We will be looking at the Difference Between University and Secondary School.

There are questions that often bedevil younglings’ minds about going to university.

To some, it is not so big a deal as it is assumed to be not too different from secondary school (especially to boarders).

Truth be told, it is definitely not the same as a secondary school even though you were a boarding school student.

The university systems (especially public universities) are tailored to cater to the freedom inherently desired by prospective students in ways that are quite obvious.

You must have heard people say in the university ‘There’s no mama, There’s no papa’. This phrase is as true as the break of dawn.

This post was written to enable you to prepare adequately for university life.

Table of Contents

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN UNIVERSITY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS.

1. INDEPENDENCE.

The first thing that often comes to mind is the freedom that comes with being an undergraduate in the university.

Freedom to be, to do, to associate basically, In the university you will get all the freedom in the world that you seek.

Take a look back at your secondary school life, whatever you believed to be freedom (i.e. being away from your parents during school hours or as boarders), you are bound to experience it twofold.

In different areas of the life of the student, he or she experiences an independence of judgment, meaning that the life you lead and its outcome is solely dependent on you and your ability to make decisions affecting you.

While your parents/guardians provide your financial needs, more often than not, you are required to properly manage the funds made available to you.

In terms of academics, unlike in secondary schools where there is a great deal of supervision by your
parents/guardians and sometimes teachers, you are practically left alone, for the most part, to pull yourself out of whatever murky waters of poor performance you might find yourself in.

In secondary schools, the students are under the scrutiny of parents teachers, and guardians.

Where as this is unobtainable in the university systems therefore academic success is largely dependent on you the individual and how much you are able to hold yourself accountable.

MUST READ: 10 Best Ways to Avoid Distraction as a Fresher in Nigeria Universities.

2. THE ZEAL TO SUCCEED IN LIFE HEIGHTENS IN THE UNIVERSITY.

This is attributed to the fact that the university is like a mini-world where the world outside is mirrored.

To a large extent, life becomes more real, as opposed to life in secondary school where you are shielded from life at its harshest, and under the bubble the guardianship of parents provides.

In secondary schools, there’s often more support and guidance from teachers and parents, so you might not feel as much like you’re facing challenges by yourself.

Reality slaps you in the face in the uni and you realize that the real world is a survival of the fittest.

University has more tasks, which will make you feel you are alone in it.

You will have to deal with many difficulties without much help.

3. THE GRADING SYSTEM IS DIFFERENT.

Another rude shock a new undergraduate is bound to be faced is the awarding of grades.

There’s a world of difference between Uni and secondary school.

In secondary school, the previous term’s result does determine anything in the long run, at least as far as O’levels go.

Nigerians adopt the cumulative grade point system known as CGPA to determine results.

In the Uni every course has credit units that are different per time, the course unit determines the weight of you’re A’s and B’s, and C’s.

This comes off as shocking to new undergraduates because it is a far cry from what is obtainable in secondary school.

4. REQUIRED SCHOOLING vs. UNIVERSITY FREEDOM IN READING ASPECT.

Ironic right? You go into the university to obtain a degree, yes, but it is discretional, after all, you possess the right to fail if you so desire.

No one blatantly mandates you to go to class, take notes, study, do assignments, etc.

There are no persons who will police your actions in school especially when it affects your academics.

Unlike secondary schools where you are practically egged into studying or forced to because of the punitive measures employed to keep you in check.

In the university, rather than a punitive measure, you fail and carry over a course.

The onus, therefore, lies on the student to hold himself accountable and study to prevent becoming a colossal failure.

5. OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH.

Face facts, the youngling fully grows into himself/herself between the time that they are admitted.

Until the time they graduate in age and also mentally.

A certain level of maturity comes with taking responsibility for oneself.

It is said that the university is a ground for building a young person, as opposed to secondary schools which are more like foundations.

The thing is, the values inculcated in your formative pre-teen years and early teenage years form a foundation that will be tried the moment you get into the four walls of the university.

6. UNIVERSITIES ARE MORE DEMANDING ACADEMIC WISE.

The stakes are higher in every higher institution, compared to secondary schools.

There is a lot more to gain from the degree, that automatically elevates the life of the person and so it is more demanding.

It requires a doubled effort and dedication to achieve success.

This is not to say that secondary schools do not require hard work and dedication, but it is less competitive than universities.

7. UNIVERSITY ENVIRONMENTS ARE LESS CONTROLLED.

You are treated as an adult, that is presumed to be in control of your own life as opposed to secondary school pupils that are deemed to be children.

So, that controlled atmosphere is prevalent in secondary schools,

where everything the pupils do is timed and efforts are put in to adequately manage them in almost every way is little or non-existent in universities.

8. LECTURES HALLS ARE BIG IN SIZE.

During your first lectures class in university,

You will notice that classes are far bigger than the ones in secondary schools.

In faculty like engineering where the whole 100level students take classes together,

They normally use a class capacity of 1,000 sitters, which is totally different from secondary schools.

9. JOB OPPORTUNITY.

Most students work and school during their university days

In secondary school, there’s no room for that activities.

You can be working and schooling in university without the knowledge of the school authority.

But in secondary school, your activities are been controlled by either your school authority or parent.

10. TEACHERS AND LECTURERS.

In secondary school, we mostly have teachers who guide us. In university, we have lecturers who help us dive deeper into subjects.

Teachers go through your notebooks, while lecturers might not check your lecture note, unless in rare cases.

Teachers mostly help with vital information when you miss classes compared to lecturers.