Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi Top Questions

So far, the only experience that I have had so far with college is visiting the campus. The general feel of college was there are too many people to get to know them so just don't intrude in other people's life and do your own thing. I want to actually be able to afford college and to be a person that people look up to that will uplift and smile cheerily at another. This small experience with college has given me a better perspective of the way life should be lived: Giving in service. It's the little things in life that make others happy, by small and simple means are great things brought to pass.

I am a senior in high school and considered a sophmore in college. I am in a very unique situation, I attend Legacy Early College High School, which is an early college program that is paying for all of my college expenses. I took my first college class at age 14. I am very lucky to be in the situation that I am. I have learned so much and have grown very mature for my age because of my ability to be in college already. I will graduate with an Associates of Arts degree from Temple Junior College in May of 2011. After that I will have to start paying my own way through college, I am planning on getting my master's degree. I have a completely different outlook on my life because of this oppurtunity. The college experience has been the best thing that has happened in my life. I would mostly likely not have graduated from high school if I was not attending college at this time.

The most valuable thing that my college experiance has given me thus far is the sense of responsibilty. I learned through trial and error, how to be a better student and a responsible person.

I have figured out what major I wanted. At first I did not know what I wanted to study but seeing the passion the teachers have made me realize I wanted to teach. I also gained a sense of pride for my school. My other college I attended did not have such pride. Students there just went to school and went straight home. At this college students help each other out as much as possible. I have also gained friendships and learned the true meaning of dedication.

I have gotten the motivation to be all that I can be while attending college. I have learned the importance of higher education and the benifits of recieving a degree. By recieving a degree I can provide a better life for not only myself, but for my future family. I have also learned discipline and focus are a vital part of success. Attending college has changed my life. I look forward to completing my degree and moving forward in a career field that I am passionate about.

Obtaining my GED in 2008 to start college to become a registared nurse was a life long dream. I married my husband when I was 16. We got pregnat there after and we decided then I would stay home to raise our kids. We made decisions then that are rewarding to us now as our children grow. Now that our boys are resposiable to be home alone for a few hours my dream of being a nurse is closer than ever. Attending school I have found my inner adult and relise my attending shows my boys the importance of school.

College was always viewed as an escape from your parents; it was the idea of indepence at it's greatest. Though as I am currently attenteding college now, I don't see it in that way at all. Yes, you are independent but like what every adult would always say, "With independence comes responsibility." I can truly say this statement describes the life college completely. There will be parties and there will be peer pressure some have never experienced before. College is the time that we all should grow up. I have seen slackers already this year, and it's only been a month. I have heard of parties and yes everyone goes to clubs for college night during the week. Those are the same people walking in the next day to school without their homework along with a zero percent attention span. It is so important, I can not stress the value of going to class everyday. Missing class leads to missed lecures and even sometimes missed quizzes. I may be viewed as a nerd just because I stay in my not so nice apartment room all day. But doing homework and going to class is my responsibility here.

My college expeirence has been intersting, fun and life changing. The first thing I thought when I went off to college was, "freedom", but after living on my own for a short amount of time I realized it's really about resposibility. This couldn't have been done without the students, teachers and faculty at Texas A&M University. I love this campus because it feels like home. I have developed into an amazing young woman ready to take on the world and acheive every career goal I have set for myself.

This year, I've learned a lot about who i am. I learned that I"m a very curious person. I absolutely love to learn. Soaking up all of that knowledge is the best feeling in the world. I learned that I need to be challenged or I get bored quickly. I learned what it means to volunteer and give back to the world around me. It's an amazing experience that more people should participate in. I've learned the real meaning of fiscal responsibility. That's just the tip of the iceberg. I've learned so much from my first year in college and I have a few more years to go. This experience is one that anyone should be able to try. It's valuable to learn more about the world and more about yourself.

Going to college is totally different from high school. No one is going to be on you about finishing homewrok or reminding you about assignments. You are expected to remember yourself and get work done on your own. It will be expensive and you will be responsible for buying almost every single supply needed for classes and they do add up. Remember to look around for as much financial assistance as you can find; every penny helps. Look around for grants and scholarships at your school and online. There is tons of help out there but it will not be given to you unless you apply for it. Remember that your GPA is the key to staying eligible for most of them , so do your work and pass your classes. There will be lots of people partying and not taking school seriously, but it will catch up to them eventually. Partying is fine in moderation, remember you are there to get a degree, always keep that in mind. Lastly, shop around for textbooks and supplies online and in stores. There is no one place that will have everything you need for a good price. But $5 is $5.

After experiencing a taste of college, the first thing I would tell myself if I could is, "don't cheat yourself". I say this over anything else, because in high school a student can ace any test without studying. The tests are easy, but just going to class for a simple A is doing the bare minimum. School is there for students to learn everything they can to better understand the world. Students should also learn to understand the lessons being taught and most importantly know how to apply these concepts to other situations. Students should not memorize information, because in the long run they will forget it all. If I learned this in high school I would have better study habits, remember this information the first time it was taught, and be a bit more open minded. All of these are important to keep in mind while attending college.

Learning to study while you're still in highschool is extremely important. Even though you can do very well now without putting forth much effort, that won't always be the case. It will be easier to adjust to life at a university if you already know how to study and the ways in which you learn best. Acquire those skills in highschool, where there is a little more support and stability from the faculty and staff.

I would encourage myself to overcome the anxiety that I have from my parents separation at the time and stay in athletics. Softball would be on the list of activities to pursue and working would be limited. I worked 2-4 jobs the entire time I was in colIege so I was unable to get very much aide in the way of grants and work study. I would guide me toward the right college and major. Although my experiences have made me into a well rounded individual so who knows; maybe, I would simply be an encouragment to keep my head on straight and make all the same decisions.

Being part of a Bill Gates program made it possible for me to be an actual college student during my high school tenure. I am a senior in high school and plan to graduate in May 27, 2010. I would be considered as a sophomore in college when I attend Texas A&M Corpus Christi University for this fall 2010. The University Preparatory High School program made it possible for me to actually experience college life in my high school tenure. I have 41 college credit hours and will graduate high school with 51 college credits. I have never lived in a dorm before, but I would love experience that too. If I had to go back in time, I would tell myself to stay on the right track and move forward. "The sky is the limit."

I would tell myself to really focus on my school work my first semester. To take the classes more seriously than the high school courses. I would also tell myself not to fall behind because it is very hard to make up for lost time. I would tell myself to study harder and try harder to find study groups sooner. Take all the help you can get from your professors when you can. Most importantly, have fun, but not too much.

If I could go back in time and talk to my self I would tell myself to drop all sports and make sure you just concentrate on school. I was a big time Jock who just cared about friday night not about school. I ended up having a scholarship for football but it was taken away when i tore my ACL my senior year. If I could go back i would make sure to tell myself to get my GPA up from a 3.5 to a 4.0 and also to get into the top 10 of the class because football isnt always going to be there but your brain and education would always be part of your future. If i would tell myself that information I know i would be fully prepared for my first year in college and would'nt be at a 2.0 probally at a 3.0 at the least.

I would probably say "listen to your parents" and apply for any and all scholarships and grants possible, college is not cheap and if you don't have money you will end up having to get a student loan, so do not be lazy and be sure that you ask every question you may have about the school even if you think it may be stupid. also be sure you have enough money to purchase your books because books are expensive even when you buy them used. I would also suggest to buy lots of can goods because its quick and easy and it can store with out spoiling.

I would only have one word for myself; and that word is "scholarships." I have already had to take loans putting me in substantial debt and I wish that I had realized that I sincerely needed to apply for scholarships. Every time I think about wishing that I was able to go back and tell myself I am reminded that all the seniors before tried to tell all of us seniors to go out and search for scholarships and none of us listened. As for the rest of the transition (such things as living on my own and deciding on a degree) I would remind myself that it's my life and I should do what I want to do with it. I would remind myself that I should reach for my dream, not my mother's or my friend's dreams, but for my own. We are only on earth for a small time and after that we leave nothing behind, so take that time to make myself happy.

Miss Monica, I know you've been the seemingly perfect child all these years, trust me your brothers have wrecked havoc on this house hold long enough ! You have always been obedient and studious. I want you to know, four years down the road, all your hard work has paid off. You stirved in high school to achieve academic excellence and be in all the honor societies. You were athletic and a true friend. Now, in college, you have maintained your high standards. You have been the Dean's list reciepient multiple times, held a handful of offices within your sorority, and most importantly you have remained a true friend. I am so proud of the person you have become. You are honorable, humorous, loyal, and artistic: all of which woud not exist if it weren't for your maturity in the early years. I thank you, Monica, for getting me here, a year away from graduation. A year a way from being the first member in our long line of family members to graduate college with a degree. Thank you for holding onto your faith, hope, and love all these years. Don't change a thing! Love Always Monica

My advice to myself would be to stay living at home my first year of college. High school is not enough prep for young individuals in teaching them how to manage their time. As a senior, teachers babied us, so to then be thrown into the college world, the first year was difficult in managing classwork. Staying at home gives you the support, which is so dearly needed the first year, from family, and on the spot advice from said family. Also, living at home, gives you more time to adjust to managing money. College brings out a whole new arena of monetary costs, so to be able to stay at home and to learn slowly about paying bills on time and being responsible, without the fear of failing in a new atmosphere.