Are you coming to study your degree in Australia? This may be the first time you’re moving out of home and living in a new country. It’s an exciting time, but it can feel overwhelming if you’re not prepared.
In this blog, we will explain the differences between studying at high school and university in Australia and the top ways to succeed academically and personally in your new learning environment.
Want to learn more? View our full list of blogs in 'Studying at university'.
Differences between high school and university
The learning environment at university will be very different to high school. To help you prepare, we will explain the main differences.
Structure and schedule
High school:
In high school, you followed a set schedule with little flexibility. Each day, school started and ended at the same time, recess and lunch times were the same and the timetable for each subject was set by the teachers.
University:
At university, your schedules are more flexible and you have more control over it. Lectures and tutorials can be spread across different days and times and you may have long breaks between classes. Depending on your degree, you may be able to fit all your classes into 3 days and use the remaining 2 weekdays for other activities such as self-study, group projects, social activities or casual work.
Level of independence
High school:
In high school, you had a more structured environment where your teachers checked attendance, gave reminders when assignments were due and provided feedback on your assessments and academic progress.
University:
University life requires a high level of independence and the pace of learning is faster. You are in charge of your own learning. You will need to enrol in your core subjects and electives, develop your own study schedule, complete your readings, keep track of assignments and exam dates, find your own resources for research and take initiative to improve or seek help.
For a lot of students, starting university also means moving out of the family home, and even to a different country. This means adjusting to a different culture, class structure and learning style. You will need to take on the responsibilities that your parents or guardian had when you were living at home such as budgeting, shopping for groceries, house chores, and work. You also need time for rest and other activities that help improve your physical and mental health.
Top tip
Life will be busy with lectures, tutorials, assignments and other activities. Developing time management skills is essential to using your time efficiently and balancing all your responsibilities. You can create a daily ‘to-do list’ and prioritise tasks based on importance and urgency or use task management apps such as Todoist or School Planner to keep track of classes, assignments, daily tasks and get reminders of due dates.
Always check your online student portal for updates. If you feel overwhelmed or need advice, ask for help from your lecturers, tutors, and student services.
Academic focus
High school:
In high school, the focus was developing foundational knowledge across a specific number of subjects such as Maths and English.
University:
At university, you will focus on a major or field of interest that aligns with your career choice. You will not only learn theory but be provided with opportunities to develop practical skills in and outside class.
Contributing to class discussions and team projects, expressing your views and feeling and asking questions will help you develop essential soft skills required for your future career such as communication skills, teamwork and project management skills. Your degree may include real-world case studies, industry projects or internships as part of the program.
Teaching style
High school:
In high school, teachers were more hands-on, provided detailed instructions and gave feedback. As classes were smaller, they knew their students by name and monitored their academic progress closely.
University:
At university, lecturers will teach the core material, but as the classes are relatively large, they will not have the time or capacity to give individual attention or monitor each student’s progress. You may need to book an appointment with them if you want to talk to them about an assessment mark or ways you can improve.
Lecturers will challenge you to think for yourself and you will be encouraged to engage in discussion and collaborate in teams. They often use a variety of technology and media to engage their students such as interactive screens, videos and webinars.
Class size and learning environment
High school:
In high school, class sizes were smaller and students and teachers knew each other better. There was more interaction and discussions and a greater focus on each student’s progress with the provision of school reports and regular feedback on your assignments.
University:
Depending on the university, classes could have hundreds of students in a lecture. The learning environment is more formal, with less individual attention from lecturers. In tutorials or workshops, classes are smaller allowing for more interaction between tutor and students. If you’re going through a pathway college, class sizes are smaller, teachers will have more time to give you individual academic support, track your progress and provide regular feedback.
You will get to study with people from all over the world and learn new perspectives. University campuses are larger with more modern study spaces, teaching facilities, outdoor spaces, dining options and sports and recreation facilities.
Workload and assessments
High school:
In high school, the workload was more manageable with regular class tests and fewer assignments. Your marked assignments and exams were given back to you for review.
University:
At university, the workloads are heavier and assignments more complex. Assessments may include long-term projects, essays, presentations and exams with deadlines spaced over longer periods. You may not get your assessments back to review and instead just get a final mark on the student portal.
Grades and evaluation
High school:
In high school, grading was more consistent with regular assessments and feedback. Teachers tracked their student’s progress closely and students had opportunities to improve their grades through retakes or extra credit. You were given a school report after each semester with comments from your teacher.
University:
At university, grading will be based on a number of major assessments (e.g. final exams, essays). There’s less feedback provided throughout the semester and fewer chances to improve grades once the semester is over.
Support systems
High school:
In high school, support systems were limited to teachers and counsellors.
University:
At university, there are a wide range of support services on campus to help you succeed academically and personally such as academic centres, writing centres, English language support and careers services.
Accommodation
High school:
In high school most students lived with their parents or guardians, so they had less responsibilities with managing the household.
University:
Many university students live on their own or in on-campus student accommodation and shared apartments. This means the tasks that were previously done by their parents such as budgeting, cooking meals and housework, will now need to be done by themselves.
Social groups and diversity
High School:
Friendship groups in high school were often more defined with less diversity in terms of background, interests, and life experiences. Social life was centred around school events, sports teams and local activities.
University:
University tends to have a broader range of students from different backgrounds, ages, and cultures. Social groups are more varied, and students have opportunities to engage with a more diverse population, both academically and socially. Social life is more diverse with a wider range of clubs, societies and events catering to different interests.
Career preparation
High School:
While high school provided some guidance on careers, you were still in the process of exploring different options and generally had less exposure to career-specific knowledge.
University:
Universities provide more career preparation through specialised courses, internships, career fairs and networking opportunities. You will be encouraged to start thinking about your career paths and ways to gain practical industry experience before you graduate.
How to succeed academically and personally in university
Leaving high school to starting university will be a big transition. You go from managed learning to learning independently, from a set schedule to a flexible timetable, and if you’re moving out of home, you will need to manage your finances while balancing study, social activities and work.
As you enter a new learning environment, there are things you can do to have an enriching study experience. Although it is a high priority, success at university is not just about studying hard and getting high marks, it’s also about developing and preparing you for your future career while maintaining mental and emotional wellbeing.
Here are our top tips on how to succeed academically and personally in university.
Always ask for help
At university, you will be learning in classes where there could be hundreds of students and lecturers will not have the capacity to give individual attention to everyone (this is different in pathway colleges where the class sizes are smaller). Even though you are expected to learn and study independently, this does not mean you are learning without support.
At university, there are a range of services to help you improve your academic performance as well as provide support for any personal challenges you may have. For example, at our College, you can access our Tutor Assistance Program, English language support services, the Writing Centre, the Maths Learning Centre and study groups or book a session with one of our counsellors.
Attend and engage in class
You may be tempted to skip classes because you’re too tired or prefer just to view the online recording later (if available). This is not recommended. You will learn more when you are actively engaging in class with others instead of learning at home by yourself.
Being present in class shows the lecturer that you are committed to learning. You get to interact and communicate with your lecturer and classmates, learn new perspectives, join in group discussions and develop essential soft skills such as teamwork and collaboration that future employers look for.
In class, you can clarify with your lecturer any concepts you don’t understand and receive insights and advice such as study plans, exam strategies or helpful AI tools to use. Your lecturer could also be a reference for a future work opportunity, so they need to see that you are a committed student to provide a positive referral.
Nigel S. Coombe, Economics Lecturer at our College, has been a teacher for 50 years. He gives his top tips on how his students have achieved good results in his class.
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Prepare for your next class by reading the relevant notes and textbook.
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Sit at the front of the class
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Be the first student to arrive, the last to leave and never miss a lesson.
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Take notes of key learnings from your teacher and what other good students contribute.
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Don’t just rely on your textbook for your projects. Use your notes.
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When submitting written answers, ensure you answer all parts of the question and provide examples or evidence to support your answer.
Manage your time well
At university, you will have opportunities to develop time-management skills which will be useful for your entire personal and work life. During the semester, you could have several assignments or group projects to complete and need to prepare for your final exams at the same time.
It is essential to plan ahead, create a study calendar, use study apps or write a to-do list to ensure you give yourself enough time to complete all your projects as well as study for your exams. Knowing when everything is due will help you allocate enough time to complete them without feeling rushed or stressed.
You could give yourself earlier due dates for each assignment, schedule 1-2 hours for a team project per week or a day to complete practice questions for an exam. Remember to also allocate time for your personal responsibilities, social activities and rest.
Try new things
University is a place to try new things and learn more about yourself such as your strengths and learning styles. Try to step outside of your comfort zone to learn new skills and perspectives that will be useful in your work or personal life and overcome your weaknesses. You could join one of the university clubs and societies to meet like-minded people, attend campus events, use the sporting facilities, become a volunteer, network at a careers event or learn a new language.
Socialise
Making new friends is an important part of your university life and will help you develop your relationship-building skills. You are coming into an environment with people who are going through the same experiences and challenges as you. They will be the ones you can talk to and get support from and can help make stressful periods more manageable. With a diverse student community, you can learn about different cultures, perspectives and ideas. Try not to isolate yourself at home but get to know people around you.
Sleep, eat healthy food and exercise
To be able to concentrate on your assignments or perform your best at exams, you need to get enough sleep. Sleep is important for your mental and emotional wellbeing. Try to get at least 8 hours of sleep a night. If you have too many commitments, you will need to prioritise a few and put the others aside for a short time so that you can get enough rest.
Equally important is to eat healthily. It’s easy to reach for processed snacks or energy drinks during those busy periods. They may give you a little energy in the short term but do not help with your overall physical health. It is the healthy and nutritious food that will give you the lasting energy you need each day. Try to cook healthy meals at home instead of dining out on fast food.
Exercising at least 2-3 times a week is great for your mental and physical health too. You could go for a walk around the campus, get involved in a team sport or use the campus gym.
Remember, academic success is not just about achieving good marks. It is about personal, social and professional development while maintaining your mental and physical health. Employers are looking for people who not only can do the job but add value to the company by contributing new ideas, working well in a team and being resilient.
Kaplan International College Adelaide is your trusted pathway to Adelaide University. Our College Services team are here to help you settle into the College and offer you any academic or personal guidance you may need.
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