Goodbye Chicago, Hello Milwaukee!!

I can't believe I'm going home tomorrow.  This has been the best experience of my life. I've meet new friends that I'm sure I'm going to keep in touch with. I really got to see what college life was like. I can honestly say Loyola is one of the top colleges that I will look into when it's time for me to apply. I've meet so many nice people and I will really miss them and the funny moments we shared. I love you Chicago, but I think it's time to go home and brag to everybody about my experience.
- Raquel Anderson  

The end is NEAR!

I have Thursday and Friday and then home. I will miss everyone and the experience! Today was finals for me and I'm confident that I passed. My final essay is due tomorrow and I'm positive that I passed both of my classes and have six college credits. Yay! I will cry when I leave, but it is going to feel good going home! I am ready for high school because college has taught me that I have a lot of growing up to do.

-Neosha

Our Trip to Indiana Dunes

Meeting Celebrities, OMG!

Neosha and True Blood Actor, Joe Manganiello

Whew!

We are approaching the end and I'm so sad. I don't want to leave AT ALL! I love it here and this has been a really exciting week. I managed to earn a B+ on my exam and I met one of my favorite actors! I also played laser tag! Everything is falling into place here. I know college is what's best for me after high school and I definitely don't want to take a year off! I'm ready to jump into the college life! Let's do it!


Neosha Hampton

Gosh!

It's almost time to go home in ten days!  I still have three exams and one final paper to write. but I'm excited to be doing so.  I love being here.  I don't want to leave but every good thing comes to an end. It's hard to express how I feel, but I like the feeling.  I can't explain how thankful I am for this experience and it is something I will never forget!

Late Night Post!

I could go on and on about the challenging academics and how the courses are demanding me to strive and do my best but I won't. This trip is about academics but also about getting a feel of how college life is and that means connecting with new people. I have met a couple of friends here and I believe we are going to become life long friends. We have bonded and joked around but also discussed serious topics. It's epic. I don't want to leave the people and this lifestyle but I'm totally looking forward to it in the future.

It's been three weeks already?

I can't believe we've been in Chicago for three weeks now. It has been a great time despite the fact that I ended up having surgery. Other than that it's been going great. Classes are moving at a faster pace since the summer is coming to an end. It's been a challenge trying to focus on school while recovering from a minor surgery, but I can honestly say that I am doing my best. I have to go and finish a paper that is due by midnight. Wish me luck guys!! - Raquel Anderson

Three More Weeks!

These last three weeks have been awesome. I can't believe it's almost over. I'm experiencing real trials and tribulations of college life and it sucks and has been an eye opener also. I'm so grateful for this experience and I realize that college life is the life for me. I've made new friends and I even cried when one of our advisors moved away. Right now I'm preparing for an exam so I have to wrap this up. Neosha Hampton

Just checking In

So last time I checked in, I was enjoying the college life. Nothing has changed!! In my Sociology class I got back my first assignment and I received a 6.50/7.  I was so happy about that. On that note, time for me to finish my Psychology paper on how to stimulate a young child'a mind. I will be sure to blog on how that assignment went.

Hello!

It's has been three weeks of absolute fun. I've made new friends and connections. I have a newfound appreciation of high school but the shocking part is I'm not ready to go home. Despite the challenging courses and papers, I love being a college student. I wish that every high school student could get this type of experience. I've learned not to complain when my English teacher assigns a short essay because in two weeks I have to write a seven page paper. I understand the value of a excellent education. I would of never thought that I could figure out so much from a single opportunity. Thank you for allowing me the pleasure of learning and connecting. -Neosha Hampton

Yay!

I really love being here despite the challenging academics. It's such an eye opening and hands on experience. I feel like a real college student. I'm living their lifestyle and becoming acquainted to the schedule. I'm learning to make sacrifices and certain choices. I'm learning how to efficiently balance my time. It's all so rewarding. -Neosha

Enjoying life as a college student

It's so fun being here!! Getting out of my comfort zone and making friends is not that hard. Class is going well, I had my first quiz and I think I did great. On that note, I can't wait until I go to Six Flags tomorrow and be a kid!!

Just Checking In!

Enjoying this experience to the fullest. I made a new friend and I gave her Mickey Mouse bubbles. Class is also going well since I am caught up on all of my reading.

HOMEWORK!

Today it really hit me hard. This is college. I have so much reading to do it's ridiculous, but I have to do it. Besides that, today was pretty slow and I'm just trying to make new friends. I really want to make the most out of this experience.

Class!

Classes were today! My first class was Classical Mythology and it wasn't exactly what I expected. When I think of mythology, I think of stories told to explain natural events, but today in class we had to think of mythology as history. A collection of events that may have happened. We then analyzed what history means to us and what it actually is.  It's very complex and I see the class as being rewarding and challenging so that's a plus! My second class was General Psychology and I picked this class primarily because it's something I'm looking forward to studying when I become a college student.  I don't know how to explain the class besides that it was interesting. The Professor generated great discussions and overall the class went well and I look foward to it again.  In a nut shell my day was interesting and a new experience. High school and college are definitely two different feels and I'm so ready for college. My ending thought is pretty simple, I'm so grateful to be here.  It's really an experience of a lifetime for someone my age. -Neosha Hampton

My First Day of Class!!

Today marks my first day of class and the only thing I can say that it was the best day ever.   Meeting new people and getting to hear their perspective on things was really interesting.  Most people were surprised to hear that I was only 16 and taking a course with them.  People were actually nice and helped me if I got stuck on anything.  I can already tell that this is going to be a great challenge for me. Overall, today was a great day and I can't wait until tomorrow!!! - Raquel Anderson

My First Day

Living on campus is such a unreal feeling to me. I never thought that living on your own could feel so good. There's nothing better than actually calling something your own.  I haven't been here for a full day, but I can already tell this is going to be one of the best memories of my life.  I can't wait for my first day of class because I know this is going to be a challenge and I am up for a challenge.  I'm going to wake up bright eyed and bushy tailed tomorrow for the first day of class. - Raquel Anderson

First Day!

I woke up this morning excited. My stomach was doing all kinds of flips and making me feel funny. My eyes beamed with excitement even though they were weary from my lack of sleep. I tossed and turned all night begging sleep to come but with Loyola on my mind it didn't happen. Waking up was probably the easiest thing to do and I couldn't get dressed fast enough. Before time could catch up I was already ready. I scrambled around making sure I didn't forget anything because by the time I would remember it we would be in Chicago already (I did end up forgetting my washing supplies but thanks Ms.D for having that covered.) Arriving at Chicago has finally settled in and once I realized how intense this program is going to be my nerves powered into over drive. With the help of my wonderful teachers I moved in comfortably. I have everything I need and more. It's also a bonus that may dorm is beautiful and my best gal is sharing it with me. Now I am preparing for day two: The actual classes! -Wish me luck -Neosha Hampton

Introducing Raquel

I have about two days to go before I head off to Loyola. This is something that I have been looking forward to since I was accepted.  Having this opportunity is great for me because this will show me how it feels to be an adult. This program will show me what it's like to live on my own and how to take care of myself.  I will have to get myself up, ready, and make sure I'm on time everyday. I won't have anyone there to tell what to do.  This experience will help me develop many helpful skills.  I'll be sure to post frequently.

-Raquel

The Journey!

Hey!

"I'm so excited," is the statement that constantly replays in my head. I can't possibly describe how I feel without those three words. This is an amazing opportunity and I am grateful to have so many people rooting for me and I would like to say thanks. It's going to be fun because it's learning and meeting new people in a different environment. I've participated in similar programs but they have all been within the state of Wisconsin and not very far from Milwaukee. They also lasted a couple days so this is new to me. I will be sure to take a lot of pictures and blog about everything but I'm ready for the journey. Wish me luck!

-Neosha