I started small, taking drawing and business law the summer after tenth grade. The subject matter was interesting and approachable. The professors seemed to have a spark of life, a desire to see their students succeed. There lay a certain challenge in taking on the work of a college student. I was meeting people and learning from them. I was amazed by the diversity and by the forward-looking attitudes that the students possessed. The nagging feeling that I was wasting my time left me and I was at ease. But above all those feelings, I felt pride. I was proud of myself for finding this place where I could achieve however much I wanted to achieve.

I was quickly yanked back to earth. Summer ended and I had to start going to my high school classes. The ranks were filled with underachievers who hoped to take the minimum amount of college units, thereby freeing up time previously spent in class. I simply ignored these classmates, but found their reputation hard to avoid. I felt the need to downplay my high school status to avoid stereotypes.

The real change I had to deal with was the college itself. I had many troubles registering for classes, but now, as a regular college student, I suspect that these were not unique to me. This new self-reliance, where no one held my hand nor led me through the system, was a bit scary. I had to step up in class as well, especially considering the prospect of something appearing on my permanent record forever. But I worked through all this with the help of a few great counselors, administrators, and fortunately, my supportive parents. I started to get settled and take a variety of courses that interested me.

As I continued at the college I became aware of the fact that I could pursue any field I wanted. Every day I found myself in the library, the computer center, or the career lab, taking advantage of these resources that are so shockingly underused by all of the students. The staff in each of these places was more than eager to help me, and I was glad to profit from their experiences

I have benefited from this program immensely. I will earn an AA degree by the end of this summer. This fall I will attend the University of California at Irvine where I received a Regent's Scholarship. I have made new friends and learned many things that I am sure I never would have noticed had I continued along the traditional high school path

When I meet people that I used to know, who stayed in the regular high school, I realize that I feel different about myself; more mature and experienced. The community college experience kept me from remaining static and unmotivated. The fact is simply that I accelerated and, like an organism fitting into a particular niche, I thrived. I believe that community colleges should welcome willing high school students into their student bodies, and therefore create more diversity, and ultimately, a better education for every student.

Student, Orange Coast College
Recent graduate, Orange Coast Middle College High School.