A Day In The Life Of a PSEO Student

“It’s a good challenge because you get a taste of the real world.”

A Day In The Life Of a PSEO Student

Adam Horwath, Journalism Student

PSEO stands for Post Secondary Enrollment Program. It’s a chance for students to attend college, but as a high school student. Gabe Peterson is just one of the many students in PSEO through North. In an interview I had conducted, Gabe gave us some more information about PSEO, and how his life has changed since he began his journey in college this year.

The first question was asking about what is different about his life now that he is college. As expected, Peterson says “Well, that’s a big long list.” He enjoys that college is more independent than high school was. There’s more of a responsibility of your own in college. Person decided to apply for PSEO in the first place because he didn’t like how high school was ran, he was ready for more of a challenge and more independence. However, Peterson does miss seeing his friends daily and attending football games. On a typical day with class, he leaves the house around 7:30-8:00 in the morning, and at 9:15 is when his class starts. “I take notes, follow along and jot down any assignments or work I need to do,” Peterson said. After his first class, he has one hour to whatever he pleases. He then he goes back to class. When class ends at 12:40, he goes home and relaxes. Peterson exclaims, “It’s important to give yourself some time to relax and unwind because things can definitely get stressful.”

Peterson enjoys “the freedom most of all” of being in college. He likes that he can take responsibility for his own actions and not have other people “constantly checking in” (as he says) on him. What he has found challenging so far is making time for work outside of class such as studying. Peterson is currently employed at the Maplewood Mall, so expectedly “time management is definitely very important.” Peterson has classes Monday through Friday. Peterson takes chemistry, college writing and public speaking classes.

Concordia St. Paul University is the college Gabe Peterson attends.

The college Gabe attends is Concordia St. Paul University. He enjoys it because “it’s an open campus so [he] can enjoy the weather, but also that there’s underground tunnels [to avoid cold weather].” To go about applying for PSEO, just go to the website for the college you want and a list of requirements they need in a student should be present. For Peterson, they needed his transcript and a letter containing why he would be a great student at their campus. Peterson would recommend PSEO, but he acknowledges that it is not for everyone. He believes the person should have “good time management, organization, self-discipline and accountability skills.” It also saves students money that are planning to attend college, being the program is free. Peterson would tell those who may want to apply to “be prepared. Understand that college in not like high school.” Commitment is key in college, like for finding time for homework and studying. Peterson would “highly recommend it to anybody looking for something new.” If you’re a student like Gabe Peterson who loves a challenge and new adventures, PSEO may be a great fit for you too.