career Archives - Millenial Influx

College Profs: More Human Than You Might Think

On March 4, 2016March 4, 2016 By timmorgan

Ever wonder what college professors do outside the office? While in class, we college students see our professors as the […]

The Big Question: ‘ What do I do with my life now?’

On February 2, 2016February 2, 2016 By kristinaverduyn

It felt like an eternity just sitting there. The bright florescence of the dorm room felt out of the place […]

What I’ve Gone Through and How It’s Changed Me

On January 28, 2016January 28, 2016 By drakeharper

When I came to college, I was trying to find my identity. I went to the freshmen orientation called Blueprints. […]

In the Name of Love and Money: Internships

On September 22, 2015September 22, 2015 By jordantuin

I called my dad, crying on the phone, telling him I was nervous about starting my new internship. I thought […]

In the Name of Love and Money

On September 17, 2015September 17, 2015 By jordantuin

I called my dad, crying on the phone, telling him I was nervous about starting my new internship. I thought […]

Is the lure of a YouTube career worth the risk?

On February 5, 2015February 10, 2015 By kirkan

It is a popular opinion that those who spend their working hours posting videos online either have too much time […]

Confessions of a Military Brat: Shaped for the Future

On November 15, 2013June 1, 2014 By alexandriakuo

As the front door opened, 3-year-old Anna Morris flew across the room and into her dad’s arms as she clutched […]

Tripping My Way to a Beauty Pageant Crown

On October 25, 2013March 13, 2015 By millennialinflux

Double First Time: Mackenzie MacArthur (on left). by Mackenzie MacArthur, guest columnist It took many years, but my aunt finally […]

Is being a Stay-at-home mom worth the Cost?

On April 28, 2013March 13, 2015 By emmagilbertson

I was raised by an at-home mom and, looking back, it was one of the biggest blessings of my childhood. […]

What College Assets Will Get You A Career?

On April 17, 2013 By amandamorris

by Amanda Morris & Shelby Anthony What are your plans after college? This is the dreaded “what are you […]

Homeschooler in the Real World

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.