College Preparation
“This trip provides a great bridge to the world of college. As a senior, I was a little hesitant to come on this trip. Now, I couldn't be more glad I did. It has taught me so much academically, but perhaps the most important and relevant lessons aren't the ones learned in our makeshift classrooms.
As an only child, I experienced living with up to ten roommates. Living with only one next year will be a breeze. In addition, when you don't have class from 8:00 to 4:00 every day of the week, I found myself to be more motivated to do well. Here I actually do my homework and (gasp!) study for quizzes and tests. (If you know me, you'll know that is a feat.) The result is I am getting A's instead of B's, and I am at the top of my class.
The fine balance between academics, traveling, and all the activities we pack in parallels the balance of the social and academic aspects of college life. College is a time to grow socially and figure out how to live on your own, and what you want to do with the rest of your life. There just happen to be lectures every day and some late night cramming here and there. That is exactly how I feel about the classes here.
I am learning, but it doesn't feel like school. Of course, it's not always easy to keep the balance, getting off a 7-hour bus ride to have Study Hall, for example. Or staying up late to get homework done because your groupstay family had dinner that lasted until 11 on a school night. Yet the balance is definitely exceedingly more prevalent here in The Traveling School than in a traditional high school setting.
Overall, I feel significantly more confident and prepared to face college. The lifestyle change will not be quite as severe after this experience.”
Sarah, Montana, Senior