Once in a Lifetime by Kaitlin

Once in a Lifetime by Kaitlin - November 2015 Scholarship Essay

Students from Ardmore, Oklahoma and its surrounding area have the opportunity of a lifetime: to start our college experience as early as our junior year in high school. Oklahoma students should be incredibly thankful for this education. We have the opportunity to “get ahead” in college, make friends outside of our high school, and learn what college professors expect.
I decided to start my college career early. At the early age of sixteen, I took a Music Appreciation class at our local community college. Even though my family and I had to pay for this course, I do not regret my choice one bit. The experience I received out of my first college class has and will continue to prepare me for the rest of my life. The opportunity to start my college experience before the normal student does has let me get a head start on my education. Upon graduating, I plan to have around twenty credit hours under my belt.
Also, I am thankful for the people I have met through the University Center of Southern Oklahoma. In order to succeed in college, students have to lean on other students. If I had not participated in study groups with the friends I made in college, I would have been lost; Study groups have taught me communication and academic skills. We laugh together, study together, and live together; with friends by your side, you can conquer anything and everything. Without the friends I have made, I would not have made it through the whole semester.
Equally important, by starting my college career earlier than most, I have the opportunity to learn what college professors expect. College is a world different from high school, especially Dickson High School. The classes are shorter and the work is harder. The skills I have learned while taking concurrent classes will prepare me for the college life. Also, college professors do not “baby” you as most high school teachers do. Students eventually have to make a habit of showing up to class every day, paying attention, and turning their work in on time.
I will always be thankful for the opportunity Dickson High School has given me; my high school gave me the choice to better myself academically. This experience has taught me life skills that I will value and use for the rest of my life. Attending college classes as a high school student has greatly prepared me for college life. I encourage any high school senior who has an opportunity like this to take advantage of it.