Students Earn College Credit Through Blue Water Middle College

Opinion
By Sophie Reinhard
Husky Herald Reporter

  Free college. Who would turn that down? When I first learned about the Blue Water Middle College program (BWMC) I was timid to commit to it. I needed all the facts first.

  Free class, free books, and a free ipad. That's what that the BWMC was offering me. So, of course, I accepted the invitation and started my first college semester in the fall of 2014.

  I started off with a history class and a required college success course. I wasn't prepared for it at all.

  I walked in on the first day of class thinking it would be like any other high school class that I cruised through with no problem. This was not the case.

  Since I only had my classes two days a week (Monday and Wednesday) we did not focus on homework and easy papers like I was used to in high school classes. We did quizzes and tests.

  I was not equipped to handle the workload at first, I'll admit. I had to adjust. I learned to balance my time between college, high school, work, friends, family, and still have some time for myself.

  The best thing that I learned to do for myself was get my homework or studying done the night it was assigned so I didn't forget about it.I also started to keep a planner so I am not surprised when an event or paper comes up.

  I got into a rhythm. Every night I would leave a certain amount of time for my homework and a certain amount of time to relax with my family, so I wasn't so stressed out.

  The only catch to BWMC was that once you graduated high school, you were to stay a year later and finish out classes for your associate's degree.  

  Personally I am choosing to take all the credits I have earned so far (26) and transfer to a university.

  The only thing that I regret about choosing to go down the path of BWMC is that I am already taking  all of my easiest classes right now at the junior college. Then when I go to a larger university where the classes and courses are more intense I feel that I might not be prepared because I will be forced to begin with harder classes.

  All-in-all I have really enjoyed my BWMC experience and would highly recommend it to anyone wanting to advance their education beyond its limits.