Potential Magazine Fall 2015 - Alabama Edition | Page 32

college 101

test drive majors

Start Smart

The Start Point program lets high-school students “test drive”
college courses while still at home.

The fear of not knowing what will happen after graduation can
turn the end of high school into a stressful time for many. And
with so little background and experience, it can be a challenge
for a high school student to make the right decisions about their
future. But thanks to the Start Point program, juniors and seniors
can “test drive” college courses while still completing their high
school curriculum. Designed to make the short transition
between high school and college easier, this program helps
students make a more informed decision when choosing a major.

While attending online courses, students are able to build a
rapport with teachers and faculty through the program, find a
mentor and become prepared for campus life and the level of
academic study that awaits them at college.

And that’s important. When enrolling in college, many
students select a major that appeals to them at the time, but
end up switching majors as their interests change. This costs
them valuable time and can cost serious money if they have to
stay in school longer to complete the required classes.
Start Point lets students enroll in colle