Columbia College Chicago Top Questions

I would tell myself to take the ACT as many times as possible and to take it easy. I was involved in a lot of extracurriculars activities during the critical period of applying to colleges. I was strugglign to do homework, college applications, scholarship applications and extra that I stressed myself out. I would tell my high school self to relax and it is ok to take a break for some things for a while to get oher things done.

I would tell myself to apply for as many scholarships as I can. I am mostly happy with every other decision I made. I started at community college to save money, and then went to my dream school, Columbia.

When I was in high school I always knew that music and food were what I wanted to go into. It was my life. I slacked off in high school because all I wanted to achieve was the music industry. I pushed food out and stuck with music. Part of me semi regreted it. Alas, I had other passions in mind but always over looked them. I went to Columbia College in hopes of getting my degree in Music Business and have a focus in Rock/Metal music. Over the past few years Professors have told me that rock music is dead. I took that too much to heart. So do what you always want to do which was food and follow your passions.

If I could go back and talk to my high school senior self, I would give two pieces of advice. First, I would tell myself that going to community college for my freshman year will be beneficial for multiple reasons, such as saving on tuition and maturing as a student. The financial aspect of junior college was a huge benefit because I am currently applying for a study abroad opportunity made possible by the the tuition I saved. Junior college also allowed me to mature as a student and develop a determination to achieve the goals and aspirations I have for my life. Secondly, I would encourage myself to start making more films in an attempt to hone my skills and become a better storyteller. Filmmaking has always been my passion so the advice would not fall on deaf ears. I would proceed to convey that despite the lack of resources necessary to make quality short films, the experience is all relative. In conculsion, I would've utilized this advice because it would have quelled the feelings of doubt I had surrounding my future and prepared me for the obstacles yet to come.

If I could go back and tell my high school self one thing, it wold be "try new things." When I was in high school, I was rather shy and didn't like doing things out of my comfort zone or talking to people I didn't know. This lack of trying new things is my biggest regret looking back at my high school years. Given the chance to redo high school, I would join as many groups and clubs as possible, and get to know as many people as possible. Furthermore, I would tell my high school self to put 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} into all they do. In high school, particualy in my senior year, I didn't put as much effort as possible into my school work. I usually did what was expected and nothing more. Looking back, I see that I missed a lot of oppritunities to go further in school by doing the bare minimun, instead of doing the best I could. Overall, I would tell my high school self to think more about the future, and not just think about having fun.

If I could go back to my senior year in high school, I would tell myself to become more involved in my school activities. Now that I am in college, it has truly helped me find myself and to embrace the talents that I have. Every opportunity that I have, I go for it regardless of my circumstances because I'll never know where it can take me if I don't try. I've also learned that it's not always what you know but who you know and the more I network, the more beneficial it will be for me, especially for the industry that I am pursuing. I would implement networking and being apart of organizations or school-related activies if I could go back to my senior year in high school.

Dear Rhiannon, Ok I know you will make it to Columbia. You are doing really good. You need to get a little more pushy with Mr. Brown because he hasn't helped you much at all. You will be struggling to pay for school and know nothing about scholarships, FASFA, or even how to apply. Sit down with him and tell him, look Mr. Brown either help me or I am going to fire you as my councilor and find someone else who will help me and don't take any crap. Get a job before this summer. All the money you give Debbie and Alan, don't. That is money you will need later. Don't listen to your brother and let him talk you into buying him stupid stuff, and don't get a Chromebook or a Lenovo try to go for an Apple computer. The Lenovo will bankrupt you and the Chromebook is just for research. Don't help Julian out because he will never pay you back. Your going to have to put up with some horrible situations but keep your head up. Your stronger and will overcome them. Good Luck kiddo. Sincerely, Rhiannon Martinez

Hey me; avoid buying food everyday. Save your eat-out days for late nights and hanging out with friends. Also be a little more vocal. Unlike high-school, no one will judge you for being weird. Also set aside money for yourself in case you need something; like shoes or clothes. Don't buy all your school supplies at once and take the bus, it's cheaper. Also sign up for scholarships like crazy and live on campus or find an apartment (it sounds more expensive but trust me it evens it's self out). Oh and find a second part-time job and you'll get an email about being a canidate for some new module set-up at your school; DON"T ACCEPT, you end up have to go a whole semester broke and annoying your parents for money. Just be like the rest of the college students, your drawing will improve. Ok that's about it. Good luck.

Look Sarah, you need to open up. Extracurricular activities become so important when it comes to scholarship applications, and being shy shouldn't be the anchor that holds anyone back. I know not everyone likes you, and I know it's trying on your patience. Keep up with clubs, join a team. Make yourself count, and make yourself a shining star. Polish who you are. College is a place to be anyone you want. You're walking into a world where, even after four years of being with the same people, you will still remain unknown to some. Be open, be free. Don't hide behind your weight, clothes, hairstyle, anything that makes you uncomfortable now. Be who you know you are inside. Then, when you're finished, GET ON THOSE SCHOLARSHIPS! Apply for them, build yourself up, make a resume, get a job! Make friends, make connections, networking is key. Don't be intimidated by people. Everyone starts somewhere, and they're just as scared as you. Don't let the opinions of some reflect on who you are to your soulmates in the future. You will succeed, so don't take too long testing the water. Jump in.

If I could go back in time to my highschool self, I would tell her that her grades are not the end all be all. It doesn't matter that she failed that test/ class, so she can breathe. She'll be fine. Things get so much easier in college because you're learning about things that interest you. And the teachers are so much more invested. And look! She's on the dean's list now (take that, bad highschool grades)! I would also tell her to stop ignoring her problems. Confrontation is not always a bad thing. Sometimes you just need to talk to your teacher and ask for an extension. The same goes for classmates. If someone in a group isn't pulling their weight, talk to them! Just remember to be courteous while doing so. One more piece of advice: Actually do your homework! Get off the internet!

If I could go back and plant any seed of knowledge into my high school senior self, it would be this: DO NOT PROCRASTINATE. I have long been a chronic procrastinator, it runs in the family. It has never been an issue for me since I do get my work done and I do do good work; however, there is a certain level of stress involved with procrastination. If it becomes an issue then your stress levels are going to go up and up and up until there is nowhere else to go. I would tell myself to plan ahead. If you know you have a project due in three weeks then get a little done every week. It is a simple idea that I think a lot of students could benefit from. I would also tell my past self to be more open. In college you can become a completely different person. The possibilities are endless. If there is an opportunity to try something new then you need to take it. Seize the opportunity. Go see the school plays. Go watch the hip-hop dance competition. The people you meet might become a huge part of your life.

Although your high school career had ended, your college career had just begun. Remember that college will be a lot better than high school because the students at college are more mature, friendly, and took their effort and pride into the work they do to reach the goals they dreamed of. They will be your bestest friends if you were to meet them. I would advise going to a community college that offers transfer credits to the college you wanted to go to. It will be fininically and acamedically wise because you can take care of the general education classes and take the fun classes later, and the tutiton at a community college is very reasonable and be the less burden on student loans. Now, remember that having a college degree and education doesn't guaratee you a great job or career, you still have to make more hard work and persist through the hardships, but I know that you are smart, intelligent, wise, educated, and you can do anything as long you believe in yourself.

My most important piece of advice would be to trust yourself. Don't ever second guess yourself. Every single class you thought you wouldn't be able to handle, you will be. Don't let the "Advanced Placement" and "Dual Credit" descriptions make you uneasy because you will ace each and every one of those classes. Some of the people around you will try and get you to relax and not worry about school so much, but don't listen to them. If you want to succeed, keep doing what you have been doing since your first day of school. Just don't forget to have some room for friends and famiy, or the stress will get to be too much. Big changes will be coming and it will seem absolutely daunting, but you're strong enough and smart enough to get through these obstacles. Surround yourself with the right kind of support and keep your head up high. The only one who can get you to where you want to be is you. It's okay to be scared as long as you don't let your fears prohibit you from flourishing.

If I could go back in time I would tell and remind myself not to go to community college first go ahead and explore the Chicagoland area and be confident. The only reason why I did go to community college first was because I would be able to work and get my education at the same time , but I let my axciety get the best of me and wanted to please my parents by sticking with my original plan going to community college for two years then tranfering to SIU Carbondale where my mom graduated from. I would also remind myself to stay focused and to not care what everyone else thought.

My advice would be to stay away from procrastination as it can very quckly become a habit and prevent you from performing to your full potential. Because of the heavier workload in college, it is important to spread out study time and establish a paced learning method. It is also important to balance your life and get the total college experience. Whether working a part time job, volunteering on campus, or involving yourself in clubs, becoming active in your college community is a crucial part of life on campus. Some of the most helpful resources you will find are right on campus. Do not be afraid to talk to your professors and ask for help on assignments. Upper classmen who have already experienced life on campus may help to deter you from making the mistakes they made. They can offer advice and encouragement as you transition from high school to college. Finally, enjoy your time as a high school senior because senior year is gone in the blink of an eye and you will never experience anything quite like high school again.

Always read your syallabus. Don't just rad it in the beginning of the semester and expect your teachers to remind you what's due. You have to rely on yourself for that. Start studying. I know that you passed K through 12 pretty flawlessly without studying a single night but this is where that ends. You will need to study because there is so much more expected of you. On that note, do the required reading. Your classes won't go over it as much in college and you will fail tests if you do not read. Procrastination will get you nowhere. The essays are going to require a lot more research than you're used to doing and trying to do it all in a couple hours is not going to be easy and just cause unnesscessary stress. Take the assignments slowly. Go to class. You will fail a class you deserve an A in if you don't attend. There is a lot more to life than being loved and in a relationship. Don't stay wiht someone because you think no one else will love you. End it fast and move on with your life.

If I could talk to my high school senior self, I would tell him that everyone who told you that highschool is the best time of your life, is a liar. College life is so much more satisfying. Life during college actually requires your attention. During college, the choices are your own. So if you make a mistake, its okay. You are just learning how to make choices that suit your way of doing things. I would also advice myself to not stress over social problems in high school. I would tell myself that once graduation comes, none of the problems I had would matter, so just focus on yourself and to let everything else dissapear because once you graduate your own acedemic repuation is all that will matter. Not what everyone else had to say about you.

Assuming that I were able to go back in time and advise my high school self about college, I would tell myself to prepare more so financially for what is to come. College, as I have learned, is very easy to manage as long as you stay on top of your work. By being at a school such as Columbia, it is easy to avoid parties and what not due to it being a dry campus. However, by living in the city, saving money, paying for college, and buying necessities can sometimes be a challenge. The transition from high school to college, for a student such as myself, happens to be very smooth and simple. However, i'd advise my younger self to save money, gather as many scholarships as possible, and use each minute wisely for networking as well as for projects once I begin school.

If I could go back in time the advice I would give myself wouldve been, going off to school after high school. I wish I never took any time off to work or rest. I am now 22 about to enroll in the spring semester to Columbia on campus, I am very excited and nervous at the same time! I decided to stop with the excuses and just go. I realize not having an education or any degree has been very crucial financial wise. I am desperate to do better learn, educate myself , and become something great!

I would tell myself: Don’t to stress out too much and enjoy your time as a freshman. It will go by so quickly and you’ll be a junior before you know it. I know things will get rough because you’re in a new city, but you’re strong enough to get through it. Make sure you eat healthy and stay in shape like you’re used to. Not having tennis and guard each year is going to slow you down a little, but please do not worry if you gain weight. It’s not the end of the world. You are a young and talented writer. Don’t sell yourself short. Challenge your skills and make sure you are doing work you will be proud of yourself for doing. You might want to keep a few of your essays for a portfolio in the future. Please gain the confidence to step out of your comfort zone and go with your gut sometimes. Don’t try to fit in with everyone around you. Find people that fit in with you. All in all, just don’t give up on yourself. I promise you’ll make it out alive.