CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College Top Questions

In my time growing up as a teenager, I unfortunately didn't have the resources kids enjoy today. Being raised in a strict family setting without much love or affection didn't help either. So it was hard for me to discuss my feelings and awareness of things-much less express my future college life. Having said that, however, I do feel I should have reached out more to guidance counselors and teachers. For most worked with what they had-and that's caring for the general health & well fair of a student's future.

If I could go to back to my senior year and talk to my self, I would explain exactly what everyone else was telling me about college. Instead of just telling my self that college and school are important and typical things of that sort, I would explain in depth detail why school is important. To begin, I would explain to my self that every choice that I made now will affect my future. This is a lesson that I had to learn from my on mistakes. During High School, I didn?t pay much attention in class; I mostly did enough work for me to just pass the class. Unfortunately I didn?t realize that I would eventually have to make this up in college. This ignorance cost me two semesters of non-credited remedial course, resulting in me being a year behind in college work. If I just studied and paid attention, I would have passed my regents with high scores and would have been exempt from the entrance exams. Also I would have explained the importance of scholarships. I never understood the importance until I saw the affect my college expenses were taking on my mother financially.

As a senior in high school, I was upset knowing that I would end up in a two year community college while most of my friends were going away and attending four years. I thought community college was for high school drop outs and that I wouldn't fit in the kind of enviornment that community college has. If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself that community colleges are better than what people give it credit for. It allows students who didn't do well in high school, or just never attended college a second chance. It doesn't judge us based on our high school grades or our past. It just allows us to continue our education and move forward.

If I could go back and give advice to my senior self i would give myself the song "Dont worry be happy". I would expect myself to take it to heart and not have me explain it, but here it is. My high school life was a blur of stress and tests. Worrying about my social life too much was my downfall. I failed high school and I am now in community college looking to transfer into a 4 year college. A second chance, if you will. Now that my senior days are over, I have come to a realization: high school drama is not important. College has a completly different vibe. It's more about finding yourself, as corny as that may sound. It really is the first step in becoming an adult and feeling like one, for example, looking for the classes you want to take rather than take useless classes that I will NEVER need (how to find the base of a cylinder? really? unless that's for condoms I dont know why i need to know it). If I knew how different college would be, I would have been more eager to get into one. END

First thing i would tell myself to take as many advance placement classes as possible. It would make it easier when college is work is introduced to me. Dont be laid back and take senior too easy, this year is actually the most important even if others tell you differently. One of the best things to do before going to college is to know alot about the school and its activites as well as programs offered. The more active you are in the school the better it is for you to suceede in getting jobs related to your major or high paying jobs in general. Always be punctual in school and make sure to schedule free time with school time, everything will be much easier especially if your unorganized and getting used to college. Interact with students and know whats going on in your school at all times. Be alert and dont get distracted by other things that come your way.

This question gives me the opportunity to do critical thinking on my part. If I could talk to myself as a senior in high school, I would stress never wait until the last minute to do anything. In college this is most important, procrastination is your enemy. Do not wait unit the last minute to complete projects. (Do not waste time)

First and foremost don?t fool yourself into thinking college is like high school, it?s not! Threes no one in college to chase you around to insure that your assignments are getting completed on time or wake you up in the morning. College is a huge responsibility and reality shock for many. It didn?t dawn on me until my sophomore year that I had to really get focused because college these days isn't cheap. The interest rates on student loans are out of control, financial is going down every semester yet tuition is going up. The financial burden of college is a whole other issue in itself. Books, room & board and food alone will have one stressed to the max. If I had the opportunity again I would have researched colleges that specialized in my major and were affordable. Another thing that needs a lot of focus is the college application itself. My guidance counselor helped me with mine as well as the financial aid papers. College really changed and molded me into a more responsible adult. It?s a wonderful experience that everyone should have. Not to mention the rewards and benefits of college are priceless.

I would tell myself not to skip class, focus and utilize the schools recources as much as possible. I would tell myself to break up with my girlfriend, she is not worth the distraction.

The advice I would give myself is to LISTEN ATTENTIVELY AND ASK QUESTIONS. I would tell myself to ask as many questions as possibly can regarding financial aid, the type of majors the college has to offer, scholarships, job opportunities; any question you have in your mind just ASK. I would consult my family (especially those in college) to make the best possible decision. The thing about college is you have to be detail and time oriented. College education requires time and commitment. If you want to be the best student you can be, you have to listen and actually build a relationship with your teacher. Every teacher has a different style of teaching and if you want to grasp the concept in its entirety, then the best way would be to ask the professor anything you are not sure about. DO EVERY ASSIGNMENT ON TIME. My final piece of advice is: be open minded. College can open different doors, to different experiences and personal relationships. Due not limit yourself. Just take college one day at a time and IF YOU DONT KNOW SOMETHING, ASK QUESTIONS.

If I had the opportunity to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school student, I would tell myself to apply to as many Nursing schools my B+ average would accept me. I would then convince myself I am smarter than just a B+ average; I can achieve any goal as long as I put my mind, time, heart and soul into my studies to obtain an A average. I would have told myself to not give up or sell myself short.