Rebecca Ladouceur

Posted on Wednesday, July 6th, 2016

How did you learn about the dual credit program? Who did you complete your application with?

I found out about the dual credit program through my guidance counsellor. I already knew what I wanted to do with hairstyling. I became interested right way after hearing about it. Both my classroom teacher and guidance counsellor told me about it. I completed my application with my guidance counsellor.

Rebecca Ladouceur

Did you go to orientation? What did you find most helpful about orientation?

Yes. It was helpful. I really like that they toured us around and we got to know where we were going. They showed us who we were going to work with and where. The tour helped the most.

Did you think you were you prepared for the course?

Yes. I was happy to see whom I was going to be working with. I met the dual credit students prior to class and we became really good friends. It was nice that I wasn’t the only high school student in a class full of college students. It was good to get along with them.

Do you think the dual credit was a good fit?

Yes. I definitely want to continue pursuing hairstyling. The teachers were awesome and nice. Last year, I went to Algonquin for the day to sit in the class and do hands-on work. I had already met one of the teachers, so I was able to see her again. I did that in Grade 11.

Did it interfere with your usual class schedule? No. It was from 4:30-6:30. It got moved to after school.

Did you require any accommodations? Were your needs meet?

No

How was transportation?

I bussed. I got bus tickets.

How comfortable were you with the technology aspect of the course?

Blackboard, at the beginning, was a bit confusing. I wasn’t really aware of hybrids. I wasn’t aware that we had those, so I think I missed the first one. One of the hybrids I submitted didn’t go through, but the teacher was understanding, I was able to resubmit. After the first couple of weeks, it was really straightforward.

What were the greatest differences between high school and college?

It didn’t take much. A lot of it was in-class stuff. There weren’t many out of class projects other than the hybrids, which we would have a few weeks to do. Meeting deadlines, finishing assignments went well.

If you needed to communicate with your College instructor, what was the best way?

We were able to email them if we had any questions and she would get back right away. She would also email randomly as reminders. We were able to talk to her in person also.

DC support teacher: She was always there everyday (Margie). She was awesome. She was there all the time asking if we were doing well.

Would you recommend that other students take a dual credit? Why or why not?

Yes, definitely. It prepares you for college next year. I feel more prepared

What do you hope to do once you’ve graduated from High School?

I am going to Algonquin for hairstyling for two years. Then, after that, I’m taking the aesthetics program, which is only 45 weeks.

Last Say/Best advice

What I love, particularly about this course, is that it’s hands-on, it’s about creativity, it’s about making people feel good about themselves, it’s more laid back, and it’s something where if you have skill you can never be bad at it. It’s a super fun and creative course.

Give it your all. Ask questions. Get to know the teachers and other students. It’s a really good environment to be in when you’re doing something that you love. Engage with the students. I wasn’t afraid to talk to the college students. Being around other people who are older and more experienced gives you more confidence and experience yourself. Go in not being shy, and be open-minded and confident, and you’ll have a lot of fun with it.

What really motivated me was that we already have a hair program at my high school and I’ve been taking it since Grade 10. I was always motivated to come back and tell my high school Hair Stylist Teacher what I learned. She is the only hairstylist in our program who is certified. She is awesome — my favourite teacher — and I really wanted to tell her about what I learned.

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