At Northcentral Technical College students and staff have been in the swing of things for a week.
Beginning college is an exhilarating and sometimes challenging time for anyone getting a higher education, but it helps when family is nearby.
That's the case for the Gruetzmacher family, of Merrill.
"I'm in my second year just starting my second year. I'm in electro-mechanical technology," said Quintin Gruetzmacher.
His younger brother Gilbert, is starting his first year at NTC in the IT program.
The eldest Gruetzmacher sibling, Dominic, is teaching IT as an instructor.
The Gruetzmachers prefer to keep it in the family when it comes to education.
All eight siblings were home schooled at their Merrill farm, and now six of eight of attended or are attending NTC.
"My older siblings, three of them had already graduated from here and they liked the experience," Quintin said. "It had a degree that I was interested in and it's close to home."
Eldest sibling Dominic, even teaches the newest NTC family member, Gilbert.
"I only had the one class so far but it seemed pretty good," Gilbert laughed.
Dominic promises he won't be biased.
"Having a home school background I coached my siblings a lot at home so its actually not that foreign of an environment but I treat him like any other student," Dominic said.
Growing up on a dairy farm the Gruetzmacher brothers are used to hard work and that hasn't stopped for any of them. Each of them have gotten involved in student life beyond the books.
"The biggest thing I tell both my students and my siblings is to be involved," Dominic said.
He says it will give them a competitive edge in the workforce.
Quintin is the president of the honor society, and a sister, Amanda, headed the student governing body. All have been peer tutors.
The Gruetzmachers say it's comforting having family nearby, and they often try to meet up for lunch.
