San Diego State University Top Questions

College is very different from the high school atmosphere. It can simplify your life if you plan and manage your time well, or it can create chaos if you do not. The college life at a comunity college is not like it is at a 4-year university, making new friends is much more difficult. Above all things, apply for financial and government aid to help through the difficult economic downfall, manage your time well, and keep on track with iGETC transferrable classes. If everything is done well and on time, your transition will be relatively easy.

First of all, I definitely would not have waited so long to go back to school. I am a 37-year-old female who has gone back to school to earn a Psychology degree. In many ways, being an older, non-traditional student has its advantages. I have much more life experience than that of my fellow students, and am much more focused on my future career plans. But there are many times when I wish I had the carefree lifestyle of a 21-year-old and was fully experiencing the problem-free college days that my fellow students experience.

Based on the high school I was attending, I would have spend more time learning more than the material covered in each class. I would spend less time in the extracurricular activities I was involved in. I would have spend more time outside of class with my teachers, so that I could learn the concepts to the topics discussed in class to a level that may be discussed in college. Instead of just trying to get good grades, I would have tried to prepare for each subject beginning that summer before senior year. I would spend endless hours in the library with the teachers that dedicated their time to students for night library. I would have socialized with other students more, because you never know if the student next to you knows more to possibly help you understand as well. I would have told myself to focus mostly on the important points instead of trying to comrehend the whole book. I would have also taken the time to look up terms, concepts, or topics that I did not understand by using resources other than the ones provided. I would have planned my schedule ahead of time as well.

I would tell myself to work harder. It might suck at the time, but the hard work will pay off. I would tell myself to continue remaining true to my conscience and to listen to my instincts about people and situations.

I would tell myself to stay focused on my school work and get my studying out of the way before socializing with friends. I would also reccomend to make a routine to follow each week to make sure that I do not fall behind in my classword, while still alotting some free time to spend meeting new people and getting involved on campus. I highly reccomend living in on-campus housing, that is how I met some of my closest friends. Lastly I would tell myself to talk to to teachers and use their office hours to ask questions if I need help. Professors can appear intimidating during lecture but many of them are very willing to help a student who needs it.

Make sure you begin your appllications early, so in the long run you have more time to make a definite decision as to where you would like to go. Do not base your decision solely on your subject interest, money or the social life. Make your decision off a combination of the many different aspects of college life.

As cliche as it sounds, college really does help you find yourself. There is so much to do and be involved in that it can be overwhelming but as long as you follow your own path, you can do nothing but succeed. Your classes should help ignite a passion for a certain field of study and applying yourself whole heartedly to learning will be more rewarding than you will know. College is an opportunity to learn and grow as a person and a professional so make your time there count!

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself a number of things. I would tell myself to enter college with an open heart and open mind. When I was younger, I was completely unaware of the diversity that SDSU holds. I never imagined that so many people from different countries and states would be a part of my college experience. I also wish that I told myself to be more extroverted and outgoing. I feel like I missed a couple opportunities to form certain friendships, and I had to learn it the hard way. Friends and study buddies are very easy to come by, especially at SDSU, I just wish that I cherished that ideal when I was a freshman. I knew from day one that I had to work extremely hard to be accepted into nursing school, and I have the GPA to prove it, but I wish I focused a little bit more of my energy on my social life. I missed out on some opportunities because I was constantly studying, but at least I have been granted an amazing education.

I would tell myself not to be afraid. College is a wonderful experience, each year brings you more knowledge and puts you closer to meeting your goals. Plan to study abroad, it is an amazing experience, you get to make so many good friends. Don't be scared to meet with your professors, they are all interesting and want to share their knowledge with you. You will make many friends in unexpected places. Don't worry about being at a school that is so much bigger, you will find your own place there. Don't lose track of your dreams, you are stronger than you think and you will grow with each year. Cherish the time you have here because it will be over before you know it.

I would tell myself, to be sure of who I was. College is full of amazing opportunities as well as stupid opportunities. You really have to be sure of yourself to make the right choices. I would tell myself that the high school friends I had will drift apart but when it's 3am and you are alone after a party or upset after a test, the ones who matter most will be only a phone call away. College is the time for you to realize who you are and become closer with your family. It takes moving away to a new place to realize how much of a child you still are and how much you still need your parents? kind words and encouragement. I would tell myself, to be more appreciative of my parents, because without them answering my phone calls regardless of what time it is, I would not have been as successful as I am today. College life, is difficult- at times impossible. The first year you will experience the harsh realities of being poor, confused, lost and heartbroken. But then you will realize who you are through those hardships and emerge and better stronger person

Det really good gradesd

I would first of all tell myself to look into what is economically happening in the state for which the school I would like to attend is located. I hate that I attend a school that has been hit so hard with the budget cuts and economic issues of the state of California. I would also tell myself that I should try not to get so caught up in the partying lifestyle. School is too important to just blow it off and go get drunk and party. I would also tell myself to join more clubs and get involved in activies on campus. That's a great way tp meet new people and be able to branch out of my normal circle of friends. I would remind myself not to join a sorority. The greek system is so biased and I do not want to be a part of something where most of the people involved don't think they need to follow the rules. Lastly I would tell myself to have an open mind and be willing to put the effort into the work in order to get the results I want.

I would tell myself to get more involved with social activities and meet more people. The networking you develop during your college career can be invaluable. Also, for many people, the college experience can give you important social skills. For example, in college, you start learning how to present yourself to others and learn that your actions and words really make or break what others think about you. This image obviously stays with you for a very long time. You also learn what kind of people will help you advance your life, and which ones will slow you down. Developing an ability to judge character is important. Finally, through speaking with professors and senior students, you learn how to take advice. Advice is sometimes the most valuable thing you can get from somebody, and it is important to learn how to find good advice, listen, and apply it to your life.

If i could go back in time to my senior year, I would advise myself not to take for granted everything I had going for me at the time. Typically, when one is a high school senior with graduation looming in the near future, they tend to soley direct their gaze ahead, only towards what is to come, rather than apprecitate their immediate surroundings and revel in the opportunities and privelages the present has to afford. When i was a senior in high school, all i could think about is how everything was going to be infinitely better after i crossed that finish line and embarked on my new life as a college student. However, because of this mindset i found myself becoming disillusioned with the blessings in my life that I already had such as hobbies, friends, and even family. In reality, once you leave for college and these aspects of your former life are no longer at your disposal, you really begin to realize their value and how fortunate you really were to have them. College life and adulthood is great, but its important to appreciate and take pride in who you were and where you came from.

Become involved sooner. Try to get more scholarships to go away to college, leave home and experience something different. Then, if I did that I wouldn't be going to France this spring.

JUST DO IT.

Stay true to what you believe is correct in every aspect of life. Do not be swayed by influential people in your life. Do what your heart and gut tells you. Keep moving through life without focusing and dwelling on distractions. Work first, then play.

I would tell myself the same thing that I have done these last 3 years be smart and stay focused. There are many occasions that come up to go out and party but know your goal and don't get distracted. Boys will come into your life and they will go don't change your dreams or goals for someone else if they can't take you as you are its time to move on. Have fun and work hard you have the rest of your life ahead of you so if you miss an opportunity one night there will always be another.

I believe that i made an easy transition from high school to college life. I would tell myself that the material and subjects are much harder and I need to focuse on my studys. The social life of college is much different thatn high school and there are so many different people out there. Also in college life you need to watch out for some people and to choose your friends wisely. I would also tell myself to stay focused and to push through the hard times of college. It is all worth it in the long run.

If I could go back in time I would tell myself to slow down. I was so anxious to get out of high school and get out there. Those years were so easy going. There was minimum stress and plenty of time to socialize with class mates. College is so different; its impacted with tests, papers and tons of reading. It is very upbeat never the less the knowledge that you acquire is life changing. I would tell myself to take more advance placement tests(AP) because those really do simulate a college class and they count for college credit. I would tell myself to do better in SATs and the entry levels for SDSU. Those entry levels for state are critical and if the scores are low the remedial classes will be the only option. Although college is an immense transition it is manageable. It has shaped me into a better person. I would tell myself to believe in myself at all times. Some days you will feel like stopping and other days you are loving it. All in all I would remind myself that even the option to go to college is something to feel fortunate about.