Arapahoe Community College Top Questions

What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

Anne

I remember that being a Senior it felt like I had all this pressure by family and friends to know exaclty what I wanted to do after highschool and where I wanted to go. People would ask me all the time, "so what are you doing next year?" and I would respond with a nervous smile on my pink face that I was not sure what I wanted to do after highschool. I was embarrassed because it seemed like everybody else knew what they wanted to do which I found out later was absolutely not true. I spent all of Senior year stressing out about the years to come, that I forgot to have fun and enjoy myself. After much consideration, I finally decided to attend a community college to have a little more time to figure out what I wanted to do, which was the best decsion I had ever made. Now that I am in college I realize that it is ok not to know exaclty what you want to do for the rest of your life especially at eighteen. All you can do enjoy the time you do have and do your best.

Samantha

College life is going to be amazing. You’re going to have “easy-As” and you’re going to have classes where you will have to fight for a C. You will face rejection and you will find people who don’t understand you. You will have to explain why you started college at age fourteen at least a dozen times. But you know what? It’s all going to be worth it. Your body and mind will do anything you tell them too, it’s all a simple matter of willpower and determination. Community college, four-year universities, and medical school are all just stepping stones. Never, never lose sight of your end goals. When the going gets tough you need to look to the future and think of all the people you’re going to help. Don’t burn any bridges with family or friends, both will be crucial to your success. School will be the biggest part of your life for a very long time but you can’t let it take over; don't let the stress control you. One thing’s for sure though, it’s going to be one exciting adventure.

Elisabeth

I appreciate the life I have, and had I done things differently, I may not be where I am now. But If I could go back and give myself a piece of advice, I would encourage myself to finish school first. I decided what I wanted to be when I grew up after getting married and having a child. I would recommend to my high school self to buckle down and finish my education first, knowing how much easier it is to finish school when you don't have other obligations like children and family. Especially now that I am divorced and a single parent with primary custody, it has been challenging finding time to finish a degree. When I was younger, I believed I had all the time in the world to accomplish my goals. Now as a 35 year old single mother, I can't help but feel time slipping by in the blink of an eye. Had I finished my degree out of high school, I could have had 10+ years experience as a nurse, making a decent wage to support my daughter, and changing lives for the better.

Gabriella

I would say

elizabeth

The advise id give myself would be to keep myself on track and do what i need to do and not wait for anyone to push me but push myself into college.

Matthew

I would say to take some classes that would relate to a few different degrees that you are thinking about pursuing. In high school you don't always have the opportunit y to take such classes, but when they are offered take the chance and see if you truely are interested in the career before you begin paying for classes. Also make sure that you truely do want to go to college and that there is no other influence swaying your decision. Going to college is a big step and you need to make sure it is what you want to do. If you have to, take a year or two off to find yourself and see what you are most interested in.

Naomi

Time travel. The idea that one might be able to go back in time and fix one?s mistakes is an idea we humans have been romanced by for centuries. How awesome would it be to be able to warn yourself about what lies on the tracks ahead of you? You could avoid heart break, embarrassing situations, and bad decisions.. Let?s assume for a moment that it was possible, that you could go back and perhaps talk to the High School Senior version of yourself. What would you say? Would you give yourself a pep talk? A slap on the face? I don?t know about you, but I would walk right up to myself and say, ?Self, WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU DOING?!?! You need to go straight to college, without a full-time job, focus on your studies, and wait to move in with your boyfriend until AFTER you graduate. This is an experience you do not want to miss! You are strong enough to do this on your own. Oh, and draw close to your family again. You are going to need their love and support to make it through these years ahead. Good luck!?

Kevin

I would immediately tell myself to major in Computer Science. It took me over a year of college classes to find out that's what I wanted to do, and it would've been great to know in high school. I would also tell myself to save more money. There's so many small and unexpected things that come up that you need money for that I was not expecting to have. When it comes to studying and going to class, there's not much to say. Transitioning into more difficult college work was easy for me.

MarlaRae

If I could go back in time and confront myself as a high school senior, I would certainly have many things to say to my younger self. The very first thing I would say to myself would be "what are you doing with your life?" As a teenager i knew everything and had a good idea what my future would be, everything would work out just fine, I would say. My adult self looks back and wonders why didnt I go right to college, why wasnt I more focused on the future. Well, high school students are hardly concerned for the future, unless that future is next Saturday night or who might be interested in whom. I would tell my former self that all the descions I made now would directly affect my future, and explain the stuggles I would have if I kept on the path I was going down. Before I left my younger self I would stress the importance of being a college graduate and that there is no time like the present to secure a sound future.

Sarah

First I would research the schools that are available for Court Reporting. I would pick three of the top schools listed and thoroughly research each of them. I would make sure to ask these questions: How long has the school been around? Are all the teachers certfied? Do other students like or dislike going to the school and why? How knowledgeable is the financial aid team? Most of all, does the school teach what they advertise? The school that I attended first was strictly after my money they didn't care about the students progress. I didn't understand the meaning of this until I found Bryan College for Court Reporting they opened my eyes and gave me a different perspective on what college is about. They truly care about their students progress and well being. They stay after class and they help the student as much as if he or she needs it. They are very honest with you. If they don't think you can do it they will let you know because this particular trade you can or you can't do it and these teachers do not want students to waste their time.

Erika

I had been a talented visual artist ever since I was a child, but was shy and insecure. Unfortunately, I internalized something my mother said repeatedly: ?You?ll have to do work you don?t want to do. You can?t just study art.? Although my gpa was 3.5+, my family never encouraged me to apply for scholarships or even for excellent colleges. Discouraged, I did not begin college applications until the summer after my senior year. I would love to go back and urge my younger self to trust her natural abilities. I would say this to her: ?Erika, you must listen only to the helpful, encouraging voices, internal and external. College exists for you to explore your talents and passions. You are unusually fortunate in knowing what you want to do, and so are obligated by your nature to do it. Art has always fed your soul and always will. Maintain your focus at college and you will begin to touch other?s souls with your work. Take matters into your own hands now and apply to all the best colleges that offer what you truly want to explore. Apply for scholarships, because you are scholarship material.?

Kelly

Although I did not attend college right after high school, I think it is important to do so. It is easy to get a taste of making money and think college is not necessary right away, but the truth is, many students that delay college don't end up returning at all. Going to college right after high school allows a person the opportunity to move in the direction of their goals earlier than if they delay their education. In this day and age, college is necessary for any future success and it is vitally important to get a good education in order to be competitive in the job market. Attending a community college is a smart financial move. Since most of the credits taken in a community college transfer to a 4 year university, it is nice to have the option of paying a lower rate of tuition for the first two years and then transfering for the remaining two years. The professors at most community colleges are experienced professionals and went into teaching because they love it which makes the experience interesting, fufilling and fun!

Shamaine

When I was your age, I thought college was only about getting a degree to make more money. It is so much more. It is a new phase, moving you forward in life. College is about growth, both intellectual, and personal. It?s about stepping out of your comfort zone, experiencing new challenges, and realizing your strengths. College is the time in your life where you have the opportunity to find out about yourself, and what you are made of. This is your chance to experience new venues, and become a well-rounded individual. I know it?s clich?, but I?m going to say it anyway, ?You are young, and have your whole life ahead of you?. Use this time to experience, and learn all you can while you don?t have all of the grown up responsibilities. If you don?t, you may wish that you had. The worst thing you can do is live life with regrets. Stay focused. The party life may be enticing, and hanging out with friends is a good outlet, but keep it to a minimum, and make good choices. Be true to yourself, and always keep the promises you make to yourself.

Brittany

I would tell myself to let go of all of the stress. Although college is a big deal, and something that has the potential to change your life forever, stressing out over every little detail isn't going to help anything. I would tell myself to have fun, enjoy meeting all the new people, take in all of your surroundings, absorb every little bit of information that is thrown at you. Most of all I would tell myself to not take this opportunity for granted. Not everyone is privaledged enough to go to college and learn about what they truly love, so take advantage of everything that, not only college has to offer, but your surroundings and peers. This is your chance to either make it or break it, so do what your heart tells you to do.

Lucy

While I have been thrilled with my education thus far, I wish that I had had more guidance in high school looking at colleges. If I could somehow magically return to my senior year in high school, I would certainly approach the college application process differently. For one, I would have looked at schools nationwide, rather than just in states that were close to friend and family. Secondly, I would have spent more time on-campus at prospective schools?eating in the dining hall, spending the night in a dorm with a current student, or sitting in on a class. I think that is a great, first-hand way to see if the school is right for you. Thirdly, I would have thought more about what I wanted to major in before applying to schools. If you decide on a major last minute, it is hard to cram in all of your major requirements in the last fewsemesters of school. Lastly, if I could give one more piece of advice to my former self, I would tell myself to study foreign language. I regret dropping Spanish in college. (Another good piece of advice: you can?t do it all! )

Jason

Boldly, I wish to say that the things I have learned within 3 years of college cannot be expressed in 200 words. There is so much I wish I had known! In it's briefest, here are the things I wish I was more experienced with before I began school: ~Sometimes you have to take off a year before starting college. ~I wish I had managed my student loan debt in one-thousand better ways that were all within reach. ~Friends are everything. ~Utilize your parents and extended family. ~Volunteer hours refine you into someone you would have never imagined. ~Danger rears its many ugly faces in all facets of your college experience. ~I would not give anything for the experience I have had so far. ~I want to make these next four years the most valuable years I have ever spent. I know I am in charge of whether they are good years or years I won't want to revisit. Delving into these topics would take months, but on the field it took me three years... My brother is one year away from college himself and every day I wish I could be the one to help him.

june

First of all I would definately tell myself "Do Not Wait". When we have been in school practically our whole lives and once we are out all we want to do is have fun, have a "break". Well there are no breaks when we are young adults, there are responsibilities and bills that have to be paid as adults. Be young but be responsibile and get your education. When you are older and have kids it is so much harder to accomplish goals. Don't get me wrong they can be done but at a greater expense. I am now 42 and I am trying to finish my education and if I would have done it right away after school life would be so much easier and happier. So take my advise you can have fun and get your education all at the same time, babies, families, and life will still happen it will just happen smoother...

Jordan

If I could go back in time and give myself advice as a high school senior, I would say that the skills and study practices I learned in high school are a vital part of college life.

Deanna

You look backwandering what you would have done, asking yourself questions and wandering why you didn't do the things you needed to. You see all the things you have accomplished that you worked so hard to achieve. When I was a senior in high school I had no idea what I wanted to do. I had no passion, no enthusiasm, and no idea how to even find out what it was I wanted to do. It was frustrating and because it was difficult for me I put it off. The advice I would have given myself is to go out and do the things that interest you the most. Go find the passion you have to change the world in the way that you want it to be changed. Volunteer in the jobs you are interested in. This willmake the transition easier. You willhave a purpose. Go to different colleges and see where you would fit the best. Be prepared to pay bills and be responsible. Don't take life for granted. Do what is necessary to get the grades. Study hard and it will pay off. Let your family know how much you love them.