Clackamas Community College Top Questions

I highly recommend starting at a community college when making the transition from high school to college. Some people have felt overwhelmed when they have gone from a small high school to large college campus. Typically a community college will offer a nice alternative, while classes are bigger than what they where in high school they aren't so large that the instructor doesn't know you name. I also recommend a community college right out of high school to take the general education classes, as more times then not they are less expensive then the same class that may be offered at a university. By saving money a student is more opt to focus on their grades and education then the financial burden higher education has.

Keep track of important due dates, such as for scholarships, FAFSA, and other school-related applications that take time and thoughtful consideration; however, don't stress over things that are out of your control. Breathe through everything! No matter how hard things might get, you’ll get through them (try not to take 18 credits per term… that might help). Don’t limit yourself just because you come from a different state and don’t know anyone. Stay in contact with the people you left in California, but don’t let doing so get in the way of your making [new] friends in Oregon. Do everything you can to be social, make friends, and enjoy the time that you’re at Clackamas CC because you’ll be there for two years. Jump at the chance to study abroad, even if the idea scares you-- at least you’ll be able to say that you tried! Jump at every opportunity you get. Go to more poetry readings, express yourself and your feelings; write more, read more, do everything related to English more: you love it, so do more of it! Just work hard, have fun, and make the most of everything!

First thing you need to do right now is buy a roller bag. I can assure it will change your entire college experience. You see, I was once like you, naïve to the wonders of a backpack on wheels. I spent my entire first year of college carrying around the burden of education on my back, feeling the weight of responsibility, and dreading the bill from my chiropractor. Till one day I went to Costco and saw this glorious roller bag. It was small, yet powerful and I could almost feel the weight lifting off my shoulders…literally! I couldn’t resist, so I bought it. The following day at school my perspective was transformed. Instead of the constant reminder of how much I had to do weighing down on me, I was free to explore the diversity that college brings, both in my classes and in my community. Now, a roller bag is just a roller bag, and it by itself will not change your college experience. College is still a challenge, but understand that you are entering into an environment where you can take control of what it is you love and, well, roll with it.

Susana I know you are afraid and excited at the same time. You need to remember that you are going to have more responsibilities. College is going to be a scary place, just remember to never give up. Everyone will look at you differently because you won’t fit in. Do as you always have done. Head up, shoulders back and be kind. A lot of people have different dreams and I know you’ve always wanted to do something in the science field but that is just not for you. You will fall in love with the idea of working in the radio and helping people in the community. So don’t waste your time just go into communications. You will love it! YouTube is going to be huge so start doing your videos now. Daddy is still going to be blind and Mom will open her childcare so make sure you balance everything. Money will be a struggle but don’t let that bring you down because you will succeed.

If I could go back in time knowing what I know now I would give this advise to my younger self. I would encourage myself to take the classes that I are interesting to me, even a little bit. Education is never wasted and a broad range of exposure to many areas help shape the person you will eventually become. I would also tell myself to go out and get experiences in the world. Branch out from my comfort zone., take the bus to downtown and people watch, explore the world, make friends, make connections, and learn to solve problems.

If I could go back and talk to myself as a college senior I'd need to have a good, long chat. Hopefully I'd be catching myself at the begining of my senior year and not the end. I'd need to know that my academic advisor didn't have my best interests at heart and that neither did my mother. I would make sure I understand that, when I apply to the California College of Arts and my mother tells me the scholarship won't be enough, I need to call the university and speak with someone who knows what they're talking about. If I still don't go to that school, that will be a choice I can make but no matter where I go, when things go wrong partying is not the answer. I have people in my life that want to support me, and the younger me really needs to let them. There are also people who don't really support me, and the younger me should know who they are before its too late. I'd also warn myself about the dangers of credit cards and student loan debt.

I just started college, so I can't say I have pearls of wisdom. What I can say is procrastinating isn't something that fits into a college scene.

I spent what would be my senior year of high school attending my first year of College, through Bill Gate's the Gateway to College program hosted by Clackamas Community College. Although I was doing fairly well with grades in school and my social life was full, I wish I could go back and warn myself that college truly is more challenging than high school. College is focused more on oneself, though like most movement in life, working with others is important to keep progressing. College professors tend to be less lenient, and first impressions really count. I would also advise myself to talk more with others about their experiences and stress and how to deal with it all. College life is interesting and concept building; I get more enthused with each class registration.

If I could go back I would tell myself not to worry. It's not as scary as every one says it is. Learn to study and to be proud of what you choose to do with your life. Your family is there to support you and help you along the way. Make mistakes, but never make mistakes without learning from them. Take time for yourself, it can be about you every once in a while. You only have to make one person happy with EVERY decision that you make. Have as many friends as possible and smile at every one you see. Shake hands with people, it shows that you are honest, not that you are just a country kid. Relax, but don't stop taking school seriously. Do homework and THEN go have fun. But don't put off having fun until it's too late. Take every opportunity that you can get socially, academically, and financially. And never ever think that you aren't good enough for anything, especially other people. And never think that you are better than anyone else. This is going to be the best time of your life.

I would prepare myself to have not been so ignorant about following my dream job that would leave me with no job in the future due to the state of our country is with their finances. I would have signed up for college credits to Mt. Hood CC from my high school classes and had them transferred to Clackamas CC. I would tell myself that it is ok that I am not going to the school everyone else is going to because everyone splits after high school. The real friends still stick to you even though they are miles away. There are more people you'll meet in life and most of the time, they become those you call your friends and sometimes good friends. I would have researched more on deadlines and know when I need to apply for admission and registration so I could be on top of the list to get classes if things filled up. Most of all, I would tell myself college is going to be fun and to enjoy the last summer with everyone in town before we start to mold ourselves into grown ups.

I would tell myself to be more assertive, in everything I did; i.e. in signing up for classes, applying for scholarships, taking placement tests, talking to advisers. I should have done those sooner and with more effort. You cannot get anything in life unless you have the will to just go get it.

When I was a high school senior I was trying but not as hard as I should have been, well my whole high school experience. I never wanted to admit this but I wish I would have listned to my mother when she told me to focus on high school because I would regret it in the long run. I am truly paying for it now. It has takedn me a year and a half to complete the basic course that I needed to start my degree. If I could go back in time I would tell my self to focus on school and leave the friends and boys alone. I also would tell my self to study harder then I ever did. College is not as easy as I though it was going to be, I was a cocky 18 year old. I regret being like that, that would have to be one of the first things I would tell myself if I could go back in time.

If I had the chance to go back in time and tell myself what I know now, I would tell myself that life as an adult isn't as easy as it looks and to not be so eagar to "grow up". I would say, "you should really sit down and look at all your options for school, follow your heart and go with what you have always dreamt about." I would recommend to myself that even venturing outside of the state for college just to experience everything about it. From the dorm living to the classroom full of kids, sitting in coffee houses taking in the scene to late study nights with friends. Also to enjoy life as it comes and don't let the small things get in your way.

College the first time is irreplaceable, in the fact of all the life experiecnces, especially playing football full time for the college that I chose at the time. The one thing I might tell myself as a senior is to save as much money as possible for college and that maybe playing football wasn't the best choice, because my school classes and homework suffered and that is why I am going back to college now to get the degree that will help my family and I live a rewarding life.

If I were to go back in time, I would try to stress the importance of not procrastinating when it comes to signing up for college courses, CCC is a big school with many students, so the classes tend to fill up quick. It is important to sign up for the classes you need right away, because if you are in my case, the classes that I should have taken in the fall won?t be offered again until next fall, and I need these classes to as prerequisites for classes that follow. It is important to get those classes first not just because of the foretold reason, but because it will be easier on the stress level if you take them in right away, not all at once, but as soon as possible because of the stress levels involved.

I would tell my high school self that I should always go with my gut instinct. I would remind myself that the life I live is my life, and that other people should not have a say in what is right and what is wrong for me. I would tell my past self that no one is going to help me with college and that I need to do things on my own. If I had known what I know now about college and the way things played out, with my mother insisting on not letting me go to my dream school and going behind my back and signing me up for classes she wanted to take when she was my age, I would tell high school me to move out and start working towards going to my choice of school and working hard to pay for it without my parents help.

I would tell myself to get all the financial aid I could. I would tell myself to study as much as possible before college to make it easier when getting to college. I would tell myself to learn to get organized better which will also make things easier in college especially in study habits.

Taking myself back to senior year of high school I would be sure to tell myself and make it clear that procrastination would not be an option. I would apply for as many scholarships and aid programs as possible and to make sure to do all my registration papers and requirements right away before deadlines arrive. Being prepared would be key to success!

Go involved with "middle ollege", it is a program designed for you to complete your senior requirements, as well as being able to earn college credits. Take your first year of spanish!

Natalie, you know what you want to do, but there are certain steps to get there. Map out clearly what is required. Get the college catalogues and map out what classes you will take and in what order. Give yourself enough time to absorb all you can in the classes. The most important classes you will be taking are Anatomy and Physiology parts 1-3. Make sure not to be over-loaded while taking these. Take all parts of the German series. College is fun and an environment saturated in human wisdom. Don't get too stressed out, as you tend to do. Take everything as it comes and enjoy the experience.

If I was back in high school, I would have plenty of advice to give myself about study techniques, courses, and time management. First, it is important to learn a few things about how you best retain information. Through much trial and error, I learned that I need to use flash cards more often to memorize information. I learned to ask the instructor for help as soon as I had an issue that would prevent future problems. Secondly, know what courses you have to take to get the degree you want. You will save yourself time and money if you figure this out early. Some courses are only offered certain terms. It is better to sit down with a career advisor and map out your education. Last but not least, time management is critical! This does call for self-discipline. Do your assignments at the same time and same place as soon as you get them. Stay on campus to avoid distractions while completing your assignments. If you are doing a long-term project, make a timeline, and stick to it. College will be enjoyable and successful for you if you implement these practices.