What It's Really Like to Study Early Childhood Education at TCU

Lauren Person '28 knew she wanted to work with young learners. What she didn't expect was how quickly TCU's College of Education would make that future feel real. As an early childhood education major, Lauren has found herself in a program that doesn't wait until senior year to give students meaningful experience — one where professors learn your name in the first week, classes feel like conversations, where what you learn in your earliest courses connects directly to the classroom you'll lead someday.

Below, Lauren shares what that experience has looked and felt like from the inside.

Q: What does your day-to-day academic experience in the College of Education actually look like?

A: Honestly, my day-to-day is super interactive. Most of my classes feel more like conversations than lectures. We are always doing group work, breaking down real-life teaching situations or working through activities that make the material actually click.

Right now, I am learning a lot about how students think, what motivates them and the different ways people learn, so we are constantly practicing with examples, role-plays or case studies. It feels like everything we are doing has a purpose, and I never feel like I am just memorizing stuff to forget later. I am actually building skills I know I will use in a real classroom one day.

Q: What is one thing about the academic opportunities in your college that surprised you?

A: One thing that really surprised me is how personal everything feels here. I did not expect my professors to learn my name the first week or check in with me regularly, but they do. They genuinely want to know how you are doing and what you want to accomplish, and that makes such a big difference.

I also wish I knew how many opportunities you get early on. I kind of thought real experience would not start until later, but you are encouraged from the beginning to get involved, try different teaching strategies, participate in projects and really explore your interests.

Q: Which hands-on experiences that have stood out to you?

A: One experience that stood out was from my educational psychology class. We did role-play scenarios where each group got a different real-world situation that a teacher might face, like a student struggling with motivation or someone having trouble understanding a topic.

We had to talk through it, figure out what strategies would help and present our plan. It honestly felt like a mini version of what teachers do every day. It pushed me to think critically, connect what we learned with real students and communicate clearly with my group. It was one of those moments where I thought, "This is what it is really like, and I can see myself doing this."

What would you want an admitted student to know about what it feels like to learn and grow here?

A: I would tell admitted students that learning here feels meaningful and really uplifting. You are surrounded by people — professors, advisors and classmates — who truly want you to do well. It never feels like you are just another student passing through. You are seen, supported and encouraged to grow at your own pace.

It is not just academic growth either. Being here has helped me grow personally, too. I have learned more about myself, how I work and what kind of educator I want to become. The environment in the College of Education is positive and motivating, and it gives you the confidence to step into new experiences.