10 Things No One Told You About Running Start
Start writing a post
Student Life

10 Things No One Told You About Running Start

At least things they didn't tell me

5817
10 Things No One Told You About Running Start
Grays Harbor Talk

Not everyone was told these things when they did Running Start, but you may relate to a few. Also, maybe having an adviser would have helped answer some of these questions but they didn't give me one, so there's that.

1. No stable adviser

Maybe you did, maybe you didn't, but I wasn't given a named adviser while I was in Running Start. I had a counselor for my last name group while in high school and heard how everyone was given an adviser at college, there were even days off called "advising days" to meet these advisers but Running Start kids didn't get one where I went.

2. How Financial Aid works

Although financial aid usually isn't something you need to figure out while you're in Running Start, it's important for any college student to know. If you want to take more credits than the ones they allot you, you will want to figure out the financial aid at the college you're attending. Equally, if you continue going to this college past your Running Start time or transfer to a 4-year college you will want to know as well.

3. Community college does not equal university

This by no means is always true for every community college and every university but it is very true for mine. Attending community college for me was easier than high school but the jump to a 4-year university was a big one. As a senior, I do not feel like a University of Washington senior, by no means do I feel on par with the actual seniors in my major because two of my years in college were spent at community college.

4. Applying to a university may be tricky


Do I apply as a freshman because I'm graduating high school, or a junior because of my credits from Running Start? I was transferring credits, my two years at community college, and my associate degree, but do I apply as a transfer? For the most part, this answer was no. I had to just apply as a freshman, go to orientation as a freshman, be treated like a freshman, and then start right away as a junior by credits.

5. You have to figure out your major


If you are planning to go for your bachelor's degree after Running Start and you completed an entire two years in Running Start, you'll be starting as a junior which is generally when you already need to have your major decided. Figuring out classes as a teenager can be intimidating especially when you're trying to finish high school.

6. You better get your pre-requisites

This includes pre-requisites for your major as well as pre-requisites for classes you are interested in taking. This goes along with picking your major because if you transfer to a university and suddenly have you pick your major, you better have the pre-requisites accounted for.

7. Time in college will fly by

Those two years of Running Start while you were in high school really just felt like high school. Now, going to a university and finishing a bachelor's degree (if your credits all transferred) in two years will be a breeze. Time will fly by and if you want to finish your degree as fast as possible, it's a plus, but if you want to savor and enjoy your time at school, not so much.

8. Your professors may hate you

No joke, I had professors at community college that hated Running Start students. And if they didn't hate you, they generally did not care in the slightest that you were a Running Start student or about your high school schedule. I mean I guess they don't really have a reason to but it came to a surprise to me.

9. There will be a serious lack of communication between you and your high school

This is especially true if you aren't taking any classes at your high school in addition to your community college courses. The school (or maybe just my school) will change the schedule quite frequently and schedule mandatory standardized tests without a lot of communication to Running Start students. And having teachers that don't care that you're in Running Start? Yeah, that becomes a problem when your high school schedules your SAT during your chem lab.

10. You may be treated like some sort of genius or just a baby, usually a baby

As a 19-year old college senior, I can attest to this. No, I didn't skip any grades. No. I didn't take 25 credits a quarter. No, I'm not a genius. And yes, I am 19 years old. People will think you are really smart and ahead of the game or possibly just treat you like a baby because you're the youngest one in your class, but the reason for me graduating college just two weeks after my 20th birthday will be completely due to Running Start.


But in the end it was so worth it to hit the ground running with Running Start. I just wish I had known a few more things.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

55039
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

35450
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

957567
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

184693
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments