Kyora Hampton
12th grade
Upward Bound Student
My experience with Upward bound has been extremely good so far. Since I got in around October, I felt welcomed the first day because I already knew half of the students there from school. The program helped me better myself but also getting along as a group. They teach you life lessons and helping you get ready for the college and how to survive it. Upward Bound (FSU) is a great opportunity and I feel like anyone that has the chance to experience that should take it. They push you to want more for yourself and to succeed your dreams goals. We do workshops, college tours; they help you around and let you see different areas of the college campuses. It’s like you’re 2 or 3 steps ahead of other students because not everybody gets to be involved in the major opportunities the program offers. I am very happy and satisfied about the program because I know I’ll be better prepared for the real college life. Not only that, this summer camp that we have going on now is helpful as well. We get to stay in actual dorm houses and how it would feel to have roommates. We go to actual classes as real college students and we do a lot of walking around to get to places!!
For me and the others that have Work Study, we do a little bit more time management. My schedule and work hours just go by when I’m free, how long I have to be at work, and how long my classes. It’s kind of hazardous at first but once you know the ropes and the daily routine of your schedule, it won’t be as bad. I have classes in the morning and after I have to walk to get to work on certain days. The other days I don’t do much walking because my job is right by the houses which is called Southern Scholarship Foundation and I work at their office. So far being on the job for a week, I honestly like it. The women here are so generously nice and kind. I can tell they have a bond that’s really close & unbreakable. Working here was not as bad as I thought and turned out great. I get the experience of working in a real office and doing errands when the co-workers need them to be done. Working and living here has taught me a lot during the school year. I feel like an actual college student and I get to experience how they live. It showed me more opportunities and let me get to know people I never thought I would get to meet, this soon anyway. The quicker you learn the college life, the easier it will be once you get there. For me, it’s only the beginning.
