The future is what one makes of it; everyone has a life beyond high school, so whatever calling that may be, make it something that brings joy and excitement to be in the present. 

     Kirkwood classes are something that all grades at the high school can take. They help prepare for the future and explore what may interest one. Tom Kettman is the counselor at the high school, and he believes Kirkwood should be utilized because the classes are not only free college courses, but can also qualify for graduation credits and college credits. This year, there has been an increase in the juniors taking more Kirkwood courses. “Around 76 juniors are taking Kirkwood classes currently because there is that desire to get as many classes as you can before college, and the flexibility of many different courses, online, on campus, or at Marion,” he said. That is over 43 percent of the junior class.  Although everyone can take classes, it is not normally recommended for freshmen, and there may be requirements. “You have to have a certain GPA for certain courses, or be proficient on ISASPs; there are some prerequisites required before taking certain classes. We advise making sure people are going to succeed in certain classes as well,” he said. Taking courses leads to a jump start in the future. It can also provide insight and knowledge on what one may want to do outside of high school, and provides the ability to double major or minor early. “College classes may not be for everyone. Don’t feel pressured; however, there is such a variety that can fulfill all interests and help you get career credentials right away,” he said. No matter what the future brings, Kirkwood is here to help make that decision easier with many options one may want to explore. 

     Josie Logan, junior, has firsthand experience with Kirkwood, as she has been taking classes since her first year of high school. She has a pretty heavy workload, taking four Kirkwood courses this year. She thinks it’s important to get a head start, “You can get a head start on stuff, because these skills and information are important, and it’s free and beneficial for people who know what they want to do in the future,” she said. Even if one doesn’t have everything perfectly planned out, these are still beneficial whether college is part of the plan or not. Kirkwood allows a student to not be set on one path, and allows one to explore everything, while helping to decide what one may want to be when they “grow up.” Trying new classes, especially at the college level, can be scary; however, it’s worth it in the long run to go out of one’s comfort zone and figure out early what future profession one may go into. 

     Find something enjoyable. Don’t go into a job that doesn’t make it easy to get up in the morning. Life can get hard, with constant ups and downs, and one needs support around them doing something they love, so they find it easy to excel. Kirkwood is the perfect resource to vitalize when it comes to that. Be prepared to step outside of that comfort zone and explore the possibilities. They truly are endless, and being prepared is always the best choice one can make for themselves. Don’t wait, find what awaits, and get two steps ahead.