Since I was a little girl, I've always loved animals and wanted to channel that passion into a career. But becoming a veterinarian is not an easy process—it requires years of school, challenging classes, and can be extremely costly. I knew that to be successful and do the thing I loved—helping animals—I would have to pursue my education in the most efficient and cost-effective way possible.
After doing a lot of research and attending numerous enrollment events, my family and I decided that Ohio Virtual Academy offered the flexibility, control, and growth opportunities I needed in order to make the most of my education. I knew what I wanted to do, and hoped the support from my teachers, administrators, and counselors at OHVA would position me for success.
Making My Dream a Reality
OHVA participates in a statewide dual-enrollment program called College Credit Plus. This program enables students to enroll in select courses at the University of Cincinnati Clermont to acquire college credits while completing their high school degree. For me, there was no better option.
Through the incredible support of my family, friends, and teachers, I'm proud to say I've been able to take control of my own education and put myself on a path to becoming a certified veterinary technician.
Having flexibility in my high school schedule helped ensure I was able to take the correct classes and fulfill the necessary credits I needed to get my undergraduate career off the ground. My teachers were very understanding about dual-credit classes—they were always accommodating and willing to work with my schedule and class load. Emails and one-to-one communication between my teachers and me helped ensure I was always on top of my classes. In a brick-and-mortar setting, I believe I wouldn't have had the constant communication that I needed to advance my education, and I think it would have been hard to balance everything I had going on. OHVA helped me to pursue my passions while keeping education as my top priority.
Prepared for College
Dual-credit enrollment has also prepared me for the transition to a college environment, which I entered this fall. I already feel ahead of my peers in ways I could only have imagined. I've been taking college classes for almost two years now—it doesn't seem "new" or "scary" anymore. A lot of my friends are really concerned about transitioning into college, but because of the credits I earned in high school, I'm already a sophomore. I've met a lot of the basic requirements for prerequisite classes, which will enable me to take the classes I want to take and am passionate about. I don't have to worry about structuring my entire schedule around just getting the "right" credits or getting into intro-level courses.
OHVA's dual-enrollment program has taught me more than just the sum of my classes—it has also allowed me to be much more independent. I don't have any concerns or fears about transitioning to college. I don't have to worry about being prepared. I've been taking ownership of my own education for the past four years. For me, college is just the next step in that process.