Finding the Perfect Path for Pam’s Daughter

It’s rare that I get to hear about ongoing success after a teen graduates high school! I love that HS4CC parent Pam took the time to share her daughter’s update and allow me to share it with you. Her story is a perfect example of how to disregard what “everyone else” is doing and find a path -make a path- for your teen that gets them over the goalpost!

Pam, HS4CC Parent in Alabama

May 2017 

“It’s so important for kids with learning disorders to try different paths to success.”

Pam shared that her daughter, 16 at the time, had “a history of Dyslexia, Dysgraphia and a touch of Dyscalculia and severe test-taking anxiety.” It was unclear if she’d be able to earn college credit or a degree. Pam writes:

“First, we signed her up for a CLEP test, with accommodations, but she became too stressed out about it. We canceled that.

Then, we got her signed up for the ACT with accommodations, but then she also became way too stressed out for that. I’ve postponed that, indefinitely.

But, accomplishing the Sophia 1 credit business course gave her the courage and self-esteem to begin and finish the two ALEKS Algebra courses!  It took her a few weeks to do the College Algebra course, but once she got the rhythm going, she started flying through it.   Also, a new, uncomplicated calculator from the Rainbow Sciences website and graphing paper helped tremendously.

Now that she realizes college work is doable….she plans to register for Straighterline courses and work on college credit during her Junior and Senior years of high school! I’ve already discussed accommodations with them for extra time for her testing. I’m beginning the process of getting documentation to them to support her Learning disorders and health issues, now. 7 college credits for $40!!!!! She has begun her journey! I’m so proud of her.”

Jennifer’s comment: So often we assume that there is only one path to college. One that is filled with honors courses, high SAT scores, extreme preparation, and stressful applications. None of that has to be part of your journey! I invite you to say “no” to all of that if it’s stressing you out. There are (many) other options for your teen’s degree.

“We weren’t shooting for high ACT scores for full-ride scholarships. I felt that would put too much pressure on her, due to her poor health and anxiety.  Right now, one class for credit at a time, as she feels like it, is going to be perfect for her and affordable for us. Again, I’m so thankful for your books and direction. With her many learning challenges and health issues, this is the perfect path for her future. I’m so glad I found your books, website and FB page!”

June 2019

My daughter graduated high school with 70+ ACE credits!

February 2022: Double Celebration

I just got my Associates in Applied Science from Pierpont in December of 2020! I’m 58yo and have had over 120 college credits for years and years, but they were through 7 colleges and multiple changes of degree programs. It’s always bothered me that after all of that hard work and money…..I had never gotten a degree. The sweet women in the Pierpont Governor’s degree office were so helpful!! They are truly on your side and pulling for you to obtain your degree. I did have to do an Information Literacy credit, before having everything I needed for my degree, because those weren’t around “Back in the day” ! That was easy and cheap to do with Sophia.

I finished my degree at the same time that my daughter finished up her Bachelor of Science at Charter Oak State College!

I’m so happy that I found Jennifer’s book and encouraged my daughter to get her degree COMPLETED IN WHATEVER… JUST GET ONE FINISHED UP! I’m so glad she didn’t end up like me at 57yo with no degree, just because I was always trying to figure out the perfect degree for the perfect career for my perfect future.  It’s silly now that I look back on it. My life would have been so much easier if I had only finished ANY TYPE of degree, earlier in life.

Jennifer’s comment: Adults that would like to use their old college credits (or new college credits) towards the Associate Degree Pam earned, can join our adult cohort called “90-Day-Degree” click for registration info.

December 2022

I would like to share that my daughter, who began doing college the HS4CC way at 16 years old, just graduated with her Masters degree from Belhaven University of Jackson, MS, one week after turning 22 years old….debt free!!! She persevered through many episodes of her chronic illness and would probably not have been able to finish her degree the traditional way. I’m so proud of her!

Thank you HS4CC for teaching us about your methods!! Yours was the best book I’ve ever purchased!  A Godsent event for us! Your book was an $18.00 purchase which allowed us to save 10’s of thousands of dollars on our daughter’s degrees!