City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College Top Questions

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

Erika

If I could go back to my high school self I would tell myself the concept of entering the real world is not when you graduate from college, it is when you graduate high school. Do not kid yourself when you say you just want to take a year off to figure out what you want to do with your life. That year easily can turn into two years and then you're looking at 5 years that have past and you are right back where you started when you graduated from high school. Yes you did not take your GPA seriously and thought you can start over in college, well kiss those top universities goodbye and say hello to community college. Community college is not as bad as you think if you choose wisely. Choosing City Colleges of Chicago was the best decision I could have made because it took all the stress out of transitioning from being a non-student back into the student lifestyle. Yes college life can be fun but it is a lot of work and should be taken seriously. Go in with great optimism and drive and you will succeed.

Diana

Dear high school self, You've had some of the best years of your life, God gave you amazing memories and amazing friends. But there is a time for everything in this life, and now it is time to move on. I know this scares you, I know you hate change, but hear me out, I've been there already. Change is an inevitable part of life, but life brings lessons along with it. College has many lessons for you, so be excited about all the new things you're about to learn. Never forget that to gain wisdom you must live, and learn. It is time for you to blossom somewhere else. What scares you the most is writing those insufferable papers, but you're only scared because you doubt your intelligence. STOP IT. You are so much smarter than you think, everyone sees it. You need to see it too. High school taught you who you are, and college is about to teach you who you want to be. So embrace the change, and do not fear. Trust God, He is with you every step of the way. Never forget how loved you are. Sincerely, Your college self

Tiffani

Knowing what I know now, I would tell my high school self to continue to push through what may seem like adversities and continue with her college education. I would tell her that it’s ok that she had some bumps along the way, but that it’s not impossible to pick up the pieces, figure out where they belong, and keep moving forward. I would tell her that just because she has a child; it does not mean that she has to stop bettering herself. I would tell her that she can still obtain her dreams and goals and make a brighter future for herself and her child. I would tell her that she can and will be successful in all aspects of her life and that no one was going to look down on her for her past mistakes. I would tell her that her child, and any future children, will be proud and encouraged by her drive and determination. I would tell her that it’s ok to cry but to not let those tears stop her. I would tell her to do the opposite of what I did…drop out of college until now. Thank you.

Mary

I would have leaped out past my internal saftey net much sooner. I was so caught up in my past and the hard times that I was letting it get the best of me. I wish I could have told myself that I was brave enough to get out there and I didnt have to depend on anybody else. I would started working and earning my own money so I could drive sooner and learn to take care of myself. I would have told myself I desereved better than to sit in my room all day, dreaming of the future instead of making it happen. All of these things would have made being a collge student so much easier. It would relieve the anxiety of beign out on my own and let me focus on what I was learning. This is a time to focus on myself and better myself in anyway I can, while were are still young and have the energy to constantly make changes and face new things. Now I see it as a challenge, a new adventure.

Michele

My first year of college i went out of state and that was an amazing experience because it taught me to be independent. It introduced me to new ideas, a new culture and different teaching styles. Although it was a good decision to attend out of state college being back at home allows me to focus more on the actual schooling to get my degree done faster and to get into the career i would like.

Sol-Rubi

I would go back in time right now and give myself advice. I would tell myself this: Sol-Rubi, there's nothing to be afraid of. You have a supportive family and remember, you have friends in the same circumstances as you about to enter a whole new dimension of education. Transitioning may be difficult and scary, but you are not alone. Talk to your friends about it and note how they feel about the situation. You will feel less stress! Also, there is no room for procrastination. Get everything you need done with no delays. Apply, months before school, to as many scholarships and grants as possible because there is free money out there and college is not cheap. Do not take any loans. Trust me, they will haunt you (mom and dad included). Community college is the way to go. As far as choosing a major, take your time but don't distract yourself. Medicine or art? You like science but you love art. Lastly, have fun. College is much more rewarding and enjoyable. You are going to meet awesome people of all ages and interests and see the world in a new perspective. Just enjoy the ride!

Laura

The best advice i would tell myself is being able to manage my time. Once I began using a planner, I was able to manage my time more sufficiently, and in turn, my scedule with work and school began to form; giving me time to study around my work schedule and any other events I wanted to attend. I'd also tell myself to enjoy life. School is always going to be there, and if you feel like you need a break, that's okay. Don't feel stress or pressed for time to finish because it's okay to stop and smell the roses. Don't let others influence your decisions about your life, or tell you you have to finish school by a certain age and conform to a timeframe. Lastly, I'd tell myself to be open to change and growth that college allows a student, whether it be my personality, spirituality, or maturity level. The most important thing in deciding on a major or career is letting who you are define what you do, not let what you do define who you are.

Nichole

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself that I can do it. My first semester of college was an unsuccessful one and that is because I didn't think I could get through college, that a college degree was not a sensible goal for me. So I gave up. If I could go back in time, I would tell myself that it is very difficult to bring yourself out of the hole of failure. There is a very slim chance of obtaining financial aid and schools will look at your transcripts and reject you on the spot. It is no fun having to repeat classes knowing you could have done it the first time if you had tried. Giving up on school also makes it hard to finish because you are always thinking; what if I had done it right the first time, would I be done by now, would I be in grad school? Dear high school version of me, You are smart and you can do it, please don't give up. Love, Me.

Sergio

I have only been in college for one semester yet my experiences have demonstrated that the decisions, fears and worries I encounter my senior year were unnecessary. When deciding what colleges to apply to, consider all institutions. Although being accepted into institutions is essential to attendance, receiving financial aid is as crucial. Apply to FAFSA early in the year. Look for scholarships, start and finish the applications. When applying to essay-based scholarships review the essays and have others revise them. In my case I failed to have people review my essays; despite my pleasant feelings towards my essays, they lacked the opinions from others. My scholarship essays were cookie cutters or a bad batch of ideas. In the same manner that I recommend to seek essay revisions from others, I recommend to talk to an array of individuals; listen to how they view life and see if any of their advice can help you. For example, I encountered a distant relative, whose background has many tragedies. He experienced imprisonment due to his Japanese background during World War II, yet despite all he has a Masters. He shared his story with me; His story has served as encouragement.

Kimberly

If I could got back in time and give myself a pep talk on college, I would tell myself to be prepared for long application processes and tedious information gathering. Also, I would tell high school senior me to not procrastinate and wait until the last minute to turn in whatever is needed by the college(s); by doing this you delay your admission and transition to the school of your choice. I would also say to not be afraid to ask questions when you are unsure of what to do about something, whether it be about financial aid or your courses, because there is always someone available to help answer your question the best they can.

carmen

Dear Carmen, I am writing this letter for you because you need to know that your education should be your #1 priority. Your love life, boys should be the last thing on your mind. You are a smart young woman and you deserve to go to college. Please do not wait so long to go college. Being married and having children shouldn't stop you from becoming a nurse. It's not that hard and you will get good grades have an amazing gpa and you will even be in Phi Thetta Kappa honor society. It might take you longer than most but believe in yourself and all your dreams will come true. Love , You

Priscilla

Well to myself in high school, i will say that you have to give it your all. In a way that you have life easy and you are growing up in life to the world you will know now and you going to make it a better place for people, if you take care of it and if you do what you want to do in life. Thats how life is and you are going to love it. If you need help, you can ask your family or closes friend. you always have to look aheard not back so you can seceed in life. Also you end up looking back at the mistakes you did in the past, and know where you are stranding at now. In the future you will know that life in school is the best you did for yourself. Just know that you have faith, heart, and hope for you. If you know you can do it , just do it nobody is going to stop you. Something you have to know about me is that i love to go to school, and i will like to win this scholarship for me so i can do that

Angela

If I could go back in time the advice I would give myself is to thoroughly understand what classes I am about to take and the teachers I will have for those classes. It would help me to know which classes are easy and which ones challenge me as a student. Also, being in college makes me realize all the expenses that come with it, and if I could go back in time I would tell myself to get a part time job in my neighborhood to help pay for expenses such as books.

Bianca

If I could go back in time to give the younger version of myself advice, I would emphasize the need to apply for scholarships as soon as possible. Since I was denied financial aid from the government, my household has been living from paycheck to paycheck. As an only child living with a single mother, I had no idea just how difficult paying for college would be. I would tell the younger me to push myself harder to get a job and become a responsible young adult. However, I would also remind myself not to take everything too seriously and enjoy the time I had left with my friends. I would have warned the high school senior to fully live the typical teenager lifestyle and join more clubs. Being more active in school would have opened new doors for me. Most importantly, I would tell myself not to give up on writing because the best thing a person can do is to pursue their true heart's desire. I now realize that instead of worrying about how much money my future career would provide, I should have appreciated how happy writing makes me.

Peter

First and foremost I would pressure myself into attending college immediately after H.S., secondly not to take out student loans or attend colleges which cannot guarantee that their technical courses will remain offered. Additionally talk about about not eliminating out of state schools as a viable option and to actively pursue more extracurricular activites and volunteer more.

Elias

If i were allowed to go back in time and talk to myself as a senior, I would scream to myself, "GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER, GENIUS!" My attitude toward education was immature, irrensponsible, and not to mention ignorant. I always figured that as long as I was passing with a D, that's all that mattered. It took a lot of setbacks, and difficulty finding a college to accept me or give me financial assistance to realize that if I had valued my education more, there would've been greater opportunities for me when it came time for college. As a result, I've had to humbly take classes at a Community college that I had vowed as a child to NEVER step foot in. Unfortunately, within the same year that I tossed my hat in the air in celebration of graduation, I was standing in a 5 hour registration line for a school I had resented so dearly. Fortunately, my experience there has been more than pleasant and allowed me to see the importance of an effective education. If this timetraveling opportunity were to present itself, I would make sure my self-intervention would make an impeccable impact.

Emily

Be PROACTIVE. And be PRACTICAL. I would say that these two words ring in my head whenever I consider my college experience. The first I succeeded in and the second I did not. In order to received the kind of education that fits you and your interests, it is essential that you actively seek out the courses that, while fulfilling the requirements of your degree, also satisfy your interests. If you are simply herded, like the masses into courses whose subject matters do not hold your interest, you will not really learn and retain what you are forced to spit out on essays and exams. As soon as the semester is over, any knowledge you obtained evaporates. But if you actively seek out classes that intrigue you, the knowledge you gain will enrich both yourself and your community. And my second point: while you pursue what interests you, do so with a dose of the pragmatic. Be conscious of the fact that you will need to get a job eventually. Therefore, take all the steps necessary to line up your career while getting your education. This can be done through internships, additional coursework--take forethought and explore all your options.

Dana

I would advise myself to prepare a little bit more for the college life. Being a senior in high school is nothing compared to being a freshman in college. You need to make the transition into college with a positive mind-set and a little bit of realization that instead of writing four page papers you're going to be writing ten page papers. The work load in college is much more stressful than that of high school and you need to be ready to handle it.

Guadalupe

You should start looking and filling out scholarship applications since the begining of the school year. Researc the schools you think that you want to attend. Before you make your final decision on what school you would like to attend, you should go and visit the campus. Research the career that you want to go into and try to get in contact with someone in that major, so that you become familairized with it. Work on your time management skills now becuase they will be useful in get tting your work done in a timely manner.Getting a good night sleep is very important, you must manage your time right in order for you to be able to get the proper amount of sleep. If you could not get a proper sleep you should make time the next day to take an hour nap, it will help you function better through out your day. You should schedule some down to do something recreational becuase this will help lower your stress level. While you are doing homework if it starts to become too overwhelming you should take a ten minute break becuase the quality of your work could suffer.

Denis

I would tell myself that the transition isnt as hard as people make it seem. I also would tell myself since I am not a rich person and my parents work hard for their money I would go to a community college first and then after I get my general education courses I would transfer. I really regret goin to a University first because I wasted a lot of money where is I had went to a Community colllege I would have gotten the same credits for a lot less money. I made it hard on my parents and on myself by going to a University out of highschool. That would be the main thing I would change. For those who have money and have financial aid or those who got scholarships, going to a University is a great choice but for me it wasn't and I regret making things difficult for my parents.

Kathy

I would deffinately go straight to college and pursue what I always loved to do instead of changing my mind many times.