City College of San Francisco Top Questions

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

Faye

First of all, I would have told myself to just try to forget about my fear of the future. Or at least put it aside and just do what I needed to do. Read more about the Cal Grant and submit your financial aid and Cal Grant forms because I actually did qualify for them. I would have tell myself that dreams don't always come true and that's okay.; I am not the sum of my dreams, I'm worth more than that. Following your passion is a cliche and as old as myths. What is more important is making a real difference in this world because there are too many sad faces to say that I'm bored. I would also tell myself that when I die, things like if I dated that guy for 6 months, the clothes I wear, the kind of job I have, the degrees I got, and if my imaginations even came close to reality will not matter. What will matter is if I've committed myself to strengthening my relationship with the Person that I will meet in the next life so learn about Catholicism as much as you can.

Marissa

You feel on top of the world right now. Unstopable. Once college comes, you'll be in a new pond with new fish and it will feel a bit lonely at first but it won't last long. It's important to surround yourself with people who dream as you do and want the same things in life to help encourage you and keep you focused. Also, life does not revolve around the student. The educational institute will only do so much to help you and notify you of opportunities. It's so important to take initiative and get out there to see all that schools have to offer (scholarships, tutoring, outreach, clubs etc.) It's going to be hard. At times, you may want to cry because the stress but it's important to have control and to take initiative and action on assignments, scholarships, tutoring oppotunities etc. as soon as possible. Make your dream come true, it won't come true for you. Education is your friend and so rewarding. Hard work WILL pay off in the end.

Nzechi

If I can go back in time to my high school senior days I will, and i will have so much to tell my self about college. First i would advice myself to study hard and appy to CSUs or UCs. Second I would also inform myself that college is nothing like high school because in college you have to want to learn and nobody will aski you to show up everyday you have to want to go to school. The last thing i would tell myself is to start thinking about what you would like to do in the future even if it mean looking at the evryday workers on the street and think to yourself would i like to do that line of work.

Kristie

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would give the advice to save more money for textbooks, food, and transportation; buy less frivilously, cut back on that which is not a necessity for survival. Knowing what I know now about college and the transition from high school to higher education, I would tell myself to take a few challenging courses at a time, but not to load up on all of the general requirements first semester. I would advise myself to take the initiative and introduce yourself to your professors. Let them know why you are taking their class and participate in class discussions; doing so could bring your grade up when the professor is submitting final grades! I would also advise myself to procrastinate far less!! Lastly, I would advise myself to explore that which makes you most passionate and pursuit it with vigor!

Monica

If I could go back in time to talk to my past self, I would tell myself "Knowledge equals power" That in itself, is a daily reminder to never give up, and that nothing I learn is a waste of time. Even if the subject seems irrelivant at the time, it all gets stored in the brain, making you a more powerful person. In life you may not always have the same friends, get what you want or be told the things you want to hear, but you will always have yourself. College is the place to not only learn book smarts, but also street smarts. I would tell myself also to stop worrying about the little things in life, and focus of the big picture.

Patrick

This is the deal! The choice is simple. You can do it now or you can do it later; I would suggest that you go to school now. Make the investment in your future today, and your actions will definetly pay of tomorrow. Also, I have a little secret for you, learning is fun, too.

Heydi

If I could go back to my High School in my senior year, I would give advice base on being more responsible, for example, not having more than four absent like in one of my class in City College. Also I would enjoy in more sports because at City College we have to pay. One of the important things I would say is that we should appreciate our teachers help and their time because many of them want us to do our best, but sometimes we don't get that part in. When I got to City College I didn't have my teachers to be there telling me what to do. In addition, I learned to be more responsible for my stuff and especially for my self getting early to school. I also would do my best because in College we have to pay each class we take, and sometimes it makes harder to us to keep going on because sometimes we don't have enough money to pay the books or that class. Another important advice that I would give out is that we always should try our best no matter how hard it is.

Sheila

Wow! If I were to talk to myself as a high school senior... I would tell myself, "THIS IS REAL SHEILA MARIA SUAREZ!" You are about to embark on a new road and build your path for your future so make wise decision and focus! As a high school senior it had not yet struck me, I was graduating and for some reason although everyone around me seemed to know what graduating meant, it did not phase me. If I would have known then the reality of growing older and building a life for myself I would have done a few things differently. I would have constructed a solid ground for my path to begin instead of having to start from just wonders. But then again, that is the beauty of breaking through into the real world you make mistakes and you learn from them and rebuild from that point on. I may not have know then what I know now and I do not know today what I shall know tomorrow but that is what I must foresee. I would have told myself to at least acknowledge that I was about to embrace a whole new chapter in life.

Bithiah

If I could go back and talk to myself as a senior in high school I would stress the importance of not giving up. I would tell myself that completing your education would not be easy to balance with every day life responsibilities, such as work, and the rigors of college academics. I would also tell myself that whatever I do in college would follow me throughout the rest of my college career. Failing and withdrawing from courses will always find their way in your academic history. I would probably tell myself the story of the turtle and the hare, and how running as fast as you can out of the gate doesn?t always win you the race, but taking your time and doing the job well will bring you the victory you so desire. I would also explain that over the course of my higher education I might change my field of interest several times till I discover what I?m truly meant to do with my life. After all school helps us to discover who we are, what we like, and how we can apply what we have learned to the direction we are going.

Sylvia

If I could go back in time I would tell myself to stop fooling around in school and to just hurry up and get high school out the way so I can focus on getting ready for college. I would tell myself to go to the college of my choice and get information on placement test dates, different clubs & organizations, financial aid, what majors do they help with, etc.

halimah

If i could go back talk to myself as a high school student i would tell myself to focus on getting my grades up. why? because it is very hard when you have a low -income and your g.p.a is not as high as it could be. not having the best g.p.a and trying to attend college causes more stress in college life, you have to get loans and finacial aid which sometimes wont be enough to completly pay for college . having better grades and a higher g.p.a means it will be alot easier and faster to get through college becuase you gain more knowlged and you place into higher classes.

Susan

Going to a high school labeled as an alternative high school, Lowell will prepare you for college. It doesn't matter where you end up going, just knowing that all the sleepless nights and outbursts of stress and anxiety will payoff. College will not be as difficult as high school, it will be a little easier once you make the transition. You've already experience picking classes for yourself, now it's your turn to do the and same, hope for the best but also expect for the worst. Don't worry about other people in your classes, your goal is to make it out of college and go onto a great graduate school. College is just one step toward a career choice and whatever you decide, just know that all the work you've done, is worth it.

Roxana

The advice i would give myself would be to not let anything disctract me when it comes to getting my work done. Also, in order to succeed in college be prepared to be challenged and have a lot of homework that will have me work hard and earn the grade that i deserved. The last advice that i would give myself would be prepared to work as hard as i can and be able to succeed for a better future.

Marthese

I would tell myself that no matter what, I need to keep my nose in the books, always go to class, study as much as possible and always keep my grades up because a good grade point average makes a huge difference in how well you do and what scholarships are available. I would also tell myself that the perfect major for me is psychology so that I wouldn't spend too much time figuring it out. Since one of my worries was if the major would allow me a job that would make a good deal of money, I would let myself know that my major has many job opportunities that will allow me to earn an ample amount of money. Lastly, I would advise myself to stay in university and not leave under any circumstances because no matter what is promised, no other form of education, especially vocational programs, will give the opportunities and education that a formal university education can.

Marcela

Given the chance to go back in time and give myself advice on how college life is, I would tell myself first and foremost that I must stay positive and committed. In the beginning many who attend a community college are prone to feel negative about their decision in attending a 2-year college. I'd let myself know that the decision that I made in attending a 2-year college would be the wisest decision I could have made. I'd let myself know that I'd be susceptible to feeling that I have failed, but that I must keep a positive outlook in order to achieve what it is I will achieve in the future. Moreover, I'd let myself know that I must stay committed toward my dream of being able to graduate from the universtiy of my choice. That I must stay committed not only for myself but also for my family. I would tell myself that school and education itself is the most important gift in ones life. Education is something that I will always be surrounded by and will strive towards in order to better my lifestyle and to succeed and live my dream.

Yulonda

I would advise myself to research more on colleges and requirements for the medical career. Future Self: Hey? How are you? Past Self: Im good. How you doing? FS: Im ok, What are you reading? Looks interesting. PS: Oh, im reading "Letters from a little girl addict" by Rae Shaun Stewart. FS: Kinda reminds me of my life in some ways! PS: How is your life like this book? FS: in the sense of trying to find my way through life with education. PS: I want to be a doctor some day FS: Well if you put your mind to it you can be anything you want! PS: Where do I start? FS: Ask the librarian PS: Ok so what is it that I need to know? FS: Find out what college is best for you. (as I look back at myself, Irealize that I am looking up at my future and wanting more out of life) PS: Im going to make sure I do it right the first time, and hopefully we can be friends and you can be there to see me graduate with me PHD. FS: I will most defininately be there, nothing can stop me!

Laura

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior knowing what I know now I would tell myself that you are a strong women and you can do anything you set your mind to. You have to be successful in order to have anything in this day in age and you cant do that without your education. If you do not do anything else please get your education. You are smart enough and there are many place to turn to to get help with paying school cost. You can do it you can be everything you want to be.

Ana

If I could speak to my former self I would give myself the most important advice that I came up with after starting college which is, no matter what keep striving until you reach your goal. Life will be difficult, you will work a lot of hours and study really late into the night. You will be poor and have to budget a lot. You will have very little free time but in the end it will be rewarding to know that you have made something of yourself. That even when it feels that quitting would make your life easier an education is the key to having the future that you want. Study hard, makes friends, work hard and never forget that the only one who is in charge of your future is you.

Jenai

I would tell myself that college is hard, so don't slack off now. Senior year will prepared you for college. It teachs you that even though you have freedom, you need to be responsible for your actions. So do your homework and always remember that you won't get what you truly want if you take the easy way out.

Iman

I would take my seniour year in high school as a prepartory stage for my college year, that way i would keep my grades as high as i could and start looking into colleges that would interest my feild of study. After i get an idea of what college suits my feild of study i would familiar myself with all that the school has to offer and what i must do to get all my financial assistence. Financial needs seems to be what's stopping students from accomplishing their goals, so therefore; i would make sure that i will completly get coverage by applying for grants and scholoarships. Tackling all the sources that are out there as well as applying for it and getting accepting for it takes time, which is why i would advice myself to do it ahead of time. America has a lot of oppourtunities for students that are trying to accomplition something and be successful so its important to do things ahead of time. Lastly, a lot of times we are not sure about the financial opportunties that are out there for students, so its best to contact an advisor from that school for some help.

David

I would say to not put off college. Go into college full-time while still living at home. Finish school without taking time off, despite how much I want to party. It is practically impossible to finish school when going part-time with full-time work and with rent. Just do it and get it over with.

Ashley

If I could go back ten years and give myself advice as a high school senior about to embark on my college career I would tell myself to be practical about the value of my education in the long term. When I was eighteen I looked at things through a short focus lens and didn't think about the lasting effects my decisions would have on my future. Being a college student at twenty-seven years old I see work and education completely differently. After competing in the workplace for ten years I realize just how invaluable a college degree is. It is truly a key to open up doors of opportunity. During this past recession my father lost his job of thirty years and is struggling to get companies to even look at him because he does not have a degree. It made me realize that you can no longer compete if you don't have an undergraduate degree, if not a master's as well.