Delaware Technical Community College-Stanton/Wilmington Top Questions

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

Brandon

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to focus on what makes me happy and go into the Information Technology field. I've always been interested in computers and video games and how they work. I can remember when I was a child, I would always play around with two of our family computers, a Sony Vaio with Windows 95 Operating System, and a Magnovox 286 with MS-DOS. Every time I turn one on of these computers, I would try to find video games to play. It wasn't until I reached my teenage years when my interests began to veer off into other things like astronomy, music, or skateboarding. Upon graduation of high school, I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with the rest of my life, so when I enrolled into college, there was a lot of trial and error with different courses, until I finally decided to go into the Information Technology field. Advising my younger self to do what makes me happy and pursue my lifelong interests in computers would be the best advice I would give myself.

Sydney

Although I loved my undergraduate experience at James Madison University, there are two main things I wish I would have been much more aware of as I began my time there instead of upon graduating. The first would be, “every class counts.” As with most colleges, there are many classes students are required to take that do not pertain directly to their major or program. These classes tend to get neglected in terms of effort, and I was no different. However, I noticed during my senior year I had plenty of B’s in those classes that could have been A’s if only I had given just a little more effort. The second point would be to take advantage of every opportunity. Looking back on my time in college, there is so much I wish I did or involved myself with and it breaks my heart that it did not happen. It’s okay to break away and do things your friends aren’t doing, as you will do that in life and will still maintain friendships. Do what interests you and makes you happy. Cherish all of your time at JMU; you will miss it.

Rachel

The advice I would give the high school senior me would be to relax and not worry about the courses and the people I would meet. I would tell myself to go in there and be me, the real me. I would tell myself to believe in my abilities and that I can do anything I put my mind to. I would also tell myself to be creative and have fun and just keep doing what I am doing and I'll be alright. The last thing I would tell myself would be if you reach for the moon, you might touch the stars

Myron

If i could back and talk too myself in high school i would tell myself too work harder and study smarter because the world is changing and having a education is the key too successs.

Jordan

The greatest piece of advice I would give to myself is to never turn any opportunity to better yourself down. Every time I have turned down opportunities to try and learn new skills or to set myself up for a better future, I found out later that I really needed these skills. I felt completely foolish at that time. Without many of these skills, I have found myself floundering in college life. For example, I had many opportunities to learn extremely advanced engineering and machining topics in high school. Instead, I did not focus on those aspects of my schoolwork. Now that I need them so desperately for college, I have to focus and work as hard as the other students when I could be using the skills I already have to stay ahead. That is my one true regret.

Anna

If I could go back in time to talk to myself as a senior I would start off by telling myself how important it is to attend college right after highschool. It is important to me because I realize the two year gap that I took has effected my studies. This would have helped sustain the knowledge that was taught to me by my teachers and peers to become a better role model for my family.I will maintain a daily routine that would keep me focus and determine to achieve my goals. Which is to become an elementry school teacher that gives me the chance to make an impact on my future.Being prepared is another important factor . For example taking the necessary steps such as speaking to your counselor, taking your SATS, Applying to colleges, and finacial aid. In my opinion the most important step is being ambitious. You must believe that you can obtain anything you put your mind and efforts towards. Having that mindset to adapt to an upcoming transition in your life. In conclusion if I could have gone back in time this is what I would have done to prepare myself for college.

Adam

I would have went back and told myself to have practiced being more independent. When i graduated and started college, the difference was quite notable. Nobody is there to give you detention or help you arrange your next semester of classes. i think college solely focuses mainly on being independent, but also allows you a greater amount of freedoms as well. But with these freedoms come greater responsibilities. you must make your choices and manage your time wisely, or else little gets accomplished. basically when it comes down to it, you are all on your own. The school provides the tools and resources, but it is truly up to you how you use them. In the end, it could be the difference between a job, and a full fledged career.

Megan

As a high school senior, I was a very intelligent, kind, and bright young woman. I always received straight A's and was part of the national honor society. I set high goals for myself and always achieved them. If I could go back in time I would tell myself that I was all of those things and I would tell myself to have more confidence in all of my abilities. As a high school senior I chose to attend an in-state college because I was afraid I wouldn't make it on my own. If I could go back in time I would tell myself I can make it. At 23 years old, I have an associate's degree in interior design and have decided to go back to college to receive Bachelor's degree in nursing. I have applied to attend a four year college in Miami, Florida, about 1500 miles away from my home town. When I begin my journey as a nursing student, I will begin it with confidence and faith that I have everything it takes to be the best person and student I can possibly be.

Jasmine

If i could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior i would tell myself that i'm not taking my future too seriously. I need to work harder on these grades(gpa) because now i really know that they do mean everything, they determine your future. In reality making the transition was heartbreaking, i was denied a school because of my gpa. If you don't take the work seriously then these colleges aren't either, making the transition harder and longer. It's a major setback and reality check, it truely wakes you up to get you back on the ball. But starting from where i am is not a totally bad thing because i'm actually learnig better so when i do make it to a university or regular college i will be more than perpared for the tasks and work i wll be given. I just call it another life lesson and i truely do wish that i could go back and talk to myself or even do it over again.

Lindsey

One thing that I would tell myself as a high school senior, with the knowledge I have now, would be: even though you may not have been accepted at your #1 choice school, there are so many more options out there, explore them. Do not dismiss the idea of going to a small community college for a couple years, and then transferring to your choice school. This option offers you the same education, and you will find some great teachers at community colleges, all at a lesser cost. This also allows you to ease into the college setting by offering smaller class sizes while you get used to the workload of college classes, thus preparing you for when you transfer to a larger university. Just make sure you work with a counselor, and double check that the classes you are taking will transfer to the university you want to go to.

Elizabeth

Knowing what I know know, if I could go back in time, I would give myself a very good talk about the do's and don'ts of being a college student. When going away to college you have to get adjusted to mommy and daddy not being their to help. You must also get adjusted to the fact that you are in the real world by yourself. You have to realize that the friends you are going to make, might not be your real friends 4 years from now. College life is not all about parties, going to the club, or who is the hottest person on the football team. What counts in college is your school work not your friends. If your friends want you to party with them all the time then most likely their grades are not good. Those are the ones who want to bring you down with them so they can waste their parents money.

Stacey

I would go back to my seventeen year-old self and tell her to enjoy absolutely all of life. Not just the social life but also the time spent in the classroom. It has taken almost two and a half years for me to realize that I absolutely love learning and don't want to stop after I get my associates degree. I would also tell myself to work as hard as I can to achieve the greatest grades possible, not to please my parents but just to feel accomplished for myself. I would also like to tell my teenaged self to not worry about growing apart from my high school friends. People come in and out of your life time after time but I truly believe that if you have one good friend in your life you're doing something right, and I've got quite a few great friends. Between twenty and seventeen may only be three years but it feels like an entire lifetime. I'd love to be able to tell my younger self to have no regrets. To live all days to the fullest. To love to the most.

Jaijee

College teaches a person how to be a man. What I meant is that, you have to be responsible for your action. Always go over the thing you learned each day. Finish your works today, dont ever wait till tommorrow. You always has to be willing to learn new things, go out of your comfort zone and show the intend that you belong in this colleges or unversities. You must focus in your classroom, listen to your instructor, ask questions if you didnt understand anything. You always have to make the first move if u need any help, help wont search for you. Make new friends. That will always help you down the line like when you need help with something u didnt get from the class. Always do your papers in time, dont be ever late. Last but not least, when you get a chance to enjoy yourself, make most out of it because those days dont come often.

Thomas

I would have put more effort into completing college right after high school. The benefits greatly outweigh the downfalls. It's a lot easier than it seems, if you just put the effort there.

Jordyn

I would tell myself to fully commit to being in school,and if not then to wait a year and after that then go into it full force because of what I know and how I gained the knowledge. It have been a life altering experience becoming a parent and having this little person to provide for knowing I can't fully do that without a college education. If I hadn't fooled around my freshman year then maybe I would be in a more stable place with school and with homelife. So I would tell myself to wait a year if I truly couldn't handle the pressure and knowing the things I do I would have to tell myself to go to school and suck it up and try my best because the future has other plans for me than hanging out with friends and working all the time.

Bethany

Look and apply for as many scholarships as possible. The more money you get in scholarships is the more money you dont have to pay in the long run. It's a good thing to start doing the end of junior year during the summer, and the beginning of senior year. It is also a good thing to start applying to colleges over the summer. Normally the essay questions are the same from year to year, so it is easy to start on these applications.