San Francisco State University Top Questions

The first semester of college is an extremely difficult transition. Being away from home is difficult, but not having your friends there is even more difficult. While meeting many people in the first month you have no idea if they are compatible with you, but don't be picky with people, talk to anyone and as many people because your group of friends in college maybe way different from the people you hung out with in high school. Besides the social situation the academics is a lot harder than high school. I felt underprepared for my college classes; I had some really hard teachers, and I thought I would fail all of my classes, but you can never ever give up in college, as soon as you give up you fail yourself. Because I kept going and made a constant consistent effort I was able to exceed my expectations and achieved a way higher GPA then I ever thought I would reach. In college it is really easy to get caught up in the social life and lose track of academics, but learning how to balance everything and figuring out how you learn things is what college is all about.

I can remember sitting in the boiling heat, in a golden gown, thinking, "I'm finally done". If I could revisit my former, younger self before entering my college career, I would advise myself to take my time. A person will continue learning, hopefully, their entire life. But the years you spend in college will be like no other time in your life. Take time to utilize all resources because right when you think there is no one or no thing to help you, that extra time looking will lead to some help. Take time to get to know your professors, they are expierenced in their field and have amazing social networks.Truly, take time to enjoy your college education. It is definitely not going to be easy but it is definitely going to be fun.

"Hey Meredith! take time. Think about what you want and not just what you feel you should be doing." My problem as a senior was that i felt obligated to follow my parents goals for me. I did not listen to my inner voice telling me how important being happy should be my main focus. I have always wanted to do theatre and it always came very natural to me but i was lacking confidence to continue after high school. As a 22 year old transfer student i now know that listening to that inner voice is what has pushed me to where I am at this point in my life. "listen! Love! and Go!"

The first thing I would tell myself as a high school senior is to focus on one thing at a time. I remember then being overwhelmed with my to do list and would often have moments of deep sighs. But now I realize that I can only focus on one thing at a time. I would tell myself to budget my time for the different things I needed to work on. I would also tell myself that all the hard work is worth it once I get into college. Now that I worked hard to get into college, I am finally here. Now it's time for new challenges. I would not however tell myself all the outcome after high school because that's what made my life exciting, not knowing how things will turn out and being overjoyed when it turned out great.

I would tell the high school senior version of myself to do more research before committing to a university. SFSU has been a wonderful experience, however, due to budget cuts it has had a substantial impact on my education giving me the sense of less of a college feel. I would look at the school's financial situation and if it is unable to offer my needs, I would look elsewhere.

If I were given that opportunity, I would use it to its fullest capability by telling myself to do the following. For one, remember to sleep, sleep a good eight hours a night. Do not deprive yourself of rest because other foolish things seem more important. Also, remember that a balanced and healthy diet, will lead to a balanced and healthy life. Avoid the Freshman Fifteen like the plague. Thirdly, learn to apologize and admit when you're wrong. You don't know everything. Forth and forthmost, do not think that procrastination is a miracle solvent for bordem or indifferance. Dedication and hard work are all that is seen. Lastly, remember to smile, laugh, make jokes, start conversations; make yourself approachable and friendly.

If I could go back in time and give insight to my high school senior self about my college transition, I would tell myself to branch out from home and go to a far away school in order to open my eyes to new experiences. I would have told myself to attend CSU, Long Beach instead of the school that I initially chose because although leaving home is a scary thing, It would have been a great learning experience and. It would have benefited me greatly to leave my comfort zone. I would have also told myself to focus on school immediately when entering college because receiving my masters degree should always be in the back of my mind. Although I missed this chance to grow, I have applied for transfer to 5 schools away from my home. I hope to give myself the chance that I had missed. Living away from home, for me, comes with many more financial responsibilities and I would like to be ready for those. If only I could go back and let my senior self know this, I might not be in the position I am in now.

It is more worthwile to appreciate the opportunity in front of you to better yourself than it is to have a social life.

Before you enter into college, as a high school student you have to prepare for the transition. Ok, so you have the grades and the 200 hours of volunteer work but do you have the attitude and discipline you need to get you through college life? You have to get used to being an independent person. In high school, your parents pay for everything, when your having difficulty or trouble in class your parents are there to help, when your ill your parents come to pick you up during 3rd period and when your absent you have your parents to excuse it. Well I have news for myself as a high school senior: "Stop being a baby and get ready for adulthood!!" I would explain to myself that mommy and daddy are not going to be there. If your sick you better call the teacher asap and if you cannot sign up for classes because of a delayed payment, you better call your FAFSA. Sometimes you will have to go in circles just to get things done, but if its what you have to do then do it! No one else is going to do it for you!

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself to take this year more serious and really work towards not only graduating, but putting my future into perspective. I would tell myself that this is the time to really focus and think about my options and choosing the right college for myself. I would tell myself not to get wrapped up into the idea that college is all about fun and frolic, because the transition from high school to college can eat you alive if you're not prepared for it. I would tell myself to be more active in the scholarship process and apply for as many as I possibly can because funding for college is substantially limited and I don't want money to be the reason why I never get to go to college. Finally, I would tell myself to make this year of high school count, because there will be no regrets if I know in my heart that I did all I could do to get to where I need to be.