March 6, 2014 – Millenial Influx

News, commentary, opinion, and analysis from the Millennial generation

People join protests globally in record numbers

On March 6, 2014March 6, 2014 By nicolespewak

Ordinary people passionate for change — these are the protesters of the 21st century. They line streets around the world […]

The Shepherd Boy still Exists

On March 6, 2014March 6, 2014 By judahnewby

by Judah Newby Welcome to the African country of Lesotho. It is not well-known by any means, but in places […]

You’ve got to Fight, for your Right, to… Study?

On March 6, 2014March 6, 2014 By judahnewby

Females in Muslim countries experience mass educational discrimination. The battle for equality in education between men and women is fought […]

Myth Busters: Can Europeans hold their alcohol better than Americans?

On March 6, 2014September 28, 2015 By judahnewby

Underage drinking statistics continue to rise globally, but what does that tell us about the responsibility of these young consumers? […]

New on the Job

On March 6, 2014September 28, 2015 By judahnewby

For the first time in 13 years, the hallowed flame that graces each Olympic Games burned under a new watchful […]

Burmese Refugees: A Family Far from Home

On March 6, 2014August 19, 2014 By torigreaves

Becoming part of a Burmese family allows one journalist to understand the hardships and sacrifices that pave the road to […]

Circumcision in Germany: The battles between religious rights and children’s rights

On March 6, 2014 By samsmith

Circumcision in Europe is not as widespread as in the United States. In Germany, it is becoming even less commonly […]

Why School Lunches are Killing Students

On March 6, 2014 By sydneybrynn

“In a typical week, elementary school menus include chicken tenders, cheeseburgers, and ‘Pizza Fridays,’ with sides of cheesy rotini, mozzarella […]

Your Flu is Political and Dangerous

On March 6, 2014March 6, 2014 By kaylentanner

2012 investigation of Ebola virus in Uganda. Image from cdc.gov

“What we are talking about is making the world safer and more secure by strengthening out ability as an international […]

Emma Folts, a sophomore at Wheaton College, shares her experience about her transition into college and how homeschool has both helped and hindered her.
How has your homeschool experience benefitted you, especially in your transition into college?
I think the one thing that homeschooling did that was really helpful as I entered college was that it taught me time management. As a homeschooler I had the same freedom as a college student has to put things off during the day and go see a friend instead. Since I had that experience, I knew the cost of that.
Also, personal responsibility and accountability with assignments. I feel like a lot of the other students had more expectations for gentler grading and that the professor would give them retakes or extensions, but that wasn’t something that ever happened to me in school. That learning curve wasn’t added because I never had it the other way. I think another thing was that because I was homeschooled, I was familiar with the format of teaching and then studying on my own.
Did you see any issues with your transition socially?
I think that homeschooling had two ramifications for me socially. One was helpful, one was hurtful.
It was really helpful because as a homeschooler, I had spent a lot of time realizing and developing who I was as a person and learning to recognize people who were being themselves, and those were the people I sought out as friends. Friendship as a homeschooler takes a lot more investment. I knew I was choosier with my friends which made me a lot less anxious and a lot more content.
The only real negative impact of the social bit was that I was really used to getting to choose the time I got to spend with people. As a homeschooler I spent a lot of time with people, but that time was controlled by me. As a college student, I found that you can’t really control the time you spend with people and alone time is not really available. Learning to deal with that was a lot harder than anticipated.
Any last comments on homeschool and how it has affected your college experience?
I think homeschooling is really helpful, however it does take a slightly increased amount of advocacy with your peers when you’re entering into college. I think a lot of people come in with certain assumptions about homeschool, especially students. You’re going to get a lot of, ‘oh my gosh, you don’t seem like a homeschooled person!’ [You can’t] take that too personally and explain your experience so that friends can understand it’s an important piece of you, though it might not look like the homeschooling that they’ve seen.
My encouragement to anyone who is a homeschooler transitioning into college is to realize the benefit that you have having been homeschooled, and to realize that the bit of advocacy and explaining that you need to do with your peers is totally normal and that it’s not a big deal. Once they understand your experience, it’s not something I’ve experienced being looked down on for.