Pikes Peak Community College Top Questions

I am Mackenzee Heath. The one and only, Mackenzee Heath. But it took me a lot of learning, struggles and mistakes to get to where I am now. It took almost; too long to become the real person I wanted to be. If I could go back into time, and talk to myself as a high school student, there are four main things I would advise myself to and of course, not to do. For ever year that you move up, I would advise something new to work and concentrate on that year. Freshman year, I would say to get to know the high school you're attending. Open houses, transition days, etc. Sophomore year, focus on a good relationship with your parents who are the two people who will naturally always love you and want good for you. Junior year, I would say is scholarship and grants year. There are so many out there to take advantage of before it?s too late. Apply, apply, and apply! For senior year, I would say is college year. Look into as many colleges as possible. Visit the colleges. Just like freshman year all over. And of course, make sure to graduate!!!

If i could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself that college is the only thing that is gonna help you to pursue your lifes dreams. I would also tell myself that the future is only as bright as I allow it to be and that there is lot's of oppuratunity's out there, you just need to keep your eyes open and reach for the sky's. dont ever settle for less and do your hardest to be the best at what ever you choose to do.

Everyday you may come across a challenge, just take it one day at a time and try not to get stressed out. I like to think of life as challenge all in its self. "Everything in life that is worth having is a challenge, if it wasn't a challenge it wouldn't be worth having." That is how I feel about college and working towards a degree. Just have pride in everything you do and know that you strive to be the best everyday. Know that one day you will have that degree and you deserve it so much after all the hard work!

The advise I would give myself is do not get caught up in drama, focus on your education, do your homework, and when asked always give the professer a nice temperment. College is like high school just with a lot more frredom but do not take this freedom for what it is worth, go to class and get the education you are paying for. Always focus on the future when class gets boring and do not let your parents or roomates take the time you need for homework and make you do something else. It is ok to go out and have fun if your grades are where they should be and all your homework is done for the next school day. This is what I would tell myself if I could go back in time and give advise.

If I was able to go back to myself as a senior in high school I would probably try to mentally prepare myself more and also research the classes and majors offered. College in some ways was easier to begin with, there were less classroom hours and you could choose your class times to an extent. I wish I would have looked more closely my senior year, when signing up for classes, for the classes offered for both of the degrees. I hadn't payed attention and an advisor for people with undecided majors or degrees told me to take a class that went with accociates of arts, when I decided later on to do an accociates of science degree. I took the class and struggled and it isn't gaurenteed to transfer. Also more research on what career would interest me would have been better because I could have gotten started knowing my major and degree from the beginning.

If I were to go back to talk to myself as a high school senior I would say to myself that I should visit as many colleges as I can and apply for as many scholarships and funds for college. I would also tell myself that college life is very different from high school and making the transition is a very important step once I have graduated with a diploma. I would also stress that I should take the ACT (and the SAT) in order to get into a very good college. Colleges look at ACT and SAT scores along with a high school student's grade point average (or GPA) so they can decide which students they'll permit on to campus. The last thing I should mention to myself is that going to college for the first time can be very intimidating and very stressful (especially when paying for college is thrown into the equation), however, the important thing for me to remember is to have fun in college, expand upon the boundaries of my life, and not to stress too much!

?Don?t be angry at me. . .? responded the twinkling, blue eyed professor to his students the first day of class. ? I am not hard, the subject I teach is hard!? I would have digested this advice given by a teacher of such high recommendations in high school if I had the chance of recognizing the advantage it has in college. When I was younger, I was pessimistic, usually blaming the teacher for a grade I thought I should have received higher. When I walked into my college Biology class of Human Anatomy and Physiology, I realized most of my time would be devoted to this one subject. I would tell myself as a high school senior don?t blame the person for what you receive as an overall grade because how much you study is what you get out of the class. If I wish to receive an A, I will study for 30-40 hours a week. Do not blame the teacher for giving their knowledge of the subject to the students. ?The teachers passed the subject obviously, its not impossible!? (Jessica, 01/21/10)

If I went back in time knowing what i know now, theres only one thing that comes to mind. "Do what feels right to you", First of all no mater what you say or teach a person about college or real life its up to them to learn it. For example I was always told by oder friends and family that in order to achieve anything you have to try. Of course I realy didn't know what "trying" felt like so i tried to brease my way through everything, turns out you really do need to try your absolute hardest to achieve what you want in school and in life. We as people have an instict or "gut" as some refer to it as. This "gut" is what tell us whats wrong and wht right, If you follow your "gut" or what feels right, you will end up where you are now. No matter how terrible or great "now" may seem, Its the path you chose and the path you should be proud of.

If i could go back there are only a few things i would do differently. First i would tell me to save more of my paychecks for school, but not all you need to have some fun. Next i would tell myself to go to college right after school it really wont hurt to start classes before you know what your major might be. The most important advice iI would give my self is to stay with Eric and marry him as we did. He wont get in the way of school and it makes going a little easier because you dont have to deal with parents., as well as help support you while you go to school. Just trust yourself and don't second quess everything you do know what you want in life.

If I could go back and tell myself as a high school senior I would say, Do not take time off. When you do it is the hardest thing to adjust to school life again. I would also tell myself that just because you are going to a community college does not make a difference. You are still getting the same education and the kids who are going to a university but you get more one on one time with your professors. You can not just coast through school like you have the previous years, you need to study more than half an hour and you need to do your homework and read, if you do not, you have a less likely chance in passing your classes. Keep up the good work and follow these simple tips and you will make it through.