Coming into this program, I was so nervous of what it would entail. After being a week into this program, the only thing I feel is immense joy that I am a part of this program. In one week, I have learned and done so much.
College Lectures:
I got to experience my first ever college lecture in the Denny Building at Dickinson College! Denny 317 is such a beautiful classroom with stained glass windows. Within that room, I have learned so much from our professors, Professor Pinsker and Professor Mealy. They have helped me learn so much about the civil war and
Picture of Denny Lecture Hall.
college in general in a total of five classes so far. The biggest takeaway I have from lectures is on the idea of asking questions. Throughout this seminar, we have been taught the importance of asking questions to help take handle of our individual education. It has been a new experience for me to ask in depth questions, but it has really helped me understand the material better. Outside of the Lectures, we have so many supporters such as Cooper Wingert, Jordyn Ney, Henry Booth, Sarah Mash, Estube Taye, and Jordan Schucker to help us succeed in our readings, close reading paper, debate prep and more. You have so many people here at KFF to make sure you succeed both in and out of the classroom!
College Readiness:
While we complete lectures during this program, we also learn a lot about the college admissions process to be a college student. The individuals at Dickinson Admissions have done workshops with us to help us feel more prepared about the college application process and what to consider when looking at a school. This was extremely helpful for me, as I am a first generation college student who felt overwhelmed by the process at first, but not as much now thanks to Dickinson Admissions. Another big thing I learned about college was time management. As people who have known me for a while would say, I sometimes put the pro in procrastination. That leads to a very unsuccessful college experience. I have learned to be on top of my work and to dedicate time to studying and reading everyday. I found my study place on the 2nd floor of the Rector Building!
Field Trips and Fun!
Kylie and Cailin at Gettysburg.
Kylie at the Old Courthouse.
Group at Little Round Top in Gettysburg.
While we do a variety of lectures and workshops, we also have done a variety of field trips in KFF. We have gone to the CCHS, the Capital of Pennsylvania, the Old Courthouse in Carlisle, and a trip to the Gettysburg Battlefield. It has been such a wonderful experience to take some of the things we have actively learned in class and apply that history to true locations of where it happened.
Biggest thing is we also HAVE FUN! We have made trips to Massey’s Ice Cream, Denim Coffee, went on walks around campus, participated in a scavenger hunt, watched movies in the Common Room, had a talent show, and more. On Sunday, Cailin, Maddie, and myself left campus for a little bit to explore the town of Carlisle by doing some antiquing! These activities helps add some more fun to this experience
Overall, I would recommend this program to any rising high school Senior. It has really helped teach me a lot and I still have a week left!