California State University-Bakersfield Top Questions

What should every freshman at California State University-Bakersfield know before they start?

Jessica

If I could go back in time, I would tell myself to invest in my future. Although leaving home may be difficult and it may be easier to go the safe route that doesn't mean that it's the route you should take. You need to grow personally and spiritually. Don't take opportunities that fall into place for granted. Jump at any opportunity you are given to try new things. It's not hard to adjust to college life, especially with a person who enjoys studying in the first place. You just need to gain self-confidence and push yourself to reach new heights. So what if you're parents don't approve. This is your life and you need to stand up for what you want otherwise you'll never get it. Be brave and utilize the gifts you were given. Use your talents to help others and don't be afraid to ask for help yourself.

Joshua

The first thing would be to do my best. In the first couple years of school there was potential present, however, the issue was not fully living up to that potential. I would forcefully tell my younger self to truly do my best with everything that I do—school and outside of school. This is where I fell short during my first few years of school wished to correct. The second piece of advice would be to pick the right major. Originally, I began as a Film major and switched to Political Science because of the growing interest that I had in it. Since I was only taking prerequisites and general educational requirements at the time, switching majors did not slow me down but it was important to grow into changing my mind as well as my major. Third, to never give up. There have been times when it would have been tempting to stop. However, my uncle, when we were practicing baseball once, accidently hit me with the ball, said something that stuck with me, “It’s okay to cry, but it wouldn’t be okay to give up.” Giving should not and is not an option.

Stephany

In college interacting with people is a very and important aspect. If I were given the opportunity to talk to myself as a high school senior, I would advise myself to keep joining clubs and organizations because those social skills i've learned, are very helpful in college. Ive noticed in college that those students that don't try to socialize seem to feel alone and those people often fail their classes because they feel lack of motivation or don't know where to get help when needed. If one gets pride in their school by being involved they will go far in their education.

Richard

School is not a burden; Education is something that should be cherished. Take every opportunity to emerse yourself in the material you are being taught. The process of learning will be easier if you realize that it is a chance to evolve into a better person. You will find that you are enjoying this process if you are open to the idea that it is a privelege. Every minute in the classroom is brighter when you have the mindset that you are truly lucky to be there. In addition to realizing that the education is a privelege, you must also realize opportunities don't equate to success. An important ingredient to success is hard work. Seizing opportunities is important, but you have to be willing to put in the work. Going to school is not enough, you have to be willing to put in the hours to make the best out of the opportunity that has been given. If you can take remember that you are lucky to be going to school and give everything that you can you will be proud of the results that you get back. Failure is impossible if you put in the work.

Alicia

I remember myself as a high school senior finishing up my last year and moving on to be prepared for college was my number one opportunity in life, and therefore the transition on doing this was my decision to pursue a degree in Business Administration. In fact, as a graduated from high school, I attended Antelope Valley College as a first-time freshman and excelled in my courses academically and thinking how my college life would be like was brilliant and also making the transition wasn't very easy for me and my family. I will go back in time as a high school senior completing my academic classes for graduation and finishing up my Senior Project with my mentor, who assisted me on my transition about how college would be like when I get there, but it wasn't easier but much harder and challenging. My advice for other disabled students who are planning to attend college, the opportunities are out there if you use the resources and services that your counselors give you once I started my freshman year in high school to completing my senior year. Finally, another advice I will give myself is not give up.

kay

If I had the chance to travel back in time and meet myself as a young enthusiastic 18 year older I would admonish her to perfect the skill of listening. I would tell her not to talk so much, because she doesn't have any of the answers. I would tell her getting into college is one thing, but getting out with a useful degree takes a plan. I would tell her that she doesn't have the time she thinks she has. I would tell her life will change her, and what she knows to be black and white today, will change to strange shades of gray; leaving her hurt, broken and confused. It's hard to dream of a better tommorrow when you are broken, I know because that is what I am/we are doing now. But here's the good news. I know I will suceed-that's the miracle of pain, it causes you to focus on anything but the pain. And focus is what it takes to be successful.

Asia

I would tell myself to chose carefully. It is not always about moving far away from home, but it's about the environment that makes you feel comfortable.

Ellen

I'm 52 years old and tranferring to a university after receiving my AA degree 14 years ago. I would want to myself that without a college degree you will struggle financially and not have many options for a career. I would also tell myself to focus on the future not the boys in Biology class, even though you just lost your dad in 8th grade life will go on and you can choose to go on with a positive attitude or stand still and pity yourself (which is what I did). Since you did not have parental support your counselor could be your best ally and take what he says and do it. Don't listen to the voices in your head that tell you you are not smart enough to go to college, you are just as good as the average person. Having dyslexia can be overcome with hard work, desire and determination.

Cynthia

I was only a freshmen in highschool when my mother past away, it was difficult to stay focus in school. By the time I was a senior, lifewas getting more difficult because I come from a low income family and I thought I couldnt afford college. The advice I wuld give my self or some incoming college students would be regardless of your family income, just dont giver up in school cause theres a lot of help out there.

Sarah

Go into college with an open mind. Let people see the best side of you. It is your chance to have a new beginning, so remember that you can be a better person, you can be anyone you want to be. College is a time to grow and a time to change, so get out there and don't be scared!

nathan

Work hard as i am working hard in college right now

Ambra

Never fall behind. College life moves at the speed of light; if you fall behind, you will have one hell of a time playing catchup. It's also important to wear sunscreen when riding your bike to school (sunscreen has been proven to prevent premature wrinkling and sceen cancer). You will not regret taking a few minutes out of your morning to apply a thin layer. My advice to you, former self, would be to spend more time on your schoolwork and less time worring about work and possibily losing a social life. It is okay to make mistakes; learning from mistakes makes you a better student (and a better person). Live out loud. Don't be afraid to try new things. Meet new people, and be accepting of thier ideals and beliefs. Get plenty of sleep, exercise regularly, and take your vitimins. And please, don't forget that sunscreen.

Gabriela

The advice that I would give myself is to focus more on school. I was a high school athlete. Playing sports was the main priority for me. When you get to college being an athlete does not really matter unless you are going to be a college athlete.

Shelby

If I could give my past self advice about college, I would say to never put less than 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} into your work, and always stay organized. Last year, I didn’t put as much effort into some of my classes as I probably should have. For example, last semester I focused all my attention on the hardest class, which for me was Biology. During finals, I spent hours studying for the one class I was determined to pass, but not much time studying for my other three classes. Although it mostly paid off and I passed that hard class, I ended up not getting the grades that I had expected for the others. I believe that if I had been more organized and put my full effort into my easier classes, I may have been able to manage my time better and get some studying in for all my classes, and maybe even have gotten the grades I really wanted.

Marni

If I could go back to 1984 I would find myself off campus because I cut a lot of classes to party back then. I would tell her that although she will spend the next twenty years living a lonely, blurry, and addicted life, at 38 years old she finally surrenders and reaches out for help getting clean and sober. This is when her real life will begin. I will say that it’s been a five-year struggle to get a two-year degree. That I have four classes left to graduate and have run out of financial aid. That during those night classes while working a full-time job she will lose her sister to cancer and then four months later find out that she too has cancer, and that the fight she never thought she had the courage to wage was upon her. I am 2 years in remission and want so much to finish my degree. I would tell myself to stay strong through the adversities and to not be so stubborn, to ask for help when she needs it because it’s not a weakness, it takes a lot of inner strength to reach out.

Emaginne

The first thing I would go back and tell myself as a high school senior is take college seriously. No one told me that when I was a senior and as a result I failed to take college seriously. I ended up dropping out of college my first year and struggled for two years until I finally got the unspoken message. That message was to go back to college and take it seriously. This is good advice for any high school senior. As a young adult it is hard to grow up over the summer and prepare for college. This simple advice can guide a senior into that transition. Another thing I would tell myself is submit your college applications early and do not limit yourself. Since I didn't take college seriously I failed to apply for the "good" colleges on time. That left me stuck at my hometown community college. If I could go back and give myself this advice my college experience would have been different. The last thing I would tell myself is to have fun and get totally involved in your college career. Writing this makes me wish I had a time machine.

Grant

If I can go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior while knowing what I know now about college life and making the transition I would have a long conversation with myself. First, I would tell myself to understand that school is not just an obstacle in the way of a better paying job but school is on of the best life lesson teacher there is. I would tell myself to obtain a image or an idea of what and who I want to be in life because college does just that. We would talk about the difference between high school teachers and college professors and how you need to learn that not one professor is the same in they way they teach, grade, or view issues. Finally, I would let myself know that in life their are always life lessons to be learned and there are mistakes you must experience yourself, so I would tell myself to go out there and make those mistakes because they will only make me stronger.

Peter

Study hard, invest every penny you have in lending club or an s & p 500 index fund.

Brittany

If you work your hardest and never slack off right now during your last year of high school, college will be less of a hassle and more of a life changing opportunity.

Michael

Because I am aware of what I want to do, I would go back in time to give myself advice on what classes to take, what extra-cirricular activities to sign up for and which ones to avoid, and advice to be a more efficient and a better student. I know my career goal is to be a professional actor, so instead of wasting my time trying out for the football team to impress the ladies, I would tell myself to be incredibly active involved with the Drama department. I would tell myself that starting early in drama would not only help my acting career, but drama would also help me out in school. It made me more of a creative person and a fast-thinker. I would also encourage myself to take lessons and sign up for auditions in LA. Finally, I would tell myself what methods helped me in my classes, tests, and projects. I would urge myself to, in addition to giving 110{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c}, totake advantage of every resource and staff available to suceed. I would also tell myself to make great relationships with your teachers because people will look up to you as a leader one day.