CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice Top Questions

I would tell myself to buckle down and stick with my first college choice. I did not like my first college and therefore threw away a full ride scholarship to school to go somewhere else. In all honesty, where I transfered to was no better then where I came from and it even took me longer to get my associates degree. I'm extremely disappointed in myself for throwing away such a great opportunity. Now I am in debt from student loans. If I could I would show my 18 year old self my Sallie Mae loans. I know for a fact I would be angry with myself. Dispite my debt, I am still committed to getting by BA.

The advice I would give myself would be to be more independent. I would tell myself to start asking questions and handling things on your own becuase in college you are the person who is responsible for everything. You have to put effort in to achieve the results. I know in highschool I received alot of help from my family, teachers and friends but the college life doesn't take you by the hand. Also college is a time for staying focused on goals and what you want to be later on in life. Partying is okay but don't leave work until the night before it is due. You will be completly exhausted! The best advice I'd give myself though would be to not schedule any classes until around 9:00am because having to wake up early for an 8:00am math class was the worst decision. I know myself and I'm not a morning person, what was I thinking. Oh and mom was right eat breakfast!

Going to college is taking another step on the ladder of success. Some people get over whelmed adjusting to a new environment while others adapt easily. Transitions are never easy and one should always have a support system like your family, friends, classmates who can help you when probleems arise. My advice to high school senior's make sure your up to date on your school work. If a professor gives an assignment make sure it is done and its ready to be handed in on time because you will have tons of work to do. Make sure you help your classmates because they will be times you will need their assistance. As the saying goes "no man is an island". So help your fellow classmates. Dont be afraid to confront issues that are bothering you. If you have to be assertive "BE ASSERTIVE". If you have problems with a teacher go and speak to the Chair of the department. Every department has a chair. If the chair of the department is not helpful go and speak to a DEAN. Colleges are very expensive and you will be paying for your education. Make sure they provide the services you need.

If i were to go back in time, i would advise myself to never give up. Being a high school athlete i got injured very badly my junior year, that i never thought i would be able to play in college, so i lost sight of my athletism as well. I would advice myself not to think that college isn't the right move for me because if i was to start as soon as i got out of high school i would have already been in my career i'm trying to pursure, which is nursing.

The best advice I could give my high school self is something I've really always known: get off your lazy butt, get to work, and pursue what you really want. I slacked off big-time senior year because I knew I could get away with it. Now I wish I could go back and get the highest average I was capable of. My transition into college has really made me realize how important it is to have a strong work ethic and make something of yourself. I now realize that if I want to go places in life, it's not going to just fall into my lap. I wish I could go back to last year and tell myself to get a jumpstart.

Never give up

I think one of the most important things that I missed out on when I went to college because of my expectations was the idea that I actually had a lot of freedom. Freedom to do what I wanted without Mom and Dad, yeah, but more importantly, the freedom to do things I had been afraid of before, like finding my own church, starting a youth bible study group, making friends with people who weren't my "type". High school can restrict a person so much, and it fit me into a little 'this is what people want me to be' box that I had a hard time breaking out of when I went to college. I didn't fully embrace my independence because of the fear of trying something new. If it were possible, I wish I could go back in time and say "Little Me, you are what you make of yourself, not what others make of you. Grab onto what you want and don't let go, not for ANYONE. Live your passion and walk by integrity. Oh, and no matter what you do, STAY AWAY from frat parties."

Keep your eyes open: there is more to life than you imagine. Life will not revolve around the social group you sit with at lunch, nor will it concern with your status. Your grades and academic success will speak for you, both in your college and social life. Strive for excellence, and success will open its doors for you. Don't chase after success; have success chase you. Concentrate on your work, remain career-orientated, and you will become what you can be.

As I sit here in my dorm room in Zamelek, a small island inside of Cairo, Egypt, I can only say that this is the most important and valuable experience I have gotten out of my college experience. Yes, they have provided a relatively inexpensive, in comparison to other schools, way of receiving my education, as well as a plethora of unforgettable experiences. But the opportunity to study abroad in Egypt during this winter semester of January 2011 has to be the most amazing experience John Jay could have bestowed upon me. I've only been here a week, but I have not only gotten lost in several different directions on one small island, but I have also climbed down into the tombs of the Great Pyramids of Giza. I look forward to cementing this trip with trips to Alexandria, Luxor and even a bazaar. Truly, this is the most valuable thing John Jay has given me, and I honeslty thank them and the professors who assisted me in applying for this program.

My college experience has equipped me with many valuable tools that has allowed me to be successful in my career. College is the one form of education that allows you to challenge (your thinking) what you are being taught while you are being taught. It allows you to broaden your view as you are now driven to conduct research to determine to find out the best answer to the solution. This research and level of thinking is what jobs today label as "critical think skills" which is very valuable for everyone in their career. This skill set that I learned has allowed me to analyze problems and determine the best possible solution. Attending college has not only made me intelligent, but it has also allowed me the opportunity to interact with a variety of individuals. Communicating and interacting with people of different ethnicities and background is crucial in today's society. The student body at John Jay College is very diverse, and this diversity has allowed me the ability to look past the differences and see the individual for who they are. This ability to work with individuals of diverse backgrounds has become my strong point in my career.