CUNY Hunter College Top Questions

College is an entirely a new plane of field. Be all you can be. It just don't apply to U.S. Army anymore but to college prospects as well. The chances of your classmates know who you are are slim, and if they do. Let's say classmate B is from your highschool and exactly wasn't your pal, but that's okay. Classmate B is just one in a sixty or more depending on your college classroom environment. Therefore, Classmate B also is a foreigner in a universi-polis. And now you have the second chance to start over, make the first impression you wanted, the one that you wanted to be back in high school or a better you. So break the box around you, experience to the fullest of your capabilities both academically and non-academically. Meet new types of friends, sign up for a club, take classes that always interested you which is not related to your field of study; afterall, must you not forget why you are in college. From my experience, four-years go by quick and if you are not focued in school, you may risk another year in school...

If I had the opportunity to go back and speak with myself as a high school student, I would have a lot to say. Primarily, my message would be to stay calm and take your time as you begin. I would emphasize this first because a lot of students, including myself, are too eager to excel and prove themselves in the beginning. In this way, you can easily lose focus on what is most important -- yourself and happiness. There is no sense stressing if you do not have too. Do not overwhelm yourself by taking on too many classes with heavy workloads. Be easy on yourself by taking what is required and performing your best within your means. I would also explain that independence and fun are exciting aspects of college life, but always put responsibility and health first. In addition, I would urge myself to save as much spending money as possible while in high school! I would tell myself to prepare for many nights eating ramen noodles and pizza. Finally, I would tell myself that what is to come will be a wonderful adventure and to expect plenty of new experiences that will change your world.

Stop being so stubborn and thinking that you can achieve everything you want to by yourself. There's always going to be somebody to lend a listening ear or a helping hand. You're not alone in this important and struggling stage of your life. You're surrounded by so many people who are going to support any decision you make to make your dreams a reality; they're more than willing to help you get there. Accept their assistance because it could make such a great difference than when you would have done it on your own. They've all been where you are right now, they understand all the stresses that you're going through. You can get to where you strive to be thanks to these well-educated people. Don't take them for granted and take any opportunity given and I promise you, you will go far and succeed.

I would tell myself to not only major in something that I love but also somethingt that could guarantee my financial independency. I would also advise myself to have a double major. I would finish in the same amount of time. In addition I would convince myself to take summer classes because then I could have graduated in exactly 4 years, instead of waisting time. I would have also chosen a college that is more carreer oriented, that offered internships and job placements.

Transitioning into college, it is important to know that no one will run after yout to get your work done. At this stage, you need to be able to proritize your work, time, and personal life outside of school. Make friends with those who share the same, or even higher goals than you. It can be beneficial to have at least two phone numbers of students in each of your classes to form study groups, or to keep eachother updated with due work. It is also beneficial to try to study a little bit everyday, instead of cramming the night before a test. It is also important to build a relationship with your professors, go to their office hours and ask for advice on how to improve your work. Overall, being a college student will bring challenges your way, but its how you attack them and go about them that will make all the difference.

I would tell myself to first ask yourself why are going to college, don't just go in there because it is what you are expected to do, if you do that you are going to lack the hunger and the drive to push yourself in college when the going really gets tough. Ask yourself away from the hype, family, and friends why do you want to go, why is it important to YOU? What do you want to achieve and accomplish. Then I will tell him to learn everything you can about the college ot university that you will be spending the next 4 years of life going to, finacial aid office, counselors, student government, the works. The more you know about what is available to you the more at ease you will be and you will know how to use those resources when you really need them. Finally I will tell him make the most out your time, make sure you ace your classes and EXPLORE what you school has to offer this can be a springboard to future sucess if you do it right. FNALLY TRY TO HAVE SOME FUN WHILE YOU ARE THERE!

Being the first in my family to graduate from High school in the United States was a very challenging experience for me. The credits that I received while I was in secondary school in Nigeria could not be converted to the grading system in the United States. My high school counselor was left with no option than to give me a “D” letter grade for many of the classes. Through out the two years that I spent in High School, I strived to boost my GPA by taking many advanced placement classes. Even though I was able to increase my class rank by 300 students, I was not able to improve my GPA as much as I wanted. I was not eligible for many scholarships and I was rejected by all the colleges that I had applied to. I felt like I was never going to make it because my GPA was ruined. However, I have realized that the problem was not my GPA but the way I reacted to my situation. If I could go back in time, I would advice myself to have a positive view of my situation. Although GPA is important, it is not everything.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior the best advice I could give myself would be, get a job - college is expensive & worry about getting good grades. Making the transition to college was the hardest thing for me financially, because my first year I did not have a job and the college expenses for my parents where overwhelming. In addition, I would tell myself to focus more on my class grades and not slack off . Lastly, I would tell myself to take advantage of the compass test , because while in high school it's free and once in college that test comes out of your own pocket. Not only that, but if you pass them in high school you won't need to take remedial classes in college, saving you more time and money.

My advice to my high school self would be to really take the time to know what school works best for me. Just because it looks good on a website doesn’t necessarily mean its the right school for you. Going to school visitations and orientation gives you the opportunity to see how you fit in the environment. I would also say to my high school self to learn quality study tips. There is a difference between cramming and understanding material and knowing how to correctly study is very important.

Dear high school me, Greetings, you made it! You are about to embark on the rest of your life, and each turn you take on this crazy path called life will mold every decision that comes after. Stop falling asleep in Italian class, and realize that knowing another language can open an entirely new world to you. Keep up with it in college, too. As much as an adult you think you are, realize that you have a lot of growing up to do. You have made some great friends at this point, but focus on yourself and your future starting now. Immediately. Explore and review your options, consider your strengths, and start realizing that the hobbies that you love (photography, sculpture, art) can be your career if you work hard enough at it. Also, get some of those general education requirement classes out of the way first, so if you change your mind, which is highly likely, switching colleges will be a breeze. But also, take a few electives in subjects that fascinate you, subjects that may further making these hobbies into careers. Pay attention, participate in lecture, ask ‘Why?’. Expand your life starting with your mind. Now.

If I could go back in time and tell 17-year-old Leslie anything, it would be to be fearless. At 17, the world that I knew was small and intimidating. That fear was paralyzing; it did not allow me to seek out different experiences for fear of failure or for fear of inadequacy. 27-year-old Leslie now understands how big the world is, how full the world is with possibilities for anyone who wants it bad enough. Failure is not something to dread; on the contrary, failure is a liberator. Failure allows you to weed through what works and what doesn't work and continue on your path more efficiently. Fear is the quicksand that keeps you stuck at a job you dislike for fear of the unknown. Fear is the kryptonite that stifles all human super powers: creativity, art, ideas, innovation, beauty, love, compassion, acceptance and tolerance. So if I could go back in time and tell any 17-year-old anything, it would be to be fearless.

Dear High School Senior Caitlin: FIRST, kudos to you for deciding to take honors academic courses to prepare you for college courses because that has helped tremendously! College is fun, don't make it a stressful transition. Take high school more seriously, study those extra hours, make those higher grades that count toward your GPA because that grade point average is more than just a number. Your GPA can be a ticket into many different organizations and societies that will aide in taking you to higher places and meeting people who share some of the same goals as you! Along with academics, continue on with your dancing career; don't let it go to waste. Keep learning new moves and improving because many colleges will appreciate your talent and offer you scholarships in this area as well. Stay in touch with colleagues and those people who have helped you through the years; you will thank them one day. Keep doing more than just the minimum, never stop improving, and continue to challenge yourself daily because education is unlimited. Also, drink more water and try the vegetarian diet; it is very rewarding! BRAIN POWER!

So Anna, you're applying for college... so heads up first, Hunter is another Tech, except there's a prettier library and the computers can go onto Youtube. Remember everything you did this last year? Like how you decided to not go to class sometimes, or when you didn't do your homework till 4am the day it was due, or even worse when you decided to just not do it at all? Get your stuff together. Do your homework, make a schedule, clean up your desk once in a while and go get some sleep. It doesn't help when you decide to do your sleeping in class. Also the judo class that you're taking, keep it up even after getting into college. There are occasions when people ask you what skills you have and you can't just list a whole bunch of stuff that you learned but was never good at. The last thing I want to say to you is just go for it. Don't worry about what other people think, so what it's a CUNY? You might not have known much about Hunter but you're not going to regret it.

I would tell myself not to take myself so dang seriously. I've always been a perfectionist. I have always put letter grades and my GPA in front of my happiness. I'm not really talking about the different between an A and a C. I'm talking about the difference between an A and an A+. I took time off school because I became depressed as a result of this kind of thinking. When I got a B for the first time, I was really upset. It was pretty ridiculous. When I came back, I had realized that it didn't just matter what I did inside the classroom. That would help, but work experience and internships could also give me an edge. I have tried to find what I love doing and become a well-rounded job candidate. It's alright if I get a B so long as I keep going. I don't need to be perfect. And I shouldn't take myself so dang seriously.

Take the SAT, go to college.

Be sure to sign up for any scholarships that apply to you. Thankfully your college experience will be an easy transition when you enter LaGuardia but it will get much more difficult when you enter Hunter as the work load is larger. Take this time to learn to manage your time better and plan which assignments get done. When you take your first classes try not to get too nervous about the work you are given. You know your strengths and you take your work seriously. This is why when you are given any assignments or its time to study for your midterms or finals do not second guess yourself. Study and do the best you can. Your professors will see you are taking the class seriously and putting in the effort to do as well as you can. Just because you are transitioning to college does not mean it will be brutal. If you keep the responsible behavior you have now you will do fine. Do not let the horror stories about college psych you out. It will be stressful at times but you will be able to handle it. Be sure to enjoy this time as well.

I would look myself in the eye and say “your life will soon become very hard but the efforts are worth the reward". Because even before my senior year of high school I knew what i wanted and what is was going to take to get there. And there is no better advice to give someone that knows what they want then to just perceiver. Just like what John Quincy Adams said "Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish."

Knowing what I know about college life now, I would go back to my bench at Arvin High, October 2005, tap on my shoulder, look at myself and say “Evangelina, stay positive, connect with people and don't be afraid to leave your family. Don’t be afraid to open yourself up to new experiences and incredible knowledge because once you do, the sky really is the limit. Be prepared for late night studying, writing papers and moments of self-appreciation for writing such awesome papers. The advice I’m giving to you is out of love and fore warning of the many rough and not-so rough school years ahead. Go away for school and don’t become another lazy statistic by not finding employment to help with tuition. Do not allow your parents to hold the burden of payments. Have fun in college because there are fun times but do not lose sight of the goal and what’s important; your time, energy, and money. Listen to me and have a wonderful prospering life.” Along with knowing what I know now, I know that I cannot change my past but my future is bright.

College has a way of making a person humble. I entered college assuming that I will do well, but I did not prepare myself well in some classes and ended up with below than average grades. I learned that in order to succeed you need to work towards your goal on a daily basis. Make a table of assignments and deadlines for each class. Actively participate in class by asking questions and open your mind to the answers. When studying do not simply memorize, instead, give yourself time to understand the answer. Balance an academic life with a social life. Having a job, volunteering or simply hanging out with friends and family replenishes your drive to study. Also, network with people in class to form study groups or have someone to call for help. Most importantly be honest with yourself and plan for your future. If there is an opportunity that you want, believe in yourself and apply so that you won’t regret it later. Build your resume and curriculum vitae: apply for internships and summer enrichment programs and volunteer in areas that interest you. Mainly, make things happen for yourself. Improve yourself and take care of your health.

Going to college has been paramount on my agenda. Growing up in a family of six with both my parents Masters Degrees holders in their educational careers,i promised myself that i would also acquire the same level of education as they did. My College endeavors hasr been chalenging for me,but i continue to strive for excelence in my studies. As a full-time worker and also combining it with college can be cumbersome on your body and mind.I managed to encomperate healthy lifestyle into my studies,such as exercising regularly . High school life is different from college life whereby the student has less responsibility to assume, especially with financial challenges that college student has to deal with. In my honest opinion i think high school students should start thinking about saving for college when they are still in high school.This would reduce the burden of financial instability by half. In conclusion,my advice i would give to myself would be acquire as much knowledge as you can in high school because that would go a long way in your studies at college,save for college and get a mentor to help you make good career choices.