Early college is seen as a benefit to high school students because of the college credits they earn and the experience they gain from working with college. This is in fact one of the greatest benefits of early college. Here’s five tips that can help you make the most of it.
Going to college while still in high school is an adventure. There is an element of fear on that first day. You might have some doubts, but don't worry, it just takes a little time to adjust to a new environment. There are a lot of benefits that come from this experience, so trust yourself and enjoy the ride.
Tip #1 Don’t Over Do It
When you start taking credits, it is easy to let the pressure of high school and college make you turn into a study maniac. You know, when students read every word of the textbook and spend all of their spare time in the library. While doing the reading and studying are important, if you spend all your time studying you will likely become burnt-out and you'll also probably miss out on some fun events.
Tip #2 Don’t Stress Yourself Out
That C you got on one of the ten quizzes in your psych class is not going to crush your overall grade. You have to relax and not worry too much. While it is true that these grades do matter, sometimes you need to let the little grades go. You can't stress the small stuff too much. Do your best and prioritize how you spend your energy. It is going to be okay if you don't get an A on every assignment.
Tip #3 Have Fun
You can take classes and still have fun. College is all about having fun while learning at a higher level. So have fun! Hang out with your friends. Do game night with your family. Go with the youth group on that retreat. Work if that is what is enjoyable for you. Doing things that are fun, helps you to be energized for class work and studying. Don't let school completely rule your life - go out there and make some memories.
Tip #4 Ask Questions
I often talk to students, even full-time college students, who are afraid to ask their professor questions in class. This is generally because they don’t want to look stupid. But the truth is, if you have a question, you're probably not the only one, so by asking your questions you are also helping your fellow students. Asking questions gives you a better understanding of the material and help you to do better on exams. It also shows professors that you are engaged and willing to learn. This opens doors to your professors outside of the classroom for tings down the road like letters of recommendation and research projects.
Tip #5 Step Out
When you start taking college classes, you have many more opportunities to build friendships with new people. Building friendships with classmates is great because if you miss a class you can ask for notes, or you can start a study group, or even just get a drink from Riverview after class. Forming new friendships gives you a support group if things get hard or if you just need a hand with something. Bottom line, you should try to step out of your comfort zone and talk to people.
These tips will help you navigate through some of the rough patches of doing college while in high school. There can be a lot of pressure during this transition but there does not have to be. Use this time to start your college adventure.
To find out more about Geneva College’s Early College / Dual Enrollment program, go to geneva.edu/earlycollege or contact Admissions at admissions@geneva.edu or 800-847-8255. Online summer courses are now available but registration ends at the end of April.
-Kelsey Gerhard ‘23
Opinions expressed in the Geneva Blog are those of its contributors and do not necessarily represent the opinions or official position of the College. The Geneva Blog is a place for faculty and contributing writers to express points of view, academic insights, and contribute to national conversations to spark thought, conversation, and the pursuit of truth, in line with our philosophy as a Christian, liberal arts institution.
Apr 7, 2021
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