Getting Ahead

Welcome back to the 5 Days of Homeschool Encouragement Blog Hop.  Hope you are having fun, I know I am!  I love reading about fellow homeschooler's lives, call me nosy! ;)  If you missed our first two days you can find them here-

Hey First-Timers!

New Year, New Plan

Today's Blog Hop theme is Work it Wednesday and is all about options.  Trust me, there are many.  Everyone has their own way of doing things, each state has different requirements, and let's face it, homeschooling moms are the queens of change and options. (and opinions, don't forget opinions!)

Since we have people ask us often how our oldest two have graduated (or are going to, as is the case of our senior) early from college, I figure that is a good thing to quickly address today.  Keep in mind, this is what has worked for us so far.  We still have two boys to get through the process and it may look differently for them.

Begin High School Courses early-  This one is a no-brainer for us.  There are several classes that were required for our high school graduates that we felt they were ready to do in 8th grade. Think biology, American history, foreign languages, algebra, etc. As long as they are doing high school level courses, it counts as a high school credit.  This allowed our girls to have a more open schedule their junior and senior years which we then used for...

Dual Credit Classes- Beginning in their high school junior year, my daughters both began online dual credit classes from the college one daughter later attended.  Because that college worked off of 8 week classes, they were able to complete quite a large number of general college credits in their junior and senior years of high school.  In my newness to the system, I did continue to teach many of the subjects they were taking, so yes, they had pretty busy years and repeated a few things unnecessarily.  Oops!  Hindsight- I will make sure the boys only take things I have not already taught and those classes truly will count for their high school AND college credits.  

By working in this fashion both girls had most of their general college courses done by the time they went off to school, as well as a few electives taken care of.  Good thing, since both chose to attend private, Christian schools in different states.  Less time in the college equals less money paid.

I will be the first to admit this way of doing things does have a few downfalls.  When you are a freshman but not in freshmen classes it can be more difficult to make friends and for sure it will confuse you classmates.  Sometimes we pay a price for the choices we make, but these are ones we would choose again. 

There are so many other ways to get ahead, or just to "do" college.  One of our daughters actually finished her senior year online while at home developing and running her own business.  Others choose to go to trade schools or straight into the work force.  

Regardless of the choices you make, make them for YOU and YOUR family.  Stop comparing, and enjoy the freedom you have to do what you think is best for your family.

After all, isn't that one of the glories of homeschooling?

Blessings,