Liam Rathwell

Posted on Thursday, July 7th, 2016

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

I was looking around shops in the area. I started in the shop I was apprenticing up at now a year ago in Grade 11. I was talking to them and they were saying that when they were younger there was a way to get in early. I asked my student services guidance counsellor about it and she said, “I could apply for you.” That’s what we did. I found a place of work. I worked on the application with my guidance counsellor.

Liam Rathwell

Did you attend an orientation session? What did you find most helpful about orientation?

I didn’t attend an orientation session. I was still in first semester, and had a full day of classes.

Did you think you were you prepared for the course?

I was more prepared than some other students. It’s a start off course; you’re not supposed to know anything. Since I worked a year before, I wasn’t as prepared as I thought I’d be though.

Do you think the dual credit was a good fit?

I really like the program. I’ve always loved cars since I was a little kid. My grandpa did safety for transportation. He worked in automotive, mostly engine work, but some body as well.

Did you feel prepared for the math and science component?

Yes.

Did you require any accommodations? Were your needs meet?

I had an IEP (Individual Education Plan). I didn’t use it here. I have my own computer and was allowed to use it, but I didn’t ask.

How was transportation?

I have my own car.

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

NA

What were the greatest differences between high school and college?

Assessment and Evaluation: Very different. In math and science, my grades were in 70s or 80s. I’m getting 70s, but not as high as I’m used to.

What is harder? The way I’m being tested. The workload is not too bad. Sometimes we get homework and it’s four chapters at once over a weekend and that’s a bit much, but considering it’s only on weekends, it’s not that bad. I’m adjusting to the evaluation.

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

I come in to talk to him. If I can’t talk to him; I would text David Mowatt.

Challenges?

Engines. The engines and drive shaft, which we are doing now is the most challenging. The rest I knew because I did physics and most of it is in there.

Feel it helped you stay in school and graduate?

I wasn’t doing this dual credit program to try to graduate. If I did another course, I would’ve passed. But it really helped me to figure out what I really wanted to do. It was free and I didn’t have to pay for it.

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

I need to complete 2,000 hours in the workplace, and then I come back to working full time. At the moment, I’m not 100% sure if my current employer can keep me on because they’re a small town business, but if they can I’ll stay there. If not, I’ll probably move to a shop in Carleton Place.

Last say/best advice

Best thing about being in the course — passing every module. That feels good. Completing my first year of college before high school. I’m done next Thursday and then I’m done this course before I’m even done high school.

It would probably be easier if we had more time in the lab. I know that you’re supposed to go to work three days a week, but it’d be nice if you had that one-on-one time in the lab to do stuff. We get a fair amount of time, but when you’re at work you aren’t asking about things; you have to do what your boss tells you.

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