California State University-Bakersfield Top Questions

"First off, I know you don't feel like you did as well as you wanted on your SAT exam, but there are prep crash courses that you can take. Please register for one, and you will see how much that will boost your score. Also, if you're not planning on taking your SAT 2 exam because you don't think you're going to apply at any UC's, do it anyway. You might change your mind later. Apply at all the schools you think you would love to attend, no matter what anyone says. Don't let people discourage you. If you think living accomodations might not work out, research other possibilities. If there is a will, there is a way. Also, don't forget to research your final goal for school. What do you want to go to school for? Make sure you are well informed about the types of job opportunities out there that you can apply for in the field you graduate in. Make sure you understand the different positions, responsibilities, and pay. And just make sure you don't give up. It's challenging, but well worth it."

In addition to my love for knowledge and learning, my personal college experience has been amplified so much by my campus involvement. I am active in my sorority, and have gained invaluable leadership experience as president of both my sorority and the National Panhellenic Conference on my campus. By emphasizing the intrinsic motivation of attending college to actually learn opposed to the extrinsic motivations of only attending school as a stepping stone for a high-paying career, I find that not only does my GPA raise, but my education is so much more rewarding because I enjoy learning and stress less about my grades. I have maintained excellent relationships with the professors in my school's department as well as my director of student activities. Even if my future career plans don't go exactly how I plan, I know I have gained such a rewarding experience during my time in college, both academically and socially.

I am very fortunate that I decided to attend a university because of the life experiences I have learned. In some aspects, I have came to the conclusion that without moving to college I would have never learned how to properly manage my own bank account or handle my own business without my mom. I have learned how to deal with being in a new environment and living with a complete stranger who is the complete opposite of me. Without any of these things I just mention, I would still be dependent of my mother for guidance and support. Every person should experience the good values of attending school. Now that I am a student at a university, I am able to broaden my mind of simple everyday problems such as racism or violence. I needed this because college is one of the steps to becoming a self sustaining woman in today’s society.

As a child, my dream was to go to college. The general concensus is that children dream of becoming a fireman or an astronaut. I always valued the inbetween step. College is much more than books and lectures and late nights. To me, college is where I have always belonged. The greatest career I could ever hope for is to become a university professor. As a center of constant innovation, education, and evolution, the university is a place for students to come and be transformed. This transformation is what allows human culture to be so diverse. At the root of society, there is always the idea, propelled by the thought, and nurtured by the university. I can think of no better place to have spent these last two years than at the institution which has allowed me to grow individually and simultaneously with my fellow peers. The college experience, my college experience, is invaluable. As a child, my dream was to go to college, and it is still my dream today. I am better because of my education, my personal growth, and my experiences with human culture. College is a place I will always cherish, never replace, and never forget.

I have so far learned life skills, such as studying skills, public/personal speaking, organization and many more.

After graduating High School I moved right into College for an Elementary Education degree. At the time, life was pretty hectic, working two jobs and so forth. I made a wrong decision and decided that school was just not right for me at that particular time in my life. I went right to work. Within the 5-6 years that I took off of school, I got married and started a beautiful family of my own and became a stay at home mom. My oldest has now just started his first year in school and that is when the idea of school really started getting to me again. It became something that I really want to do for myself and my family. To be able to provide for them better and doing something I love to do couldn't sound any better. Teaching children is something I always wanted to do. I truly do feel that teaching our children WILL create a better tomorrow. I was a little scared thinking that I will be an adult student, but on the same note, what a better example to my children-you can never be too old for school.

My parents did not finished college. My two brothers, 23 and 27, did not fiinished college. Attending college gives me the security that I will end up with a good paying profession. That I am on my way of becoming the first generation college graduate in my family. My college experience has allowed me to meet a bunch of wonderful people. It helped me some in strenghtening my confidence and individuality. Because of my general studies, my perception of the various areas of society have expanded, and now see greater career possibilities and opportunities. Attending college gives me a sense of security that I am in action, that I will end up with a great career, it reminds me everyday that I'm dedicated about becoming that strong, self-reliant, successful young woman I'm meant to be. v.b.

I have realized that I am not the only older person going back to school. It is comforting to see people my age and older doing the same thing I am. I have learned to appreciate the value of education, and am grateful for all the help I have received along the way.

The resources at this school are very helpful. everyone is very helpful. i have gained a lot for attending CSUB. I have learned a lot and have made more friends than i have ever had. i would highy recomend this school to any student who want to get a quallity college education and a fun college experience.

My college experience has taught me to never doubt myself and to remain confident in my success. I have completed an Associate of Arts degree in Spring of 2010. However, my dream of a financially stable future ( and a house and three kids) is at stake if my bachelor's degree remains incomplete. I am a dental assistant and plan to return to schoool in January to work towards a degree in dental hygiene. I WILL succeed. In times when layoffs are so prevalent my education will be my most vauable asset. I am elated to be considered for this scholarship to aid in my academic endeavor. Thank you for this opportunity.

The experience i have gain since attending college have been superbly marvelous. It have provided me with insites of many views points of my peers and a basic knowledge that every individual should acquire to be proficient in everything thay might choose to do. At this point in my life being soo young, age sixteen, attending college have been probably the most influential and momentous decisioin in my life. Attending college will help me inprove many of my skills to become a better person. It will help me strive to become the neurologist i want to become.

My college experience yield two things, friendships and a degree that taught me how to critically thing. Studying during college was often collaborative processes; many hours were spent studying with the same individuals in my program. Studying would be done at all hours when we were not in class - as a result of spending so much time tougher a bond between me and my study partners was formed and one that will remain though life. Though the struggle of the program being able to relate to ones fellow students was very important and these feelings and lessons are ones that I take to the real world. To this day we reminisce about our experience in the math program and often talk about studying in the future together and furthering out educations as a group.

My college experience has been valuable because it has made me a stronger student and more independant adult. I rapidly developed my ability to interact socially through joining club activities, and mingling with people from all over the world. Some of my professors and peers helped me develop successful study and research methods. I have also learned that college and life is very challenging financially. I worked two jobs while taking a full-time school schedule, and still had to take a loan to support my education. This workload has taught me to manage my time in an organized fashion. I observed many people in my past; as well as, peers currently on campus who were not dedicated to their educatrion. They are unsuccessful and failing in life. These experiences have made the completion of my education more desirable for the success in my future.

What I have gain is responsiblity in how to mange my time with my homework and work, to ask professor's question, to learn more about my nursing major, and to network with classmates. College has been valuable to attend because I learend that with education I will never advance.

I would definetly tell myself that I should be selfish with my time. That eventhough I feel that I can help so many people and therefore should, I instead need to me more diserning with who I help because there are those who will take advantage. My first quarter I made the mistake of not manageing time and saying no to friends and even family when they needed help. Now when I look back there were many times where they would have done well on their own. That is what I would tell myself.

Dear Self: Are you nuts? Why are you listening to all of the people who think you shouldn't go to college? I don't care if Mrs. Chandler is your favorite teacher and someone you look up to.....she should NEVER have told you that you'd make a great secretary. Has it escaped her notice that you've taken college prep classes for the last four years, and have an impressive GPA? Girl, you turn your back on that woman and anyone else who isn't encouraging you to continue your education (including your nasty little internal doubter) and get your butt to a college admissions office NOW. Know this: you will eventually break out of your shell. You won't spend your life being backward and shy, and college is a great tool for beginning the process. You'll gain confidence with every class you ace, and you'll even find yourself able to question your professors' opinions when you don't agree with them. You'll make friends. Best of all, you'll become your OWN friend.....you will love who you are. You know you can trust me.......after all, I AM YOU! ';

If I could go back in time and be a high school senior once again, I would definitely tell myself to stay closer to home. I left my home to attend a university that was 600 miles away. I truly regret that decision. Leaving my parents and siblings back in my home town was very difficult for me. I took many months for me to adjust living on my own and not having family and friends close to me. Although I did mature very fast, I learned the hard way that relationships are very important. I would change the decision I made as a high school senior and stay close to my family and friends.

If i was able to go back in time, I would tell myself first of all, APPLY for scholarships. If I would of known more about how your life changes when your going to college and how you have to become an indepent person, I would of applied for more scholarships to ease the stress alittle more than what it is. I also would of told myself, it's time to buckle down, and take education more seriouslly. If i would of known that the U.S was going to be in a recession I would of taken my edcation much more seriouslly. I would of told my self also, Please complete your FASA on time, because if you don't your life and expericence in college, will cause sooo much pressure upon you, untill you will literally feel like dropping out. I would like to tell myself in the past, take the most hardest classes you can, because it forshadows what you will be going through everyday in college, untill you graduate. If i would of known that, life would of been so much easier as a Freshman in college.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school seniors I would advice myself to apply for scholarships,grants, and other ways to get money. This would be because we have fallen in a crisis this years which has made my life a little hard as a full-time student because I don't work and as I try to focus in my school work I find it difficult thinking of how I'm going to buy books and pay additional supplies I need for my education. I didn't think of my expenses before college so I am having to struggle so I would advice myself not to comit the same mistake. I would also tell myself to learn how to study because college ain't quite a thing like high school there aren't any teachers really woring of who passes their classes, but who wants to succeed on their own.

If I was able to give myself advice on the difficulties of transitioning from high school to college I would tell myself that the most important thing to understand about college is do not trust the judgement of the school counselors because they no nothing about what is best for you.