is no need to memorize them. They teach you to translate chemical formulas in your head so there is a further understanding of the material. College teaches you how to decipher information from a common source and use it towards a whole new purpose. College level courses tech you to understand the how and why instead of just accepting information just because it is given to you by a teacher.
Even teaching styles themselves mature from high school to college. In High school teachers are generally laid back and easygoing on their students. From my experience high school teachers teach you on a short term basis. They give you the information; you memorize it and pass the test. Two weeks after the test has passed you have already forgotten half of what you ‘learned.’ College professors on the other hand, strive to bring a complete understanding and knowledge of the subject to the classroom. They teach you the specifics of a subject so you understand it, and won’t forget it even 20 years from now.
High school teaches you a lot in terms of general information. It brings you a little knowledge in many different areas of study. College on the other hand invites students to learn a great deal of information in great detail expanding over a plethora of different areas of study. High school is a great place to learn but a college environment intensifies the true definition of knowledge.
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