Noah Camfield
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With enhanced time management skills, I was able to manage my time and be able to balance a busy life, and still stay on top of my homework with at least straight A's during my junior year.
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– Noah Camfield
The main reason behind my interest in blended/on line courses revolves around the idea of flexibility. Within my academic life, I was extremely busy. I had a full high school course load, a social life, a job, a family life, and 2 additional college online courses in Texas my junior year. This balance between many key areas of my life was important to my overall balance as a human being. With COVID affecting the second semester of my junior year, we were all sent home after Spring Break, my family only had two computers or devices that allowed us to complete our school/college work. I have three siblings, and I love them dearly, however, it was interesting sharing two computers between us. I like to think that it brought us all closer together.
While taking the online courses at Grayson Community College and Butler Community College and a full high school load, I saw an increase in focus and productivity during time that I set aside for homework. With enhanced time management skills, I was able to manage my time and be able to balance a busy life, and still stay on top of my homework with at least straight A's during my junior year. Regarding my personal development, I witnessed growth among many areas: maturity, mental resilience, academics, time management, and engagement with relationships around me.
At times I would one hundred percent recommend a traditional classroom while other times I would recommend fully online. I love both opportunities, with the pros and cons of each, however, the main con of an on line classroom is little to no social interaction/engagement. In a traditional classroom, I learn less within the same amount of time, however, my mental health is superb, versus the mental effects of little to no social interactions.
Since I have moved back to Kansas for my senior year, I had an amazing opportunity presented to me. The Andover CAPS Program! This is truly an amazing program geared toward developing high school students into young professionals. We are able to explore career fields that interest us, along with using hands-on experiences to grow our professional tool belt of a variety of skills. I have taken almost every opportunity available to me at CAPS. I have met with dozens of professionals in career fields that I share an interest in, shadowed several individuals, and completed projects geared toward their needs (projects include: data analysis of Boeing's Annual CMOs, marketing plan for a local toy company, collegiate level business simulation, and developing a new marketing plan for the Andover CAPS Program), and currently at a local accounting firm expanding my skills in the finance field. The Andover CAPS program is different than the traditional classroom due to the structure and curriculum of learning. Students, with the guidance and help of instructors, choose what they want/need to learn to be successful in the career field that they show interest in. I have experienced drastic growth on my part while in this truly amazing program.
My professional skills are superb, the eagerness within me to explore and expand my knowledge has been the main catalyst for my growth, and my overall knowledge in the Business field has increased.
All of the opportunities presented to me played a different part in my personal development. CAPS has advanced me beyond my years while on line college courses have advanced my college career and narrowed my future career focus. This scholarship would truly have an impact on my life since the financial burden of college will weigh upon me for the next 3–4 years. Thank you for your time and consideration regarding this matter.