California State University-Northridge Top Questions

The most important advice I would give myself is be involved. The mistake that I commited was not becoming super involved in organizations and clubs early on as a freshman. This extra activities really make the college experience worth wild and much more memorable. This also adds on to resume's which is something very important for grad school. Another Important advice I would give myself is to have an open mind. college is filled with diversity and new ideas that help shape us and it it important to be open to new ideas.

Transistioning from high school to College is not as scary as you think it is going to be. There are so many resources and friendly people that are there to help you complete the degree in the time you need. Stop worrying about what you are going to be in the future, you have a a semester or two to test the waters and enjoy yourself. The main thing to do those first years, enjoy your time. Pick classes that you want to learn about. You might just find out what you are most passionate about. Making friends is easy, once you are away from the drama of high school. Again, enjoy your time in college, find what makes you happy, and remember it is the pursuit of happiness that is the dream. One day you will look back on your college experience fondly. You should always push for education and higher learning, after all it will eventually become your life.

Making the transition into a college student can be difficult. Knowing what I know now about college life I would research more on scholarships and how I can manage my finiacial aid money. I would also have worked a part time job within the school. Going in to school I thought that I did not have time to work because I was a full time student. I would also get more involved with different organizations on campus and start to network with proffesors and other important staff members. Knowing them will come in handy when you need some type of educational references for a job that you are applying for.

If I were able to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself a few things. I would tell myself that when you first get into college, seeing that you are surrounded by a new environment and people, it can be a scary experience. Be prepared to learn how to live away from your parents, which at times can be hard because you start to miss them. Giving them a phone call every day can help with being homesick. Even visiting on the weekends can make things a lot better. When it comes to classes, make sure you ALWAYS attend them no matter what. Missing classes can cause a lot of missed information needed to pass the class. Try not to fail any classes because it sets you back a little from where you should be. Don't worry about trying to party all the time. Worry about finishing homework and party later because you'll always find time for that. Just do your best and don't stress too much and know that as you experience college, you'll learn to transition and do things different each year you progress.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior there are several pieces of advice I would give myself. First, I would advice myself to improve my study habits. Good study habits are extremely essential in being a successful college student, which I definitely had to learn the hard way during my undergraduate career. Second, I would advice myself to practice note taking skills. As a college student, note taking is essential during lectures so that you can prepare for any quizzes, exams, or finals. Finally, I would advice myself to explore different careers that are not very commonly known.

Making the transition to college life from high school is exciting. Getting information about the resources the school provides for student is key. Learning different ways how to better utilies my skills and applying them to my full advantage will create a path of success. Keeping open minded and participating in organization in school and building realtionships with other students is great networking. Being envolved in school activities and staying open for options can narrow my way to the right path I want to take for the career that will best fit me. Staying connected with my professors and applying my skills can take me far and appriciate my accomplishments.

Never get discouraged, always strive for the best and never settle for less or the bare minimum. Also, start saving for college way sooner.

There are two major pieces of advice I would have given myself. First is to start studying and understanding my major/ career choice on my own. During the school year and summer before college I had ample free time that I misused. If I would have taken at least an hour a day to study and research about my career in depth I believe I would have had a slight advantage in my studies at my college. Also along with studying I would have told myself to get in contact with students I knew at my college that would have helped me get ahead in my studies.My second advice to myself would have been to apply and complete more scholarships essays. Doing scholarship essay can be tedious and boring which is why I didn’t do any in high school. What I did not realize is it really helped with the things you don’t think of such as textbooks, school supplies, and transportation expenses. Even if I applied for ten small scholarships collectively they would have been a great help. I wish I had this advice in advance but the experience motivate me to chance myself.

Going back to the 2007 Brooke, I would tell myself to take my time and that education isn't supposed to be a rushed experience. Do what you need to do to figure out what your dreams and goals are before you dive into a 2/4 year degree path. After school you have the rest of your life to work and climb the corporate ladder. Utilize the classroom experiences and make all the mistakes in that environment because out in the real world people aren't as nurishing or open to professional industry feedback. Chase and catch your dreams!

As a high school senior, I was unaware of the challenge college was. I was not used to reading extensive articles about topics I did not understand and took little interest in. Reading, I realized now, is a big part of the college learning proccess. I would tell my high school senior self to be more open-minded and venture into topics not as appealing to me. College classrooms are on the other side of the spectrum compared to high school classrooms. Usually, in high school you see familiar faces every day and are used to the routine of going to class, lunch and go home. Now you have to be able to create your own schedule and balance your time between school without fully sacrificing your social life. Being independent is a big part of the transition between high school to college. The biggest piece of advice to give my high school senior self is to find yourself and learn to accept who you are. Independence is scary but practice makes perfect. The more you are used to and comfortable with being on your own the easier college life will be.