If you're anything like me getting a head start on you're future was always an important concept to you. Maybe you have multiple different career ideas floating in your head and trying to settle in the right direction and finally make the decision before graduation or college application deadline. I get it, I was there once, I know what its like to feel like you need all the answers right now.

Here's the truth, and I'm going to hold your hand when I say this, there is really no correct way to go through any college process and no easy way. I wish there was a step-by-step guide cause believe me, I would be the one to use it. Unfortunately, its a different process for everyone however sometimes experience is key. So today, I want to talk about the real things that matter to get you where you want to be that helped me through my application process. 

Getting a head start in high school 

When trying to get a head start on college it's important to start looking into career options and different colleges/ college programs while you still have time left in high school. I'm not saying a month or two, I'm saying its okay to start looking while you're a freshman or sophomore. I know that might sound a little too soon but the reason I say that is because many High Schools are starting to offer Advanced placement classes (AP) and Dual credit that can be used as college credits if qualified. AP classes can also help you in early graduation as well if you play your cards right.

Choosing a career field and looking into different college programs can also provide you with course lists and prerequisites that need to be completed. I think you know where I'm going with this. Yes, I'm insinuating that you can graduate High School with some of your prerequisites for college already completed. Reaching out to college programs you are interested in and getting in contact with an academic advisor at that college can help guide you through the AP classes at your High School that might be accepted as a college credit. Kill two birds with one stone and you might also get out of High School a little early. 

Application to college 

Remembering that universities are a great option but they are not your ONLY option. I know when I was in High School my consoler made it seem like a 4 year degree at a university was the only option to get the degree I wanted, However, that is just so not true. We have accelerated programs, private colleges, universities, trade schools etc. that all can have the same end result. I knew I wanted to be a Dental Hygienist and when I started looking into schooling options, I looked at community college, university, and accelerated programs. Now this is where it comes to preference and research. With any program accreditation and reliability of a college is extremely important. How many people from that college leave with a degree and actually use the degree they leave with? 

Getting Accepted

For me, I was 17 and applying in fall to start in winter (when I was due for early graduation in January) I wanted to stay close to home and only looked at local colleges, I ended up landing in an accelerated program, Why? Well, to be a clinical Dental Hygienist I only needed an associate's degree, and I was okay with no summer/ winter/spring breaks. I'm more of a "Let's get it done" kind of girl. I was also in contact with the advisor of the program and knew most of the Dual Credit courses I took in High School counted towards the program as prerequisites. so, check and check. The Advisor I was working with also shared with me that the more perquisites I had taken before application to the program got me points towards being accepted. which (hint hint) that's how it is for a lot of other colleges as well so take those AP and Dual Credit classes if they are offered! 

When I got accepted, I was the youngest that had ever been through the program, and I was the youngest in my class. Now some people may think that it's amazing that I got to go through the program that young, but I also had to grow up fast. I had to fight for my place just like all my other classmates did as well. It takes a wonderful support system because it is not easy at all but it was worth every second of it to get my dream job and I love that I get to practice Dental Hygiene every day.