I was in elementary school when I first heard about Running Start, an opportunity to go to college while also finishing high school. It sounded amazing back then, and when the time came to consider it, I was eager to take a small step into the future I’d always envisioned for myself.
Running Start is a dual enrollment program that lets you attend both high school and college – like SCC, SFCC or EWU – at the same time. You can split your classes between both or go full-time at the college, either online or in person. Some students finish with their associate’s degree by graduation, while others just get a head start on college credits. College runs on a three-quarter system compared to high school’s two semesters, and Running Start pays for up to three college classes per quarter, excluding summer quarter, which covers two paid classes.
Since I want to eventually get my master’s degree, Running Start felt like a perfect way to fast-track that goal. Plus, the colleges offered classes my high school didn’t – like Intercultural Communication, Health & Wellness, or even something as simple as yoga.
One thing that scares a lot of students away is the idea of missing out on their high school experience. When I was deciding, I thought free college was worth giving that up, but it was still a hard transition. I wanted to be around my friends, go to school events, play sports, and do everything I used to, but the workload from college made it difficult. I had to start holding myself accountable and making choices about what really mattered. Eventually, I let go of certain things and shifted more fully to the college experience, joining clubs like BSU and LASO that my high school didn’t have.
College classes come with a mix of students – older adults, other Running Start kids, and everyone in between. It was tough at first to connect with people who were so different, but clubs and engaging with my professors helped me adjust. I ended up enjoying being at the college more than at my high school. My high school is predominantly white and not very inclusive, so being a part of the BSU at SCC was huge for me. Even classes like Intercultural Communication gave me a wider range of diversity and insight. We shared and learned customs and experiences from different cultures, and it was something I really enjoyed.
Besides the diversity, college helped me grow in ways high school never did. I built better habits and dropped bad ones. I learned time management, accountability, adaptability, communication, leadership, and more in just one year than I did in three years of high school. I was surrounded by ambitious people chasing goals, having real conversations that I had never experienced in my high school environment.
Running Start also helps financially. College is expensive, and starting with two free years is a huge jumpstart. But it came with sacrifices, too. I had to give up some of my sports and a portion of my community work. I stepped down from my council positions, missed programs I had signed up for, and struggled to balance school with practices. I ended up missing a lot of volleyball and decided not to play basketball so I wouldn’t burn out. I managed for the team instead, but even that became hard to commit to fully. I still made time for things like prom and homecoming, but it was hard letting go of the day-to-day high school life. I isolated myself a bit from my old friends and from the school in general.
If I could go back, I wish someone had told me how important it is to let go of what’s not helping you grow. I tried to do everything at once, but that led to burnout. I held on to people and routines that didn’t support me, and that made the transition harder than it needed to be.
If you’re thinking about Running Start, my biggest advice is: stay involved, don’t procrastinate, and go to every class. College grades depend on actual work, and your attendance is part of that grade – unlike in high school. You can’t afford to miss lectures or quizzes. Keep both your high school and college counselors updated. They’re the best support when it comes to managing credits and graduation requirements. Use office hours, read your syllabus, and have a plan. Organization is everything.
Anyone can succeed in Running Start if they’re prepared and self-motivated. It gives you freedom, but that freedom requires responsibility. I didn’t have all the traits to make me compatible with Running Start going in, but the process helped me grow into someone who could handle it.
If you’re looking for your full high school experience, Running Start probably isn’t for you. But if you’re ready to explore college early, you have to be willing to shift your priorities. Running Start helped me gain so much confidence, independence, and clarity about who I am and what I want.
That’s why I’ve decided not to continue it for my senior year. I’m going back so I can fully enjoy my last year, and because I want to take everything I’ve learned and experienced and use it to make an impact at my school. I can give more of my time to the things that matter to me that I wouldn’t have been able to while doing Running Start – like starting a BSU at my high school, playing sports, being present with friends, continuing my community work, and preparing for college. I’m finishing my senior year in a way that feels right for me.
If you’re thinking about Running Start, don’t be afraid to take the leap. It challenged me in ways I didn’t expect, but it gave me everything I didn’t know I needed.