Student Spotlight: Tristan Kelm, Coast Guard

Tell us a little about yourself.

My name is Tristan Kelm, and I am from San Antonio, TX. I served in the Coast Guard as a storekeeper, handling logistics and procurement. I decided to join the military because I needed a change. I wanted to be part of something that made a difference. I specifically joined the Coast Guard because of its humanitarian missions and how closely intertwined it is with local communities. Like many active-duty and former service members, I love tattoos! I’ve let my friends who are just starting as tattoo artists practice on me, and I also like giving tattoos. Another thing I love is building computers. I’m always scouring Newegg or PCPartPicker for my new build.

Did you have any college experience before attending your Warrior-Scholar Project boot camp? Why did you decide to apply?

I graduated from high school early and completed some college before dropping out. Eventually, while in the Coast Guard, I started taking classes online at Austin Community College. I decided to participate in Warrior-Scholar Project’s humanities academic boot camp at the University of Chicago because it had been a very long time since I was in a real classroom environment, and I wanted to get back into that setting before transferring in the fall.

What were you feeling going into the first day of your boot camp? Did you experience a shift in your confidence as the week progressed? 

I honestly didn’t know what I was getting into leading up to the first day. I was excited and nervous because I was in a room of unfamiliar people. However, as the week went on, my confidence grew. That was probably the biggest thing I got out of the program—a newfound confidence. It felt great, reinvigorating me and making me more excited about my applications and the upcoming semester.

What are some of the key takeaways from your boot camp experience? Is there one thing that stood out to you?

That I am the owner of my own time and that, despite the chaos of life, I can still find a way to get things done. However, the thing that stood out to me the most was the time management skills I learned and how to read more efficiently.

How would you describe your overall experience?

My boot camp experience was definitely intense, but completely worth it. There were moments where I actually felt dumb, but as the week progressed, I gained confidence in my abilities and in class discussions. I highly recommend any veteran or active-duty service member considering college to attend a Warrior-Scholar Project boot camp.

Do you have any parting words?

This program was the biggest surprise of my year, and it has given me a newfound excitement and confidence about my education.