Student adjusts to college life after home schooling
Ashley Young
– Staff Writer –
College offers the ability to bring people from different backgrounds together to create an atmosphere of diversity.
Olivia Mosley, recent graduate of STLCC-Meramec, came from a different high school setting. There were no cliques or stereotypes. She received home schooling her entire life until high school. Her high school years were anything but typical; however, she was faced with the same challenges as any other first-year college student.
“[In the beginning] I was a little intimidated but once I got into it I didn’t mind,” Mosley said. “I enjoyed the structure and going to class on time because it was different from home school, where I was free to choose when I studied and did my work.
Naturally, the issue of independence sneaked up on Mosley and she was forced to make an important decision when her family business closed down.
“During the first year I received assistance from my grandparents, who worked for our family business,” Mosley said. “When our business shut down, I decided to get financial aid. It was a smart convenient decision. I felt closer to independence because I didn’t have to ask my family for money.”
Eventually Mosley got a job on campus in the art department to provide other means of finance and self-sufficiency.
Mosley also took on new study habits as an attempt to move closer toward independence.
“Home schooling gave me freedom to study when I wanted but I liked having a schedule in college because it gave me structure and opportunity to study new things that I wouldn’t normally study,” Mosley said. “It allowed me to experience things from a different point of view.”
Mosley had not declared a major, her journey to self identification took place through the classes she took.
“I wasn’t sure about my major the first semester so I took a bunch of classes to see what I liked,” Mosley said. “I took a photography class and fell in love. I wanted to keep pursuing it. That set my path.”
Mosley got involved by joining the Photography Club. She became the president of Photography Club in 2008.
“I met some of my best friends and connections by getting involved,” Mosley said.
She hadn’t attended any orientations but adjusting to campus life was not a difficult task for Mosley. Her brother played an important role in helping her get familiar with the campus.
“My brother was also home schooled and he had attended the college a year earlier. He showed me the ropes and helped me transition,” Mosley said.
According to Rhonda Adams, coordinator of Orientation and Transition Programs, Mosley’s method of familiarity proves to be effective.
“The best way [for new students] to overcome barriers is through another successful student,” Adams said. “We realize it’s an intimidating experience but no one should approach it as an island.”
Another important concern for new students is time management. In high school, students are used to answering to bells and hall monitors. That is never the case in college.
“The bells are not ringing. No one is telling you to get to class,” Adams said. “If you are not cognizant, that will become a problem.”
One of the most important realizations for the incoming college freshman is the resources available to the students. For example, Project Launch, a program dedicated to 2011 high school graduates attending STLCC this fall. SOrientation is also a great resource for new students, which will be held Aug 8. 10, 16, 18 and 20.
Beginning college can be intimidating experience but it can also be an exciting powerful journey toward success.
“We all have very unique talents and abilities. Sometimes they may be dormant but listen to the urge within you,” Adams said. “Everyone’s journey is their own. Nobody can write your story for you. Find out who you want to be and follow that. This is just training ground.”
