Usually, 13-year-olds are making preparations to head back to middle school, or maybe to start freshman year of high school around this time of year.
But 13-year-old Kimora Hudson has slightly different plans.
She’ll spend her fall as a freshman at the University of West Georgia, according to a story by UWG itself.
“When she was a baby, this was always the vision,” Fawn Hudson, Kimora’s mother, said. “Even when she was a few months old her doctor was saying she is a little advanced.”
To help facilitate the vision, Fawn Hudson began a mentoring group for Kimora and other local children to provide them with extracurricular enrichment. Part of the program encouraged participants to do things now, to not wait until tomorrow to follow their dreams.
“All throughout my life my mom was always making sure I was prepared for everything,” Kimora said. “My parents know what I need, and they always strive for me to do my best.”
As many of you know, going to college can be something of a culture shock. How does Kimora plan to handle that?
Well, Kimora has been taking college courses for the past two summers at Vanderbilt University, and feels that those have left her mentally prepared her for what to expect on the campus.
Previously, UWG offered 10th through 12th-grade students a chance to earn college credit through its UWG Move on When Ready (MOWR) program. This year, however, the school has opened the program up to 9th grade students.
“It was ironic that the year she was going into 9th grade the MOWR laws changed to allow the advanced 9th graders a chance, so I said this is it,” Fawn explained. “As soon as she applied and got accepted they took away the 9th-grade component. So when that happened, I knew this was meant to be.”
So what does Kimora plan to study at UWG?
“I love science and I know I want to go into the medical field,” Kimora said. “I really like psychology and neurology, or anything dealing with the brain. Last year I took a class called the Psychology of Memory and it was really interesting. Since my mom works with psychology I have been exposed to it, and I really like it.”
Though many of her peers will be a tad bit older than she is, Kimora does not plan to spend all of her semesters stuck in the library day in and day out.
In fact, she is looking forward to joining various extracurricular activities such as intramural sports and making new friends.
“The experience seems so different. It is kind of scary but so interesting at the same time. I want to try new things and be exposed to new things,” Kimora said. “I’m excited to meet new people. I don’t know anyone who is doing MOWR in high school. As the years go by, I will probably know people who end up doing it, but right now I just get to meet new people.”
Perhaps because of her maturity and educational advancement, Kimora is also eager to wake up for early morning lectures and is ready for late-night study sessions.
“Just going from middle school to college classes is a whole different environment,” Kimora said. “In middle school, people don’t want to be there, but in college, everyone will be serious and focused on learning. It will be a more serious environment.”
Kimora hopes that she can inspire others to be bold, and to step out of their comfort zones.
“You can’t be scared to try new things, and you always have to try your best,” Kimora said. “You never know where it is going to take you. You can’t be scared of the small thinking.”
Congratulations to Kimora Hudson on this remarkable accomplishment. We hope she adjusts well to her new school!
You go, girl!
via blavity.com
