The high school experience for many, is either viewed as the highlight of a person’s life, or as a daunting experience that leaves few pleasant memories.

High school is designed to prepare students for the “real world,” or, life after high school. Whether it be for work, domestics, military, or college, high school is a preparation for life.

Unfortunately, many Sacramento State students feel that their high school experience did them an injustice when juxtaposed with college.

Senior interpersonal communications studies major Kyle Hamers almost felt cheated of his first year college experience because he felt so unprepared.

“I’ve had to unlearn a lot of things taught in high school, and it’s frustrating,” said Hamers.

These testimonies might lead one to ask themselves why it is that students of this day and age feel heavily unprepared when they enter college.

However, freshman Delzie Mims seemed to have a pretty plausible answer to the chaos.

“I think it’s most of the ages of the teachers, they’re not keeping up with the constant changes,” said Mims.

Mims offered that the reason why students feel so unprepared when they begin college now is because of the generation gap. Mims noted the curriculum is different now, then when her teachers were in school.

“I’m not as prepared as I should have been,” said Mims.

Mims said the transition between how independent you have to be in high school versus in college can be tough.

“In high school they hold your hand, you have to be really strong mentally to go through that big of a change,” said Mims.

She also mentioned that the grading is more lenient in high school. Despite her new-found difficulties, Mims said she is enjoying her college experience.

Mims said the hardest thing about college is procrastination, but the easiest is showing up to class.

While many first-time students felt unprepared for college, other students felt high school did them a great service.

Mass communications studies major Katherine Allen is a freshman who says she benefited from her high school experience.

Allen was a member of the Advancement Via Independent Determination program (AVID). As a member of AVID, all students are required to take advance placement courses and maintain at least a 2.5 GPA.

Allen said this nationwide program provided her the basic tools that she needed to succeed in high school.

Also, being a part of a number of activities in high school like community service, volleyball, softball, cross country, soccer and track and field allotted her the time management skills she needed to take on the heavy demands of a college work load.

It is evident that high school properly prepared Allen because even though she is still involved in many of her high school extra curricular activities, she remains a 3.7 GPA.