California State University-Northridge Top Questions

You need to take advantage of more opportunities. Reach out to the community more and offer to volunteer at places you may have never thought of. Community college courses are offered for free to high school students so take as many as you can. Every class you take will take a load off of your university curriculum and save you money as well. You also need to study harder. Every class in high school will count towards your chances of being accepted into college.

As a high school student, I was always very quiet, shy, and kept to myself. I didn’t have friends or anyone I could really talk to. It wasn’t until my senior year of high school when I finally made a friend. I never tried to put myself “out there” or go out of my comfort zone. I always wanted to show people who I was, share my thoughts and opinions, and make people laugh, but I always feared what people would think of me. The advice I would give to my high school senior self, is to just be yourself and don’t be afraid to show people who you are. It’s all about expressing yourself from the inside, out. People do care about you and are interested in getting to know you. Also, college students are more concerned about who you are rather than if you “fit in.” Lastly, make the choices that you want. Don’t let the opinions of others dissuade you from making the choices that you want or the choices that will take your life in the direction you want it to go.

I would tell myself to apply harder in school, become more involved in your classes, ask for help, and never stop trying. I know it is hard right now. You are busy with art, choir, friends, and your meaningless relationship but none of that will benifit you in the future. Those friends will eventually leave, your meaningless relationship is going to fail, choir is only temperary, and you will always have art in your heart. School is extremely important. It is the building blocks of your future. I recommend you to stay focused on your work more than play. It sucks being stuck in a community college, when there are thousands of universaties calling for you. I advise you to ask for help when needed. Don't be ashamed of asking.

I would have never waited until I was older. Life is busy with my cancer, my kids, and an aging parent!! I came to school now before I became even more expensive!!

The most important advice I could give my high school self would be to STUDY! I would tell myself that high school is a blessing, and it will never be this easy. Forget the trends, and the popular crowds, and focus on the school work because that is what truly matters in the end. I would also advice myself to confide more in the teachers and ask more questions when not understanding certain material. Math and Chemistry are super easy compared to college level, and English is your best friend. Most importantly, acquiring good study habits in high school will truly help when moving on to a higher education, and it will make an easier transition.

I would tell myself to work my butt off now and the reward later will be great. My favorite quote is from Dave Ramsey "You must live like no one else now, so you can live like no one else later." If I would have put all my effort into being a successful student in high school I would have been automatically accepted into the university of my choice (the University of Texas at Austin) and I would not have had to go to a community college and have to wait to transfer into my dream school. Although this was not the "ideal" way for me to start my college career it has made me work my butt off to accomplish my life long goal of attending the University of Texas at Austin and become a life-time Longhorn!

Dear Gabriela, This is future Gaby. Im sitting in your best friend Dre's room with your new college friends. and Resident Advisor, these are the coolest people. I have some advice for you. Apply for scholarships, as much as possible! You have no idea how expensive college can be. The best advice I can give you is to NOT rush for a sorority!!!! That will be the best advice ever. Do NOT rush or pledge. Get involved with student government, TAKE 26 (new student orientation play), and community service club called Unified We Serve. This is the absolute best advice ever plus, dump Angel he ends up screwing up, do not let him influence you to go to CSULA instead of CSUN. You'll love CSUN so go!

The only advice I would give myself would be to be more outgoing. With this keyword, my college experience would have been more different so far. I mean to be outgoing in the sense of not being shy nor conscieous of my own beliefs or speaking my own mind or simply to be apart of a club. Being shy held me back not only in the social view, but in an educational sense as well. I was always afraid to speak to professors or even to peers in my own class. Fortunately, i have left that trait behind and try to be more open with charity to others.

Linda, don't listen to what others say about failing or not being able to succeed in any of your dreams. You will never know until you try. You can do what ever you put your mind to. You have to do what you want to do to make yourself happy. It is really important to take the first step , then keep focused on what you want to accomplish in life. There may be a few obsticals on the way but just keep trying. The only way you will fail is if you don't take the first step or if you quit before you accomplish your goal. So Linda, it's up to you. Follow your dreams! You can go anywhere or be anything you want if you try!

Study harder. Get your education before getting married and having a family; it's just easier that way. Do choose the medical field and at least get a bachelors degree. Work for a year or two , then persue a masters and specialize as a nurse practioner or physicians assistant. Go to college after high school, working full time and going to college is tough. Going right after high school , would be easier. Work study or a part time job. Enjoy college life, study. Make sure you have a job in your field on graduation and be further ahead financually after graduation. Money may not be everything, but you go to ollege to improve your prospects as well as improve the world.