Sinclair Community College Top Questions

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself not to be nervous about the life of being in college. College is, certainly, another step outside of high school, but college can open you up to the many opportunities that can be pursued in life. College is the stepping stool towards actually finding out what career or degree that you would like to pursue. College is a bit harder but it's not like having to do a 25 page paper and have in done within 3 days. College is a higher learning experience that is there to help you learn to be a more highly developed and professional individual. This is the path that you now have to pursue. Your parents will have your back but they are not the ones that will be doing all the work for you. You want to earn this degree, well you have to show that you want it. No one's here to hold your hand anymore. This is how you can show that you are growing up and being able to live your life on your own.

Figure things out like finacial aid, schedule, and budget of money instead of waiting and just making deadlines.

Knowing what I know about being a college student, and about college life, I would offer the following tips to myself if given the chance to travel back in time to my high school senior year. Make good use of your resources at college; the student counseling services, financial aid office, career services, the teachers, deans or chairs of the departments that you are studying, (or interested in studying). Visit these offices and seek out members that can serve as mentors for you as you work and study your way through school. I've found that they can help custom tailor your experience and may even save you time and money; for example, a counselor could suggest a CLEP test to get credit for a variety of classes which would save you time and money from having to take the class; a deparment chair could suggest, or approve, elective courses to count towards your degree. Get involved in student activities or organizations; attend the free seminars, presentations, workshops and socialize and make friends. You never know who you might meet. Most important, learn to budget your time and stick to a schedule.

If I would to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior knowing what i know now about college life and making a transition, I would advice myself to make studies my highest priority.

College work requires more time. Practice time management in high school and don't assume that you will be able to maintain a heavy course load and employment. Get involved and meet people, network and use the instructors to get help. Also, don't be afraid to seek tutoring-it is free and can only help.

Looking back i would have told my self to apply for scholorships and grants. Now i find myself having regrets not doing so and its difficult at times. I feel like my senior year i just let things coast by. I didn't really try to apply to any colleges because i already new i could get into Sinclair Community College. I had a scholorship from being in the allied health tech prep program for two years at fairmont highschool. It was a great experience for me, but i should have opened my horizens to different opportunities. When i started college i would find out i would not get my scholorship because i don't have any one really to claim me under my FAFSA. So i've had to pay my own way. It hasn't been to bad though, with school not being to pricy. Overall i've done alright. I'm a pharmacy tech going to school to be registered nurse, then plan to further pursue my career.

To start sooner so I can get a head start on the programs

Forget about everything that high school teachers have "taught " you, because it hasn't been preparation for "the real" world, it has only been preparation to help you pass the state test. Don't be fooled that you'll be "big man" on campus again, because once you start your first year in college, you become the small fish in a big pond again. Whatever you do, don't fall for the "oh, I can skip class" thing, because it doesn't work like that. If you miss class, you miss lecture notes, and that puts you behind. Just do your best, and don't be a slacker.

If the Carroll graduate of 2008 were to come talk to me, I would tell her she's doing great. The responsibility it takes to be successful in college can be overwhelming, but prioritizing and time management are the keys. I would tell her to never be afraid to ask for help, because there are people all over Sinclair just waiting for her to seek it. I would especially emphasize that going to college isn?t ONLY about making friends, knowing the social butterfly she is, but doing what you need to do to attain that degree, picking some good one?s up along the way. Packing lunch would also be advisable and not to go into the cafeteria too often, or it will burn a hole through her pocket.