CUNY City College Top Questions

Read first about what you would like to major in in college. Do an excessive research into majors and don't let people tell you what you should become.

As a first generation and minortiy student, I would simply advice myself to stay focus and keep the same optimistic attitude that will make you successful four years later. As a current graduate student attending Columbia University for my Master's degree, I would not have change my overall experience at my college. I am pleased with all the decisions I have made, I am grateful for my wonderful professors and mentors who have inspired and challenge me for the real world. Finally, I would simply tell myself to "keep up the good work because you're doing great!"

I would tell myself the simple words, "everything is going to be okay". Going to college is a huge transition but as long as you understand that things will get better it makes it easier. I would also say make sure you have someone you can go to for emotional support because it can be hard. I would also say try to make as many friends as possible because not only do you need friends for your emotional wellbeing but you're also making connections for the future!

I would tell my High School self “motivation is the key to getting things done” and that I shouldn’t let opportunities blow by. I would encourage myself to continue to retake the regents exam so as to not end up in remedial like I did. I would tell myself to be more social and bold and start networking with other people who shares my interest to better myself and start taking steps towards my career. I would advice myself to ask more questions concerning things of importance because it never hurts to fully know what’s going on and because it would help me to avoid future problems that stems from ignorance. But most importantly I would tell myself it’s never too soon to start working on scholarships. Paying for college isn’t easy and even with the assistance of financial aid, more often than not it’s not enough. In order to have smooth sailing from the start of my college career till the end of it, this is the most important thing I would’ve advised my younger self about.

I would advice myself that High School is nothing like college, I have to work much harder and know that the professors would not be as easy going as the teachers in High School. I would also remind myself that I will basically be on my own in college, professors would not be questioning or showing much concern about one student's missing work or test. I would advice myself to just stay focus, sit in the front of every class, and make sure the teacher atleast knows my name. Understanding the material, no matter how many questions needs to be asked is essential in college, especially that the tuition for each course is so expensive. So my biggest advice to myself as a whole, is to keep reminding myself that the college life is much different from that of High School.

I would tell myself to complete the FAFSA in the beginning of January. It should get finished right away so it would be one less thing to have to worry about. Also, focus onschool work!! Don't worry about what other people think of you and don't feel the need to have a boyfriend. That will only take away from the valuble study time. When I got a job, I should have saved most of the money for when I transfer schools in fall of 2014. The final thing I'd tell myself is to not be too outgoing. Go back to being the shy girl I was in 8th grade. It would've kept me out of the little trouble I was in and also prbably would've helped my study habits.

Life is very competetive. Treat everyone around you as your competitor. Make friends, but only use them if they help you strengthen your goals, and lower their chance of succeeding.

I’d tell myself that college is nothing like high school, studying vigorously and smartly is a requirement. High School, although it taught us an amazing skill did by no means prepare us for college, especially in the sciences which will later be our major. I’d advise myself to immediately look at the requirements of our major and plan out which courses to take from that semester until the semester we graduate. Do this by aligning your major requirements, with advice of peers who have already been through the major. Do not rely on your advisors advice because you will have 7 advisors throughout your college career. None of which will ever know you by name because they change with semester, and most of which are unfamiliar with the college courses and requirements. The advice taken from them will on most occasions be wrong and set you back. In summation I’d tell myself to have a plan for my college career, in essence not wait for the information to come to you but to seek out the information yourself, and plan accordingly. College is an extremely autonomous place, where your future and its success are in your hands.

If I could go back in time to talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to make the most out of your senior year because it'll be the last year in high school then it's off to the real world. I would encourage myself to join clubs, make new friends, and to join different sports. I would also like to make sure that I did my homework every day, take notes, and to study. If I were already used to that routine, it would have been a much smoother transition in to college. I would have also suggested to apply to more colleges and apply for more scholarships since their are so much oppurtunities in the world and paying for college would be much easier. If I had this advice while I was a high school senior, I would have an easier transition to college and it would be much less stressful. I want to take any oppurtunity that I can in order to succeed in life. The earlier, the better! So don't delay and prepare for the future.

I would have entered college as a double major instead of just choosing one, and I would have made up my mind about what I wanted before I got to college.

If I could go back in time to high school, I would tell myself to enroll in college ASAP! I am 48 and waited late in life. College is about 5-10x the cost of what is was back then, and the cost of living has skyrocketed. So, self, do NOT wait 30 years after high school to enroll in college! DO IT NOW!

If i could go back in time to talk to myself about college. My advice will be to never wait to the last minute to get work done. You want to get all the important things done because the deadline for things are not as long as you think. Waiting for the last minute to get things done will put you in trouble depending what needs to be done. Plus, it's better to get work done so you won't have so much stress on yourself. Sometimes when you wait too late you don't get everything done. I would also tell myself to do lots of scholarships and grants because that can help you pay for school. There are lots of scholarships that are being offered today because of the college tutitions are expensive. Another advice I would say is to be focus on school. Too many people are going to school and not being focus. When your not focus you tend to forget about school and get bad grades or drop out. Being focus can help you keep a good GPA. These are the advice I would of told myself about college.

The advice I would give myself would be to study notes on the daily/nightly basis. I realized the importance of note-taking and studying my notes every day and not cramming information into my head the last second. I honestly believe if I had a more forceful and encouraging teacher that would have brainwashed us to study our notes and textbooks, I would be in a higher education school like a SUNY or even an Ivy League. There are so much people with the potential to exceed great limits and become someone great in the future.

Initially, Barnard College was my dream school because of its excellent women's studies program and its impeccable reputation. Reality struck me when I realized my SAT scores, GPA, and low income background didn't reflect the majority of the Ivy League’s school standards. I was so limited in my thinking that I could not even fathom the prospect of going away for school, much less apply to an institution asking for more money than my parents made. If I could reach my high school self, I would motivate her to apply to less safety schools and try going after reach and target Colleges such as Mount Holyoke, or Barnard College.I would urge myself to research schools, majors, and scholarships before applying anywhere. I would also encourage myself to have more confidence because I still have a chance of being admitted into those particular reputable institutions through programs like HEOP, Seek, and College Discovery, despite having low scores. As a backup plan, I would tell myself to enroll in a 2 year school and complete an Associates of Arts degree, then transition to a 4 year school to earn a Bachelor’s degree for women and gender studies.

I would nag at my past self to apply for scholarships and to not be lazy when writing essays for my applications. I chose a school closer to home so I could save money and commute instead of dorming, but I wish I had had the proactivity to apply to more scholarship opportunities so I could have the money to dorm. Commuting isn't too bad but I also feel like I am missing out a big part of the college experience by staying home. If I could go back in time, I would tell myself to manage my time better and set my priorities straight. I didn't think scholarships were too important but I realize now that no matter what amount you can get from a scholarship award, it helps a long way.

The very first thing I would tell myself would be "college is not impossible." In those days, I was convinced college was something available to people with a lot of money and stellar grades. Seeing as I lacked both, I didn't even bother with college applications for years following my graduation. I would explain to my past self that financial aid not only exists but will make it possible to handle the textbooks, transportation, and the food I would have to buy. I would also explain that the CUNY system allows for a one-time application fee that covers up to 6 separate applications. While I would be reluctant to pay at first, I know I would see the benefit of this feature. The last thing I would tell myself is "I know you can do it." It is the very same line a very important person told me long ago. While the memory would remind me of his death, it would also stir feelings of determination and remove any doubts from my old self. I could have told myself about the awards, the grades, the extracurriculars, and all of my accomplishments, but I work better when challenged.

If I could go back in time and talk to my former self, the first thing that I will say to me is, "you will do great things." I will look at my aloof self; the self that has been yearning to find a place in this world; the self that has begrudgingly followed monotonous and mundane tasks; the self that didn't know his self; and tell him that in college, you will find everything that you need. "I, that is, you will come across something incredibly precious. That thing is, 'a start'. Even though you care very little about the things that you are doing now and the topics that you are learning, just know that the knowledge itself isn't everything; it is what you do with your knowledge that makes the difference. Learn what will help you to be a great support to this world. Do not follow a script. Do not force yourself to fit a mold. Be smart. Be caring. But most importantly, be you." "Do not be afraid about college. This change will be the best that ever happens to you. Follow your heart. Do not confine yourself to one field. Have fun."

If I were to go back in time, I would particpate in a relationship instead of isolating myself from my classmates, who I saw were in worthy of my time. I spend way too much time in the libary alone with my studies and became a geek without friends in highschool. I had so much time in highschool, but I was too focused on my studies that I rejected many potential relationships and hurted many people with my arrogance and carelessness. Now that I am in college, I begin the make more friends, but I just don't have the time to do things with them. I wish everything would change...

The only advice I would give to myself would be to not forget that senior is the the most inportant year as we make a transition to college. I needed to apply for more scholorships, be more rigorous with my schoolwork, and apply for the FAFSA as soon as the application was applied. I am learning now that money doesn't grow on trees and everytime I see the money going out from my bank account, I wish I had applied for more scholarships. Right now, I apply for at least one scholarship a day but I am still waiting to get any type of financial help.

I would yell at my past self for not being more open minded on where I want to go for college. I was too set on staying in New York City for school and only applied to schools in the area. But, right now, as a commuter, I wish I could go away for college. Just scrolling down my newsfeed on Facebook, I see my friends with their roommates and new friends and I always feel a tinge of jealousy. Dorming would've been a great experience. If I could go back in time, I would've done more research on other schools and applied to different types of schools-- not just limiting myself to schools in the city.