Community College of Rhode Island Top Questions

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

Michaela

Study much harder, take harder classes, and get the best grades possible. You want to go to a 4 year universtiy not a Community College.

Daniel

i would tell myslef to stay focused because its easy to lose concentration now that everything is on your own time and no one is chasing you down for work. you must pay attention to what your doing and not mess it up no matter what.

James

I would tell myself to try get accustomed to doing homework. In high school I rarely did my homework because it was a small percentage of my grade and therefore unneccessary to do while maintaining good grades. In college homework is my primary source of learning for my math classes and is completely essential for all of my classes. As a result, my first semester of college was very tough on me because I was not accustomed to spending my free time on school work.

Amber

Five years ago I would have told myself to come to CCRI from the beginning. Going to the University of Rhode lsland directly out of high school was a huge mistake, especially mentally and fiancially. I owe over $8,000 in loans for nothing but a few class credits and to this day it is still accumulating interest which I am still slowly trying to pay it off. If i could have prevented this in the first place I would be less stressed and more financially stable. At the age of 18, I was not mentally prepared for all that college offers, but today I hold a 3.5 GPA and actually enjoy learning! CCRI has provided the support and opportunities that I've longed for and I am honored to be apart of the community. I wish I knew then what I know now and could have told myself to study harder, care more, and to save every dollar I earned. Life is a learning experience and I continue to grow each day. I will forever be thankful for this second chance I've endured and will continue to be the best I can be.

Danielle

First, I would tell myself to stop working so hard. I would tell myself to take a little time to myself and enjoy being a kid while I still can. Then I would tell myself that I really enjoy working in the restaurant business, and instead of teaching, to look at all my options in the business field, because ultimatly, that is what I really enjoy. Lastly, I would just tell myself to enjoy life. Don't stress out too much, because I still have time to decide.

Alyson

Dont give up. The first semester is always the hardest. It seems like you are wasting your time and theres more fun to be had with your friends but, the harder you work the faster it will all be over and you can begin the life you have always dreamed. Nothing worth having comes easy.

Angela

In my younger years, I went through alot of personal issues , which was a huge distraction to my school work. Although I did get to my senior year, unfortunately I didnt complete it due to my living situation. After that I enrolled in one of the Youth center programs in my city and received my GED. Now that I have some college experience, the advice I would give to my younger self is to be strong and never give up. Now that I am older and wiser, I am {4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c}100 dedicated and know that I can overcome anything. I am on a new path to determination and success. I was raised by a wonderful single mother of two, who came to America from the Cape Verde Islands and due to her circumstances wasn't able to provide for us as she wanted to. So I am doing this for her.

Marlene

To start looking for scholarships early on, and to try and figure out what exactly I thought I wanted to do earlier. I'm just now, two weeks before the start of school, trying to sign up for scholarships because I was unaware that I should/could. I should have started earlier so maybe I would have had my first semester paid for right off the bat so I didnt have to worry about expenses and how I was going to be able to pay for school.

wilza

First of all, I would advise myself to decide what I wanted for my future. After deciding what I wanted to be, I would then advise myself to seek for the better ways to get there. By doing so, I'd first have to select a school. A school that I'd be able to afford and that would lead me to yet other schools in case I'd be interested. I would make sure I took the right classes and that my time and money were being used wisely. I'd also advise my self to keep my academic achievement high and increase the odds for more opportunities.

David

You're young. Take a course of study leading to a career that will support a family, preferably something you'll enjoy, like teaching history/math/English, with a chance to coach track and field and cross-country. Save the "artistic" stuff like creative writing for later in life, or practice it as a hobby.

Ludmila

If I would have the chance to go back, i would attend college much earlier. I pursued a different degree initially, in another country, my home country. Then i moved to the US. I took a break and then i decided i would like to go back to college. CCRI is a great school to attend, flexible schedules, where i could work and study.

michelle

Don't be afraid to do methods of getting an education different from the norm. Try to save money.

Brittany

Looking back now from all of the experiences i've had in life, the ups and downs, i would have to tell myself to never give up. College is an amazing learning experience and there are many students just like you who will be feeling nervous as well. I would tell myself not to worry about all of the social situations i think may arise and focus on your studys. As to what you want to pursue as a major, well it's okay not to know right away. Sometimes one needs to go through life a bit more in order to realize what they want to do, however, fulfilling general prerequisits is important and will save you time. Be prompt with your paper work so that if there is a problem you have more than enough time to fix whatever has gone wrong. You will have a lot of fun, make friends, and learn all at the same time! Always work hard and never give up on your goals. There will be plenty of people who will tell you to give up, you'll never make it. Thoes people are wrong! Never give up on your goals, never!

darrell

If i would go back in time in tell myself about college is that you need to stay focus and just because your senior don't get distracted. Also i would told myself that college is nothing like high school they don't wait on you to turn your work in and i would have told myself about the note card system and how it helps you study. I would also encourage myself to never give up and to keep pushing yourself to the end. Last but not least i would have told myself to get a job now and start to save your money now so when you need money for college you will have some save so you won't have to go get loans to help pay for college.

Brianna

If I could go back in time to talk to my high school self, knowing what I know now about college life I would have a few major pointers about making the transition. First of all, I would tell myself to keep working hard towards all my goals and not to give up because it is going to pay off in the future. That a little stress and missing out going to the movies or the mall every once in a while will be worth it because there are bigger better things in the future. I would also tell myself to get a job as soon as possible because waiting until after high school is over is a big mistake because if you want to go to the school of your dreams you need to save every penny. The last major pointer that I would tell myself is that you can achieve anything you set your mind to; you can and will lose weight, get through high school, get a job, and enjoy life. I would leave my high school self with the last thought that everything is probable and nothing is impossible as long as you just try.

Kathleen

When I was a high school senior venturing to college it was both an exciting and frightening adventure. The anxiety completely overtook me during my stint in college after high school. I was constantly worried about my GPA, meeting new people, and paying for school. So much so that I would get sick in the parking lot before class, not eat due to nerves, shake, and cry. If I could go back in time to talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself to relax. Yes, my GPA is important however don't over think or cram study and relax during exam time. Also just relax, be yourself, and talk to people when meeting new classmates. Don't let my anxiety of meeting new people overcome me. And as for paying for schooling, well, thats what student loans and financial aid was made for. I would tell myself to enjoy it.

Andrea

If I could go back and give myself advice I would tell myself to prepare for college right now. At this point in my life I had no idea what I wanted to be, and what I wanted to achieve. However, I would explain to my younger self that just going to college and learning new things is an icredible experience. I would then encourage myself to talk to councelors and other students with aspirations of an higher education. In doing so I believe my life would have turned out dramatically different.

Amber

Think more carefully and explore career options more instead of picking the first career that pops into mind, all to change it the following year when already starting classes. Chose a college more suitable for my needs and desires.

Elizabeth

Hey Elizabeth, Congrats on being a senior and making it through high school! I just want to tell you to wait. Take some time off before you begin college. It is OK if you aren't ready. I don't want you to make the mistake of taking classes and being so overwhelmed with the transition to college that you blow it. You need time to mature. Study abroad and take advantage of your professor's brains. Ask questions! Don't sit in the back corner of the classroom with your coffee. Sit in the front and be brilliant!

Dustin

As an older student returning to school after many years, I would definetely tell myself to take some time off from school and really decided what it is I want to do with my life and what I want my future to be. I attended 1 year of college right out of high school and I really wish I would have taken a breather. The idea of college is very exciting, but I think if I would have taken some time off I would have been able to go into college with a fresh prespective and a better vision of what I want to do/be. I don't think I was ready for the independence that comes with college life. It's too easy to get drawn into slacking off and hanging out with friends when you should be studying. High school can be a rough time for many students. I think taking a little time away for yourself can give students more of an idea of who they want to in life and where they want to go.

Amanda

If I could go back three years ago and talk to myself as a high shcool senior I would have many things to say. First would be that I would tell myself that even though I had to work hard and have the grades come easy to me it is not like that in college. I found that out the hard way by acting the same way the first year in college and didn't get the A's I wanted. However, after transferring to the Community College of Rhode Island and studying every day and night I did get the grades that I wanted and made the Dean's List twice now. I would tell myself that in order to get what you want you have to work as hard as you can even if it seems like a waste of time while you are doing it because positive results will show. I would have never thought that I would be going to Johnson & Wales in the Fall of 2010 but I am, and if I didn't have that talk to myself when I entered CCRI I would not be the studetn I am today.

Michelle

I would explore schools that would offer a program in Nursing and that would help with job placement when I graduated. I would also speak to the college students within my intended major to see what they like or dislike about the program. The Guidance Dept. is a great resource for planning out a curriculum once you chosen your major or even for general help with classes. I would also look into when classes for the major I am interested in are offered. Scholarships as well as loans are helpful for those attending school so I would advise anyone to look on websites such as this one to obtain potential financial help. I would say, "Relax, listen, and try your hardest," and with all of those in place you will succeed!

Caitlin

Looking back at my senior self, I see someone who just wants to get her freshman year of college over with. It was bad enough to be a freshman in highschool and now that process repeats, a new school with new expectations and responsibilities. So I would tell myself to stop. Stop running in out and out everyday as soon as class is over. Stop and socialize, talk to your professor about questions you had on the material or just wander around the campus and take advantage of clubs or organizations. Why rush home? What is there to do at home that can't wait an hour? So stop and take in the sights little highschool senior and enjoy the new and next level of your life fully.

Kristie

If I could go back in time I would convince myself to attend college and get a degree right after high school. I am currently 39 years old, working full time as assistant to the CNO of a children's psychiatric hospital, and I will be starting my clinical rotations for the nursing program in January 2010. I would explain to myself that by attending college right after high school I wouldn't have the burdens of rent, utilities, and other billls to worry about that I do now. I would have been able to attend college back then without have to hold down a full time job while going to school.

Raymond

Life as a misguided foster child hardly cleared the path for a life of academic prowess. With any chance of living as a "normal" teenager far out of reach, I chased the concept of personal vindication into string of minimum wage jobs and jail cells. Through all of this, I remember thinking to myself, "when am I ever going to get it together?" Surely a time would come when I would settle into a life of decency and purpose; afterall, I couldn't keep running forever. I wouldn't give myself a lick of advice. Had I not experienced the pain of living a life bellow what I deserved, I never would have embraced my education as I do now. Being the underdog has instilled an immense hunger in me. Any wisdom that I may theoretically impart on my formal self would change who I am today, and I love who I am. The hunger of which I write has propelled me to the Presidency of my campus' Student Government, a 4.0 GPA, and a membership into Phi Theta Kappa. This need for excellence will propell me toward my transfer into a four year school, next fall.

Coral

Study hard and get good grades, although it may not seem important now, that English class you are taking is going to count in your overall GPA 16 years from now when you go back to school to become a Dental Hygienist. The career that has been on your mind the past few years. I regret to inform you that you do not pursue a career in dental hygiene until you are 34 years old. I do not regret informing you that although you've endured a few bumps along the way you honestly have no regrets. You would not change a single act , or decision made up until this point in time in order not to meddle with the outcome. An outcome in which you are very happily married and have two beautiful children as well as two beautiful stepchildren. Never underestimate the importance of "showing up", even if you don't have the finished homework assignment or term paper in hand, showing up to class is better than not showing up at all. This is true in all facets of life. Presence is a powerful thing , even in the absence of the sought after tangible object of interest.

Osmery

When I was a senior in high school, I was very skeptical about what college I wanted to apply to. I wanted to attend to the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) New York City to study fashion design and receive an associate's degree. My guidance counselor, however, didn't see it that way. She told me to apply to other colleges as safety schools but I was too much of an ignorant at that time that I didn't listen to her. When I applied to FIT, I thought I was ready and prepared, but boy, I was wrong. My portfolio evaluation in FIT went really bad and I was missing documents, therefore, I didn't got accepted to FIT. I applied to other schools but couldn't attend because my financial package couldn't pay my whole tuition. Now, I'm attending my third semester in the Community College of Rhode Island as an art student. If I looked back and see myself as a senior in high school, I would tell myself that is okay to start off my education at a community college and I can still achieve my first goal, going to FIT.