Homeschooling Lays Groundwork For College Success

  People say that homeschooling is tiresome, too strict, and a waste of time.

  But after experimenting in public school for two years I found homeschooling to be easygoing and more beneficial.

  Now that I’m at MiamiDadeCollege studying biology, the exchange of a familiar environment for a buzzing college campus made me realize I had much more to learn than anticipated.

  I preferred homeschooling over public school, despite the disadvantages that other students had warned me about, and believe that homeschooling was the best choice I ever made.

  When I started at MDC, my first reaction was “How will I make friends?” “Will I be able to keep up with all these assignments?”

  Homeschooling gave me the benefits of time, comfort, solitude, and virtual online classes that were always at my disposal.

  Now, MiamiDadeCollege opened a new chapter that forced change.

  For example, previously I took tests and did my work at home, at my own set pace, with the option to study more in case I felt unprepared.

  Adapting to a 35-minute computerized test with 50 questions, and completing online homework with a specified deadline, really made me uncertain of my potential.

  I had to find a new way to tackle the challenges and still remain diligent and focused on my goal of successfully finishing college.

  Also, my efforts to maintain a high GPA throughout the semester were supported by professors like English professor, Jose Blanco. 

  The sensitivity and concern displayed by my professors have encouraged me all the more as I look forward to a productive career in medical research one day.

  As for meeting new people and making friends?

  Homeschooling does tend to deprive a student of the chance to build communication skills due to the lack of public exposure.

  Therefore, college became my workforce in the matter of communicating with my peers.

  This was not an easy task because I am very shy when it comes to meeting people.

  At home, my family knows me and understands my communication style; now, for the first time, I was in an environment where I was exposed to many young adults with various character traits and personalities.

  One way I overcame my shyness was by participating in campus clubs and activities, like MDC’s Day of the Young Child.

  With other Journalism Club students, I interviewed people who attended the event.

  This helped tremendously as my timid personality ebbed and created an enthusiastic college student eager for whatever this new chapter of life had to offer.

  The biggest challenge was finding the proper friends and positive influences, but thanks to the foundation and values learned at home, I was able to discern with whom I should and should not associate myself.

  My grades remained high, time was wisely spent, and I put the lessons learned in my homeschooling to practice.

  Overall, my college experience has been wonderful so far and I can easily say that my homeschooled life helped to expand my small circle, prepare me for MDC, and invite the future one step at a time.