Growing up, the only school I knew was on my computer screen. Early on, I struggled with learning online, and so when I entered seventh grade, my parents made the decision to enroll me in the Ukiah Independent Study Academy (UISA). I excitedly looked forward to learning from tangible books and working with an accomplished teacher week to week.

During my first years with UISA, I grew accustomed to the style of the program and found that it worked well with my learning process. Having the accountability of bringing my completed homework to my teacher every week, but yet still possessing the independence to accomplish subjects on my own time was beneficial to my development of strong self-discipline. This invaluable academic knowledge transferred as I graduated into high school, ready to conquer the more intense coursework.

Because my older brother’s UISA teacher previously mentioned the possibility of dual enrollment at Mendocino College, I was immersed in research concerning what it would take for me to graduate from high school and community college jointly. Before the fall semester began in 2016, I made an appointment with a guidance counselor at the college to academically and strategically plan for the upcoming four years in light of that goal.

The counselor’s first advice to me, as a fourteen-year-old, was to get acclimated to the college environment by first enrolling in a “fun” class. While we also planned out future general education classes in our meeting, my first semester as a Mendocino College student consisted of only one culinary skills class. However, as a student who had never once set foot in a classroom outside of the UISA building, I believe that this slow introduction was incredibly beneficial and gave me a firm footing for the next semester. I was able to discern what would be expected of me concerning homework, class participation, and time dedication before involving myself in more challenging subject matters. My high school teacher would check in with me during our weekly meetings, ensure that the entire course load was manageable, and lend me their guidance whenever I needed it.

The only negative side of this gradual start to my Mendocino College career was that I completed a mere total of nine units during my first two semesters—six of which would not count towards my degree or general education plan. Keeping in mind that as a high school student, one is limited to taking under twelve credits per semester, and with most classes being three credits, this translates to an average semester of nine units. A total of sixty transferable credits are necessary for one to graduate with an A.A. degree and subsequently transfer to a four-year university. In order to reach that amount before my high school graduation, I enrolled in multiple summer classes for two years.

Looking back, dual enrollment was not the impossible challenge I had initially imagined. I am grateful to have been the student of immensely encouraging teachers at UISA who supported my undertaking and adjusted courses to help me succeed. This support has enabled me to maintain a 4.0 GPA at Mendocino College and above a 4.0 at UISA.

The amount of weekly work I completed for UISA is quite comparable to the homework assigned for nine units at the college and thus requires similar time dedication. The work experience classes I took with UISA were beneficial and allowed me to find a manageable school, work, and life balance early on. As I move forward to adulthood and enrollment at a four-year university, I believe that realizing what I was capable of at a young age, purely by being a student at a school with a plethora of opportunities that matured and tested me, was the best preparation for both the academic and life challenges that lie ahead.

UISA teachers presented me with assignments that cultivated personal growth, encouraged me through stressful academic periods, recognized where I needed to be pushed out of my comfort zone, and worked hard to help me hone my skills. I am also appreciative of the independent learning UISA offers that initially taught me about time management—an important ability that overflowed into my community college career.

The reason that I am most grateful for UISA involves the opportunities I have had because I can complete assignments when it works best for me, and I am not attending school six hours a day. Obtaining a job at sixteen years old, freelance writing at seventeen years old, and graduating high school with both a diploma and an A.A. degree at eighteen years old—I owe my success to the incredible program at UISA.