CSSSA: An Introduction to College Life at Sixteen

From July 9 to August 5, I joined artists from around the California (and the world) at CalArts in Valencia for the most eye-opening experience of my life. Everyone who attended was as passionate and excited to learn as I was. It wasn’t the usual high school setting where most kids are unenthusiastic and could care less about academics. At CSSSA, everyone came together to create a supportive environment. Although the teachers provided us with growth, it was our peers that we learned from the most.

As a creative writer, I spent each day with future authors, playwrights, screenwriters and poets. My teachers had already succeeded in all of these. One of my teachers has a play opening in New York while another has a book of short stories sitting on a shelf in Barnes and Noble. My teachers made it their goal to bring us to their level. On the first day, they informed us that each day at CSSSA represented three college classes. Needless to say, my writing improved significantly and I got a feel of how tough college will be in two years.

Outside of the classroom, CSSSA reflected everyday college social life. I lived in a dorm room with three different girls who became my best friends throughout the course. We looked forward to seeing each other each night and sharing how our days went in our selected major. Being in a dorm with such amazing girls created a safe environment for me on the campus. The only difficulties I faced were adjusting to the fact that I was rarely alone and that I had to share a bathroom with eight other girls. However, when I go to college, I will be fully prepared for this.

When I wasn’t in my dorm or class, I was with the other artists I had met. Every night was a new adventure. We rejoiced in our freedom, loving the fact that we didn’t have to ask our parents’ permission to go hang out. Whether it was going out to dinner or gathering in a theatre practice room, we always found a way to have a great time.

Although I enjoyed going out, I had to learn to balance my time. As a writer, I was given an immense amount of assignments to complete each evening. I had to learn how much time was necessary to complete each assignment. Usually this meant sacrificing some of my free time, but it was a choice worth making. Many kids falter at first in college because they are blinded by how much freedom they have and forget about their responsibilities. CSSSA taught me how to get my work done even with the temptation of pushing it
aside.

Not only did I become a better writer, but I’m more prepared for the years to come. College won’t be a huge culture shock. Instead of worrying about how I’ll adjust, I’ll be able to focus on what I should be concerned about when the time comes. CSSSA was the best experience of my life so far and I would have never grown in such a positive way without it.

CSSSA published photos from the Creative Writing Class of 2011 are available here.

Related articles:

• Dublin High Sophomore Ryan McRee on the California State Summer School of the Arts
• Dublin High Students Accepted into CSSSA (California State Summer School of the Arts)
• NASA Sponsors Dublin High Junior Andrew Song for INSPIRE Collegiate Experience
• Dublin High Grad Hannah Sievers to Intern with U.S. Department of Homeland Security

The California State Summer School of the Arts hosts hundreds of students each summer for a month-long college experience. Admission is competitive and students are accepted on the basis of applications.