EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the second in a series of articles profiling distinguished recent graduates of local high schools who chose to pursue technical majors at in-state universities. Students were asked how their schools helped prepare them for higher education on campuses in the state of Arkansas.
Jessieville graduate Faith Garrett continues to adjust to the differences in and out of the classroom from her home community during her first semester at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.
Garrett ranked fourth in the 2015 graduating class at Jessieville High School. She is the daughter of Steve and Nancie Garrett.
The university's nursing program drew her to Fayetteville. She began as a Nursing major this semester with 32 transfer credits.
"I first considered Fayetteville because of the nursing program," Garrett said. "Their new health science facility with assimilation labs is amazing. But when I came for a tour, I knew this is where I should be. It just felt like home."
The campus of the University of Central Arkansas in Conway also impressed Garrett, but she did not feel as at home there as she does in Fayetteville. She received an Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship, an Honors College Academy Scholarship and a Garland County Alumni Scholarship through the university.
Garrett said she was never interested in going to college outside of Arkansas, but going from Jessieville and Hot Springs to Fayetteville has still been a major change.
"I am so used to knowing where everything is and where I am going, but here in Fayetteville everything is so new," Garrett said. "The only places I really know and have an idea of where they are, are the places near campus. The atmosphere is just much different. I go to the store or out to eat and I don't see familiar faces like I do back home."
Jessieville's graduating class included more than 60 students. Total enrollment in the school district is about 900.
The freshman class of 4,916 is among the University of Arkansas' largest ever. The university's total enrollment increased by about 2 percent to 26,574 students for the fall semester.
"I see familiar faces every day, but I also meet new people," Garrett said. "Classes don't just consist of 20 students at max. They can reach over 400 students. Not personally knowing your teachers is definitely a big difference."
Garrett believes college preparation is predicated on the personal mindset of each individual student.
"Yes, the type of classes you take and the way your teachers present the material can prepare you in different ways, but if you aren't determined to do your own work to the best of your ability with your own motivation, then you won't be prepared for college," Garrett said.
"I got very lucky with the college classes I took in high school, because the teachers I had challenged me and made me arrive to my own conclusions and didn't spoon feed me. So yes, to an extent, I believe I was as prepared for U of A as other students just because I had an idea of the kind of university I was entering and the standard to which I was going to be held."
Garrett knew the university's nursing school was competitive. She said she also knew before she began college she would have to work hard and put school before anything else.
"Your success in college depends on how much effort you put in and how much you are wanting to achieve," Garrett said. "And you have to prepare yourself for that and realize what you are getting yourself into."
Arkansas schools may be able to better prepare students for college by modifying the ways they present material, Garrett thinks. She believes high schools should hold college-level or Advanced Placement courses to a higher standard.
"Students should be taught the lesson in class, but then have to go out and learn some more on their own," Garrett said. "I think this will help in students' motivation. Also, students in college courses and even seniors in general should be treated more like adults than teenagers. After graduation, you only have a few short months before college, and once you're in college you are immediately expected to act like adults.
"Personally, I think this is what hurts students the most, because we aren't used to that. We are used to getting spoon fed and not having to do things for ourselves. Class wise, high schools should have a college readiness class. This class could be used to teach finances, how to study, how to write a research paper and even time management."
Garrett is not currently involved in any organizations on campus, but she plans to become more involved. She is looking forward to taking classes more specific for her major.
"I am also excited to see what opportunities start to open up to get more involved and what people I am going to get connected with," Garrett said.
"My plan for after college isn't set in stone, because nothing is for certain, but my overall goal is to end up working in the Neonatal Intensive Care unit," Garrett added. "I'm not for sure where specifically I would like to work, but I believe that door will open up when the time is right."
She encourages students to retain the information they learn in high school.
"Tip-wise, I would tell students to listen to their teacher when they tell them to remember something because they will have to know it in college," Garrett said.
Garrett learned acronyms and memorized certain material for chemistry in high school. She said she is being taught the same information in college.
"If I would have taken it seriously and actually memorized and learned things, I wouldn't have to be learning it all over again," Garrett said.
She also encouraged students to enjoy high school while it lasts.
"The friendships, free-time that you think you don't have and especially the sports," Garrett said. "Yes, college sports and activities are fun, but they will never compare to Friday night lights."
Local on 11/29/2015