Del Mar College Top Questions

Do not drop out of school ( 9th Grade).

I would probably tell myself not to stress as much. I am a HUGE stresser, and it seems to kill me whenever a lot of assignments are due at once, or finals are approaching. I would also tell myself not to quit my job (which I just quit). It was a good source of income for me, and since the computer I was using just broke, I am forced to come to the school library to do my work, which takes an hour to get here. This week and next week, I had and have so many assignments due, I literally came to the school every day this week, from the time I get out of class (11) until 5 p.m., just so I could get all this work done. College work is literally a wave: You see it, but you don't expect much to happen. Then when you are least expecting it, it knocks you back, and you either have to learn how to swim, or drown. I hate to say it that way, but that is how I literally feel.

Knowing what I do know about college now, if I had the chance to go back in time, I would tell my high school senior self to slow down and enjoy every moment. Unlike many of my friends, I stayed in my city due to funds and my inability to decide. I would tell myself that, though it seems like it now, many of those friends are going to leave and may not come back, so cherish the moments. I would also tell myself to always stay organized and prepared. College is nothing like high school. It is a whole different world, but having a messy desk and not having planner is not going to make it any easier. I would tell myself that even though it may seem difficult and sometimes impossible, it gets easier. The classes may not get easier, the professors may not get easier, but after some time, you get used to college life and you start to enjoy it more at that point.

Dear 17 year old me, you are now a high school senior and I know right now life is miserable. But do not worry you will succeed, you will over come this darkness, and you will go to college to become a doctor to help others like you. I know that at this moment being bullyed, having eating disorders, family falling apart, and hurting yourself, it seems there is not light at the end of the tunnel. All you need to do is stay strong and keep fighting. School is the most important thing it will save you, it will help you more than you think. Work hard in all your classes so you can gradute, get into college, and become a successful doctor. You are beautiful no matter what anybody says, you are smart despite what you may say. Please do not ever ever give up because you can move mountains with all your dreams. Trust me, you will get through this mess. Trust me and nobody else.

If I could go back in time, I would tell myself that I should start applying for scholarship while I am still in high school because I missed my chance at a plethora of cash to help keep myself in school and out of financial trouble because I wanted till graduation before I started to apply. Also I would tell myself not to sit in the front row for my first chemistry lab but to sit in between the straight A student in the back row and the walkway; As a result of that mistake two twins ambushed me by sitting on either side of me. That may not seem bad at first (mostly because they were hot), but it was a nightmare because I ended up being stuck between them for every lab for two months. They were crushing on me and flirting with me but also reeked of cigarette smoke, had no clue what was going in lab and never did any work on the group projects. Those two made it imposable to focus and I barley passed that class. I wish I sat next to the genius and had him as a lab partner.

I would tell myself not to be afraid to talk to people, or to ask for help. I had a hard time allowing others to help me, even though I was perfectly happy to help them. School is a big deal, and if i had known that lightening my load (I took at least 15 hours, in a regular semester) would help my grades, then I would have been a little more wary of taking Biology, Chemistry, and Calculus at the same time, and taking other courses as well. Don't overburden yourself, leave enough time to relax and stay in shape, I'm paying for it now. I think I've done ok, but I missed a lot of chances to make friends and improve my grades. A little leeway never hurt.

If I could back to my senior year I would tell myself to sweat it out and don't quit. I returned to school at 30 years of age as a single mom and it is very difficult, physically, emotionally, and financially. I would say that I have the opportunity to finish school right away and I should do so.

First, I would tell myself that school should not be taken for granted. There are many resources available in helping me achieve my goals, thus I should take advantage of public education and continue pursuing my dream of becoming an Engineer. In addition, to extend my knowledge and broaden my scope, which is very important because nothing comes easy in life, but one thing is true, "Knowledge is Power". Therefore, prepare myself for the fluctuating economic times that are unpredictable, which can be avioded with the knowlege and education that come alongside a degree. This gives me a peace of mind and the opportunity to become financially secure and ready to tackle any task in the real world.

Look, Jennifer, no good can come from getting married this young. Start out slow and take a couple of classes. Then you will have an idea of a what a little effort and application can get you. Get involed with community service and see the good you can do. Believe that the classes you are taking can propel you into a world of great knowledge and achievement. A higher education will give you the opportunty to do great work with and for others. You will be an educated woman and there for have more to offer a husband and children. Stay organized and focused on your goal to earn a degree. Put your education as a top priority. Be assertive to overcome obstales. People will tell you its n ot worth it, but it is. Ask for help and support and give help and support, you will achieve what you set your mind to.

If I could go back in time and give my high school senior self any advice about school it would be this; I would tell myself to never give up on school, continue going to school even if it means tranfering to an other institution. I would tell my self that if a problem comes up to where there is a need to move to an other city or state, to look into surrounding colleges to make the transfer as easy and as fast as possible. My adivice to myself as a high school senior and to any high school student is to be ready for the 'real world' to kick in after high school is over. College isn't easy, but it isn't as hard as most people make it seem. As long as you continue your education after high school and continue college with out taking more than a year off, the transition to the 'real world' is a little less scary and you will be prepared to take on any challenges given to you by anyone or anything.