California State University-Los Angeles Top Questions

My advice to my high school senior self is do not go to college directly after high school. Go into the military instead and let them pay for your school. I say this because I entered college and I'm about to finish my first year and probably won't be able to return next year. My parents cosigned a loan for my first year and I filled out my FAFSA and got the Stafford loan which wasn't enough to cover tuition. For my sophomore year my parents will not cosign a loan and I received the Stafford loan again and right now I have $5,500 for school. Even if I go to a different school now and have the military pay for my schooling, my credits probably won't transfer because my school has different requirements from other states. Entering the military you will go to school where you are stationed or take online classes. The school I go to now doesn't have my degree fully online. So basically I wasted a year of college and about $30,000 because it will probably have to be repeated somewhere else.

If I could talk to my high school senior self, I would probably start off by slapping myself in the face for taking senior year easy instead of taking classes to help me get ahead in college. Big mistake slacking off senior year. I would tell myself that my first two years of college will be awful and boring, the classes I'll be taking will be with 70 students or more, that the work won't be challenging and I'd have to work hard at staying focused. I'd tell myself how much it hurt seeing the look of disappointment in mom's eyes when I told her I failed out of college the first time time around for not attending classes. I'd tell myself how hard it was going to be trying to make ends meet after being thrown out of the house. But I'd also tell myself to take solace that I could always go back to school and try again. That while nobody can go back and make a new beginning, anybody can start now and make a new ending.

I would have said: You need to believe in yourself and in your abilities. Don't let others get you down and don't believe the negative things said to you. You ARE smart and BEAUTIFUL, in fact, you are much smarter than you and others give you credit for. If you believe in yourself you will make it happen. You are also a much stronger person than you realize. Life will throw some low blows, but you will not only overcome, you will thrive and become the person you always wanted to be. You are AWESOME!

I would ask myself to really think about what it means to be a nurse. Do I really want to work long hours, stick needles into people? Or do I want to inform people about better choices for their health and help them prevent illnesses? I would have gone straight into the Nutritional Science program. I would have joined the Student Dietetic Association much sooner. I have met many great people, but I would inform myself that those people, although they are older, are actually very willing to help me. The people I met my first year will actually be very good friends in the future and could help me if I ever needed advice in opeining my own consultation office. The people are friendly, helpful, and I would tell myself the importance of networking and time management. I would also tell myself to move out of housing and rent an apartment. It is much cheaper and I could save that money for summer classes. Most of all I would tell myself tha nothing is impossible and to never give, but most of all to enjoy myself and to do what I love and keep helping people.

First I would tell myself. "stop procrastinating and doing your work in the middle of night!" Second i would tell myself that I dont need to be so stressed out about college but that I need to work and give it my best. Lastly I would tell myself to talk to more people because in college you will need contacts in class.

I chose to go to Community College, for two reasons; to save money, and my grades were not up to par when compared to other students at my school. I was glad with how my time went at community college and I would only tell myself to work as hard as I can so that I can instill that work ethic that I may have not fully grasped before I transferred to a university. The one thing that I wish that I had known would shape my future, was my love for teaching. I would have told my high school self to pursue teaching directly after receiving my Bachelor's degree. If I had known that I had a true love for teaching, I would have pursused it instantly. I do not regret my time working before going back to school because my work with children are what led me to my love for teaching, but I always wondered what could have been possible if I had pursued my teaching credentials when I was a couple years younger. I am now pursuing that same degree, so I have no regrets, but those thoughts still linger at times.

If i could back and talk to my senior self in high school I would let myself know to get more involved and take adavantage of the opportunities given in public schools. It is true what they say, "you dont know what you have untill it is gone". In high school, everything was free, from books to classes to lunch . As we all know, none of that exist in colleges. We have to pay for everything we want and need. Towards the end of high school, being a senior to meant to me and others as well that there was no need to be in class. We would show up to school and just walk around campus while there were still lectures being taught in classrooms. Since we weren't paying for it, well, it didn't really matter to us. However, no that it is the complete opposite we have to show up to class whether we want to or not. We are the ones paying for that seat in class and education being given. If we don't show up, then it is as if we are throwing all that money down the drain.

If I could go back two years ago, I'm not sure my high school self would like what I would say. I learned many life lessons in my year and a half in college. During high school I was a kind of laid back person who just took things as they came. I tried this technique in college, though I consider myself a good student, I know I did not reach my potential in my first year. I was extremely disappointed in myself. If I could tell my high school self anything, it's that some decisions can't be made just when they come along. I would say that I need to start looking at the big picture and take life more seriously, because this is the most important time in your life, and you will never be able to get it back.

If I were given the chance, I would tell myself to remember the little things teachers had taught me. For instance, the times table chart or in my life skills class when the teacher would talk about how to act during a interview. I never really realized college was a step closer to becoming an adult. I would tell myself to focus on everything and anything the teachers had to say. I was very naive because I assumed everything could be done for me in college like in high school. In high school you do not choose the teacher you want nor the time you wanted to have a certain class not even the food to eat. I had felt very comfortable with that lifestyle and I wish I would have prepared myself more by becoming more independent. I would tell myself to stay motivated because in high school i did not care so much but now looking back at it, i could have had a great GPA and amazing SAT scores. Even though many told me to try my best I wish I could have told myself, you can do your best.

If I could go back in time I would still opt to attend this college. I think one of my only complaints for this school is that orientation for incoming freshmen is very poor. I didn't understand the difference between part-time and full-time status. I only registered part-time and as a consequence my financial aid eligibility was greatly affected. I would definitely tell 18 year old Nancy "Ask questions if you are not sure of something!" I would also encourage myself to be more involved in school and extra-curricular activities. Social networking is very important for developmental and personal growth. I know that now, but I didn't before. I was more focused on just the academic component of my college experience and didn't explore the other opportunities that CSULA has to offer. I think it is crucial that every college student join a student organization whether it be a sorority/fraternity, sport, etc...College by all means is a time to solidify the skills that will help us in our future endeavors and professions, but it's also a time to enjoy our friends and experience the world as independent adults.

If I could go back and tell myself something it would be to take care of me and not everyone else. I spent a great deal of time care taking others and letting my life revolve around what others were doing or not doing. What I have come to realize and accept is that what I was really doing was constantly running from myself. I wasn't comfortable living in my own skin. I would say to be more gentle and compassionate with myself, to take the time to learn who I was and what I was interested in, rather than adapting to the interests of those around me. All of which would have lead up to staying in school and not dropping out after I received my 2 year degree, to push forward and to step out of my comfort zone and that everything is going to be ok. That some day all of the chaos and heart ache of watching friends die wouldn't be so painful and that all of this experience doesn't make me a victim, but a survivor that will help me to help others like me.

Take advantage of all the possible resources available to you because what's free in high school could save you tons of money in college. You will be surprised to discover how far you will get in college and how much easier it will become when you prepare for it. Aim for the highest possible academic excellence and the rewards will huge. You must never underestimate yourself because you are capable of great things. When you find motivation, you find success. You may not see it manifest now, but know that your success in high school will follow you throughout college. Trust me, you will pat yourself on the back and be thankful you took advantage of what was available in high school. You must find motivation not only in success, but also in what you feel passionate in learning about. Find your meaning in college by first rediscovering yourself. When you discover yourself, you will discover your goals in education and that should be all the motivation you need to succeed with golden stars and graduate. And when you graduate and "work at a job you love, you will never have to work a day in your life" - Confucius.

College life is wonderful. Take your time to study but if you are in LA enjoy the city. CSULA allows you to grow professionally, personally, and culturally.

I would tell myself to have read more books about psychology and the self, to become a more productive athlete and person. It would have made me stronger minded and more mature. Also i would tell myself to stay on the right path toward my education cause the future self is not doing bad at all so do not worry about going to ELAC and transferring to CAL ST LA, since it is not a bad school at all. That is basically it, i have no regrets at this point so far.

Hello my naïve friend, following our friends avoiding the afternoon classes. I hear you thinking of excuses to tell the parents when the phone rings revealing our absence. How glorious you feel doing something so taboo. How care free life is lacking in any consequences. Well my friend the consequences will soon slap you in the face and our "pals" are nowhere to be found. The thrills you felt will shortly be replaced with humiliation. You know your smart, but our effortless A’s and B’s will be destroyed with our lack of attendance. “Just this once” will result in everyday. The persuasive callings from our classmates will not be there come time to face our educators. I beg you avoid the temptation, go to class, and do our homework. This will drastically improve our future and open the doors for scholarships thus preventing working forty hours a week to pay for school. Expel the thought that we will not attend college. You will and you are. Take my advice friend and skip the hardships realize now in order to have a career action needs to be taken immediately and it will drastically improve and ease our future.

India, first thing you need to do is get money (grants, scholarships and contests). This is very important, because you have no idea how annoying borrowing money is. You'll be in debt before you even leave school. Second, look for a bargain on a car now. Having to ask your parents for their car just to go to sociology is also annoying and frustrating, especially when they work during the day and can't give you the car and the public transportation in your town stops running at 5pm. Third, don't put any money in the stock market, it will tank dramatically again(words of wisdom). Fourth, don't go into engineering, it turns out there aren't alot of engineering jobs where you live and you will lose your love for it anyway. You know what they say, what you don't like as a career, you can possibly love as a hobby. Fifth and finally, go to a community college or trade school, this guarantees you a degree and possibly a career at the end of 2 years, instead of a degree, more debt, and a job(not in your field of study) in 4.

If I were to go back in time to talk to myself, I would simply advise my old self to be prepared. Then, I would advise my old self that when I think I'm prepared, then prepare some more, because attending college has a great deal to do with preparation. I was in no shape or form ready for college, and I would have really loved to have been prepared and have had a vast knowledge about what I was going to do when I got to college. Making the transition is tough, and quite confusing. That is why, I would advise my old self to do much more planning in advance prior to the start of college. I would be well organized, and ready to take on college, and even the world. Accomplishing a well prepared and planned out guide would allow a much more smoother flow of attending college, and a clearer path to obtaining my goals then what I had experienced. In a nutshell, I would give the advice of prepare, prepare, and prepare some more!

The advice i would give myself is, i would tell myself to do more scholarships. I would most definitely encourage myself to work on scholarships during my free time. They really come in handy when it comes to college. I would also have encouraged myself to work harder on my math and re-take the elm/ept exams.

If I could go back in time and give myself advice when I was a high school senior I would say: Celia college is not all fun and games. College takes a lot of determination and hard work. You will need to focus and study a lot. Right now I know you can't wait to get out of high school but don't be in such a rush. Concentrate on finishing off strong that way you can go to the university you've been longing to go to. You are a smart girl with big dreams and goals but in order to accomplish these goals you need to start now. Forget about your guy problems and forget about the drama, soon all of those things wont matter. Soon you will be getting ready to apply to different colleges. While you apply, apply for colleges outside of California. I know it sounds scary now but trust me theres so much more to see outside of California. You will be fine and your family will always be here supporting you. Focus and prepare yourself for what will come next. I promise you it will be the best experience of your life.

If I could go back and tell myself anything, it would be that I need to get some rigorous research experience in my field. To get ahead in any employment or graduate program requires already having experience. In addition to doing community volunteer work and filling leadership positions in clubs and programs, having the most rigorous research position that provides skills and experience that are likely to be current in the field is essential. I would tell myself that it is important not to take the first opportunity that comes up, but to look for an opportunity that is in the most challenging and represents the most up-and-coming area of my chosen field. This means looking at which professors teach the upper division classes that are applicable and going to speak with them about their research. Additionally, it means asking other researchers on campus about the work being done in labs that might be considered. Finally, I would say that it is essential to apply myself, during the last three to four quarters, to getting valuable research experience.