School

TAFE or University

You must go to school until you are almost 16.

You decide if you want to attend TAFE or university.

The cost is very low (if you go to a government school) and you do not pay many fees.

You must pay fees, including HECS (university only), or you cannot attend.

Other people decide how you spend your time in school.

You manage your own time.

You need permission to go on school camps and excursions.

You decide if you want to go.

Your parents and teachers will remind you of your responsibilities and help you to achieve your goals.

You are responsible for yourself. No one will remind you. You must achieve your goals yourself.

You may need money for special activities. Your parents or others pay for most of your needs.

You will need to manage your own money and pay for most things yourself.

School

TAFE or University

Each day you go from one class to the next class.

You may have hours between classes. Class times will be varied throughout the day and evening.

School starts at around 9.00am and finishes at about 3.30pm.

Your classes can be any time from 7.30 in the morning till 9.00pm at night.

You will spend about six hours per day in class, five days per week.

You may spend between two to ten hours in class each day, but you may have some days without classes. You are expected to read a lot of the information in time you are not in class.

The school year is 40 weeks long, divided into four terms.

The year at TAFE and university is divided into two semesters. TAFE has 34 weeks of study each year. University has 24 weeks of study. Exam time is extra.

Most of your timetable is already organised for you.

You may decide your own timetable based on when your classes are held.

Teachers will mark the roll through the day.

The class roll may or may not be marked, but most courses require 80% attendance.

Classes usually have no more than 30 students.

Lectures at university may have as many as 100 students. At TAFE, class sizes are much smaller.

Your school may give or lend you the textbooks you need to use.

You must buy your books, which can cost a lot of money. You may also need to buy equipment (e.g. safety shoes).

School

TAFE or University

Teachers will check your homework and ask why it hasn't been done.

In TAFE and university it is your responsibility to make sure your homework is finished.

Teachers will remind you of what work you must do.

It is your responsibility to know what work you have to do and when it is to be done.

Teachers will ask if you need more help.

Lecturers in university will usually not ask if you need more help. You have to ask yourself. Teachers in TAFE may ask if you need more help, but you usually have to ask them.

Teachers will often repeat information or explain it another way when you do not understand.

Information is given very quickly and often is not repeated, especially in lectures. If you do not understand, you must meet the teacher later.

Teachers are available through the school day.

Lecturers and TAFE teachers may only be in their office at certain times. You must make an appointment to see them.

Teachers will give you information you missed if you have been sick.

Lecturers and TAFE teachers expect you to get notes you have missed from your classmates.

Teachers often write notes on the blackboard to be copied into books.

Lecturers at university will talk and you have to write notes at the same time. You have to identify important points and write them down. Some handouts may be given to you.
Teachers in TAFE may give you some notes, but you will also be expected to take your own notes.

Teachers will take time to explain to you when assignments and work requirements are due and give you many reminders.

You will not be reminded of assignments that are due in; you must remember this yourself.

School

TAFE or University

You may have a few tests in school and some exams in year 11 and 12.

In universities and in some TAFE courses you may have exams that will cover large amounts of information. You will also be expected to complete essays and assignments.

You may only do a little bit of study.

You will need to study two to three hours outside of class for each class you attend in university. You will need to study for each class you attend in TAFE.

You are expected to read short assignments that are discussed in class.

In university you will be expected to read large amounts of information that may not be discussed directly in class. In TAFE, you will be expected to read materials related to your class.

You will be told what you will learn from reading the material; material will be discussed and re-taught in class.

It is up to you to read and understand the material. Universities and TAFE will assume you have read and understood it.

Teachers may have review sessions to go over work already taught in the past.

Review sessions are rarely offered. If they do happen, you will have to come prepared with questions to ask.