Early College: A Fuel for Personal and Academic Growth – Student Blog
The following student-submitted blog was written by Emma Graham, a student at Mishawaka High School, and has been lightly edited.
When I first began high school, I never could have realized the impact that the Early College program would have on my life. It is not only “taking free college courses while you are in high school,” like I once may have thought. It is something much deeper than this simple phrase. My freshman orientation day is when I first learned about the Early College program. This is the day that I understood what this program could do for a person, but not just any person, what Early College could do for me. As high school approached, I did not know what my future was going to look like or where I was going to be in four years, and in all honesty, I am still not one hundred percent sure where my life is going to take me. The one thing I was always positive about was attending college after high school. More importantly, it was to go to college without the anxious feeling of debt, time, and experience hanging over my shoulders.
Since I was young, I have always been a perfectionist in everything I do, especially in school. As I grew older, this same trait stuck with me, and most importantly, it shines through my school work and grades. This is one of the biggest reasons I knew I belonged in the Early College program. I realized on freshman orientation day that involving myself in the Early College program would not only benefit me then, but it would benefit me in the future. Going to college was always a daunting thing to think about. I understood that having excellent grades and taking more rigorous courses was important to help me succeed in high school; I also knew that these choices would help me achieve greater things in my academics when it came time for college.
This program immerses me in a college-level curriculum while still in high school, which helps my preparedness for college. More importantly, the Early College program has allowed me to begin my college journey early. While my high school career may have been harder compared to someone who did not take part in this program, it is seen to be beneficial because I am ahead in my career, skills, and readiness for the transition into college from high school. Taking the more difficult classes now is more valuable than taking them in college because it has increased my eagerness for my academic future. These more difficult classes include, but are not limited to: honors English, honors Math, AP World History, AP Physics, IU American History, and third-year world language classes.
Learning in a high school setting has also allowed me to receive individual help from teachers when I am struggling with an assignment or lesson. This is something that not all college professors will be able to give me, even when I need it the most. It was hard to admit that I would have to allow myself to struggle, but that’s what learning is all about. I gradually realized that learning requires embracing mistakes. It is significantly easier to fix these struggles in high school than in college, due to the lack of one-on-one time with college professors. I am pleased that I joined the Early College program because it has allowed me to receive further assistance in an environment I am familiar with.
While my earlier comment suggested that I once believed Early College was only about taking free courses, that is not the sole purpose of this program. Still, free college courses are a significant advantage for any person. I not only saved money by following this program, but I have also saved valuable time. This program has allowed me to begin working toward earning my associate degree. This is beneficial because I am closer to finishing my associate degree than someone not involved in this program. I am looking to get my bachelor’s degree, but this program has put me almost a year ahead of my peers who did not decide to sign up for this program. This, in return, will allow me to graduate from college sooner, lowering my tuition and living expenses significantly. Earning an associate degree in high school is something I can show to my future employers, proving that I am dedicated and determined to succeed in everything I do. In conclusion, the Early College program is about creating a better future for yourself, beginning with only your freshman year of high school.