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La Follette High School senior Yonatan (Yoni) Abichu is getting a head start on his engineering career at Madison College. As an Early College STEM Academy student, Yoni is earning dual credit that fulfills high school graduation requirements while also counting toward a college degree.
What are the benefits and challenges of participating in the high school dual credit program?
Some challenges I've faced while in the STEM program would be harder coursework than at high school, having to study much more, and committing to lots of activities and programs. However, the benefits have been substantial. I have improved on bad habits like procrastination and have significantly improved my time management. The STEM Program has better and broader classes to choose from, and I am getting the early experience of college before I go to a four-year university. There are also many activities on both campuses, programs to join, events, chances of volunteering or even getting a job, better tutoring, and the list goes on.
What are your super skills?
My best and most valuable skill is problem-solving. Things can always go wrong in life, but how we handle these situations makes a better outcome. I've faced problems during school, such as getting to my first class on time due to external factors, coursework issues, or even issues with people on campus. I believe that in every situation I was put in, I felt calm, well-collected, reasonable, and understanding, which is why each situation ended on a positive note with the problem at hand was solved.
You were inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society last semester. Could you share your top-notch studying tactics?
Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society is a great way to get help with school. The organization helps students succeed in their classes and builds them strong transcripts if they want to move on to someplace after Madison College. There are many different types of note-takers and study methods. I have learned that I perform better when I am studying in a group versus by myself, because I build off my peer's ideas and gain a better understanding of the topics from a different perspective. The best way to remember things is by handwriting notes and definitions in a notebook, so all your ideas are together, or you can use a binder with dividers to separate terms/units or classes when you have a lot of information to keep.
What are your favorite study spaces at the Truax campus? My three go-to spots are the Pods, the lounge behind the Student Achievement Center, and the rentable rooms in the library. The lounge on the second floor behind the student achievement center is my favorite spot because it has a lot of table space and seating, so then you can bring your study group to do work, and they have couches to relax for breaks and charging stations.
What’s in your future? After high school, I plan on continuing my education by going to a university like UW-Madison, where I can further my education in the mechanical engineering field. Afterward, I plan on pursuing a career as a mechanical engineer.
Is there anything else you want to share about your Madison College experience?
Choosing Madison College was the best decision I have ever made.
Learn more about Madison College’s Early College Academies.
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