Highline College opens doors to motivated high school students through its Running Start program. While this opportunity to get a start on a college degree while completing the requirements for high school graduation can set students ahead, it doesn’t come without its challenges for high schoolers turned college students.
“Running Start is a dual credit program in Washington State that allows high school juniors and seniors to take college courses,” according to the Highline running start website. “Students earn both high school and college credit for courses completed.”
The running start program offers: Free tuition for your first two years (if you start junior year), college experience, getting ahead academically (through dual credits), and career exploration (more time to explore what you wanna do & see your options).
However the changes and adjustments needed to succeed in college often differs from that of the recipe for success in a traditional high school setting, and often takes a bit of adapting, settling in, and juggling of commitments and responsibilities.
Jocelinn Gonzalez Bucio/THUNDERWORD
New Running Start student Moncerrath Moyarro Salcedo.
“I don’t actually have any classes at my high school, but managing the events and stuff surrounding high school has definitely been difficult,” said current running start student Lilah Nutting. “Picture day was the most recent thing and it took a lot of maneuvering to get my picture done, so just stuff that can really take its toll on my mental state.”
While some students find that organization and planning are the key to the transaction. When asked, “Is managing both college and high school difficult?” First-year running start student Moncerrath Moyarro Salcedo said, “Yes, but I’ve made schedules so I could manage and keep everything organized.”
Some of the common fears about entering into college classes as a high school student is that the work-load can often be more than what students are used to. “The work is a lot more and is way more strict!” said Salcedo. “You learn a lot quicker and you really have to pay attention and use your own time to take notes you may have missed.”
Although some students find that they actually thrive in an environment that pushes them and makes them responsible for their education. “The workload is a little more than highschool but I actually know what I’m doing so it works you know?” Nutting added. “I feel like I am absorbing way more information than I ever did in high school.”
Often the only exposure to what the “college experience” is through the lens of what high school teachers tell students it is going to be like. Although those expectations can often be much different than the actual experience.
When asked, “Would you describe college the same way that your high school teachers did?” Nutting said, “Absolutely not. I have enjoyed all of my lectures instead of dozing off like most of my teachers said I would.”
Jocelinn Gonzalez Bucio/THUNDERWORD
Lilah Nutting, a first-year Running Start student.
“I wouldn’t describe college the same way my teachers did in some ways, you kinda are alone and have to make new friends,” said Salcedo. “But for me personally two of my in-person classes aren’t that way. I have a friend in one and in the other one, my classmates are really talkative but it isn’t that way for everyone.”
A lot of the time students tend to think that because they are in college the teachers are going to be more strict, but in reality in college they treat you more as an adult and they assume you are able to handle the responsibility.
When asked “Are the teachers different compared to your high school teachers?” Nutting said, “Definitely!! They actually care about the students and what they are teaching us, whereas all of my highschool teachers never seemed to care if we succeeded or not. But there was one teacher that I remember distinctly caring about my success.”
But others see it differently. Salcedo replied (when asked the same question), “The teachers are different compared to my high school teachers because they don’t check up on you and ask 1-1 if you understood the lecture, they also don’t check up on you reminding you to to turn in assignments so you have to be aware of the dates.”
A day in the life of a running start student involves balancing high school and college responsibilities, trying to manage time effectively, and developing independence. Though challenging, it offers valuable experience,helping students grow academically and personally while also getting college credits!
As we are new, just treat these two years as if you were to be paying for them, don’t procrastinate, just focus and try to get everything done. Don’t be afraid to reach out to your teachers and ask for help or go to tutors and use those resources that are given to you!
Are you a running start student here at Highline College? If so, consider joining or attending Highline High School’s new running start club!
Their first meeting is on Thursday, Oct.10 from noon to 2 p.m. in Building 2. During this meeting there will be instructions, ice breakers, a regular meeting time will be selected, election of club leaders, club rules, and lastly expectations! If you are interested in joining the club, use the link or scan the QR code to join:
