By Susanne Reynolds

Special to The Post-Searchlight

Adult Education at Bainbridge State College is changing lives every day. Many students find themselves in a variety of situations that lead them to leaving high school before graduation; however, they can still have the opportunity at a quality education thanks to Adult Education.

Carrie Bearden of Bainbridge is one of the many students who have benefited from Bainbridge State College’s Adult Education program.

“I didn’t see the point in continuing high school, so I quit,” began Bearden.

It wasn’t long before she discovered she wanted to go to college, but knew without a high school diploma or equivalency, she wouldn’t get in to college.

She said, “I knew I needed to get my GED. That’s when I came to Bainbridge State College Adult Education and signed up for classes to help prepare me for the tests.”

While taking classes with Adult Education, Bearden received the quality education she needed to help her be successful in taking the GED tests.

“There is lots of hands-on work and the instructors helped me every step of the way,” she explained. “Even the students helped one another through the process, especially those who had already passed sections of the test.”

By working with her peers and instructors in a focused learning environment, Bearden learned how to better interact with others and concentrate on her studies.

After going through the program and studying diligently, she passed all sections of the GED test last month.

Bearden will officially graduate spring 2016—and plans to attend Bainbridge State College to pursue a degree in nursing.

Adult Education provides the community with the opportunity to enhance basic academic skills and assistance with GED preparation. Flexible programs with non-traditional classroom hours are offered to meet the needs of almost anyone’s schedule.

Free classes are available to adults 16 years and over, and are held in Decatur, Early, Miller and Seminole Counties.

No matter where the student is starting from, Bainbridge State College Adult Education can assist them in improving skills and accomplish their educational goals.

To enroll, students must have a current photo ID and students under 18, need parental permission and a high school withdraw form.

Learns something new with BSC Adult Education this year. The following are a list of new student orientation dates for 2016, which will be held at the BSC Shotwell Education Center: Jan. 4 at 8 a.m., Jan. 11 at 1 p.m., Jan. 25 at 8 a.m., Feb. 1 at 1 p.m., Feb. 8 at 8 a.m., Feb. 15 at 1 p.m., Feb. 22 at 8 a.m., and Feb. 29 at 1 p.m.

For additional information on Adult Education, please contact Debbie McIntyre, Adult Education Program Administrator, at 229.248.2517.