California State University-San Bernardino Top Questions

The first thing i would tell yself, is that college is no joke then in High School, have to work harder to get the grade you know you can get. that having fun is good, yet the grades and the education is whats going to give you the life in the future > That college will be hard like everything in college, yet think that in the future you will be able to pay back your parents with all the sweat they put into your education to get you where you are. At the end of the day, just think about the day you will graduate from college, and the look on your parents face of how proud they will be of you. This will be the biggest gift or their lives and yours' and its better then anything you will ever give them. Be that funny and bright girl, but know what college is for and what can give you.

If I had the chance to go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would have told myself to do more scholarships. As a high school senior I had a full load during school, with homework and other activities I was involved in, scholarships were not my first priority, but they should have been. Now that I?m in my first year of college I did not realize paying for it was as stressful and hard. I took out loans and I wouldn't have to if I stayed on top of doing scholarships when I was fully capable of doing them. My focus was more on my school work at the time, and i did not treat doing scholarships like doing another part of my homework. However, I am not able to go back in time so I look at it as a very hard lessoned learned and I can only do better now.

I would tell my self not to look at all the people who never wanted to achive anything and partied all the time. To listen to the people who mattered the most in my life because they are the ones who love me and want to see me succeed in life. Listen to the teachers who were the hardest on me because apparently they were the ones who seen something in me from the start. To enjoy life and take heed to all the opprtunities that were handed to me to make me a better person and develop a wonderful personality. To enjoy the little things in life and spend more time with my loved ones who knew I was something special because they told me everyday. To stand up for what you believe in and never let any one change your mind about who you are. Believe! Succeed! Achieve! and continue to move forward in life!

Some of the greatest advice I've received in my life regarding my education came about during my first two years of college. If I had the opportunity to reverse the clock and go back in time to when I was a high school senior, the best piece of advice I could give myself is to complete college and stay focused on my education before becoming concerned about establishing a stable career. Where I'm currently at in retrospect to my education, I truly wish that I would have attended a four year university right after graduating from high school rather than attending a community college and then transitioning to a university. I would advise myself to communicate effectively and efficiently with school counselors and advisors to educate myself on all of the options available with financial aid, class selection, tutoring, community involvement, and campus life. What I've learned through my experiences has shown me that high school is the foundation for college and the rest of my educational endeavors so it's beneficial to make decisions based upon what would excel myself towards a rewarding and fulfilling future.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to do as many things that are available as I can. I would tell myself to join more clubs, do more community service and take as many advanced courses that are offered or as much as I possibly can handle. Also, I would tell myself to work hard and study a lot. Additionally, in order to graduate on time, that I should take the opportunity to take the advanced placement exams that are offered even if the price may be too expensive, because that will certainly benefit me in the future since that would lessen the burdens; and, if I passed the exams, then I would not have to retake the courses and that will already make me a step ahead of everyone and will be able to achieve my goals and graduate on time or even earlier. Last, but not least, I would tell myself to be strong and broaden my horizon and learn about taking risks, especially when they're going to be beneficial to me in the long run and my future will be brighter.

To not be afraid of making friends because I will have two best friends that will help me out in almost everything. Also not to pick Mr Buckhoff has my english teacher because he is not a good teacher. I would also tell myself to not pick my classes in the afternoon because most of my friends will be free in the afternoon while I would head to class.

Knowing what I know now about college, i would tell my self not to go out so much and hang out in loud areas to study. I would say not to underestimte the transition between high school and college work. The times that the school tell us to set aside for studying are true and to follow them religiously to attain the best grade possible in each and every class. Don't buy any books untill the insttructor says that you will need it. Ask people about instructors you have and which to take in the future and which not to take. Get to know more people and utilize the office hours of each professor. always ask questions in classes and don't be afraid, everyone is thinking the same thing. Finally i would say to study for twice as long for finals and midterms.

The advice I would give myself would to go to a community college first. Get your associates degree and do exceptionally well in your classes. If you are able to achieve the Deans List and membership in an honor society like Phi Theta Kappa, you will have access to scholorships that can be used when transfering to the four year colleges. By attending a community college first, you are able to pay for two years of undergraduate classes almost "out of pocket". This is because the cost is drastically lower than the 4-yr colleges. Also, you are able to participate in a vast amount of extra-curricular activities, which will help you become more focused and certian of the path or major you want to take at the 4-yr college. This will save time & money. It will also give you the confidence that you can trust your decisions, based on your own experiences. Believe me, I wish someone would have told me this. (lol) But, if I had the chance, this is exactly what I would tell myself, if I could go back in time. (smile) Felicia M. Phillips

I wish I could go back in time and shake some sence into my 17 year old self. I didn't even want to go to college, even though my grades were good, I ididn't even bother applying to any school. Luckily I was blessed with talent in the sport o Ski Racing and I was asked at th last minute if I woud be interested in skiing for the Nationaly Rankd ski team at Central Oregon College in Bend, Oregon. I was a lazy senior in high school and once again something was handed to me on a silver platter. I just needed someone to push me, but that didn't happen and luckily a had a school to attend. I left school early, got married, and had a baby. It's too bad I left school, but I finally did something right, I have a wonderful Daughter. In fact, she was the one that got me interested in going back to school, and doing something with my life. So, although I wish I could have shaken some sence into my 17 year old self, I wouldn't trade my life as it is now, for anything.

When anyone talks to me in person, they quickly realize that I am very shy. I have much to say but I am always too nervous to say it. Shyness has always managed to impede my oral communication skills. If I could travel back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would grab my past self by the shoulders and whisper strongly in her ear these exact words: "Improve your oral communication skills NOW. In college they will be most important to you." Oral communication skills are essential for giving good presentations in college classes, but are necessary for networking with peers and college professors who have a lot to offer students who are willing to talk with them. In college, I've started attending events pertaining to my major to communicate and learn from junior and senior students who have a lot of knowledge to offer me. I also visit my professors during their office hours when I need help or when I want to learn stuff from them outside of the classroom. My oral communication skills have improved quickly in college but working on them in high school would've immensely helped me.