Age is just a number

Melanie Adams is an academic advisor in the Gaylord College of Journalism at the University of Oklahoma. In the past three years that she has worked there, she has advised over 1,200 graduate students. According to Adams, Tess Taylor will be the youngest student to graduate from Gaylord at the age of 19.

“Not only will she be the youngest,” Adams said. “She will have finished faster than anyone else I’ve advised.”

Adams has been Taylor’s advisor since 2009.

“She’s a hard worker,” Adams said. “She’s gotten very far very fast.”

Through dual enrollment, Taylor has been able to exceed the maximum number of hours allotted per semester in order to graduate sooner.

“She’s enrolled at the Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC) and at OU,” Adams said. “This allowed her to take a 26 hour semester once; 18 hours at OU and an additional eight at OCCC.”

Taylor is currently 18 and scheduled to graduate in 2012.

“I’m only in my second year of college,” Taylor said. “But I’m already considered a junior.”

Taylor graduated high school when she was 17.

“I’ve kind of always known that I wanted to graduate high school early,” Taylor said. “And then I got to college.”

Taylor said college was a great way for her to get work done at her own pace. “While a lot of my friends wanted to take fewer hours and stretch out their college career, I wanted to keep mine a little bit shorter,” Taylor said. “I wanted to make sure I stayed focused on the studies that actually mattered, as opposed to a lot of electives.”

Taylor doesn’t want her education to stop after she graduates from OU.

“I want to go to law school,” Taylor said. “I’m also thinking about doing fashion retail and management.”

In addition to her schoolwork, Taylor is also a manager at Savvy boutique, which is located on Campus Corner.

“The shop has been a really great complement to my school work,” Taylor said. “I’ve learned a lot about responsibility and time management.”

Taylor said that even with such a tight schedule between work and school, she still manages to get everything done that she needs to.

“I may show up late sometimes, but I’ve never missed a day of class,” Taylor said. “Also, when there is no one in the shop I can use that time to get some school work done.”

Taylor said that completing her college career at such a fast pace doesn’t bother her at all.

“I’m a naturally driven person,” Taylor said. “I want to get out in the real world and start living my life, and I’m not going to let my age get in the way of that goal.” 

Tess Taylor is a junior at OU that will graduate next year at the age of 19. This will make her the youngest student to graduate from the Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication.
Video: Brittany Belli (1:08)

Au Revoir, USA!

Students at the University of Oklahoma that are studying in France next semester attended a send-off lecture Tuesday, Nov 29.

The pre-departure session was held to give outgoing students information about being in a new place next year.

         “We gave them a bunch of information that they need before they leave,” said Brooke Hammer, an Education Abroad advisor. “Things like what to pack, how to navigate the airports overseas, and what to do in an emergency.”

         Hammer also gave advice on what to do with a passport and how to plan ahead with money so students wouldn’t be struggling with currency exchanges.

         “Make copies of your passport, and open a French bank account,” Hammer said. “That way, you’ll have a French debit card and won’t have to worry about money while in France.”

         Hammer also reminded students that even though they are far from home, they are not alone.

         “We have a 24-hour service response team,” Hammer said. “And I always have my Skype turned on all day long in case anyone needs to reach me.”

At the pre-departure session, there were also incoming students who had just returned from spending time in France. They were there to give the outgoing students advice and to talk about their experiences.

Ashley Rhone is a senior at OU with a major in International and Area Studies and a minor in French. She just returned to OU in June from spending five months in Clermont.

“Leaving here and going there was exciting,” Rhone said. “I miss the shopping and the food.”

Rhone also said she gained a lot of experience from spending time in a foreign country.

“I think it’s changed my perspective on American culture,” Rhone said. “I gathered some insight into French culture and society.”

Rhone also warned the outgoing students that being in a different place is not easy.

“People are not going to stop and help you out,” Rhone said. “You have to learn to rely on yourself.”

Rhone said that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.

“It definitely made me understand myself more,” Rhone said. “I brought back the persistence I had there and it had made me a better student.”

         Rhone reminded students to be proactive.

         “Those are the main words for studying abroad,” Rhone said. “If it’s something you really want to do, don’t let anything stop you.”