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A Letter to My Past Self

Kelsey Hearing

Future Alumni Essay Contest

2017 Runner-Up


Dear Past Me,

It might be crazy to think that you'll be graduating with an associate's degree this upcoming May. Even more crazy considering, you're only 17, still don't have a high school diploma, oh and you're graduating with your hardworking mom. Just 4 years ago you were sitting down with your guidance counselor and parents trying to decide if the early college program was right for you. “Am I ready to take college classes in high school?” “Do I really want to give up my summers to take courses?” “Will the classes even matter when I go to a four year school?” “Will colleges not want to accept me since most of my high school career is spent with a technical school?” You’re going to spend a lot of time wondering if you shouldn’t have done the program, if you should have just taken endless AP courses like everyone else. Stop stressing over it, okay? Taking dual credit classes from Trident Technical College was one of the smartest decisions you made in high school. Little did you know, the early college program with Trident Technical College has helped jump start your path towards our ultimate goal- saving lives and changing the world.

Don't worry- you still want to go to medical school and become a surgeon- all those years of shadowing and health sciences classes will not go to waste. Trident Technical College has helped build the foundation of your college education. You're going to start at a four year school, wherever it may be, as an academic junior. You'll have your Bachelor's degree at 20. You'll be an M.D. at 24. You're going to jump into the career you’ve have been dreaming of for oh-so-long much earlier than your peers. The tens of thousands of dollars that you've saved by attending TTC will go to bigger and better things (like the financial burden that is medical school). Not only that, but TTC gave you professors that cared and treated us like the diligent student we are and an inviting campus with so many opportunities for involvement.

Not only did you get to jump start college, but by choosing to do this program, you're more likely to get a decent job when you graduate. Sure it's just an Associate’s of Science- but when all the other 18 year olds just have a high school diploma- you’re going to shine.

You didn't exactly have the typical TTC experience. In fact, it wasn't until fall 2017 that you even attended classes on campus. Until then you took online courses or had a professor come to the high school. And let me warn you- main campus is a lot different than high school- but in the best ways possible. Aside from getting to sleep in while the rest of your peers are driving to school, the professors and resources, such as the math lab, are more accessible. You'll be the youngest student in class- which may seem weird- but you don't receive any less respect than the rest of the class. Oh and how could I forget the students. Your classmates are encouraging and helpful. Study groups and collaboration really show that teamwork makes the dream work. From faculty to fellow students, everyone on campus wants each other to succeed.

You're going to use that encouraging environment as fuel to drive you through graduation. And then when we we're out in the real world, I'm going to make sure that we spread encouragement and hope like a wildfire to everyone who will accept it.

So past self who is considering applying for the early college program- you made no mistake at all. TTC has given you so many opportunities and advantages that you are going to thrive.

Sincerely,
Present Day and Future Kelsey
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