From home-school to Harding

Adjusting to college is often a complex process. Most students are used to living at home and leaving that home every day to go to school. However, for students who were home-schooled prior to arriving at college, their change can be even more drastic.
Sophomore Sarah Johnson was primarily homeschooled during her pre-college education. She said that being constantly surrounded by people at college was a challenging adjustment during her freshman year.
“I was never alone [during freshman year],” Johnson said. “I’m a very introverted person, so I need time when life is just quiet, and I never got it. I was blessed with wonderful roommates who I loved dearly; however, some days it was just too much.”
One stereotype homeschoolers sometimes face is that they do not do a lot of work. Junior Olivia Nutt was home-schooled throughout high school, and while she did not spend eight hours a day at work, she was busy with other activities and homework.
“I usually would either be working on assignments or headed to class,” Nutt said. “It usually took me about five hours a day to complete my school work. There was never any ‘busy work,’ which I appreciated a ton. When I had free time, I would either be completing a hobby, meeting for coffee with friends, or helping out with a nonprofit organization I loved dearly.”
For any freshman or transfer student, whether homeschooled or not, the change that comes with beginning this new chapter in life may seem scary because they are entering a situation that is unfamiliar to them. Freshman Lily Stebbins who was home-schooled from 8th grade until 12th grade graduation said home-schooled students are not that different from other students, and they are adjusting to the change as well.
“I think I’m still adjusting, but it’s actually been going so well, so I don’t have any complaints about it,” Stebbins said. “I don’t think my situation is that different from people coming from [public or private] high school, since everybody is shocked when they come to college and realize they’re surrounded by people all of the time, and they can’t go home, and everybody and everything is so new. It’s a huge adjustment, but I feel like it’s been going well because I love Harding so much, and the teachers are so kind, and my friends are so kind, so that’s made it easier.’