So you've graduating high school and want to know what your next academic adventure entails? Good. You've probably heard a bunch of horror stories from your teachers in the guise of prepping you for this big change, but we're here to clear the air. These are the three biggest differences you'll actually find at college.

More independence

You're free from the shackles of neatly organized schedules, dress codes and detention. This newfound freedom comes with its own set of challenges, however, because now it's all up to you! That's right, your time management and self-discipline skills will be put to the test nearly every day.

Say goodbye to one-hour block periods, study hall sessions and set lunch hours. At college, it's up to you to make time. With classes spanning two to three hours and breaks that could range from ten minutes to a few hours, your perfectly planned days are but a distant memory. But this is a good thing. This gives you a great opportunity to catch up on your readings and assignments, explore campus (or binge that one Netflix series everyone keeps talking about). Either way, you're a grownup now and college is going to treat you like one.

Take responsibility

Oftentimes, if you're flunking a class in high school, your teachers will take notice and work with you to address the issue. In college, depending on what program you're in, it's easy to get lost in the crowd. Unless you take the initiative to address the problem yourself, it's very likely that nothing will change.

Your profs care about your success but unless you ask them for help or take them up on their office hours, there's only so much they can do. No one's going to scold you for skipping class or procrastinating on your assignments. You're responsible for your own success and that's easy to do when you have this many services at your disposal! From tutoring to mental health counselling and so much more, you've got a strong support system behind you every step of the way.

Focus on what you love

Gone are the days of running around in PE, peeling off your gym clothes and sweatily making your way to math class. Unless you're into that sort of thing. Your college journey is all about enrolling in a program you care about and learning about things that you're interested in from real industry professionals. What's not to love? Seriously, check out all the fun programs you can take on. This is the time to follow your dreams and make things happen.

Final thoughts

Settling into your new school can be daunting but we believe in you! Let's face it, if you can get through high school, you can do anything. With Algonquin College on your side, there's no limit to what you can accomplish.