By Emma Harrison, Editor
Having spent the past year and a half dual-enrolled at Pellissippi State Community College, so many impactful things in my life have come from this opportunity the college provides. The dual enrollment system at Pellissippi State has prepared me to start my degree-seeking courses this fall, focusing on social sciences and marketing.
Being a dual-enrolled student has also taught me many things and has enabled me to get out of my comfort zone. I’ve been able to witness what it is like being a college student, giving me a whole new perspective on higher education; honestly, I wouldn’t trade the opportunity I have gotten at Pellissippi State for anything. Dual enrollment at Pellissippi State and across the nation gives high school students a beneficial head start on their college education by offering affordable courses that grow academic confidence, reduce future college costs, provide more college education opportunities in later education, and ease the transition into higher education.
The dual enrollment program at Pellissippi State is vital to the community that our college works so hard to build. In an interview with Dual Enrollment Specialist Spencer Joy, he expounded on why he feels dual enrollment is so important to Pellissippi State, stating that “From clubs to Imaginary Gardens, dual enrollment is supposed to connect our community.” Joy later went on to explain that the dual enrollment program has fewer problems than ever before, and the importance of dual enrollment to students is growing, with just over 20% of all Pellissippi State students being dual enrolled.
There are so many benefits to starting as a dual-enrolled student. One of the best things about dual enrollment is the quality education you receive for low to no cost, making it a great option for anyone who wants to get necessary college credits while saving time and money. Dual-enrolled students also continue higher education with a clear sense of what they want to do later on in life. Along with these opportunities, dual enrollment provides many scheduling options, making it easy for student athletes or students with jobs to find a class time that fits with their needs. Dual enrollment classes can also be taken online, offering even more accessibility to those with busy schedules.
Dual enrollment prepares students for higher education experiences and forces them to grow outside of their normal habitat. In a study conducted by American College Testing (ACT), it was found that dual enrollment programs help smooth the transition from high school to college, boost students’ ability to finish a four-year degree promptly, and give them a wider idea of how the world works. For me, being dual-enrolled heightened my motivation to get things done as I work towards a degree, and it has helped me learn vital skills such as time management, self-discipline, and critical thinking.
Creating relationships is something that lasts a lifetime, and these relationships are what dual enrollment education is built on. If you are struggling as a dual enrollment student or need some community at Pellissippi State, Spencer Joy has some advice for you. “The goal is for us to make [students] better when they walk out of the door than when [they] came into it, and we do that by building relationships…It all starts with getting a student ID. Beyond that, spend as much time as you can on campus working on building those relationships. Make a goal to make at least one friendship every semester.”
While there are many great aspects of being a dual enrollment student at Pellissippi State, there are some inconveniences as well. When speaking with students, I found that some struggled with a lack of consistent communication regarding school events and tasks that degree-seeking students are getting. This could be an oversight or a technical issue caused by student labels in Pellissippi’s student account system. Additionally, in my own experience, I found the transition from dual enrollment to degree-seeking to be a bigger change than expected. The dual enrollment program has phenomenal advisors, so when it came time for me to make an appointment with a new advisor, I found it difficult due to the lack of availability and apathy I received from new advisors. Regardless, I trust our enrollment committee is on top of these issues and working every day to make Pellissippi State a place for all.
Dual enrollment students enrich the campus life at Pellissippi State, making a positive learning environment for all parties involved at our beautiful college. The program is far more than a smart way to get college credits; it is an experience that builds confidence, community, and success, preparing students for higher education with bonuses of affordably, flexibility, and efficiency. Through my journey with dual enrollment, I have been able to learn to embrace the value of stepping out of my comfort zone and fearlessly taking on work that I know makes me a better person. Becoming part of the dual enrollment program at Pellissippi State is not just an educational pathway choice; it is a powerful and wise investment in the future.
