Georgia State University-Perimeter College Top Questions

I was a very bad kid in high school. I would constantly be late for classes, I would not do my homework, and would never be prepared for class. In collge, I could no longer get away with the slacking that I was so used to doing. I came to realize that college professors don not give you a slap on the wrists like high school teacher; if you are not prepared, you do not come to class. There are no second chances. If I could go back in time, I would advise myself to stop slacking because you can no longer get away with it. In order to get respect from your teachers and your peers is to be responsible.

Trasitioning to college life can be rather difficult unless proper planning is involved early! Teachers, parents, and friends offer advice and can be an overwhelming chore getting prepared for college. Preparation for college starts with practicing organizational skills in high school. Daily college activities are very time consuming. Practicing organizational skills now will help you manage throughout your college career. Creating a daily routine and having the proper items such as books, utensils, and planners all contribute to being well organized. Set aside 1 specific day for pure relaxation and fun. School at times can become overwhelming. Having a day planned for fun and relaxtion can reduce the stress associated with school and can help you focus on your subjects more! Lastly, utilize your teachers office hours for help in your subjects. Becoming familiar with your teachers shows true initiative for learning and can become a determing factor of effort applied towards your education. The more interaction, the more your teacher will know of you. This can be a great asset for your educational reputation and can be helpful if there is a need for a letter of recommendation in the future. These points will ensure great success in college.

My apparition would tell my senior self that I cannot wing my way into college as I did throughout high school. College is serious business and if I am serious about what I want to accomplish with my life, then I am going to have to start thinking like an independent adult and making sound decisions because no one else can do those things for me. Most importantly, I would remind myself that incessant fantasizing about the future will most definitely not materialize such dreams. I would also tell myself to really be sure about what I want to achieve with a college education, because if the motive is unclear, then the drive will soon dissipate and the dreams will remain just that ? dreams. After drilling that mindset into my skull, I would then stress the importance of studying and knowing how to do it properly, applying to schools and for scholarships and grants as early as possible, and taking AP classes and CLEP tests so that I can skip the general classes and go straight into my major, because by then, I will be hungry for that dream. But ultimately, being prepared will satiate that desire.

Dear Raegan, College is fun. I thought I would just get that out of the way, since I know you're wondering. However, college is hard work. Take your first semester seriously, because you know you are not good at math! Studying and perserverance will get you through, and you'll be alright. Disclaimer: your second semester at GPC need not be interrupted by a boy named Christopher Guy. He's bad news. Keep your focus on schoolwork; most of your professors are quite the catch. Also, take the opportunity to go outside and study because they have a beautiful campus! The people who say that community college is the drop off point for failures are wrong. I've experienced a few good people in my semesters, and a couple of bad eggs. But hey! It's the real world, no one is exactly alike. I wouldn't suggest starting anywhere else. I can imagine how scared you would be going, moving, somewhere you didn't know for four years. Good job choosing Perimeter. Have fun; God will bless you! P.S. You'll pick up guitar! You're actually good at it. :) Sincerely, Future You

When I was in high school my school offered something called running start. This was a program that you could enroll in either you junior or senior year. It allowed you to take classes at one of the local community colleges, which would not only count as one of your high school credits but it also gave you college credits. Another program my school offered was upward bound. This program prepared you for college by taking you to colleges, helping you apply, and also require that you take some college courses ( which only counted as a high school credit). If I could go back to high school as a senior I would take advantage of all of these oppurtunities. While I was in high school I didnt realize how helpful these programs were for post college students. Another thing I would do is take advantage of any and every scholarship that came my way. If I would have done each of these simple things my college life would be alot easier. Running start would have also allowed me to finish school that much faster. I would tell any future student to take advantage of oppurtunites like these.

Hey, Tsehay, why are you so stressed! You don't have to be, you know. College life is not as bad as you think it's going to be. Do you remeber how your high school teachers described how college professors would be? They said that your college professors would not care if you fail their class, and a lot of other things that scared you to death about college. Guess what? That is not ture! College professors want you to pass! They care a lot. So much in fact that they make so you DO pass. College professors are always curving grades and dropping low test scores. All you have to do is attend class everyday and listen to what your professors tell you. It's easy, I promise.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would remind myself of making good choices and good habits now. The habits you create in high school will follow you all the way through college, so don't start the procrastination early. I would tell myself to practice being more organized. It would have been nice to begin college with a firm grasp on organization rather than learning how to be organized during the school year. I would tell myself to practice putting yourself in different situations and being with different people because then it won't be such a shock when you enter college. Because I didn't expose myself to new ideas in highschool, it was very hard to adapt to the different people I met and what they believed and their outlook on life. I would tell myself all these things to help me be better prepared for college. I wish I knew back then, what I know now.

I would give myself the advice to stay focus this last year of high school. I would also tell myself to go straight into college after high school because if you wait you will forget a lot of information you will need for college. I would also take the summer after high school to get things in order so that I will make a great transition into college.

If I could go back and talk to myself as a senor in high school, I would say to myself change your study habits. That is the most important thing. Secondly, I would say choose a school that fits you and not where your friends are going. That can be a distraction to you, also. Always stay focus in class and take plenty of notes. Remember that education is more importan than friends. If your friends can't accept your desicions on school, they are going keep holding you back and be a road block in your life. As far as college life, its a whole new life from high school. You are on your on, noone to wake you up, noone to tell you to go to class, noone to tell you to study. You have to take care of yourself in college. Just remember study hard, play less and that friends come and go but an education is needed.

I would tell my self to prepare and study. College is not like high school in the fact that everything is so lax. I would tell myself to make sure that i dont procrastinate and that i have to take this year very seriously. I would make sure i realize that this is my foundation year and its not a joke. The decissions i make during this year will set the stage for years to come.