California State University-Long Beach Top Questions

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to focus on the day by day things and not stress about the upcoming college experience. My first semester at college was so overwhelming and it was easy to get off track and forget about commitments. The main thing I would share with my younger self would be that your education is yours. What you want to get out off your education and your classes is all yours. In high school, you aren't told about everything that is expected of you. Your high school teachers can only prepare you for so much. The best advice my teachers gave me is not to be afraid to ask questions. Risk looking dumb in front of your classmates and ask a question because chances are someone else has the same question.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to learn good study habits that would greatly help me in college. I would give advice of managing my time better since college classes can be throughout the day and there is no set time to do homework. Learning skills such as listening in class and planning things needed to do throughout the day is important. Some words of comfort about college and bigger classroom environments would help. I would tell myself not to be afraid of adapting to a bigger school and meeting new people. Setting acheivable goals would help you along in college. I would also tell myself not to fall under pressure of more homework and longer class sessions. Getting involved with school activities and organizations would help in getting a break from the classroom. It gains an opportunity and experience to meet new people and have fun. A person can spend their free time volunteering at their clubs instead of doing something unproductive. I would tell myself that being involved in school and getting good grades makes a person a well rounded student.

If I was able to speak to myself before I entered the California State University of Long Beach, I definitely would let myself know that money is a big issue. That even though a four year university might allow you to enter your major and make the friends that would continue on with you until you graduate, that maybe it would be more beneficial to attend a two year college and then transfer. The distractions at a four year university aren?t worth receiving bad grades because of them. I would also let myself know what I intend to be interested in so that I would not waste my time taking courses that are unnecessary. When it comes to academics, even though it is common knowledge, I would let myself know that it is necessary to begin studying for the course when it starts and not a few days before. I think having it come from my own mouth would benefit me a lot more. And to enjoy the time with my family because they are the ones working over-time in order to send me to somewhere I wanted to go and not somewhere I needed to go.

The first thing I would say to myself is there is so much opportunities that will be offered to you. You should take advantage of all these opportunities that will cross your path. Even though you are receiving financial aid from this school you should apply for scholarships. These scholarships will help you to further your education. Also, make sure to pledge in a sorority. It will cost money to get in but I believe it will be worth it. I believe that being involve in a organization will increase your communication skills, be knowlegeable of diverse backgrounds, help your community, and have strong bonds within your group. Finally, make sure to major in Liberal Studies to become a math teacher. It might seem very intimidating to be a teacher because you will have 25-35 students in each class period. However, I promise you that you will love working with students. You shouldn't worry because you will develop a great passion for the art of teaching and will become a teacher that can handle any student from kinder through 12 grade. You will have challenges in the classroom but nothing you can't handle.

I would tell myself to brace yourself for the future, to be prepared for all that may come, and in the end all the hardship that i may go through will all be worth because it will aid in the discovery of my own ideals, virtues, and essentially who i am as a man. Also i would tell myself to think logically and with reason, not in impulse, planning and organization in terms of finances and overall day to day life aids in the quest to a stress free college experience.

If I could go back I would tell myself to apply for every scholarships offered to me, and get all of my paper work in on time, or before hand. I'd tell myself to read more to prepare for the vast amount of reading that would be required for most of the classes. I'd tell myself to work hard, and enjoy college because it truly is the best time of your life. I would also say that you should apply to as many colleges as possible, even if you dont think you can get in, because you never know. Being in college is serious, but it is a time to grow and learn about who you are and who you will become, but it is also a time to have fun before you go off to the world of "serious careers". I would lastly tell my self to go in with an open mind and get to know people, because for the most part these people may be you friends for life, you best man, or you made of honor, or maybe even you life partner. Oh, and College is a blast, so look foward to it.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself when I was a highschool senior I would tell myself to work as hard as I could in school and not take the easy street senior year. I would tell myself to stay in all the honors courses I was enrolled in and work my butt off because it will definitely pay off. I would also tell myself to take the SATs and prepare prior to taking them so I could get into a university right after highschool. If I would have given myself the advice previously stated I would have already graduated college and would probably be onto my graduate classes by now. Instead, I just got to a 4 year university at the age of 23, which isn't bad but I wish I would have already finished school and had my life career by now. It would have been nice to have given myself that advice but regardless I am extremely proud of myself for continuing with my education and plan to graduate with flying colors.

I would have shown myself how diverse college is with culture, religion, and intellectual minds. I would ask myself to not be egoistic, and open my mind to a world of special people. The college experience is not about parties, drinking, and being destructive. College is the first step into the real world, where you meet people of outstanding vision. People who allow you to experience their ways of life, even for a brief second. I would not only give myself advice verbally, but show pictures of all of the amazing people I have met in a few short months. I would say that these people are what makes the world go around, and I am joining in that party soon. Lastly, I would adivse to open my heart towards expressing my culture. To show my philosophical ideas through martial arts, and my cultural beliefs. In order to understand culture, you have to understand and share your own. As a senior, I was unaware of this becuase I lived in a segregated part of South Los Angeles. If I had known, I would have helped my fellow students develop a better understanding of themselves, people, and most importantly, life.

Knowing what I know now about college life and making the transition, I would tell myself to take challenging courses during high school and to note the progress towards graduation. I would also tell myself to develop strong study skills. In addition, I would advise myself to participate in extracurricular activities and clubs. I would tell myself to begin exploring my interests, skills, and scholarship opportunities. Moreover, I would tell myself to apply for a part-time position and to save my earnings.

If i can go back in time and talk to myself about college life when I was a high school senior I would tell me to keep my grades up. When I was in high school, I didn't know the importance of my grades in senior year. I thought that if I got my acceptance letter from a University I wouldn't have to try as hard and it's okay to cruise through the rest of the year. Well I was very wrong, so if I can go back in time, I would tell myself to do my best in all the subjects because some of those AP classes that I passed can really help cut down the number of classes I'll have to take in college. When it comes to making the transition, I would tell my high school senior self to research about any campus events, any clubs that I can attend once I'm in college because making new friends can really help me transition and feel more comfortable in college.