American River College Top Questions

Dear Lesli, I hope you are doing well. I know it is tiring working two jobs and going to high school but it will be over soon. I wanted to get to talk to you about those plans you have to go to ARC after you graduate. You really might want to hold off on that. I know you feel ready to take on the world but you really need some time to figure out who you are and what you really want. Go out, try a few jobs, go see somewhere new, go live a bit. You've heard the stories of kids being pushed out of the foster system with nowhere and nothing. Don't set yourself up for failure. You have some really hard times coming but you will also have some really great things coming too. One of them will change your life in ways I can't even being to explain. Your goals will change and you will know failure. You WILL get through those hard times. Seems kind of impossible right now but you will come to know faith and love. Be strong. Be smart. Never stop loving. Thinking of you, Lesli

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, the first thing I would tell myself is what I REALLY want to study. As a high school senior, I thought I wanted to study physics, then music. But now, I am certain that I want to study software development, beyond the shadow of a doubt. The main mistake I made was taking so many unnecessary classes at my local junior college and earning an associate’s degree in music. You would think earning an associate’s degree would be a good thing, but in reality, it is now holding me back. Because I have a degree and lots of units, the school has cut off my priority registration and it is nearly impossible to get into classes I need to study computer science and transfer to a university. I would stress to myself the importance of only taking classes I need to transfer and nothing more. Learning has always been my passion. I love to absorb as much knowledge as possible, and that’s why I loved community college, but all of that should be done after I have achieved my main goal.

One of the biggest pieces of advice I would give my high school self would be to not be so shy. When I was in high school it was a big concern of mine of what others thought about me. It hindered my ability to make friends by the way I just kept to myself. I would love to tell my past self that no one really cares nor will they remember what you looked like, said, or acted like. Being more outgoing would expose me to more experiences that I feel I missed out of. However, now in college am having to make up for. I now appreciate when I meet new people who open up to me, because everyone's has a story and they are each all interesting in their own way. I feel that everyone knows at least one thing you don't. It's my favorite to learn about everyone and everything and the only way is to communicate and explore.

If I could back to when I was a high school senior I would tell myself to study hard and get good grades. Also try out for some of the school sports and other extracurricular activities, things that a college might look for. Try to look for colleges that might appeal to you and work out for you. Do not worry about what degree you need to take, but keep up with studying and get good grades. About transitioning in from high school life to college life know that you have family, teachers, friends, etc there for you to give you help. Always ask for help since that will help you learn and grow and be able to get you closer to goal of achieving what you might want, such as becoming fully independent and able to take of yourself. Also to be thankful for what you may have and the people who are around you and support you for they will always be there for you in your time of need. Most importantly try to have fun through this and try not to stress too much about things that you may not be able to change at the moment.

I am much more likely to remember someone’s name if I write it down or read it. For this reason, I am going to write my advice in letter form so if my high school self did read this, she would retain it. This letter would probably be posted to her wall and looked at every day.. Dear Samantha, The summer after high school will be tough. You will loose friends. Do not be afraid to be alone. You learn more if you are. Taking the public bus isn’t so bad. When you feel anger toward the world because you don’t have a car, remember the thousands of dollars you and your parents are saving. You also will meet cute boys on the bus :). Eat your vegetables and wear your sunscreen. You are beautiful, smart, and kind. So many great things will happen for you. Be grateful for your family. These next few years will be some of the best of your lives. No pressure, though, because your 30s, 40s, and 50s might be just as great :) It all depends on how you choose to look at life. Lastly, take pictures of every moment, and laugh everyday.

Would tell myself to use all my freetime wisely because, since I'm in college now and have a lot of homework I do not have a lot of free time.

I haven't exactly started yet. I start August 23rd. I'll be a freshman, but I think I'm going to love college life. All the classes I'll take and all the people I'll meet! I'm SOO excited! College is critical for me to attend. There are so many jobs out there that you have to have college education for whether it's just generals or if it's a full out Doctorate's degree. You can't really find a job without college education anymore, trust me I'm trying so hard to find one.

I have took many classes in this college. These classes helped me to learn more about what I want to do in the future. This is the reason why I changed my major 2 times. Any major you want this school has. The school is for anyone who really want to study and have good future.

Nothing, I started college while I was attending high school so I got the training that I needed to do better in college.

I would tell myself and any high school senior if I went back in time, is to cherish the life of being a child. Once you grow up, you cannot act like a child and you have so many responsibilities. I would say to save up my money instead of spending it frivolously because the tuition is horrendous. I would also recommend studying a lot more, be an active participant in study groups, and focusing more academically. I would recommend buying books on Amazon or other textbook sites, because they are cheaper. Going on Rate My Professor.com will help because some teacher?s methods might conflict with your learning methods. School can be fun or miserable, but you have to put in the work.