By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
A Colorado 18-year-old is poised to finish work on her bachelor's degree before she graduates with her high school diploma this spring.
Avery Bollinger of Wiley, Colo., is an online student at Fort Hays State University.
She started taking online college courses from Dodge City Community College her sophomore year in high school before beginning work toward her bachelor's degree online at FHSU her junior year in high school.
"As I began taking some of those courses, I realized that I wanted to push myself more, and I realized I was capable of accomplishing these courses," she said.
"Each semester, I wanted to push myself a little bit more. Eventually, I realized if I planned it right, I could actually gain my bachelor's in high school, which is something I never even thought of before. It was pretty neat when I realized that was something I could accomplish."
Bollinger started taking three to four courses at a time. However, last semester she took 27 hours of college credit on top of her high school work.
"I was for sure busy, but I loved it," she said.
Bollinger said her family and friends were a little bit shocked at her determination to finish both degrees at the same time.
"They definitely think that I am a little bit crazy," she said, "but they also do realize how hardworking I am and know that if I want something, I am going to work and do what I need to accomplish it.
"I think they do look up to me in some ways for that as I look to some other people in those ways, as well."
Although Bollinger spent long hours studying to earn both her degrees, she also spent time being a normal teenager. She is on her school's cheer squad and hopes to cheer in college as she pursues her master's degree.
"I found time to do the things I did enjoy," she said. "I did cheerleading throughout high school, and I made sure that I was able to handle the course load that I was taking on, as well as doing things like cheer or different activities I wanted to do throughout the day."
She credited her accomplishments to good time management and balance.
She said taking courses online had its challenges. She often had to wait for emails to come back to get questions answered about her school work instead of the instant feedback you might have during an in-person class.
"It was definitely right for me at the time," she said of her online courses, "so I could really make my own schedule and take as many [classes] as I needed to at the time."
Bollinger's degree will be in general studies with an emphasis in health promotion. Her favorite courses were her nutrition, exercise and composition courses.
She hopes to continue her studies and earn a master's degree in exercise and wellness and perhaps another master's degree in public relations.
She is considering FHSU among a few other colleges to continue her studies.
Her ultimate goal is to work in pubic relations in the health and wellness industry.
"I also want to travel a lot and meet different people, and experience new things" she said.
Wiley is a small town outside of Lamar. Bollinger hopes to have her first taste of travel and the broader world through study broad next year. She is being considered for an internship in Germany.
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March 24, 2021 at 06:32PM
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Student to earn high school diploma, FHSU bachelor's degree this spring - hays Post
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