Mt San Antonio College Top Questions

What should every freshman at Mt San Antonio College know before they start?

Emma

I would tell seventeen year old me to stop obessesing. To put down the detailed college plans and pick up a camera to document the life she would soon be leaving behind. I would tell her that in a few months she was going to miss galloping down dirt roads on horseback and witnessing Alaska's beauty with every drive home. I would tell her that she would even miss doing her sister's hair and ice fishing at forty below. I would tell her that she would need those pictures and memories to get her through the holidays without her family and friends. I would tell seventeen year old me to remember an umbrella, hat, and gloves because believe it or not you actually will need them living in California. I would tell her to stop trying to make everything perfect, that college is supposed to be messy, stressful, and emotional, and that life will never go exactly as planned. I would tell her to put aside her anxiety and remember that her ambition and strength will be there to help her get throught it all. I would tell her to take a deep breath and smile.

Kayla

If I could go back in time, I would let myself know to start thinking about college right away! Many things can be done in one's last year of high school that can facilitate the college process. Most importantly, I would have self studied more AP exams regular to my major so that I could skip the introductory level courses! In addition, I would have worked to develop good study habits rather than viewing my last year as the year to take a break before jumping into college. I would have explored more options, such as concurrent enrollment in community colleges. I would have applied to more scholarships. Don't ever think that you can't get started on college in high school!

George

If I could go back I would tell my past self to take classes more seriously and to say yes to new things with new people (assuming they weren't negatively affecting others). Growing up I was hesitant to go after many of the things I loved doing because I was always trying to please others. So, in particular, I would let myself know that he should go after everything that gives him excited butterflies and after everything he loves doing whether it's sports, talking to a beautiful girl, meeting a new friend, or going up on a stage to play some music he made. Lastly, I would tell him to relax and have a great time chasing and working hard for his goals.

Kevin

The advice I would give myself as a high school senior would be to enjoy all the friendships and the "easy road" that was laid out before you in high school. College is extremely different and although academically you may be prepared, the social aspect will be completely different from what you know. One of the biggest transitions/adaptations that you will need to make will be to tune out derogatory and profane language because you will hear it from everyone, including professors. Know who you are and stick to who you are while going through college; there will be a lot of people who will tell you different things and try to tell you to drop your dreams because they aren't realistic. Keep the nay-sayers behind you and embrace the challenges that college will bring.

julio

The biggest advice to give myself will be in high school it was a big struggle but attending college could be less struggle since it only step by step in class to attend and also the experience of learning about life experience in school for the future.

Briana

Even if you don't have the money for college applications, don't make the excuse to not do them, find alternate ways to pay for the application.

Tammy

Be kind, please past me be kind. Not just to others but to yourself you never realized how many people looked up to you until after you graduated and recieved those letters. Stop looking at yourself badly just because you are 200 pounds doesn't mean you are ugly, don't bring yourself down look yourself in the eye and tell yourself you are fine just the way you are. Be kind to your family, stop slaving away on homework by playing catch up go and actually have dinner with yourfamily and talk about your day they love you and you only have them. Be kind to your heart look at all those Key Clubbers cheering for you; you raised them to become better leaders even raise one to become the next president and they'll alaways be there for you when you need them so don't cry because they'll cry too. Once you leave High School you'll understand that things get better it's a fresh start you can go anywhere you want even your dream school. Be kind and you will once again learn to love learning and your friends because you'll miss them.

Yasmin

Procrasination is a thing of the past, do not even think about it. Prioritize your life, such as family, friends, and job. Make sure to have goals set in mind or else you will just take classes for no reason. All in all, choose a career that benefits you financially, and how much you actually like your major.

Alicia

I would tell myself not to stress out so much about going to a major university because you can always transfer from a community college.

Cesar

Be competitive to yourself. Stay in tutoring if you want that A+, no one is college graduates by themselves they always need a helping hand. So remember meet new people and get into the community.

karina

Assuming that I could go back in time to speak to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself that an academic gpa does not determine how well you will truly do in college. There are a set of characteristics that come with succeeding such as dedication, organization, and passion. In high school, I was involved on campus but never as much as I am now. I would tell myself to dedicate more of my time to reading and doing outside research on topics that matter to me, so that I could have that trait already developed before discovering that it is important to be able to push myself further than only studying academically. Organization because unlike high school, there is no set schedule to follow by, as everything is set upon what flexibility one would like for the week. Lastly, to be passionate and take that passion onto everything I do because that will be the main attribute that will lead to success and will give to you as much satisfaction in return than any other. Where passion is found lies friendships, confidence, knowledge, and utimately happiness.

Darien

During young adulthood, most people experience very few things that are as nerve-wracking, terrifying, and thrilling as their transition from high school to college. As I reflect back on my senior year of college, I realize that much of the anxiety, terror, and anticipation that I experienced while preparing for college were unnecessary. If I could offer some advice to my senior year self, I'd focus on easing my fears about socializing and preparing myself for the financial problems that I would inevitably suffer once I arrived at school. In high school, studying was an option but during college, it is necessary to spend an ample amound of time with textbooks and flashcards prior to an exam. Although moving into a dorm with hundreds of strangers sounds terrifying, a kind smile or a friendly greeting is all that is required to gain a new friend. Saving money with little income is nearly impossible and I wish that I would have thought to be more frugal with my meal plan money. Had I been advised about my social anxiety and financial stability when I was a senior, my freshman year would have been significantly more successful.

Victoria

If I had a Time machine or maybe a Magic Genie that would allow ?present me? to talk to high school senior me, I would give this advice: "live for no one but yourself." They say that college changes you or that life changes you, but that is not true. It is not the changes that you go through that drastically alter ?you?, so to speak. It is what you learn. If the gradual transition into real life has taught me anything, it is that living is for you. That life you were given is no one else?s but your own, so you should be able to discover what is your passion. You should do what you love. Do not always try to blend in. Do not "go with the flow." A person's greatness is not simply stumbled upon; greatness is something you achieve. In High School, an individual is always worried about what other people will think of them. What I believe and what I have learned is that the most important thing in life is not to worry about how others perceive you, but to worry about how you perceive yourself.

Denice

High school to college is the great transition we as students have been waiting for since teachers first tell us thats the option we have after high school. Most of us have been preparing for college since middle school or the beginning of high school, all in the hope that we will have a smooth transtion and dont struggle as much. Although I considered myself prepared and a good student the transition from high school to college wasnt as easy as I assumed it would be. If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I'd tell myself to try harder in my AP classes to have a higher GPA, to register to the colleges sooner so I could get a sooner registration date and be able to get more classes and finally to remember that I need to be more imdependent and not rely on other people to help me. The answer to is to be self motivated and help myself reach my goals. I would tell myself that college is all the good things I expected but difficult also, but its nothing I cant manage.

Jasmine

I would, first of all, tell myself to not be so shy, that asking questions is okay. I won't look like an idiot because most of the people around me probably don't know the answer to the question either. Its okay to talk to my classmates because thats where new friendships bloom and many of the people i'll meet will make great friends. That speaking up actually helps in class, and visiting the professor after class can make a difference between a B and an A. Second of all, I would tell myself to try for scholarships now, not half way through my freshman year of college because it makes a BIG difference. Books are expensive, and the economy in the future makes tuition costs rise. Selling my books after the semester/session ends would help with buying new books. Lastly, I would tell myself to apply to all the universities I'm interested in, forget about the costs and just apply. That Dad won't plan my future the way I want it, I have to make it happen. And apply for the fafsa early, like January. And enjoy college, its fun.

nico

I would have told myself to apply to universities, and for scholarships. I would have also told myself that the documentary film that my father and I worked on for the next few years wasn't important. What was important was going to college directily after riding my bicycle across the country. I would have told myself that because instead of living on my own and trying to put myself through college. I would have been living with my stepfather and done with school with little out of pocket expense from myself. If I could tell myself how easy college would be instead of taking life the hard way, I would. I would tell myself that as long as I focused while in class that I would have plenty of social time for my friends. I would also tell myself that at first the freedom of going to class if I wanted should be considered as a privledge gained by getting good grades. I would also tell myself to try and find people that had the same interests in careers and in making it through college that way I would be set up for success.

Alfredo

If I could go back in time to my senior year in high school, I would tell younger self to stop skiping school to get hard working attitude that my parents have tried to install in me at the time. I aswell would would want to tell my younger self to work hard at my grades, and that even if I dont make it to a University that community college is one of the greatest places to go to school you meet many type's of different people from different backgrounds and that you will feel great cause at a community college they have extradonirary programs to help you improve yourself, and it is a great institution for people who want a second chance in their education.

Jeffrey

If I could go back and talk to myself as a senior in high school I would definitely have a lot of information and advice to give. First, I would inform myself that it?s time to become more responsible about your career path and understanding the obstacles that might hinder your future. I would explain that now is the time were you become more independent. Taking care of school responsibilities is going to be solely on you. Next, I would advise that the decisions your making within the next few years are going to affect the rest of your life. You must remain focused and not slack off. I would also express to myself to be open-minded toward classes, professor?s opinions, and other students. I would suggest asking as many questions as possible and to never be afraid or embarrassed about what other people think, because that is the first sign of ignorance. I suggest talking to as many people as possible and create many friends. It?s an intelligent idea to network within your own school. Lastly, I would advise myself to complete all classes asked by the school under the Math, English, and Reading category.

Ashley

I would advise myself to start with a junior college and transfe to a four year later. Not only is this a cost saving measure, but it allows for a transition from high school to a four year university. This will give you the time to understand how you study best, the work load expected out of you at college level, and to get used to not having your hand held through every step of your education.

Briana

Having the chance to talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself, try your hardest and never give up because, when you graduate from high school its a hard world out there and trying to make it without going to college is going to be even harder. Take chances and apply for the colleges you want to attend and if you dont get in the first time try again after you spent some time at a community college or another college. Staying focused is they key point to being successful in college and in life, always work to your fullest capablitiy and prove all the people wrong who did not believe in you and remember always believe in yourself.