The essentials in writing that change after graduation

[Disser]

I got to college and realized that everything I thought I knew about writing was about to change. The essentials in writing at the college level are different from high school, and figuring that out was a struggle.

What I've learned about college-level essentials:

• Arguments need evidence – Not just opinions, but sources and citations
• Research matters – You're joining a conversation, not just stating your view
• Citation styles – MLA, APA, Chicago—they're not optional
• Plagiarism – Even accidental plagiarism has serious consequences
• Critical thinking – Summarizing isn't enough; you need to analyze

In college, writing is about engaging with others' ideas, not just expressing your own. I had to learn how to quote, paraphrase, and summarize sources without plagiarizing . I had to learn how to synthesize multiple sources into a coherent argument. It was hard, but it taught me how to think. The transition isn't easy, but understanding these essentials makes it manageable. High school writing asks you to show what you know. College writing asks you to contribute something new. That's the difference—and it's essential to understand.

 

[Gabriella]

Oh, the citation styles. You forgot the part where you spend three hours writing a paper and then another three hours fighting with APA formatting to make sure the hanging indent is just right. But seriously, you’re 100% right. The jump from high school to college writing is like being asked to build a house instead of just drawing a picture of one. For anyone still struggling, my advice is to befriend a librarian. They are citation wizards and actually love helping you find the "conversation" you mentioned. Great thread, OP. It’s a struggle, but we’re all in the same boat!