story and photos by Claire Miller
College of Education & Human Development student Indya Armstrong understands how skills like time management and self-discipline can be vital in college.
Armstrong, who’s now a senior in the college’s middle level education program, learned those skills by participating in the Alonzo A. Crim Center for Urban Educational Excellence’s Early College program, which brings high school students to campus to earn college credit and prepare for their own college careers.
Continue reading to learn why she chose to get her undergraduate degree at Georgia State University, what she plans to do after graduation and what advice she’d give to current Early College students.
Q: How do you think the Early College program prepared you for college?
A: The Early College Program taught me how to be a productive college student. I learned valuable skills such as time management, self-discipline and interpersonal skills.
Q: What made you decide to enroll at Georgia State University, and in the College of Education & Human Development in particular? What have you enjoyed most about being a student in our college?
A: Enrolling at Georgia State University was an easy choice because I wanted to stay close to home and it was an affordable option. I enrolled in the College of Education & Human Development because I’ve always wanted to be an educator and study urban education in particular.
I really enjoy being in a cohort and taking classes with people who are like-minded when it comes to understanding the importance of urban education, and being a part of something that is bigger than myself.
Q: What do you hope to do once you graduate?
A: I hope to attend the urban education graduate program and teach in a public school, and eventually I want to be a principal.
Q: What advice do you have for high school students considering the Early College program? What advice would you give to those students who want to enroll at Georgia State?
A: I would advise Early College students to take advantage of the people who are willing to help them throughout the program – and to stay in touch with those people. Also, I’d say try to take classes that will go toward their degree program.
In addition, I cannot express how important it is to listen to those who are trying to help them and take note of the advice they are given. I would tell students who want to enroll at Georgia State to not get so caught up in living the freshman lifestyle that they forget the purpose for being in college: To get an education.