College tuition is rising faster than ever. As expenses continue to increase and college enrollment declines, it’s important to find ways to get ahead. Over the last decade, college tuition has risen significantly, with four-year institutions experiencing a 28% increase and private nonprofit institutions seeing a 19% increase. Over the past decade, student loan debts have become the third largest category of household debt, with over $1.7 trillion outstanding. College tuition has risen faster than general inflation for decades, increasing almost 180% in the last 20 years. Given this reality,high school students should be taught ways to get ahead, and make things easier for themselves in the long run. Even just taking one or two college classes can give students a huge advantage, making the transition to college smoother and more affordable.

High school students in Maine have the opportunity to be exposed to college-level coursework and potentially reduce the cost of their education by earning college credits early. Most single-semester courses are worth three credits, and full-time college students typically take around 12 credits per semester. To earn a degree in a chosen major, students must complete specific required courses and meet a certain credit threshold. High school students can get a head start by enrolling in AP courses offered at their high school or by taking college courses online.

While in high school, SMCC student Riley Bolton took both AP classes and online college courses. “I wanted to take as many courses as possible so when I got to college I wouldn’t have to take basic classes.” She explained that compared to her regular high school classes the workload was over double. “I had to learn to organize my schedule, and do daily time management in order to complete assignments.” Riley’s advice to any students thinking about taking on college classes while in high school is, “make sure you stay on top of your classes, create an organized schedule, and reach out to your professor if you need help with anything.” She said she would recommend taking advanced courses in high school because was more prepared in her transition to college. “The biggest challenge I faced was time management and navigating a new course load on top of my regular classes.” Overall these credits helped her get ahead in her college coursework, “I barely had to take any prerequisites.”

Taking a few of these courses in high school can be highly beneficial in the long run.  They allow students to explore their academic interests and impress college admissions officers. Many college students who took advantage of this opportunity in high school would agree that it was a smart decision and saved them money.