My Experience at Summer Advantage
From High School Struggles to College Confidence-Blog Posts
Looking back at my senior year of high school, I remember feeling completely overwhelmed by my English class. My teacher would assign 5-6 page papers with impossibly short deadlines, and each time I sat down to write, I had absolutely no idea where to begin. With older brothers who had already graduated from college, I knew this struggle would only intensify in higher education.
Blog post
That's why taking this class and writing weekly blog posts has been such a game-changer. Professor Smith's writing recommendations for each assignment have helped me tremendously, giving me the tools and confidence I never had in high school. I finally feel prepared for the writing challenges that college will bring.
Summer Advantage and DIS1000
Participating in the Summer Advantage program has been transformative in ways I didn't expect. Over these four weeks, I've gained three crucial things: confidence, work ethic, and early credits that will give me a head start in my fall semester.
The transition from high school to college was definitely a jump. The workload felt intense at first, and being away from home for an extended period took some adjustment. But after four weeks, I'm finally getting used to both the academic demands and the independence that college requires.
Dorm Life: The Real College Experience
The social aspect of Summer Advantage wasn't too challenging initially. Being with the same students five days a week (sometimes seven) reminded me of high school, where I'd see the same faces in classes and hallways, often hanging out with classmates on weekends too.
The real difference has been dorm life. Sleeping in a room with multiple strangers has been an experience in itself. From navigating interpersonal drama to being jolted awake at 2 AM by someone running through the hallways above me – it's truly been a learning curve. Despite the challenges, I've built genuine friendships over these four weeks, and yes, maybe made a few enemies too. But I absolutely believe I made the right decision in coming to Summer Advantage.
Mock Trials
As someone who originally wanted to major in law and business, participating in mock trials was incredibly engaging. I found myself genuinely enjoying the research and information compilation process. This experience taught me to distinguish between crucial evidence and irrelevant details when building a case – skills that proved invaluable for legal argumentation.
Even though I've since switched to an Entrepreneurship major, mock trials gave me a taste of legal studies that I probably won't encounter again in my academic journey. Working closely with classmates on these cases significantly enhanced my teamwork abilities and collaborative skills.
EOTO: Teaching and Learning
The EOTO (Each One Teach One) presentations were another highlight of the program. Taking charge of the classroom for 15-20 minutes and stepping into a professor's shoes was both exciting and educational. There's something uniquely valuable about learning from fellow students rather than just the instructor – it creates a different dynamic and perspective.
Picture taken during EOTO
The research required for our assigned topics taught me so much about effective presentation techniques and information synthesis. This experience has undoubtedly improved my public speaking abilities and given me confidence in leading discussions.
Looking Forward
As I prepare to start my fall semester, I feel genuinely ready for the challenges ahead. Summer Advantage has equipped me with practical skills, academic confidence, and real college experience that I know will serve me well. The combination of improved writing abilities, enhanced teamwork skills, and presentation experience has created a strong foundation for my entrepreneurship studies.
Most importantly, I've learned that college success isn't just about academics – it's about adapting to new environments, building relationships, and developing the independence needed to thrive in higher education.
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