California State University-San Marcos Top Questions

In high school it is really easy to get caught up in relationships, and other things that potentially distract a focused mind, it can cripple the chances of fully succeeding. My advice would be to really focus on myself, and not get wrapped up in temporary problems. Also to tell myself that high school is only difficult as I make it seem, that it's much easier than college. The other advice I would give would be to value the free education that was granted to us as high school students, because things become so expenisve in college. I would tell myself to lighten up, quit stressing about things that are out of my control. I was worrying about whether my dad would be able to pay rent, I was worried about our next meal. I would tell myself that my dad loves me and he is trying the best that he can. I would tell myself to remind my parents that I loved them, and that I apperciated everything they do for me on a daily basis. Lastly, I would give myself a hug and let myself know that my depression and self harm tendencies would subside.

Hey kid, I know you hated High School, looking at all those teachers who did not care for you or even bothered to give you an honest positive feedback from your exams; however, the University where you are going to attend is full of amazing teachers. Trust me, all those, "Good Job!" comments will become more complex and actually help you as you advance through University. From, "Good Job!" to "This paragraph was composed of several keywords that relate to the chapter which made this paper enjoyable, try to use other points of view in the second paragraph. ". What I want you to always remember is that University is not as hard as everyone exaggerates about or as nerve-recking, I must be honest, the first time I arrived at my dorm I felt lonely and a bit depressed, be ready for that by the way. However, I met my roommate and everything became more casual as if I was at home again. One more thing, I can not stress this enough, be ready to give up various hours of video games and social media hours to study and do your homework, you are a straight A student.

Take AP and Honors courses! Those courses will help you prepare for the work load in college and will help you save money on courses as well. Plan a career path when your in high school and give yourself some time while doing your general ed. Think long and hard about what you want to do so you can get in and get out! Don't switch up your major too much, it will waste your time. However, make sure you pick a field that you love and envision yourself having a career in. Have an open mind! The time you spend in college and the people you meet will change you. Its an amazing feeling to grow as an individual with the education you recieve and learning from the people around you. Do what you love and be open to figuring yourself out, life will never saty the same. Meet new people, learn from people, travel, and plan your future with your best interest.

If I could go back to my senior year in high school I would give myself the advice of being outgoing and willing to break out of my shell. I would also tell myself to try and join a club or sport.

If I could go back to myself when I was in high school I would say that life is hard but if you work for what you want, you can reach your goal. I would also remind myself that things do not always go as planned so just relax and let life fall into place, because it will work out in the end. I would also advice myself to be social because having friends in classes help you learn, and also become life long friends. The most important lesson I would teach myself is to be well organized because keeping track of upcoming event will prevent frustration and pain later on. Being well organized and having time management skills would be great advice to give to myself because it would help me to succeed and avoid future problems.

I know that you are afraid to step out of your comfort zone, and I know that what you fear the most is the thought of letting go of the life that you built for yourself up until now, but you can't let these irrational fears, or any fear, stop you from having an amazing college experience. Everyone is hurt, or knocked down the same way and fear only dictates the negative impact, so stop being afraid and realize that your fear is an indication of your weak points. You will make mistakes experience loss, from relationships to disapointment, but loss is inevitable, so rather than looking at what you have lost, look at what you have left, becasue the things that you do have left, like your talents or your friendships, will help you heal, and just as a bone is the strongest after the break, you will be a stronger person after your loss. The actual transition to college only takes a few weeks, and knowing you, you are strong enough to handle it, but I urge you to make as many mistakes as possible, becasue by the end, you will be unstoppable.

It feels like the world is against you, I know. Your parents do not understand you, there is pressure to be the "best dressed" every single day, and every little thing seems so important. You cannot wait to leave your house and have your own freedom. You do not want to do chores or follow the rules your parents have set for you. You want to be rebellious and do whatever you want. In the end, it is insignificant. Those high school relationships will fade. It is sad, but true. Once you are in college, it will not matter where you sit during your lunch period. You will learn that your family is, and has been, the most important support system in your life. Your parents have been with you since day one and they have stuck with you all of this time. Your parents will become the people you talk to the most and share your struggles with. Do not stress over the little things and laugh them off. Learn to treasure the time you have with friends, have fun, and live in the moment. Learn to not worry about what makes other people happy and focus on you.

You have been accepted to UCR and CSUSM, I know everyone is pushing you to go to San Marcos for their nursing school, but believe me, this is not for you. You will take a nursing class and you will absolutely hate it. Medical school seems almost impossible but you can do it. Don't let others' beliefs get in your way, you and only you can create the path towards your dream. Don't reach for nursing when you know that your heart is set on medical school. I know it may seem overwhelming now but it is better to have tried and failed than to have never tried at all and remain wondering for the rest of your life: what if i had gone to UCR? What if I actually became a doctor? Don't undermine yourself, go for UCR, live out your dream! Making mistakes is okay. It's okay for you to make the wrong decision, because if it is something you really want, you will look for another way to continue your path towards you dream!

take your time and try not to have your hardships take over your education. I think that was a fall back for me because life was interferring with my grades and focus and my focus also needed to be high GPA so i could get more funding to further my education and not stop at just a BA degree

Pursue Financial Aid and don't let your parents' income hold you back from getting the financial help you need. Take the plunge and live in a dorm, it's a real life experience worth not missing. Get together with your friends and find out where they're all going for college and what their plans are, some of them are just as afraid of the great unknown. Find that perfect someone to show you around campus to help ease your fears. Don't be afraid to grow up because going back later won't be any easier with kids, a job, pets, etc.

The advice I would give myself would be to try and take more advanced classes. Some AP classes in high school count towards college so I wish that I would've taken some more of those. I would also advice myself to get more involved in school. I would tell myself to maybe try out for one of the sports teams or to join some type of club. When applying to colleges, a lot of the applications asked about the extra-curricular activities that I did, and also joining them in high school would make it a lot easier to join them in college. Joining clubs makes you more of a sociable person and being more social is a good thing to obtain while on your own in college.

For the most part I was rather well prepared for college. I knew what I wanted to do and stayed with the same major. However, the best advice I think I would give myself is to make more friends and spend more time on campus meeting people and being involved. Along the same lines, I would advise myself to join an honor society to make connections with people in my field of study. I would tell myself not to be afraid to make mistakes, have fun and enjoy the social aspect of college. I would also tell myself that I can handle taking five classes a semseter instead of four classes, because then I would be able to graduate a year earlier than I did. Most importantly, I would tell myself to not be intimidated by other college students and to say whatever thought I during class discussions. Finally, I would tell myself to take German as my foreign langugae instead of Spanish. I have always wanted to learn German, but I listened to the advice of my papernts and took Spanish instead. That is the one regret that I have about college, that I am not better at German.

I would say that most of the so called "friends" in high school are not friends at all. They are only are hanging out with you or choosing not to hang out with you because it makes them appear to be in the "in" crowd. But when you get to college, whether or not you were in the "in" crowd in high school immedaitely ceases to matter. This is because when everyone gets to college no cliques or groups exist because everyone there is away from home and their high school "friends" and they are all now in the same boat along with you and thus have to start all over and make new friends. In this situation, whether or not any person is apart of some clique doesn't matter since these don't exist, but rather the only qualities that matter for friend making are those that are truly yours - not what you pretend to have or others think you have. Thus the friends that you will make in college will truly be your friends because they will cherish you for who are and will be your friends for life.

Prepare yourself for writing requirements. Invest the time to improve your writing skills and abilities before your first paper is due. Become involved on campus in someway whether its arts and culture, clubs, sports, outreach programs etc. Invest time and involvement in volunteering and community efforts, because it will only beneift you inwardly and outwardly. Most importantly enjoy the college wave, because it most likely will only come once.

To be extremely disciplined, focus on my studies for the future. Talk with college counselors, tour a college campus and maybe even take a college course.

Networking is the most important thing ever! get involved and dont be afraid to shout out your own ideas and opinions. Get involved with sports, clubs, internships and especially your professors. Your instructors are the key to alot of opportunities like important contacts, internships of all kinds and most importantly jobs for after graduation. Getting to know people in other clubs and majors will help you overall know exactly what you want to do and how you want to approach your goal.

Since I started college, I have become more independent and responsible. Taking my own choices and being responsible for my school work as well as my athletic responsabilities I have learned how to handle certain situations. I have realized it is my time to start creating my corner stones for my future.

I have so enjoyed my college experience thus far. I have learned concepts and tools that I will truly take with me for the rest of life. Not only what you learn in the textbooks or within the classroom, but how to communicate with professors, how to do nearly everything on your own, and how to successfully manage your time. I have learned to understand HOW I learn and the steps I must take in the classroom in order to maintian that information. Nothing is "easy" in college and nothing is handed to you with no strings attached, however it shows you how the real world operates, and what you can do to be a powerhouse in this world. I have learned my passions and my talents; this gift alone is what I consider to be invaluable.

I am getting better grades in college than I am in high school because I love the classes I am in as well as the teachers. My professors are great and really help me if I do not understand something. I am able to make a schedule that works well for with classes that I am actually interested in, while also still working to help put myself through college. I can apply what I learn in my classes to my everyday life and I love how I can relate that more now to my life today. I know that by attending college I have a better chance at being successful at life and my professors support my success. I can learn to be an adult while at college because it requires a lot of maturity and it also requires discipline and some tough decisions. I would not take back the choice I made in my college because it fits me just right.

The most important thing I have gotten out of my college experience, so far, is a value for diversity and a greater tolerance for differences. My most challenging and favorite classes have been the ones where I've studied issues of racism, discrimination, gender stereotypes, LGBTQ issues, and women's issues. These are the classes that I feel I have been most impacted in and have grown and matured in. Being exposed to others students' opinions that are completely different than my own has forced me to open my eyes to my own prejudices and stereotypes. and rethink ideologies that I have always held on to so tightly. College is an opportunity to broaden one's visions and horizons and being an individual who is empathetic, compassionate, and aware of other?s struggles. Those who fight on behalf of others are a very important contribution to society and progression. If it were not for those who were willing to stand up and fight against injustice , our society would be a dark and unaccepting.