Sixteen year olds typically stand out on a college campus like sore thumbs, but at the University of North Texas (UNT), they do not. The Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science (TAMS) resides at UNT as an alternative for the final two years of high school. The program was created for students who are gifted in math and science. Two former Shepton students, Neha Khuntia and Zina Zarzycki, are currently attending the school as juniors.

“At TAMS, you go to college two years early, and live at UNT as a college student,” Zarzycki said. “You go to college classes every day while getting your high school diploma.”

While studying at TAMS, students are enrolled in classes that are different from typical Plano Independent School District (PISD) courses.

“We have a math class every day, and every class you take counts as college credit,” Zarzycki said. “Almost every public university in Texas accepts it.”

The classes that students take have a greater emphasis on math and science rather than English and history.

“My whole life I’ve known that I’ve wanted to do something in the math and science field, so this is a really good opportunity for me,” Zarzycki said. “At UNT, there are so many research opportunities with college professors, so it’s really easy to get a head start.”

The main element that distinguishes TAMS from PISD is that students get to experience living on a college campus.

“It’s definitely more challenging because you have to learn how to live by yourself,” Khuntia said. “It’s hard for me because I don’t even know how to do my own laundry.”

The learning environment is different from PISD schools. Every class has college level coursework and a varying size. The college schedule is also different from a high school one, allowing TAMS students to have more free time.

“I have classes every day from 8 a.m. to 10:50 a.m.,” Zarzycki said. “Then I have biology lab at 6 p.m. three days a week.”

The social aspect is something else that students experience, as they are surrounded by many different groups of people.

“I really do enjoy the people the most,” Khuntia said. “You’re always with them, and you create a family. I’ve only been here for a week and I can’t explain how close I am with everyone.”

Although they are forging new relationships at TAMS, Zarzycki and Khuntia both left friends behind in Plano.

“I miss you guys a lot,” Khuntia said. “Good luck with whatever you want to do in life.”