We’ve homeschooled since the beginning - eclectic, relaxed, no tests. My son is about to turn 16 and scored high enough on the ACT to go ahead and begin college with a state scholarship. He’d like to get his Associates in IT at 18 and try to get a job. He has no interest in a 4 year degree.
I thought this sounded GREAT - until I began doing all the paperwork. Now I’m freaking out- worrying it will be too much for him. Part of me thinks 12 hours of community college should be a breeze for a bright kid - especially the first two semesters which will be mostly online courses. But the IT program is pretty rigorous with lots of programming courses, and he doesn’t have a whole lot of experience with the languages he’ll be learning in these courses. So now my mind is racing - what if it’s too much? What if by not encouraging him to wait a year or so, I’m dooming him to failure? I’m a chronic over-thinker. Of course I’m willing to help him every step of the way, but as far as the computer classes go, I won’t be much help with that.
Thoughts? Advice?
We homeschool until 9th grade and then my kids start public school. I had the same concerns when each of them started public school. The hardest thing for them was adjusting to the schedule. They were used to working at their own pace but they adjusted and I’m sure your son will too.
Can he start self studying some of the computer languages over the summer? My youngest (still homeschooled) is using Kid Coder/Teen Coder
http://www.homeschoolprogramming.com/
Why are you doing the paperwork? If he’s ready for CC he really should be the one doing the paperwork.
OP, my son jumped into community college at 16 for his last two years of high school. He was part time last year, taking 3 classes fall semester and 2 classes spring semester. This year, his senior year, he was full time, taking 3 hard classes each semester.
He also has disabilities, but he did great! He took Java this spring with no real programming experience other than dabbling in various easier game design-y programs such as Scratch, Alice, RPG Maker and 3DsMax. I don’t think programming will be too hard for your son. I agree with 3scoutsmom. Maybe have him do some programming on his own in the summer to get prepared. Ed2go has some online classes that are good, too.
Trust your son. Help him pick a schedule the first semester that will insure success. Don’t load up too much and pick times that work with his natural rhythm. My son is a night owl, so we scheduled his classes in the evening.
My son opted to stay in high school rather than do the community college to a four year. My oldest had 55 college units and this son has 39.5 units. Both started/will start at a four year university as freshmen.
I’m doing the paperwork for the scholarships, which parents are required to complete - it entails our tax information, etc.
If it is community college, you can simply drop the courses that doesn’t work out for no record (early) or a W (mid-semester).