Ida Ramic, senior, is taking digital photography, College Physics One, Freshman Composition, College Algebra, and Probability this semester.

That isn’t an average daily schedule for a high school senior.

Ramic has opted to take advantage of the Post Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) program. The program is offered to tenth, eleventh, and twelfth graders by Minnesota state universities and colleges. These programs give students the opportunity to take college courses and earn credit for free while still in high school.

Ramic, unlike most PSEO participants, is a full time student in the PSEO program. Spending her entire day at Normandale Community College instead of HHS has broadened her opportunities in the classroom.

“Classes were too long [at Hopkins] and in that time, not many things were done. In more than an hour class period, we maybe get a 20 minute lecture done.” Ramic said.

Taking on the responsibilities of a full-time college student was an easy choice for Ramic.

“I only needed three credits to graduate, and I felt like high school was a waste of my time,” Ramic said. “I also wanted to get a head start on my college classes and do something more challenging this year.”

Full time PSEO students who start their junior year have the opportunity to earn enough credits for an Associate’s degree. With the state paying for the entirety of tuition costs, students earn college credit free of charge.

Sam Greenwald, senior is taking two liberal arts classes at the University of Minnesota and hopes to continue to study similar topics in the future.

“I just wanted to test out what I’m interested in studying in college and I found that I’m really interested in the classes that I’ve chosen to take in PSEO.” Greenwald said.

While hardly at the high school for their academic responsibilities, Ramic and Greenwald still participate in before and after school activities.

“I try to make it [PSEO] so it doesn’t affect my life outside of school. I still come in before school for National Honors Society and Gay-Straight Alliance, and I’m taking AP ceramics fourth block.” Greenwald said.

Greenwald also participates in debate team after school.

Greenwald appreciates the benefits that being outside of the typical high school day gives him.

“It’s really nice. I can have lunch wherever I want to. It’s a lot of freedom but I still get the senior experience from being the high school for AP ceramics,” Greenwald said.

According to the Minnesota State College Association, PSEO students have higher rates of enrolling in a college or university after high school graduation. For Ramic and Greenwald, it’s no different. They both have high hopes for next year and firmly believe that PSEO helps prepare them for it.

“It’s a good experience and it’s something new,” Ramic said. “I feel like I’ll learn a lot from it in the end.”