Dual enrollment gives high schoolers much needed experience
Posted by The Skyliner on September 23rd, 2009Candice Paschall
Staff Writer
If it seems like college students are getting younger and younger every semester, that assumption is correct: they are. Each semester, more and more high school juniors and seniors are opting to take dual enrollment classes at their local colleges to receive both high school and college credit.
At North Greenville University, students in high school are allowed to take a maximum of two classes per semester, which can equal up to 12 credit hours per year. Classes are much cheaper than full tuition. A high school junior can take two classes a semester until he graduates, earning twenty-four credit hours for around $1200.
Aside from the academic and financial benefits of dual enrollment, the real college experience is perhaps even more valuable. I personally had the privilege of being able to take two semesters of dual credit classes last year, during my senior year in high school. I think that was one of the best decisions I could have ever made.
At first, I was really skeptical: I wasn’t very familiar with the campus and had only a handful of fellow high school friends here. I also wasn’t sure if I could handle the pressure of college classes, but after the first month, I felt like just another college student. I started going to the BSU commuter lunches, which aided me in meeting other high school students and full time college students as well. That led to hanging out in the student center between classes, which led to going to the home football games. As time passed, I began to feel like a North Greenville student, resulting in my decision to come here full time.
Even though I technically have 12 credit hours under my belt, I’m still the average college freshman. I just have a bit more experience than that average freshman. For instance, I didn’t have to look for all of my classes during orientation, but instead, I showed my new friends where theirs were.
In addition to those advantages; since I’ve already taken 12 credit hours, I’ll be considered a sophomore next semester. In short, dual enrollment had many benefits and put me ahead. So taking college classes at such a young age didn’t hinder my high school experience as some might suppose, but rather enhanced my college experience.
Now there are new dual enrollment students. They’re still getting the feel of being a 16- or 17-year-old college student among many 20-somethings. I met a few of these new students just last week, and they reminded me of myself last year. I tried to welcome them just as I was welcomed, so hopefully they’ll enjoy their time here as much as I have.
Tags: Fall 2009, Vol. 109 - Issue 3