---
title: "The difference between high school and varsity"
id: "3551"
type: "post"
slug: "the-difference-between-high-school-and-varsity"
published_at: "2019-05-07T11:39:32+00:00"
modified_at: "2026-01-19T20:01:49+00:00"
url: "https://www.boston.ac.za/blog/the-difference-between-high-school-and-varsity/"
markdown_url: "https://www.boston.ac.za/blog/the-difference-between-high-school-and-varsity.md"
excerpt: "The transition from high school to college can come as a bit of a shock to some. Here are a"
taxonomy_category:
  - "Boston City Campus Blog"
---

The transition from high school to college can come as a bit of a shock to some. Here are a few of the main differences you will experience…

| HIGH SCHOOL | COLLEGE |
| --- | --- |
| Attendance |  |
| Attendance is compulsory | Attendance is up to you |
| Teachers check on your attendance | Lecturers do not chase non-attendees |
| Students must remain on the school premises for the duration of the school day | Students are free to come and go from campus |
| Classes & Time Management |  |
| Class sizes are limited – generally 25 – 40 students | Classes are larger – some may number 100+ students |
| Your time is structured for you | You have a timetable with set lecture times but you manage your own time |
| You’ll spend approximately 30 hours in class per week | You spend approximately 12 – 16 hours a week attending class |
| Learning Environment |  |
| Teachers give detailed information regarding homework | Lecturers select and structure the most important aspects of a subject |
| Learning time is taken up mostly by lessons in class | Lectures and study guides take students systematically through subject content and concepts |
| Students may do anything from 2 – 4 hours of self-study outside of class per week; often for test preparation | Students are expected to be self-disciplined and directed in terms of self-study. The general rule is that for every one hour spent in class; students should spend an additional 2 – 3 hours of self-directed study |
| Contact & Feedback |  |
| Teachers will discuss your progress & grades with both you and your parents | Lecturers do not check up on whether or not you have completed homework & revision exercises |
| Teachers check on whether you have completed your homework | Lecturers expect you to have read and made a note of assignment and assessment briefs |
| Teachers will help you catch up work you’ve missed when absent | Students are expected to catch up missed work on their own |
| Class time is made up mostly of face-to-face teaching | Classes can take different forms; lectures, pracs, studio work etc |
| Teachers frequently mark, correct and comment on students’ work | There are a few opportunities for regular and formal feedback. Students are expected to initiate contact if they need assistance |
| Teachers take responsibility for students’ learning | Students are treated as adults and are expected to take full responsibility for their academic success or failure |
| Assignments & Assessment |  |
| Assignments tend to be smaller and more frequent; and may contribute, together with test and exam marks, to a final mark | There may be fewer assignments but they are larger and carry more marks |
| Students are expected to reproduce the core knowledge in their assignments, with little allowance for alternative viewpoints and ideas | Students are expected to critically engage with subject matter, with the understanding that their work will improve with practice |
| Teachers may consult each other regarding assignment due dates so that students don’t have to submit assignments for different subjects at the same time | Late submissions attract severe mark penalties and extensions need to be formally applied for at least 10 days before the due date |
| Referencing & Plagiarism |  |
| Students are generally required to provide a final reference list but do not need to indicate references within the text where each piece of information has been sourced from | Students are expected to be accurate and thorough in both their in-text and final referencing points |

[https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.boston.ac.za/blog/the-difference-between-high-school-and-varsity/](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.boston.ac.za/blog/the-difference-between-high-school-and-varsity/)
[https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.boston.ac.za/blog/the-difference-between-high-school-and-varsity/](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.boston.ac.za/blog/the-difference-between-high-school-and-varsity/)
[https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.boston.ac.za%2Fblog%2Fthe-difference-between-high-school-and-varsity%2F](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.boston.ac.za%2Fblog%2Fthe-difference-between-high-school-and-varsity%2F)
[whatsapp://send?text=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.boston.ac.za%2Fblog%2Fthe-difference-between-high-school-and-varsity%2F](whatsapp://send?text=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.boston.ac.za%2Fblog%2Fthe-difference-between-high-school-and-varsity%2F)

[Newer Tips for surviving & thriving at college](https://www.boston.ac.za/blog/tips-for-surviving-thriving-at-college/)

[Back to list](https://www.boston.ac.za/blog/)
[Older Facing those first year fears](https://www.boston.ac.za/blog/facing-those-first-year-fears/)

[Close](#)

#### Recent Posts

- [https://www.boston.ac.za/blog/what-accredited-actually-means-2026-guide/](https://www.boston.ac.za/blog/what-accredited-actually-means-2026-guide/) [What “Accredited” Actually Means: A 2026 Guide for Parents and Employers](https://www.boston.ac.za/blog/what-accredited-actually-means-2026-guide/)
- [https://www.boston.ac.za/blog/cogni-enhance-short-courses-child-support/](https://www.boston.ac.za/blog/cogni-enhance-short-courses-child-support/) [New Cogni-Enhance Short Courses for Parents, Educators & Counsellors](https://www.boston.ac.za/blog/cogni-enhance-short-courses-child-support/)
- [https://www.boston.ac.za/blog/bachelor-of-education-foundation-phase-teaching-2/](https://www.boston.ac.za/blog/bachelor-of-education-foundation-phase-teaching-2/) [Building Bright Futures with Foundation Phase Teaching](https://www.boston.ac.za/blog/bachelor-of-education-foundation-phase-teaching-2/)
- [https://www.boston.ac.za/blog/higher-certificate-network-systems-practice/](https://www.boston.ac.za/blog/higher-certificate-network-systems-practice/) [Higher Certificate in Network Systems Practice for Future IT Professionals](https://www.boston.ac.za/blog/higher-certificate-network-systems-practice/)
- [https://www.boston.ac.za/blog/the-future-of-human-resources-are-you-professionally-ready/](https://www.boston.ac.za/blog/the-future-of-human-resources-are-you-professionally-ready/) [The Future of Human Resources: Are You Professionally Ready?](https://www.boston.ac.za/blog/the-future-of-human-resources-are-you-professionally-ready/)
- [https://www.boston.ac.za/blog/why-supply-chain-management-has-become-a-strategic-degree/](https://www.boston.ac.za/blog/why-supply-chain-management-has-become-a-strategic-degree/) [Why Supply Chain Management Is Now Central to Business Strategy](https://www.boston.ac.za/blog/why-supply-chain-management-has-become-a-strategic-degree/)
- [https://www.boston.ac.za/blog/why-supply-chain-management-is-now-a-strategic-business-priority/](https://www.boston.ac.za/blog/why-supply-chain-management-is-now-a-strategic-business-priority/) [The Modern Chain: Why Supply Chain Management Has Become One of the Most Important Degrees of This Decade​](https://www.boston.ac.za/blog/why-supply-chain-management-is-now-a-strategic-business-priority/)
- [https://www.boston.ac.za/blog/sait-endorsement-boston-accounting-tax-career/](https://www.boston.ac.za/blog/sait-endorsement-boston-accounting-tax-career/) [How the SAIT endorsement of Boston Accounting Qualifications Opens New Pathways for Your Career in Tax](https://www.boston.ac.za/blog/sait-endorsement-boston-accounting-tax-career/)
- [https://www.boston.ac.za/blog/how-messaging-shapes-organisational-success-and-strategic-communication/](https://www.boston.ac.za/blog/how-messaging-shapes-organisational-success-and-strategic-communication/) [How Messaging Shapes Organisational Success and Strategic Communication](https://www.boston.ac.za/blog/how-messaging-shapes-organisational-success-and-strategic-communication/)
- [https://www.boston.ac.za/blog/your-questions-about-postgraduate-study-answered-2026/](https://www.boston.ac.za/blog/your-questions-about-postgraduate-study-answered-2026/) [Your Questions About Postgraduate Study Answered 2026](https://www.boston.ac.za/blog/your-questions-about-postgraduate-study-answered-2026/)