California State University-East Bay Top Questions

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

Marc

Discovering your future through imperative career decisions are highly critical; and choosing a school is a major part of that. I highly recommend, that if you are unsure what to do regarding your decision for a choice in your major and minor, than going to a public or private four-year university would probably not be the best decision for you. The reason for this is because no matter where you attend, General Education will be the main focus and focal point in your studies. While taking the time to establish your future and career goals, it is important to do that deliberately and carefully. Being rushed by expensive costs in tuition and other college expenses will be a major setback in your critical decision. It would be best to attend a community college of some sort to complete the General Education program; that way you have more time to think of a conceivable and desired major. All this can be done in due time, while paying a lower price in costs at a community college. Therefore, you can feel much more comfortable and contented, knowing that you're completing fundamental college requirements all at a lower price. Good luck!

Janelle

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high schol senior I would talk to myself everyday and say "do not let others phase you","What others say to you are just words,you have came so far to give up now you are doing so much better than others ,and better than everybody thought that you would ever do,"keep it pushing"","Don't be affraid to reach for the stars,you have it in you to be all that you can",and I would also say "Do not put your life on hold for anybody else,at the end of the day all you have is yourself so go for it,go away to college and and be all that you can".

Jasmine

Knowing what I know now, I would have taken the application process to other schools more seriously. I wish I would have actually reviewed this school along with others a lot more. Also, I would tell myself to open up more so that I would be able to make more friends. I'm naturally quiet and shy so its not really easy for me to make friends. Due to this, my social life isn't all that great. College does consist of a lot of partying and distractions, but it's important to realize the main reason why I'm there. Many of the people who were in my Freshman class are no longer attending college because they didn't take their academics as seriously, and were more interested in the parties than their deadlines. I would remind myself that I'm there to learn and pursue higher education. The parties are always going to be there. Financial aid will go by much smoother if all documents are turned in on time and if something see's a miss, I shouldn't wait until the last minute to correct it.

Alyson

I would tell myself that I should have worked harder to get more scholarships to help pay for college more. And not just slack off like I am always

Linda

The college years are a cherished time in a student?s life. Typically, students enter college immediately following high school senior year. For me, graduating high school was not the end, but instead the beginning of a new era in my life. However, this transition wasn?t without uncertainty and doubt. I doubted my capabilities and was uncertain of the future. If I could turn back and talk to myself before I embarked on that new chapter, I would equip that uncertain 17-year-old with this: ?Rely on your strengths for that confidence boost; utilize the resources in your teachers and school advisors because they are there to help you; and when in doubt, ask questions! You?re not alone! There are thousands of students like you feeling the same emotions. Rely on your fellow students and faculty. Take full advantage and enjoy the most amazing time of your life!? These words would?ve helped my emotional and psychological transition. Students should remember that every college possesses a strong support system for students to utilize. Take advantage of it because once you do, you?ll see the possibilities of having a positive and fulfilling college experience are endless!

Anthony

If I could give myself advice I would tell myself to do very good in high school because the harder a person works in high school the easier college will be to complete. I see how i all pays off to be in AP classes and stuff in high school now that I am in college. I would alsotell myself not to stress and think of college as a scary place because i used to stress and think that it as going to be very hard and I got confused about the financial aid stuff, but once I started actually going everything just fell ino place and was simple. Most of it was because I took advantage of my available resources such as Summer Bridge and the college lifestlye grew on me.

Leah

If I were able to advise myself of college life as a high school senior, I would advise me as senior to apply for scholarships and estimate the approxiamate amount for the total cost of tution, school supplies, room and board , and housing needs. I would advise budgeting transportation cost seperate from want(shoe) versus needs(food) before entering the college life. Also now that many chioces would be made without the support of parents I would advise budgeting money precisely and thoroughly to keep away from costly loans that can grow interest in the long run. As a high school senior, I would advise myself to research the general education(GE) requirements of East Bay, and take some weekend classes at a community college to decrease the remainder of GE courses needed when entering the school. And last,I would advise myself to develop a connection line of students around the East Bay campus to make the first year of school comfortable due to the connection and communication that is already available.

Kelsie

The advice I would give myself if I were a high school senior would not be the traditional common sense "don't procrastinate," college is beyond that. In college you must learn to be self reliant, no one is going to remind you to go to class, or to be places at certain times. You have to grow up very fast in college, especially if you are living away from home. You have to be willng to accept different lifestyles, and personality types, not everyone is from the same place you are. I also am an advocate for opportunity, take every chance you get. You do not want to sit back when you're older thinking, "man I should have done that when I had the chance." College has many opportunities for new experiences and adventures, get involved and find your niche. Do not be afraid to ask questions, take chances, and do something you enjoy. You are paying to be in school, it is important that you concentrate on your studies but have fun too. Live balanced and stay healthy and become a success story.

Carissa

Knowing what I know now about college and being away home I would have chose a school close to home and also started a a junior college. I came from high school into college and I did not it would change my life in so many ways but it did for the good and bad. I'm happy to be a junior with a major in Sociology with an option in Social Work. But it was not easygetting myself this far. There were many times I feel like dropping out but with a strong support system I was able to maintain my balance and get through it. I would highly recommend that anyone thinking about going off too school that it is a great opportunity but you also have to know yourselfand know that whether or not if you can deal with family, friends, college. I would also recommend starting at a Junior College and then working one way to a four year university. It really helps and it gives you a synopsis of college. College is a wonderful experience but it can also be very expense and some thing that can easily be taken away.

Farrahlyn

During year 1995 to 1996, a highschool senior, actively participated a varsity volleyball sports team. Thus, our school system does not required academic standard in a varsity team to graduate. I daily attend classs sessions and leave before the instructor do his/her lectures to go practice in our school gymnasium. It is a routine responsibilities that we always do for our school. We spend our whole day in our gym. In fact, we only pick up our report card after school year and hand it to our couch and fill it out. However, in this country, mostly, all of the schools in the United States were different. There are many institution's concepts and rules applied. I visit the athletic websites and found out that students must have a good grades prior to participate in any sports. Also, the players need to spend their time studying during travel time or in the tutoring department. So, I realized that all colleges and university in this country are complex and focused with students academic performance and commitment. I learned and focused with my commitment to my grades. Further, to improve my GPA's and enter the varsity team in our university.

Beatriz

If I where to go back in time to forewarn my former high school senior self I would tell her to have patience and to better time manage her application process. As a high school senior I applied to about 38 schools and only got accepted to 3. I had a 3.23 cumulative GPA was the president of Earth Club for 2 years and head photographer for the year book and took AP courses throughout my high school career. But because of procrastination I wasted a lot of time and applied with essays that were not read thou rally and left with many grammatical errors. I spent about 300 dollars applying to 35 colleges and Universities that did not accept me. Ranging from postal overnight payments and applications for financial aid required for the private universities. I am a low income student who is a first generation and first in the family college student and I work to pay for school. If I had the opportunity to warn and talk to my former self I would definitely tell her to not play around with the application process because this would determine the rest of her life.

Oscar

I would tell myself to put the video game controller and study for the future. There were so many advanced placement classes that I could have potentially enrolled in but I did not because I was afraid of failing the class. If i did enroll in any AP class, it would have pushed me to my limit and allowed me to have a better study habit and overall better understanding of what awaits me in college. Looking back at my high school career, I know that I should have studied harder for upcoming tests to get a better grade in and to take the initiative when something was not working for me, such as study habits or the amount of material the class is covering, a majority of the time some students kept interupting a class just so they could have a chance to not do any work by either getting kicked out or stopping the entire class by having the teacher call for security or write a slip to the principals office. These distractions caused me to learn less than what I should have learned in high school, which severely hurts me in college in the present.

Angela

I would go back in time and tell myself that these years are going to be some of the best and most difficult years you will ever have to face. One thing you need to learn is to balance school with free time, and work, but it isn?t as hard as most people say it is. You are a very smart girl who has overcome many hard and challenging situations in life that many don?t encounter until they are much older and college is just one more step for you to grow and build new experiences. Being a teachers assistant for the special education students at your school is a very smart decision and if you hadn?t made that choice then you would still be lost in this big sea of college students trying to find what they want in life. You are doing everything you need to do to succeed and just remember to take everything with a grain of salt and breath. Many things aren?t as bad as you may think they are.

Tricia

As a senior in highschool, you should take advantage of your college advisor and talk to him/her as much as possible. Dont hesitate to ask any questions you have about college and the process of applying. Also, apply for as many scholarships as you can. No matter the amount, even if it's just a couple hundred dollars, it will make a difference. It would also be great if you can get a job this school year or even just summer, so you can save up as much money possible. Take any apportunity you are given that will give you a chance to make extra money or a chance to win a scholarship. Before you can start having fun during summer, make sure you have everything set and done. Make sure your enrollment is cleared and your FAFSA is processed. If FAFSA isn't enough, you may want to suggest applying for student loans or private loans. Keep your options open when you go off to school and dont be afraid to try new things. Dont forget to keep in touch with your friends and family. Have fun and dont be afraid to be a college student!

Antionae

I would tell myself to prepare to become independent. There will not be teachers constantly reminding you to turn your work in or to study. No matter how much you might have clowned around in high school college is way different. If you clown around then it will be your money wasted. Stay focused and try not to party too much.

Christina

The advice I would give to myself is that to make the transition easier make sure i know what I want from my experiece and look for schools that give those resources . Also make sure i have a good base of people at my school that can give assistance with the things that are going to make my college experience more enjoyable and how I want it.

Alysia

I woud tell myself, Alysia this next year is going to be hard not matter what you decide to do. However, you should know that getting hurt is a part of life and it will make you stronger. I promise. Be careful who you trust and go to Europe this summer to see your dad. You need closer and you need to understand why you do not want him in your life. Tell your mom you love her and let people know how you are feeling. It will be better for you so you won't explode. Remember to dot you i's and cross you t's. Go have fun. You deserve it. I would tell myself this because when I entered college I was very naive and it was hard to figure it all out on my own. Thank you for giving me this opportunity and I hope you consider my application for this scholarship.

Desiree

I would tell myself to study harder especially in my AP classes. It would have made college so much better if i did not have to take so many general education classes. I would also tell myself not to be scared that college is just like high school but bigger.

Monica

I would tell myself to make sure I study, work hard, and choose the school I truly wanted to attend.

Elisha

I would make sure I did the best, I was a little lazy but I still did well. I would think about getting a tutor for SAT's and ACT's. I would change the relationship I had with my friends so that we would be better friends now. I was looking out for the best for them but they thought I was trying to control their lives. I would tell myself to not take any of my relationships too seriously and if they didn't work out then to put it behind me. I would tell myself to not sweat the small things even if they seem big. To realx a little and to be less stressed out.

Allison

It is very important to visit the colleges because it sounds a bit silly but a lot of times you will find a college that just feels right. It's also important to find out the details of the college you are interested in and I suggest making and Excel spreadsheet listing tuition cost, if it has the major you are interested in, extra-curriculars like sports and Greek Life, and the average GPA and SAT scores of students in order to put things into perspective. Be sure to talk to a school counselor in order to increase your chances of being accepted to certain colleges and to help you find scholarships.

Lindsey

The atmosphere and social aspect of the college is crucial to consider when choosing a college. Majors and areas of study are important also but that is something that students change all the time, the atmosphere of the college cannot be changed overnight. Colleges are commonly known for their atmosphere and social life for a reason, it is the ?college experience.? If you are a person that does not like to drink or party then Chico would not be a good school for you. You would be surrounded by a pastime that you disagree with. The fact of the matter is that people do their best and succeed when they are in an environment that makes them happy. I you are not happy with your surroundings it will make it very hard to succeed and get the full ?college experience.?

Craig

Finding the right college really does make a difference in the way your student performs academically.

trenton

look for a school that fit your students needs. such as there hobies and things they like to do in there spare time. because students need to have something to do at times to give their minds a break

Dominique

Whenever possible, students should live on campus and be encouraged to participate in extra-curricular activities. Please be aware that college is not just about classroom education in preparation for a future job. It is about gaining knowledge, as well as, life experience that will help mold a well rounded person who can adapt to different circumstances, and succeed in life whether at work, at home, or out in the world.

Ryan

Start early. Be prepared. Take your time. Knowing yourself is key to picking right place for you.

Elysse

Get involved with your school activities. You have the opportunity to be a new person because no one knows you. Grow into the person you want and explore anything and everything that interests you.

Matthew

UC colleges are great if you have someone else footing the bill. CSU East Bay is not as prestigious--but is not nearly as expensive either. I do not believe that the increase in base pay from a UC from a CSU offsets the increase in tuition. The only real value to attending a UC is that your professional network is more easily establishable than at a CSU. People usually went to my school to improve their careers--not to start them. You have to work a lot harder post-graduation at being successful whereas it is essentially given to you at a UC, however, it is considerably more expensive.

Brandi

The advice I would give to students and parents about finding the right college is to visit any potential colleges they might be applying to. This allows the student to take a tour of the campus, ask questions of the academic advisors, and talk to current students. This information will help narrow down the search for a college because it will allow the student to develop an opinion of the campus based on first-hand experience. Furthermore, the student and parent should research the potential colleges to see if they offer comprehensive programs for the degree major that the student plans to pursue. This is vital because, while college can be a lot of fun and there are many factors that go into choosing a college, the ultimate goal of the college experience is to obtain a degree and leave school well-educated and well-qualified for the career you plan to pursue.

Jordan

I would advise parents first to (if possible) listen to thier children about where they want to go and not where parents think their child should go, if so thier children might just coast through school and sometimes wont be as interested (given that they had no decision making power in the matter). Second, If it is up to the parents decision, find a college based on the same type of diversity as the highschool your son/daughter went to. If your child went to a highschool with low diversity, then send them to one with alot of it, it will open thier eyes and help them network. As for the future students out there, have a future plan set in mind to what you want to do while at school. if its to excel in school which involves all school and no play, then go to one where it is known for academics and little else. If its to study sometimes but just to have fun, then go to a school that is known for the parties and the social events. Either way find a school that best fits your personality; location, surrounding environment, housing, etc will already follow.

Lauren

When looking for the right college, I suggest looking at the programs offered, the extra curricular activities, how often the campus has social activities, and what the campus looks like. You should definitely go visit the school, go on a tour, and ask as many questions as you can think of. You should also try to get some information from a current student (if one is not leading the tour) so that you can get a feel for campus life. If you're going to be living on campus, look at the dorms and the area surrounding the college. To make the most of your college experience, you definitely need to attend at least some of the social activites. Try to get involved in the campus because then you will actually feel like part of the campus community - which makes your time there so much better. That way you meet a variety of people, some that become your life-long friends. Of course go to your classes and if you need extra help, talk to your professors - they are there to help you. It's always best to be yourself - that way you're more comfortable.

Allan

Do a lot of research when finding a college to attend. Make sure that the college is inline with your views and challenge your abilities. Also look at colleges outside of the immediate area to make sure you have a wealth of choices. Though, it may be difficult at first, it will be well worth the adventure. I feel so frustrated with my college choice that I will attend a different college when obtaining my MBA and obtain it much sooner than originally thought just to get a different college experience.

claudia

do not be afraid of exploring yuor options just because of distance

Helena

First, choose a college that is respected and well rounded. Maybe you think you're really interested in the medical field, but chances are, you'll most likely change your mind. Also, respected colleges have prestigious faculty that know reputable companies. These facultly will often land you a job. Second, visit the career development center right away. Based on assessments, they will help you determine your personality type and matching careers. They will also provide resources, such as alumni and association organizations, career interviews, and workshops. Third, join an organization and network, network, network. These people will most likely lead you to more opportunities and networks. Fourth, obtain an on-campus job (and network). Fifth, visit your professor's office hours. Most likely, they become lonely; attending will create a rapport where they'll likely boost your grade if your on the cusp and help you network. Create early, effective study habits by reading before class and reviewing right after. Academics are only half the importance of college; what good is your knowledge if you don't know who will allow you to use it? Lastly, try not to take life so seriously (but seriously network).

Elizabeth

Visit the campus it makes a BIG difference!!! Since you can see the school for yourself.

Terence

I would advise that parents send their children to college preparatory programs, such as summer bridge or upward bound prior to sending them to begin actual programs. That way, parents and students will become more knowledgeable about the courses and professors at the college prior to making a commitment. Furthermore, the experience will allow the parents/students to make a last-minute change, if needbe. Finally, parents should talk with their students about their everyday experiences, so they can help us through them. Many hurdles and pitfalls can be avoided if more experienced people are around to point them out to us.

Cyndl

Don't go on what your firends think. Visit the schools and go with your gut, not which school is more popular or has the cutest guys. You may think you like a place, but once you visit your whole attitude may change. And like wise, you may think you hate a place until you actually visit. or, visiting could totally prove you right. Either way, you win.

Christal

Advice that I would give to parents and futre college students in making the right choice for college is to pick a school that best fits their individual needs, as well as any services, programs and specific majors that it focuses on that fit what the individual is looking for. One important thing before you make a descion on a school is to go out and visit the schools that you are interested in by attending campus tours, when you visit a school you can get a sense of the school environment and have the opportunity to ask questions on the spot and get the answers you need. When you have made a descion on the school you want to attend it can not be stressed enough to take advantage of the services that the school offers and provides. The staff is there to help you in bettering your education so if you need help just ask and most of the services are free! Getting invloved in sports or clubs can also enhance your college experience because you not only make friends while in school but you make a friend for the rest of your life.

Sarah

When you are selecting a college, it is very important to visit each school and gain some feel for the campus culture before making a decision. No matter how great a school is academically, if you don't feel at home or like you belong, it is difficult to excell. Find an environment where you can thrive. Due to distance, I was unable to visit my campus before enrolling, and I believe that if I had visited, I would have chosen differently. When you start school, make the most of your experience. You can't blame a bad college experience on others. It is up to you to decide how your time at college will be. Reach out to people. Get involved. If you feel lonely, make a new friend. You aren't alone. Everyone is new. Everyone is looking for somewhere to belong. That's what I regret most about my time here. I have been too reclusive and hesitant to get connected. If I could do my first two years over, that's what I would change.

Gregory

Pick a college that incorporates everything that is important to you. An environment that works best for you and not against you is issential. Choosing a college is basically a two to four year commitment so be sure your'e comfortable with your decision.

Janna

First of all, find the school size that is right for you. Visit the campus and hear about the school from the students who actually goes there. Do not pick the school because of the name. When the school starts, visit your professor during the office hour and introduce yourself. In the beginning of the school, professors usually don't get visitors so they'll be happy to see you and get to know you. Talk to your advisor. Your advisor will help you till you graduate and make sure you are doing good in school. Most important thing is to get to know people (faculties and students). The more you know is the more you'll success.

Minh

For the student, find the college that best suits your academic and social goals. Academic should always come first, so choose the College that is strong in your field. However, remember that College is also an enjoyable social experience. If you like the fast paced city life, pick a urban campus but if you like the mellow courntry side, pick a rural campus. One of the most important things to learn in College is how to balance life. You want to learn and get good grades so you can have a great future, but don't forget to enjoy yourself either. College is a lot of fun and it is a special time in your life, so live it up! For the parents, help your child throughout the picking stage. However, do not make a decision for them. Parents need to understand that they need to learn a balance as well. Be there for your child, but do not get in their way. College is where a lot of kids become adults. Be there if for them if they need it but don't be afraid to let them make their own mistakes. That is how they will grow.

Luke

Deciding which college to go to is tough. When looking for a college, the student needs to find a college that suits all of his or her needs. Each school has a strong point that they do extremely well. A student should be looking for a college that excells academically, works with and for the students, and provides a complimentary social environment to ease any stresses. Parents also should have peace of mind where their children are attending. An environment that is safe and reasurring to the parents that their children are safe is essential.

Jackie

Get involved. Get involved with on-campus activites. Get involved in sports. Smile and say hi to your classmates-you all will be crossing paths for the next four or five years. Make the most of it. And parents? Trust your child. Allow them room to explore. Let them make their mistakes. Fixing every hiccup will only hinder them and not allow them to learn and grow from their experiences. If they want to take an interpretive dance class, a wine making class, and a swim class all in one quarter- let them. This is their time to find out who they want and potentially can be. Going to college is a big step in the growing up process of life. Pick a place you can see yourself earning a degree at. Surround yourself with positive people who are motivated to do well. Form study groups. Create fun ways to remember facts-the more they make you giggle, the more you will remember them during your midterm. Ultimately, stay cool, calm, and collected. Whatever you choose to do, make sure it's for you and not for anyone else. Finally, have fun. It's going to be a blast.

Charnine

One peice of advice I would give both parent and student is to know where you want to go in life (as in a major) to choose the best school in which offers the best teachers and opprotunities to fullfill the degree you desire. Be aware of what you want: a commuter school, a social campus, type of environment, etc these things will help you make the best decision for which college to choose.

Victoria

The advice that I would give parents or students in finding the right college would be to look into all the options ahead of time, seeing if the school you want to go to has your major and if there's is viable help and assistance in getting a job after you graduate.

Richard

Be open minded.

Brandy

Make a list of all the attributes you love about your high school. Be sure they are lovable qualities. Determine what you would love to have access to when you are not on campus. Determine how serious you are about college; will you go to grad school? Do you want to find a new place to network and begin life after graduation or will you want to establish yourself elsewhere? Ask yourself (the student) what you really want from your college experience. Once you can write down all those attributes, begin looking for schools that fit those criteria. It is so important that when you close your eyes to imagine the perfect college that those criteria are a part of that image in your mind. Do not compromise the place you want to be because of cost or how far it is from home. Those things will not make a difference after graduation. Be in a college because you feel "at home" or comfortable knowing that the following four years will be spent there and in the surrounding community. The whole college experience is what you want to make of it. Enjoy every moment.

Kelley

It is important to have fun in college, but do not loose sight of why you are there! Many people loose sight of their goals, and they delay their success, or drop out of school all together. Try to stay physically and mentally healthy, and remember that you are paying good money to learn. College is a way to become successful later in life, it is not a means to delay adulthood.

Salmon

College is what you make of it so as long as you want the best exprience you can have it as long as you keep a strong focus on what your goals are.