By Cameron Medina – Staff Reporter

Leaving high school and starting college is a big change for many students.

For Jayton Trez, attending college at Stetson University has taught him new things about being independent, setting goals, and preparing for the future.

One of the hardest parts of leaving home was being away from his family, friends, and dogs. At first, it was difficult, but things have gotten easier over time.

“The biggest adjustment when I left home was not being able to see my family, friends, and dogs, but now that I’ve been here for a while, it’s been a lot easier,” Trez said.

Spanish teacher Mr. McPartland remembers Trez as a strong student in class.

“He was a very good student when I had him,” McPartland said.

Even though Trez has learned a lot in college, there are some things he wishes he knew before he graduated. One thing is that college credits earned in high school might not count at every college.

“I wish that I would’ve known what credits are accepted at different schools because if you do courses in high school that grant you college credits, they are not accepted everywhere,” Trez said.

Another challenge Trez faces is learning how to support himself financially. He explained that living on your own can be hard if you are not ready to handle your own money.

“The hardest part of being on my own is having to support myself financially. If you are not prepared, it could be very difficult when you’re on your own,” Trez said.

Because of what he learned, Trez has some advice for students who are getting ready for college. He believes students should make a checklist of everything they need to do before leaving.

“I would definitely tell you to have a checklist of what you need in order to prepare for college. Having that ready checklist can set you apart from other students,” Trez said.

He also recommends having a good resume because it can help students standout and find more opportunities.

Trez’s college experience has taught him that being prepared is important. College can be challenging, but also is a chance to learn new things, make goals, and become more independent. His advice is to plan ahead and be ready for life after high school.