High school is said to be the best four years of your life, but for most it’s just four long grueling years that can feel never ending. This is where Quinsigamond Community College’s dual enrollment program comes into play: our school offers the ability to enroll in college classes for your junior and senior year of high school. It is a way for kids to break their everyday high school routine and experience a college lifestyle without the stress of dorming. You can still attend all high school events including prom, graduation and field trips. You also have the opportunity to join clubs and play sports for both your high school and QCC. It is truly a flawless program for anyone in high school who wants to further their education from an early age as well as any student who feels as though their high school just is not the right fit for them. Being constantly told what to do, sometimes young adults in high school forget that they always have a choice. You don’t have to stick to a normal teenage routine just because that is what is expected of you or because all of your peers are doing the same thing. QCC is a great place to begin your journey from high school life to the real world, it is a nice middle ground and a way to ease yourself into the college experience.
I was a senior in high school when I first began my journey at QCC and I cannot believe it’s about to come to an end. Coming to Quinsigamond is honestly one of the best things I have ever done for myself, (I almost didn’t go through with it at first due to fear of judgement) and I am thankful everyday I did. Back at my old school I was flunking most of my classes and had no motivation for school until I joined QCC. I love the freedom and independence we have here and it was just what I needed when it came to learning. I went from failing to the dean's list within the span of one semester! The professors and staff here are great and fully put their trust and respect into you, something I feel most high school teachers lack. It truly makes you feel like you have an immense amount of control over what you want to learn and how you want to learn it, which can make schooling much easier and more enjoyable when you have that flexibility.
I recommended the dual enrollment program to a friend a year younger than me and she has found the same success within the program. Her name is Kristina Pijaca and she is now completing her senior year at QCC, then furthering her education at Hartwick University. She decided to attend QCC in hopes of a “change in environment” and to help better prepare herself for a four year school. During my interview I asked her if she felt that Quinsigamond has better prepared her for life at a four year university better than her high school would have. She responded with “absolutely, you are much more independent here, there are no teachers hunting you down for missing assignments, your grades are in your own hands’’. I couldn't agree more with that statement. Like I said before, the independence that you experience at this school is unmatched to any high school.
I think my favorite part about this program is that it is available to almost everyone. Even if you have been out of school for a year, you are still eligible to enroll in this program, the only limitation is that you must be between the ages of 16-20. There are no limits within towns or GPA requirements, it’s really a program for anyone who wants to further their education in an environment that is different from a regular high school. Especially for kids who have dropped out for a year or two, going back to the same place you left can be much more difficult than a fresh start. Overall, this program is truly amazing and if you are interested in finding out more, there is an abundance of easily accessible information on Quinsigamond Community College’s website under the search words “Dual Enrollment Program”.
Comments
Post a Comment