CUNY Hunter College Top Questions

The whole college experience has been quite an eye-opener. Honestly, I was hesitant that I will not be able to handle the higher education pressure and demand. In high school I was always warned that college is ten times harder and professors have no concern for their students, what so ever. Yet, Hunter College proved otherwise. It’s true in college, a student is definitely independent, yet there are still people out there whether is a classmate or a professor that are always willing to offer help. Especially, the professors who will never say no to help, if you simply ask for some. College has taught me how to become self-sufficient and take responsibility and most importantly accountability for every action I perform. Along with learning how to support myself and stand on my own, college expanded my curiosity and appreciation. Every moment merely became a learning experience for me. I will admit college is extremely difficult , but I am positive that the maturity level I learned to live up to, the different people I’ve met and the wisdom I've gained, has truly prepared me to face, overcome and learn from any struggle.

As a high school student, all I wanted to do was have fun and never took my academics seriously. I always seemed to have something better to do than study or finish my homework. I never failed a class, but I would never get a perfect grade either. At that time, college was a subject that I would always hold off on or rarely look into. After high school, I realized how hard the real world was and decided that in order to get a good job and live a good life, I was going to have to continue my education. College proved to be a struggle for me. I had to the freedom to show up to my classes whenever I wanted, or even not show up at all. I realized that I no longer was a child and had to take responsibilities for my own actions. College has helped me become a more responsible and mature adult. It has given me the self-esteem and motivation I need to succeed in life, and the satisfaction of knowing that I am no longer that spoiled little girl who had everything handed to her, as I was in high school.

I have gotten out of my college experience a world class education. Professors, counselors, mentors, and tutors have profoundly contributed to my successful education. I will succeed at my goals. Hunter College's have enabled me with tools to make the best the best out of my life as a confident and mature individual and citizen.

College level in america is very elemental, and I would strongly suggest to not give GE to people who already have a goal in mind. I studied my high school years in a foreign country, and the level in high school is far greater to the college-level in america. Until now, I have a 4.0 GPA without making any effort and just by going over the subjects that I already know; basically college has been very easy until now, but I have shaped-up all my skills which make me capable of transfering to a 4-year institution next year.

Hunter College has provided me with more cultural experiences than I've ever experienced. Although I've lived in New York City since the day I was born, Hunter College has enlighted me politically and artistically. I was ignorant to many of this country's social injustices before I began studying here and I am happy to have learned what needs to be changed in order for me to play an active role in shaping the political future in America. The quality of education I'm receiving here in regards to my major (English Literature) surpasses every school I've attended at every stage of my life. My professors have changed the way I think by training me to develop my thoughts creatively and articulate them in a manner that best reflects who I am. The skills the professors teach will remain with me in whatever career I pursue and will also prepare me for whichever graduate school I choose to go to. I couldn't ask for a more diverse and intellectual group of students and professors. I am pleased to see a college that genuinely values ethnic diversity and encourages healthy debating among students.

I was able to realize that I wanted to be a physical therapist because of the internship opportunities I was able to access through my college. The diversity in my college helped me be extrememly open to new people and new ideas, which I beleive will help me in my future endeavors. Going to such a diverse college that offers great opportunities in the heart of New York city has helped shape me into someone well equipped for a world outside of college, but it has also made me more interested in pursuing my further studies in Graduate School.

I have been very blessed with the opportunity just to attend college because most people where I'm from never got the chance. It has been very valuable to attend college because a lot of people I know never graduated from high school. I worked very hard to get where I?m at today and I?m very proud to say I?m headed in the right direction. My college is a really rewarding college and I?m very lucky to have chosen this one. Some colleges don?t bother to keep in touch with the students to make sure their succeeding in their classes. My college does what they can to help the students succeed in any way possible. It has also been one of the best experiences I?ve ever had because I always loved school and always dreamed of attending college. I?m going to work in the medical field and it?s such a good feeling just to know I will have the ability and the knowledge to help others one day. Education is the key to get up and above just existing and I?m forever thankful for having the opportunity to attend college.

College has provided the opportunity to reimagine the possibilities for my life. The knowledge and practical experience I have gained through readings, lectures and study groups, the degree I am earning, opens new doors for my own future. But the relationships formed here help me to see myself and my work more clearly. My professors and my classmates have offered their friendship and shared their views of the world. We've come from across the continents, from small towns and urban centers, and in this place, we all come together to dedicate ourselves to academic discipline, and we bring our stories with us. These stories, the diversity of thought and life experience have taught me to think carefully, to read critically and to listen with a truly open mind. In a world where honest discourse so often dissolves into polarized shouting matches in political, social and religious arenas, friendships that cross the lines we've drawn may be a way forard to greater understanding. College brings people together for short time, during some of the most formative years of life. And for that time, we learn together, live together and learn from each other.

I am bettering myself for my own benefit as well as for my children. I will be able to get a better job to support my family and I am also setting a better example for my children because I will be able to look at them and say that I did it while raising 3 children that they can go back to school when they graduate. I have learned that I am smarter than I gave myself credit for and that I am capable of handling whatever life throws out at me. I have always wanted to go back to school and came up with every excuse why I could not and now that I am in school, I am half way done with my 2 year program and could not be happier than to be able to say that I am in school and that once I graduate, I will have the knowledge to go with it.

My whole college experience has been quite memorable. I had people to guide me through my studies when I needed it. I was able to meet several close friends whom I still keep in contact with. We made study groups when possible and was able to go through the courses at Hunter College with ease. We help each other when we have trouble with our studies. Outside of school, we would meet up and go for lunch meetups. Other than meeting friends, I was able to set a time to meet up with an academic advisor when ever I had trouble with my studies. They will help me by telling me which courses would benefit me and what courses are best for my field of study. This college experience was valuable in a way that I could get the help I needed with my studies when possible.

High School is nothing like college. I would tell myself "enjoy this last year of high school because college means hitting the books!!" However, getting out of high school isn't so bad. Spider-Man once said "with great powers, comes great responsibility" and the great power is being in college. College is about having freedom, making friends, going out and having fun and making memories, while at the same time you have to focus on school, maintain your GPA, work and keep up with assignments. College isn't like in high school where you can just "wing it". College is hard work to get good grades but the effort you will put in will all be worth it. There will be times when you cry and question why you are up til 3am reading organic chemistry, but getting an A will be a priceless reward. Just know that you are a strong person and you will get through the hard times and one day have a degree in what you desire. Undergraduate studies in college isn't forever, so enjoy every moment and embrace new experiences and people, and most important of all is SMILE.

You can prioritize well and that will come in handy but you tend to overestimate yourself; so I suggest that you take a step back on your first day, appreciate that you came this far, and realize that things will have to change. This is no longer high school. Teachers won't be on your back as much (they'll get paid whether you succeed or fail) so the onus is on you to succeed. The 4 years of high school were kids' play but don't get discouraged. Manage your time well and you'll excel. Don't underestimate the work! But then again this comes back to how you manage your time. If you manage it well, you won't have to be up all night to finish that paper or prep that homework.

If I could go back in time for sure I wouldn't hesitate to Continuo College.

I work around many high school students and I seem to always ask myself this question as well. The advice I would give is to appreciate the simple, easy, and somwhat naive attitude many high school seniors have. As a high school senior you ae allowed to make mistakes and have a safety net of teachers and parents to fix your mistake. However, once you step into college that blissful carefree attitude is out the window, now the real adult must come through. In college you might be older yet with age comes responsibility. Now instead of just enjoying the parties like in high school, you must work, attend school, and have responsibilities at home. I would advice to pace yourself, there will be moments were you might want to give up. However, like my mother instilled in me, you have to fight for your education because in the end no one can take away what you worked so hard to earn.

There is such a huge need to go to college right out of High School. Take your time.... Live life.... When you go to college, you are not going to know what you want to do. Socialising will be more important than learning. After you experience life a little bit, you will be ready to go back to school. Then you can focus on education. Imagine the difference your life willl have if you can experience it before you decide what you want to do for the rest of your life. The confidence of being able to take care of yourself and navigating the "real world" is a superior education in and of itself that will make college a truly enlightening experience. What a difference higher education will be when you actually educate yourself as opposed to just getting a degree, because that is what "you are supposed to do." When you do decide to go to college, your adjustment will be easy, because you will have had that year or two to realize the hardships and trials life can present you as an adult.

If I could go back in time I would advise myself to carry on as I want to but to never give up and never listen to when people say I could not accomplish something. I would advise myself to keep true to my dreams and goals and never give up on college or anything I set my heart and mind to. I would inform myself that no matter how tough things become and how people will treat me as a minority I am strong enough to over come anything and achieve the level of financial, spiritual, and social success I want. I would tell myself what I had to learn on my own as an adult that I was strong and I can do anything and that I have the ability to thrive under the harshest circumstances like something rare and exotic.

There are a lot of things I would love to tell my younger self to do as well as what not to do if ever I had the chance to go back in time. I can't begin to write the long list of regrets of my high school career or the amount of times I have thought about the ?What if question?. So if by some quantum miracle that the opportunity to have a conversation with my 12th grade self should ever presented it?s self. Knowing what I know now I would tell my self to apply to a College in State instead of being bull headed about going to my out of state dream school. To later realize that I would not receive enough financial assistance to attend the school without it costing me an arm and a leg. I would instil how important the decisions that I would make then would affect me in the future as well as educate my self on the benefits of going to a City College as and correct my misconceptions of life as a college undergrad.

The first thing I would tell myself is not to take time off between High School and College. They are not the same thing, and the time off in between only makes the transition harder. The second thing I would tell myself is to "stop whining" and buy the textbooks when I need them at the beginning of the semester. You really do need them! Third, I would tell myself to not waste time doing other things when I should be reading for a class. I got caught on a final that way- the professor did not incorporate anything from the homework readings into the class work until the final, and by that time I had stopped doing the readings because I thought I didn't need to. I almost didn't pass that final! Basically, the most important piece of advice you need when going to college is to do what you have to, when you have to, when the professor tells you to. Life is much simpler that way!

One of the most important piece of information I would give to my former high school senior self would be to pay more attention to time management. Similar to high school, college students are expected to accomplish of his or her assignments in a timely manner. However, unlike high school where the classrooms are smaller and teachers are obligated to remind his or her students of upcoming due dates, college students are left to "fend for themselves". Although this is not new information or advice, it is essential for high school seniors to acknowledge the importance of time management in addition to putting the concept into practice. By managing one's time at an early age, it helps high school students gain a better understanding of priorities and responsibilities. For example, within a period of one week, a student is assigned a research paper. In addition to that research paper, he or she was given a lot of homework from his or her other teachers. Because of this large amount of work, the student should manage his or her time to create a reasonable schedule that balances school work and one's personal life.

Having experienced a few years of undergraduate study at Hunter College in New York City has provided me with insight that is hard to come by elsewhere. If I could talk to a younger, less experienced me, I would make sure to tell myself that happiness is possible to attain, once you believe in the power that you have over yourself and your own perceptions of the world around you. The college I am currently attending was not my first choice school, and during freshman year, this became a bigger deal than I should have let it become. Making the transition to being waitlisted then later denied to my first choice school was difficult. Once I appreciated being able to attend a college that was affordable, within a city that I have lived in and loved all my life, I quickly made friends, and soon enough began to stay on campus long after my school day had ended. I took classes that interested me and joined a few student clubs, even coordinating my own study groups on campus. Influencing my own academic career has definitely helped to make me happier than I thought I could be freshman year.

I would tell myself what I want out of my college career and my future career. I would tell myself to establish good study skills and networking skills. Lastly I would remind myself to never be lazy, never procrastinate and develop good sleeping habits.

As a teenager I looked forward to the day when I would be able to go away to school and start a new life. I had a troubled adolescence and felt trapped. When the time came, I made the decision to attend a school 1,800 miles away. The school I attended was a good school in a beautiful city and, had I moved there later in life, I could have been very happy. However, at the age of 18 I was immature and not prepared to be so far away from home. I was lonely, depressed, and eventually had to withdraw and return home. If I could speak to my high school senior self, I would say this, "There will be plenty of time later in your life to travel, live in other places, and experience the world. Don't move away because you're trying to escape something, because, no matter where you go, you will always bring yourself with you. Stay close to home for the first year or two and learn to be comfortable in your own skin. The only way to be content, no matter where you live, is through being content with yourself."

If I could go back in time knowing what I know now as a college freshman, I would tell myself to relax a lot more. As a senior I stressed out a lot about college, getting into college, the financial process, scholarships, going away from home. Knowing now that getting into college wasn't that hard and that there are tons of people to help the financial process, I would tell myself to take it easier and not stress out so much. Knowing that back then would have helped a lot since I did stress out a lot and it did effect my studies as a senior.

Coming from a tough situation of my family getting evicted and living in a motel/homeless shelter in queens, not to mention having all my middle school friends turn their backs on me in high school for no reason, and the breaking up with my boyfriend, I would tell myself to be more open to new friends and opportunities, to not think so much about making the wrong decision (not to be confused with good vs. bad), and to overall just go for it, because if not, I'll regret missing a lot of things. I'd also tell myself to just sit back and breathe every once in a while and take everything in and appreciate how far I've come, and to give myself some credit for my accomplishments.

I would tell myself to pick my grades and to work on my study habits. In highschool the work came easy to me but college is different, it's much harder. I would tell myself to stay focused and to take AP spanish and AP english so I wouldn't have to take it in college.

If I could go back and talk to my high school self, I would focus on two major points. First off, I would tell myself to go into the college experience without any expectations. I would tell myself to do what I feel is right and go to the college of my choice instead of where of others think you should go. I would tell myself to stop worrying about if I was making the right choice of school and just let life happen. Allowing yourself to feel regret can break you. Besides having the right mentality, I would also tell myself to put more money away into my savings before starting college. To not have to worry about money while in school frees up your mind and energy to focus more clearly on your studies and your time outside of school. There are so many clubs and extracurricular activities waiting for you at school, which you may not get an opportunity to take part in if you are working full-time and going to school full-time.

I would tell my high school self that college life is very different. The high school-college transition may be difficult to handle, but over time it will become ritualistic and enjoyable. It requires a significant amount of determination and effort to be successful in college courses. You may receive professors that seemingly hate you and will do anything to fail you, but these are just obstacles that test your true strength as an assiduous student and person. When times get tougher and everything you do seems to never work, just take a breath and relax, clear your mind, and start fresh the next day. Remember to never give up, stay focused and just try again. However, college is not strictly about receiving straight A's and seeing that glorious 4.0 on your transcript. It is about creating an efficient balance between work and studying with socializing and having fun. Don't be afraid to join clubs and attend events that are offered and held on the campus, which is a great way to meet new people and develop lasting friendships. Keep in mind that college is a privilege that leads to new life-changing opportunities.

If I were to have a time machine that would transmit me to my senior year once again, I would give myself a lot of advices. I would let myself know that procrastination is not the best way to go in the application process. I will let myself know that time is something one should value a lot and take into consideration in one's senior year. Using time effectively to complete my applications and using time effectively to engender outstanding admission essays could've probably granted me my #1 choice in the list of my college preferences. I would've notified myself that college not only depends on the academics but also on ones financial status and I would've devoted more time to my fafsa and scolarship applications. Getting to know a college through a computer screen rather than physically visiting the college could also be a tough process, therefore, one should dedicate more time and effort towards researching universities. Our college degree is whats going to determine our future, therefore, it would be a smart idea to sacrifice the current time for the future.

If I could go back in time I would advise myself to follow my interests and major in something that completes me as a person. Never ever allow parents or anyone else influence your decisions, because college is the time to decide everything for yourself. College education is not about majoring in something that would get you a job with high paying salary, because if that major does not fully capture you, you'll end up miserable and with low grades. College is about following your interests and developing your talents, because once you are out of college, job will take the biggest part of your time and life. So, college gives you an invaluable chance to discover what you love and best at; and it takes courage and desire to do that. After four years of college I learned that one could get any job at almost any institution with any major. A history major can easily apply to work at the bank or physics major student can became a politician. I would let myself know that life changes, we all evolve, and this time at college is the crucial time to dream, experiment and just do.

I would tell myself that college is not just a breeze like many college students tend to claim. Studying is vital if you want to succeed on tests but also succeed in participation during classtime. I would also tell myself to use all available resources that are offered on campus, such as the tutoring centers, the computer labs, and most certainly the professors office hours. I would also encourage anyone entering college to fully investigate the academics at the school as well as ask some current students about how they feel in regards to its policies, its academics, and many other things mentioned in the past surveys.

Assuming that I can go back in time and be able to talk to my high school self, some advices that I would tell myself is get to know the faculty, more importantly, get to know the professors. Building a relationship with your professor is very essential. Ask them questions. Make sure you know what they want in the semester that you have them for. Also, don't procrastinate. It's important to leverage the time you have on projects, essays and tests. If you procrastinate, the work builds up and the work suffers in the end because you speed through the work just to pass with an exceptional grade. Set a schedule for yourself when it comes to schoolwork. Finally, make friends in school. Most people are friendly and everyone is in the same boat as you. Having friends in class not only makes it more fun but it can also improve your grade by setting up study groups where people can leverage other peoples knowledge of the work. College will be the best four years of your life, so don't ruin it.

Never be lazy! College is not anything like high school where many things are given to you. In college, you bascially depend on yourself to get good grades. Your professors won't always be here to help you and not every class have class notes for you to study. Take your own notes! Just because some class don't take attendance, doesn't mean you don't have to go to class. By missing one class, you miss out on so many informations that your fellow classmates have gotten. Also, just because you have a friends in the same class, don't take it for granted or depend on them to give you the class notes! The first year of your college life might be a little hard with all the transitions do make. However, don't worry since there are many people here willing to help you make yourself comfortable. You can go to your adviser for help. Your adviser helps you choose the right classes so that you can graduate in a timely manner. So never hesitate or feel embarrassed to go see your adviser. He/She would be your guidance throughout your college life.

Having gone through four years of college and graduating with a BS in Sociology, I would definitely do a few things differently if I could go back and talk to myself as a senior in high school. First, I would tell myself to attend every class and take good notes (even though it can be tough after a late night), it's worth it! I finally figured this out my senior year in college, and it saved me so much study time. I found that if I just forced myself to attend each class and take good notes, I didn't have to cram late nights before exams, and my GPA rose drastically. Secondly, I would recommend meeting with professors during office hours as opposed to calling or emailing with questions. It often helps to put a face to your name, and you can get better help in person. Good luck!

Don't ever get stuck in the senioritis phase. You will not get out of it till you get to your sophomore year in college and by that time it is too late. Do give yourself some vacation time in the summer before you go off to college. Have an idea of why you would like to get a college education. Many go into College without having the slightest clue of why they are there. You don't have to know exactly what major you will be persuing but do know the why behind your actions. Is it because you want to become a more knowledgeable person or is it because you want a higher paying job? What result do you want to end up with when you will eventually finish College? Know these basics and then work towards your goal. If you don't know what major you will be persuing then keep an open mind and allow yourself to discover new courses but make sure you have a time limit set for yourself so that you don't get distracted and end up having no major when you are a senior. Have a work/life balance!

If i could go back in time and talk to my past highschool self i would definitenly advise myself to study ahead and not let the work pile up. My freshmen year was harsh because of the fact that my highschool did not teach me good enough skills to learn how to study on my own and i had to make it up during my first semester in college.

If I could advise myself about what to really expect from college, I would note how crucial both sleep and excellent health are to surviving. Excercise is also important to integrate into your schedule. As a dance major, I excercised every day in class. For others, however, make sure to keep your body active - endorphines are important for brain function, too! Avoid drinking alcohol. This takes away from your ability to function healthily. Dealing with a new hectic course schedule and trying to manage life without parental figures isn't easy when one must always be focused on becoming well and making it to classes, rather than perfecting their work and enjoying themselves as new, responsible young adults. Commit to eating well and not spending every waking hour surrounded by friends. In my personal experience, I saw that most students cared more about the social scene than they did succeeding in their chosen major. This is not the way to truly benefit from college. Your new friends are your "family ", and that is important, but your choice to attend college should be based on what you want to make out of your studies there, not how popular you will become.

If I could go back in time and better educate myself about college there would be three things I would want to change. First I would want to have my parents support me so that I could make better decisions as to choosing a school, registering and completing the financial process. Secondly I would have my parents help me open a savings account and save money through the school year so that I could purchase necessary college items. I wouldn?t have to go back to school to learn I am very intelligent and I work very hard. It was just hard for me to graduate school while working two jobs. I graduated high school with honors and I had to do it alone. That?s the most important thing I would like to change I would like to have my family support and carry me so that I don?t get denied the right to enter college because I don?t have good credit. I would go back in time to change my financial situation so that it wouldn?t hinder me from achieving any dream or goal I may have.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would give myself advice about college life and making the transition. I would tell myself that although I made the hard decision to go across country to school, it will be worth it. And even at times when the transition feels impossible to overcome, it will get easier as time goes on. As for college life, I would tell myself that joining an organization/club at school, like the Hillel, was the best decision for making instant friends and a comfort place where I could always turn to for help. I would say going to Hunter was the right choice because I am in the ultimate city that I love and has my love of theatre. I would say, Hunter's freshman Block program, where you will be with the same 20 students for all your classes, because there you will find your friends for life and your future roommates. I would tell myself to be studious but to also enjoy college life because it is one experience that I will only experience once. This is the time of your life.

I would tell myself that slacking off in those AP classes did not pay off so well, if only I had concentrated more and not gotten senioritis then I would have matriculated more credits going into college. Other than that, i adjusted well with the amount of credits I transferred with and how much I have matriculated now.

If I could go back and talk to myself as I high school senior I would probably tell myself to relax because choosing to go to Hunter was the right decision and that I was more ready for college than I thought. I say this because I remember it took me a long time to decide which college to go to, out of fear of making the wrong decision, however it didn't take me very long to see that I had indeed made the right choice. Also, the advanced placement classes I took helped me prepare greatly for college so the transition really wasn't that hard. And finally, I would tell myself that I was right about college being a great experience, because at least up until now, it really has been.

Do not worry so much, college is not nearly as stressfull as high school.

Visit the college on a busy school day and just talk to people. Walk up to them, tell them that you are considering the school and ask them what they think. People understand what a big decision it is and will be happy to tell you what they like and dislike about their school. Professors and students, when not being watched by anyone from the administration, have no vestid interest in promoting their school to those whom it will not be a good match for. Therefore they are an invaluable resourse for you. An added bonus to doing this in person is that you can see what the campus is like, who is there, what's the energy of the place, the style, the vibe, etc.

check the campus out and see which school is right for you. dont force your children to attend a school that the they are not comfortable in, let them choose because its their education, not yours.

In the end It will be all about you. Don't ever pick a school entirely because of its fame or prestige or educational offerings. The very first thing one should do is take a tour or maybe an overnight visit. Engage and interact with your tour hosts and others about the offerings of the school beyond academics. I began Hunter College determined to study biology but soon after my old love for films turned into a passion. Through my classes and interacting with other students and my professors I have sinced become a film major with a bright outlook on the future!

The first thing I would say to students is to not put all your eggs in one basket. You may not get into your dream school and even though it may hurt, its not the end. You can either apply again or if not your alternative school may actually be something you like. For parents they must remember that even though academics is a big part of college, remember that college is about networking and making friends as well. If your child commutes to college encourage them to go out and joina club or a team. It makes commuting a little less dull and makes their college experience worth wild.

This school gives one not only a learning experience but also experience of living and breathing in the city. A truly amazing experience. A very good school to go to if you are up for it.

Each college is different. You (the parent and most importantly the student) needs to go to the campus and "feel" for the college. Check out the ups and and downs of the college. Look at the programs, and not just the programs that you (the student) wants to be in the future, but the all the courses in general -- because you can always change your major while you're there. Talking to other students, especially the freshmen and seniors of the school. Get pros and cons of the school. And always look at the job offers that the school will help you after graduation. And do not forget, that college should be fun,

Make sure to visit the campus and to speak to students who are diverse from each other.

do a lot of research beforehand, not just about the campus but about the professors and work load

Visit the college and make sure that it is right for you. If your child wants to go somewhere, don't rule it out because it is out of your comfort zone. If he or she visits and doesn't think it's the right choice, that is his or her decision. Remember that it isn't up to you, it's up to your child.