If you live in Minnesota, you probably already know that PSEO stands for Post-Secondary Enrollment Option, where your high school junior or senior can take classes at college for FREE, completing their high school requirements while gaining college credits at the same time. Did I mention that it's FREE?
Evan did this and, when he graduated from high school, he entered the University of Minnesota as a junior. Two years later, he received his BA degree from the U of M - debt free. Not a bad deal, if I do say so myself.
I am very pro-PSEO, but I do want to bring up a few things to think about before you enroll your child in the program - things that no one mentioned to me.
- When a child does PSEO and goes immediately to college following high school, they will be entering their upper division classes at 18 years old (17 in Evan's case) and will need to know what their major is going to be. They don't get the "luxury" of "trying to figure out what they want to do with their life" while taking their generals. They actually have that luxury, it's just while they are 16 and 17 years old. My point being, they have to make greater decisions at a younger age.
- If they go right to college after high school, and assuming they complete their college in a timely manner, they will be graduating and entering "real" life at a younger age than their peers. For Evan that meant he had a college degree at 19. He then went out and found a job in his chosen field and has now entered the "real" work force. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, it's just a thing to think about.
- Because these PSEO kids have begun "real" life at a younger age than their peers, they may do things like get married at 20 years old (ahem, like my dear son is going to be doing). Here again, not a bad thing, just a thing to think about. Now, I'm not saying that Evan is marrying young because he was a PSEO student (that would be silly of me), but if he still had a year or two of school left he probably wouldn't be getting married this young. ****In NO way am I expressing ANY disappointment or dismay over Evan's impending marriage. I am THRILLED and HAPPY for both of them. I'm just pointing out that some decisions we make affect the future in ways we can't always see ahead of time.
Okay, I'm done with my thoughts on education for the night :-)
I was brought up with the mindset of wait to get married and wait to have kids, but I'm not so sure that is the best. Is it God's view or the world's? I was recently listening to Mark Gunger, a pastor in Green Bay who does the "Laugh Your Way to a Better Marriage" conferences and his take on it was very different. I think it's great that you raised a son who wants to take on commitment and be responsible in a time when most men try to avoid it until they're 30! I heard a statistic stating the adolescent age is now 25. I think it's sad that lack of responsibility and having fun seems to be the goal. What message have we really been sending our kids: it's a bummer to get married,settle down and take on the responsibility of having kids rather than an honor and blessing. Keep doing what you are doing!
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ReplyDeleteI think that it is so impressive that you were so on top of things with Evan. I still need to make Elena's highschool transcripts and now Grant's as well! haha. I will get the hang of things by the time Lily is in highschool.
I do not think that Elena would have been mature enough doing something like that which is not a cut down to her at all. I have FULLY FULLY enjoyed and count it one of my biggest privilege and blessings that Elena stuck around these past few years not going to college. She has really blossomed and she moved from being my daughter to one of my best friends. Really and truely.
Grant graduated this past spring and now is in Africa for two months teaching Bible classes to the people of Ghana, sharing about the Lord, learning the ins and outs of building stuff. He has the privilege of being shephered by some awesome Ghana men who love the Lord with every ounce of their beings. It is so cool. And having his character and faith really crazy stretched. Grant would have had a very hard time it being any other way. He might enter school next fall but is not real sure.
Now with Alan, Joyce, and Josiah being in 11th grade, I think that Alan and Josiah are great canidates for PSEO next year. We have been talking about it with them. Joyce will be in highschool a few more years, though. She still struggles with her schooling.
I think that God is so good that he really takes the time to hand pick special, unique and specific paths for our kids and uses us parents to help guide by either being organized like you were with Evan or very unorganized like I am.
You are awesome, Barb! You are going to be a mother-in-law! That is a whole new season of life!!!!
love,
you
Tina,
DeleteI love hearing how God is working in and through your family!! Thanks for updating me. Your kids are amazing and they are blessed to have you and Jeff as their parents!!
Love you!!
Barb