San Francisco State University Top Questions

If I were to travel back in time, the advice I would give myself as a high school senior is to dream big and never underestimate myself. I would encourage myself to have confidence and explore every option available for career choices. I would except that everything is possible and goals can be reached no matter what my situation may be. I would encourage myself to study at least 2 hours a day for each class I was enrolled in. I would tackle courses that might have been hard by knowing that an increase in study time and focus would get me through the rough bumps in the road. Most importantly, I would never give up! I was scared to transition from high school to college, I did not want to fail. Realizing now, my college instructors want me to succeed and wish only the best for me, I should have not been afraid to explore college as an option in the betterment of my future. Now, I am 48 years old, confident, and very happy I made the large step to go back to school and excel in the Medical Assisting program. I am thinking positive and studying hard.

If it were possible to go back and speak to my at 17 year old self, I would tell her that the “Terrors of College” was just a thing her tenth grade health teacher made up for some still unknown reason. I would then tell her to take math seriously, perhaps show her a book, The History of Zero. She liked to read and perhaps this would have made algebra more interesting to her. I would tell her to keep drawing, to pick either fashion design or illustration or cartooning, and to stick with it, put in the time, and not worry about what anyone said about her passion. She would need to know that something she loved –a passion-was worth pursuing, even though she might roll her eyes as it was said it in those exact words. Finally, high school Me would benefit from somebody telling her to be sure of herself and her needs, and to not base her value and worth on the opinions of her peers. It took six more years to figure that out, and I cannot but help to wonder how things might be different if I heard it at seventeen years old.

Going back I would tell myself to do what is best for me first, and foremost. As a senior and the next few years afterwards I would worry and try to do everything for everyone. I went to school in Philadelphia to please my father after high school. This failed, and in turn I became anxious and depressed. My late great-grandmother passed away this past December at 94 , she always told me, "The reason why I have lived so long and am the only happy one in the family is because I am selfish. I do what is best for me because I owe it to myself." I have applied this to my life and Nana was right! When I put myself in the best situations I feel happier and thrive. If it is at the extent of toxic people in my life that is something that is sad, but necessary. If I do what is best and fail I now have a more positive approach and learn as opposed to formally getting down and sabotaging. If I knew this as a Senior I would have been happier more frequently, nonetheless I am happy I learned from my Nana.

I would definitely tell myself to be more active and insist on going to a different school; preferably one where I would be playing soccer. I wish I could advise myself to have an actual college experience because as of now, I have not. The school isn't too active which is why I would advise myself not to go here.

Although you are going to a community college, it will still be difficult and you will still need to work hard. It is not going to be all peaches and cream! I know that you do not enjoy going to school because you think subjects like math and science and history are not going to benefit you in your career choice. While you may be correct, you need to stay focused and remain determined to succeed. I will promise you one thing: complaining about having to do the school work will do nothing but waste time. In the end, you are still going to have to do it! I know that doesn’t really seem like too much fun, but it will make you so much happier in the long run. When you transfer to Kent State University, most all of the classes that you are taking at Lakeland Community College will transfer, and you will have at least thirty credits already complete. Keep pushing and good luck!

Be strong! Pick the college you want to go to, not the one your parents can right a check to. You deserve to be happy and to go to a school that challenges you. Just because your parents are pressuring you to stay in state does not mean that you don't have the right to branch out.

Networking is important, so don't let anyone or anything stop you from joining clubs and organizations. If you already know what you want to become in the future, really focus on your education in order to get grades good enough to be accepted into certain impacted majors. Don't be afraid to create friendships with professors because those are the people who can vouch and write letter of recommendations for you. Volunteering in your preferred field can also help create a network for when you receive your degree, you might be able to find a job there.

I would tell myself not to sell myself short. I had low expectations for myself and a narrow scope of the world. This time in college has shown me the importance of self worth and critical thinking. Aim high and keep aiming high.

I would have advised myself to take more AP classes in order to lighten the load on myself once I was enrolled in a college. I would also advise myself to not stress as much about which college or university I was going to attend and know instead that no matter where I go it would be up to me to make the best of my school and love it for its own unique qualities. No school is necessarily better than any other because all shcools are different and have different qualities than others. Last but not least I would have told myself to enjoy highschool with my close friends, savor my time with my family more, and get excited for what was to come in my educational journey. College is a large and extremely exciting step in life and I would tell myself too look forward to all the fun and learning that I had in front of me that I am now experiencing today.

If I could go back in time and speak to myself as a high school senior, the advice I'd give myself is to get involved with the university well before attending. Examples are possibly attending some classes to get a feel of what the student/professor participation and relationships are like. This would open doors for a hand on experience as a high school student. The next set of advice I’d give to myself would consist of going to the same school as your high school friends or well acquaintances. I say this because as cliché as it may sound to choose not to go to the same college as your high school friends, it may actually be beneficial in the long run. Starting as a freshman in college is intimidating for many students. However, if you are familiar or comfortable with someone, you could more than likely take numerous courses with that person (as in General Education requirements) and have a person to study with, which would be a great route to start off receiving outstanding grades. This is advice I’d share with myself as a high school senior, and believe its pertinent as a senior.