GateWay Community College-Phoenix Top Questions

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

Ariel

Going back to the fututre and talking to my high school self would involve me saying to her to go out and get some more hands-on, real world experience in something you think you "might" be interested in. Go volunteer, talk to people in that profession...don't just make a decision on what you think you know about a career field or what seems right to someone else. A four year university is not for everyone, but if that's the route you need to take to reach your goal, do it now while you're young; and even when you get tired and want to take a break, don't! Keep on chugging along...it will be worth it in the end.

Teri

In the late 70's, when I was finishing highschool, there were fewer resources available. Finding money for college was just not something I considered. In my mind, only rich kids went to college. I had heard about scholarships and grants and financial aid but I really didn't think I had a chance at getting any. It's easier to say, "I can't have that" than it is to go after it. In my mind, I was supposed to find a boyfriend, get married and have a bunch of kids. Everything would be wonderful. How I would just love to sit that foolish girl down and explain the opportunity that was passing. I would tell her, "An education is accessible to everyone. How do you support a family if you don't even have a career and the knowledge and confidence that goes with it?" If I'd gone into my field back in those days, I'd be enjoying my retirement right now instead of going back to school with the dream I should have had back then. I thought I had all kinds of time. Life is too short to waste.

Andrea

Focus in school is your last year. Join as many clubs as you can. Enjoy yourself as much as you can. The homework is super easy compared to the one in college. Don't have any realtionships. Join sports, you might suck but is a great for your health. Make sure someone checks your essay for college. Study more for the ACT or SAT. Keep working hard because this is only the beginning.

Joshua

From my entrance into college, being introverted and keeping to myself, I have “evolved” into a much more well rounded and active student on and off campus. I have been Treasurer, Vice President, and President of the Black Student Union. I have also become a part of Student Government, serving as both a senator and a Director. I have been a Program Board Intern and gone on many school trips as a student. I also have been privileged to join the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. I have served my school in many different positions and departments on campus, transitioning from Student Worker to Temp Staff, to a permanent position. I have been able to experience and do that which I am most passionate about: helping people and making a difference in their lives, academically, socially, professionally, and spiritually. I look forward to doing many more such things to help make life on campus more enjoyable for students as well as a nice place to come and earn an education; and also to help facilitate the bringing in of more high school students who are undecided about attending my school or furthering their education elsewhere.

Karen

My college has much to offer. They have many available resources for the students that help out with homework, counseling and financial aid. The classroom sizes are not too big, but not too small so there is enough input and interaction from the students. Professors make sure to explain the material in a way that is understandable to everyone. The diversity is great; there is a wide variety of heritages attending the college. Gateway Community has allowed me to transition from high school to college by making everything so easy and providing all the help needed in order to make me feel comfortable and ready to learn.

Emily

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would give myself a lot of much needed advice to help with the big transition to college. I would tell myself to apply to all the Universities in Arizona and try to get into one of them so that I wouldn't have any regrets later on in life. I would also tell myself to apply to all the scholarships that were available to me so that I wouldn't occur so much school loans after graduation. I would warn myself that college is going to be hard, but don't quit or take a break, that will just make life harder. I will advise myself to study hard as school does not come easy for me. My final words of wisdom for myself would be to stay home for as long as possible, I will tell myself that there is still plenty of time to be a grown up, but if you can stand it stay home and enjoy the free rent and home cooked meals!

Nicholas

If I were able to travel backward in time and talk to myself as a highschool senior, I would tell myself to apply for every scholarship I could possibly find so that I could get some money to pay for school, because there is no way in hell I would ever be able to do it on my own. If it weren't for the support of my parents I wouldn't even be in school right now because of my financial situation. I would also tell myself to go to a community college for my first two years to save even more money. That way I would be able to get my basic courses out of the way for a lot less money than I could at any university. Other than the money advice, I would tell myself to be confident and have fun, because you only live once and that's what the college life is all about. Have a blast, but don't disregard your educaton either. And always remember where you came from and how you got here; your past is what made you what you are today.

JOANN

I was afraid and intimidated about furthering education, once I left high school, I went immediately into the work force. My idea's of college was that it was time consuming and intimidating, this I am finding to not be true. I wish now I would have been more open to the idea, investigating further into higher education, as oposed to being closed to the idea. After 35 years out of school I am finding this to be a pleasant experience, and really enjoy learning, I look forward to attending school along with the challenges it brings.

Stacie

The most important advice I would give to myself is to save money while you are still in high school. Use all the saved money for your schooling; like books, tuition, or school supplies. You are going to need as much money as you can. Having no money in college is not as fun because you need money to go places. Also don?t rely on people to tell you to do things. Learn how to discipline yourself to do things on your own. Mom and dad won?t be there to tell you to do this and do that. You have to think on your own. It?s not as hard once you get the hang of talking to people and asking questions. The most important is not to stress out over homework. Take everything step-by-step. Don?t rush yourself and pace yourself and don?t wear yourself out. Also get enough rest. Sleep will recharge you for the next day. Make sure you do all your homework and go to every class. Trust me it will all add up in the end. Be prepared for situations that put your education in jeopardy. Have fun!

Jake

If I could go back in time and tell myself something I know now, I would have to tell myself to be prepared for how difficult it really is to go out on your own and join the adult life. I would tell myself to be ready for college being a little more stressful, and to just take it one step at a time.

Stephanie

If I could go back in time and talk to myself I would say... Try harder. You need the best education that you can get to move up in life and have a good job and support your family. You have no idea how much your education level and the classes that you take and the grades that you earn. You have no idea how much they will effect your life in the near future. Get a 3.0 or better. You have no idea how much it can help you and no idea how much money you can save. If I could go back in time I would tell myself exactly that...

Melissa

I am currently in my second semester of college, and if by some miracle I was able to go back in time I would make a few changes. I would inform myself of how many hours you must dedicate to studying to truly understand the class material and earn the best grade I am capable of. I have also learned the hard way that it is not easy trying to work full time, pay for living expenses and save for school. Most importantly if I could go back in time, I would have quit my part time jobs that I worked in hgh school, to focus on school full time which would have helped me to earn a higher GPA and hopefully help me to have received scholarships, which would have paid for my current tuition and fees instead of struggling now.

Rasheedah

Oh, if I could just go back in time as a high school senior, the things I would have told myself are; not to be afraid of success, there are many peolpe who really care about you and want to see you successful. The government has many programs to help out single mothers, so that they can obtain a higher level of education and be able to give back to the communites and enjoy the American dream. I would have told myself that life is a stuggle, but don't look at the struggles as necessarily being bad. Because the struggles, the disappointments and even the sterotypes are all going to make you stronger and force you to become opposite of what the world may view you as. Also, that you are very smart are very gifted in math and science and have a knack for bringing a smile to people's faces. You love to study and learn new material, so dont be afraid when other students are saying how hard a certain class is because you will pass those classes with flying colors. Don't let fear slow you down, take it head on and you will succeed.

Matt

If I could go back in time to when I was a senior in high school, I would have made the decision to go straight to college, buckle down, and earn a degree or two before I turned twenty-five years old!

shirley

Pursue your education now. Going back is much harder than going forward. Your education will never be more affordable or more convenient than when you are finishing high school.

Dawna

At the age of 40 years old, I have learned a lot through my life experiences, and I have encounter many challenges and obstecles throughout the course of my college life. However, through those challenges, I have developed more self-awareness and self-discipline. At this point, I do not regret going back to college, for it has made me a better person. However, if I were to give advice to a high school senior, I would stress the importance of obtaining a college degree in order to avoid financial struggle throughout their life. Also, I would encourage them to start researching schools and programs that might be of interest, and the different sources available for funding their education. In addition, I would explain to them why, from my experience, it's important to continue on to college right after high school. Many students feel they need a break from school. They decide to get a job and take a year or two off from school. The problem with that is, they often don't go back, and a students study skills diminish over time. In fact, school is much harder physically, mentally, and emotionally as you age.

James

Don't worry about social life and status. Good things come in time to everyone. Focus on your education and life will be much more tolerable in the future. What you/ I feel is important at this point in time really is not as big a deal as we make it out to be.

Charmain

I will tell myself to never give up on your goals. Even though times get hard and things get tough, its just another way of making you stronger for whats next to come. Life is taugh and if you want something out of it and make it through then you have to also be taugh. Play life at its own game. College is no joke and if you are really serious about attending, make sure you know the qualifications of completing and getting that degree, but if you are not serious, then don't even waste time and money to fool around.

lily

I would tell myself to make sure i worked harder at school, not to get into trouble. Also from what i learned about life in college i would also warn myself about my Nana's cancer and try to save her life in the process so she could see her great grandchild, and my highschool graduation. Also she would get the help she needed to live a long healthy life. I went into medical specifically to help people, and saving my nana would be the first step. This is if i could go back and tell myself all this.