The first time I had heard of The Lenoir Early College was in 8th grade, and, quite frankly, I wasn't sure what it was initially. My friend explained that her brother had gone to that school, and, basically, one would be able to graduate with both your high school diploma and your associate's degree. I was really shocked because I'd never heard about early colleges before. Shortly afterward, the principal would come to my middle school to present the school and what they were looking for. Immediately, I had set my mind on getting into the Early College.

Excited and nervous, I was now accepted into Early College. For the first couple of weeks, it felt new; everybody got along, and in no time, we were all close. It was different from what I had become accustomed to at a bigger school. Here, it seemed like everyone really did care about one another and like we were part of a big, supportive family.

 With time, I also became very close to the teachers. Because of the small class sizes, they had the time to work with each student individually. If I ever struggled with a concept or needed extra help, the teachers were always there to guide me. It wasn't all about academics; they actually took the time to know us as people, and that made learning more pleasurable and meaningful. It was still hard being an Early College student, though.

 Now, I am a sophomore, so I have more college classes, meaning balancing a heavier workload. The expectations are higher, and things move faster, but I've learned a lot about managing my time and staying organized. It took some getting used to, but that's what made it so exciting. I feel like I'm picking up skills and knowledge that will really help me down the road. The teachers and staff continue to be incredibly supportive, always encouraging us to do our best and reminding us that it's okay to ask for help when needed.

 Despite the challenges, being here has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. It is a fact that daily reminds me of how far I have grown since day one, and I feel proud of how far I have come. The Early College experience shaped me to be more confident and capable, so I am looking forward with great anticipation to what it has in store for me.

Ranea Mohammed