Introduction
High school refers to the part of school life in which students in the age group of 14 to 18 study. The reputation of high school students among teachers is always a mixed bag - some teachers consider them to be ruffians, hooligans, students who are just wasting their time and potential, and so on, while other teachers consider them to be fun, creative, and talented students they had an absolute joy to teach. However, despite what teachers have to say about them, high school, in general, is unanimously accepted as the undisputed champion when it comes to answering the question of which the best years of school life are by all the people who have attended it. This is because students have only so much to study, they don’t have to think about finances and they can enjoy freedom with minimum consequences.
However, the whole dynamic changes when these students join college. There is a sudden surmounting of responsibility on their shoulders, something very alien to them at the time. In such an inchoate state, they are thrust into the confusing complexities of the adult world, where they are faced with the enigma of having to choose between ideological and philosophical echo chambers, catalyzed by the tempestuous environment they are suddenly surrounded by even if they try to be tepidly non-partisan about their standpoint about the same. This dramatic change can force students to look at college through a cynical lens. This blog is not to scare the reader into not taking up college, it is rather a comprehensive analysis of the problems that college students have to face and how high school can potentially train them into facing them with a pragmatic approach. Here are some of the problems that college students have to face and how high school can help them prepare for it.
Time Management
Problem
In school, students have a fixed curriculum. There is only so much to study when compared to college, and there is ample time to prepare for the exams that come at the end of the year. In addition to study leaves that are offered by the school boards, there will also be model exams and revision tests that teachers at school will conduct that can help students prepare for the exams. Furthermore, there is ample support from parents and teachers alike if the student is faced with any kind of roadblock. However, the atmosphere around college life, in general, is both fast-paced as well as brumous. Students will have a genuine perceived time constraint on their hands because of the sudden superfluous surmounting of tasks that are thrust upon them, which in retrospect will seem rather easy in later years, but at the time, very concerning. They will feel like they do not have time for anything.
Solution
A situation like the one mentioned above requires effective time management skills. Time management can be practiced from a very young age, and it is a skill that is crucial to every aspect of life. High schools can help students develop time management skills by teaching them how to create plans, the importance of punctuality, and practice time management exercises in class. Read more about time management tips for students here.
Prioritization
Problem
Another thing high schoolers do not have to worry about is prioritizing what to do, and even if they have to, it is usually something like choosing between a day-long cricket match and a few hours of studying. The practical consequences of their actions are also considerably lower. However, college students are in a different ballpark altogether. A lot of college students work part-time jobs for income, and some of them might spend time in relationships. There is a constant conflict between enjoying college life to the fullest and finishing assignments, projects, and other academic activities on time.
Solution
High school is the best time to teach students about the importance of prioritizing their tasks. The best way to do this is by helping students make and use timetables effectively. Creating their own timetable can help students understand how to divide their time on an everyday basis, which will help them immensely in college. Click here to know more about timetables and their effectiveness.
Health Issues
Problem
Schools are generally close to students’ houses, and so in case of any medical issues, they can take leave and stay home. If the student is studying at a residential school, the school will take the necessary measures to make sure that the parents will take their ward home safely. Any mental health issues can be dealt with relative ease because the problems they face can generally be handled as such (with exceptions of course). However, college students, due to pride, shame, ego, or lack of facilities, generally don’t take their issues to the authorities unless they become extremely bad.
Solution
High school students should be taught the importance of mental and physical health and how badly they can affect them if taken lightly. It is vital that the destigmatization of reporting health issues, especially mental health issues, starts from an early age so that any type of mental illness can be combated in a holistic and safe manner before it gets out of hand.
Conclusion
High school is the most formative age for any student and it is quintessential to infuse them with as many soft skills and as much empathy for each other as possible. The youth of today are the adults of tomorrow, and it is always better to live in a society of informed, well-educated, responsible citizens who can lead the way towards a progressive inclusive society.
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