Pomp and Circumstances

Lots of high schools offer college-level classes for their students. They're designed to challenge top students and prepare them for the rigors of college life. But Chase Abrams may have taken things a bit too far. Because of his advanced courses, he graduated from high school and college at the same time. On May 29 he graduated from Sierra Canyon High School, and then graduated June 20 Cal State LA with a bachelors degree.

The article is mostly about a kid who is great at time management and is very hardworking. No arguments there. But I think he's made a big mistake by missing out on a typical college experience. Abrams says he " had the full high school experience all around. I went to prom, had a girlfriend for 2 1/2 years." That's great and all, but what about the full college experience? I didn't despise high school or anything, but college was about a million times better. I'm so glad I had the opportunity to make the friends I did and take the classes I did at a college level. Most of the time, college is more than just getting a degree. It's learning about yourself and the world around you and taking part in activities you might not have gotten the opportunity to otherwise.

Of course, everyone's learning experience is different, so maybe this was the right choice for him. I just hope that forty years down the road he doesn't feel like he missed something.