Example 1 [Compare and Contrast Essay]

Example 1

Compare and contrast Higher Secondary Education and College Education.

There are many similarities as well as differences in higher secondary education and college education. First of all, the students attend school for six hours a day with some Saturdays declared as holidays. Sunday is always a holiday for the students and teachers so that the former can concentrate on home works and revision of what is taught throughout the week. There are various subjects and each class runs for 45 minutes to 50 minutes. There will be breaks for refreshing. There will be lunch break. Normally higher secondary education concentrates more on academic subjects than on sports. The teachers conduct periodical tests and marks are distributed. The schools issue report cards once in two months and parents are called for the Parents Teachers Meet when the teachers, parents and students meet with an aim to improve the performance of the students without making them stressed. Based on their marks and attendance, the student is either promoted to next class or detained in the same class.

The students reach school either by personal transportation or by school van/bus. The students carry their snacks box or lunch box to refresh themselves.

The teachers use text book, notes, chalks and blackboards to explain a topic. The teaching is text book based. There will be interactive session at the end of the class. As soon as a topic is over, there will be tests. Individual attention is mostly given in higher secondary level.

When you consider college education, the students enjoy a new found freedom. Instead of 30 hours a week, the learning hours become less to 12 hours a week. Other than learning in the campus, the students become a member of leading libraries. Their professors and lecturers guide them to become a member of a reputed library. There are day and evening colleges. The timings differ for day and evening colleges. It is optional for the students to carry their lunch or snacks boxes. There will be college canteen where the students can pay and refresh themselves. There will be snacks or lunch break even in college education.

Tests will be conducted occasionally. The university conducts main exams every year in two semesters. There is no detainment of students in the same class. If the students fail in one or two subjects, they will be sent to attend classes for next semesters but they have to clear arrear papers. There are different papers on the same subject which the students will have to get pass marks. There will be honouring of university rank holders after they finish their graduation. The colleges or the universities conduct Graduation Cerremony. It is the most memorable and prestigious moment in student's life. The Vice-Chancellors or the notable personality honour the tudents with their degree certificates.

The colleges are of two types. One is autonomous colleges and the other is affiliated colleges. The government and government aided colleges are also there. The students get admission based on their marks and reservation.

As far as teaching is concerned, it will be knowledge based and not text books based. There will be many reference books. The professors and lecturers expect the students to be research oriented. They should do lot of self-learning. The professors uncover the subject instead of covering it alone. There will be periodical assignments. The professors encourage the students to enrol in many online courses. There will be campus placements and the students can attend and secure jobs. They can pursue higher education or post-graduation by regular or correspondence. Over all, both stages are important in a student's life.