Glendale Community College-Glendale, CA Top Questions

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

Christine

College is a time where questions are being asked from ideas and beliefs to the purpose of life. I was in great doubt by the time I entered college. However, as time progressed, I have learned a lot about myself where I can understand myself and see what my dreams and visions are for my life. If I were to give advice to my high school senior self, it would be to not give up. Community college is not a dead end to your life. If you want something, you have to work for it and strive for the best. Never tell yourself that you are not worth it because you did not attend a four-year university. As long as you keep your head straight and focused, you can conquer all. Let this time be a time where you find yourself and start to love and respect youself for who you are. Embrace the dreams and passions that are in your heart. Never let anyone tell you that your feelings are invalid. You are a person of progress. Press through. You are more than a conqueror.

Andrew

The advice I would give myself is to not look down on a community college, yes I had to take a different path and coldnt go straight into a 4-year, but I went this path for a reason. I'm actually greatful that I came to a community college before a university, I think if I had gone straight into a 4year I would have struggled but I wasnt ready as in using my time wisely. My first year I was procastinating on every assignment but I thought it was just like high school, I was in for a rude awakening. Struggling my first semester in college because of playing football and attending school full time, on top of those two things I added a job. I had to learn how to manage my available time wisely. I then started to tell myself its either I look how to manage my time properly or flunk out, and flunking out was no option for me. The one thing I gave up was going out with friends. Therefore, the advise is to not look down of community colleges because that can perpare us for the 4 year.

Malgorzata

I wish to decide on a specific major during first or second year of high school and stayed focus till I receive my degree. I would like to find a school as soon as possible as well. Find out all details, deadlines, and necessary information about this chosen school. I also would like to be aware about scholarships, grants, and loans available. I wouldn't like money to be the problem for me to get in the school and study there. Knowing that future might bring unexpected situation and there might be no one to support I would like to know early enough about financial aid. Basically I have two advices: choose your school and major as early as possible (if you are not sure then focus on two majors) and stay focus, and get all necessary information about financial aid and scholarships so money is not a problem.

Ani

If I had the chance to go back in time and give myself advice on the future, I don?t know where I would be able to start. I truly have gained an immense amount of knowledge these couple of years. The first and most important advice I would give myself is to take my time in figuring out what I want as a career goal. I think the first step in the process of one?s academic awakening is realizing what his or her interests are. When I was seventeen I was so in rush to figure out what I wanted to do with my life that I didn?t understand that some things don?t have shortcuts. The second important advice I would explain to myself would be to understand that education is not a destination, but rather a journey. For most of my high school, I was impatient to graduate and move on to the next step in my life. Unfortunately, I was unaware that learning is a process and not just a point on a map. I would tell myself that experience is the ultimate learning process and there are no such things as mistakes.

Limary

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would have the following advice: follow your passion. I let a well-intentioned person talk me out of going for my intended major which was communications. I was told that finding a job in such a field would be tough and that it was best if I chose something else. So I did. I watched my GPA plummet and two years later I stopped going to class. When I decided to go back to school, I did so with communications as my major. School life became much easier, homework wasn't work, my GPA improved and I graduated eventually. I would also tell my younger self to make the time to study and come to class prepared. It really doesn't take that much and your GPA will reap the results. Now that I'm back in school after having been away for so many years, I'm getting better grades than when I was younger. So in a way, I've been able use the wisdom gathered at college all those years ago. And it's a good thing I'm listening to myself.

Patricia

If I could go back in time, I would tell myself to go to a community college first, then transfer to a University because I made the mistake of going straight to a University. After thirteen years of public school where it is the teachers' and your parents' job to make sure you are present everyday and pass their class, the transition into college life is a drastic one. At the University, the proffesors are not as strict on attendance and do not babysit you and hold your hand so you can pass their class. Also, my parents were not to be held responsible if I should decide to skip class. I wish I would have attended my classes every day because I took advantage of my proffesors' lack of discipline and did not pass half of my classes. I then changed my major and transfered to a community college where the proffesors are only strict on attendance because of the cuts in classes. I would recommend junior colleges to students because they are a small step towards independence as opposed to a giant leap.

Liliana

If i had the ability to give myself some advice in the past before I entered college it would of definately have been to learn how to drive! The bus is a torture in East LA! I spent 5 dollars everyday on a "TAP" card to transport myself to and from college. Sometimes I deprive myself lunch because I can't afford to spend tommorrow's transportation money. Even though a car is by comparison far too expensive it would of made a difference on rainy days traveling four hours from East LA to Glendale College (especially for me because I get car sick). The second advice I definately struggeled without in my transition was my lack of cooking skills. In my first months in college, there were days when i starved because I couldn't cook and therefore couldn't take a meal with me to school. I knew the situation with money in my home was "tight" and couldn't work up the nerve to ask my mother for lunch money. If i would of known how to drive and was capable of cooking my own meals I would of definately had a confortable first year in college!

Zariat

I would tell myself that it is not as easy as I thought. There is a lot of finicial and mental stress that takes a toll over you're body. You have to learn how to become independent and the schedule in college does not work around you like it does in high school. You have to keep yourself focused and you are the only person watching you're back. I would also tell myself that I should apply for as many scholorship opportunites to help me get where I want to in life. I have to get myself to understand that no one will hold my hand through the process anymore and that getting money for college is a very tough and competetive process that takes a lot of work.

Shannon

Much of what I have learned since I graduated high school are things I wish I could have had revelation about before I had to experience them first hand. If I could go back, the advice I would give myself is, "Shannon. You have to learn to do everything with integrity." I have had the opportunity to experience things that most people my age wont experience until they are done with college. I have had the opportunity to see people in the corporate world and unfortunately I have seen the unethical ways that people act. I have learned the difference between doing something for someone else and doing something to help make the world a better place. I have learned that if you do things with integrity-and people don't agree with you, at least you know you're doing the right thing. If I could go back in time I would love to tell myself that. I believe that if more people lived their life with integrity we would have far less problems and it would be much easier to work together. I want to help change the world-and I want to do it with integrity.

Grazian

Dear Past Grazian, I advice you to take everything seriously. I know that senioritis is kicking in, but don't give up. You should have taken your English class more seriously, so that you would be placed in a higher English level in your college, and fulfill your prerequisites. For your last year of high school, you should have also taken Calculus. If you have taken that class, you could have been taking a higher level of Math as well. I also advise you to start looking at majors, and possible schools to transfer. You should have used sites such as assist.org to plan your path. Furthermore, you should start learning how to take in information, just by reading and taking notes. Learn how to be more responsible, and not rely on others. Do your OWN work, and not others. Use your time wisely. Every hour counts. Also, I know that you are an unpatient person, but you need to start letting go of that. You need to realize that a lot of hard work, requires patience and discipline. I hope that you become a successful and remember to not give up, and strive for more. Sincerely, Grazian

Marilie

If I could go back in time I would tell myself to work harder academically. In high school we really were not taught how to study for a major test or any test at all. I have learned that if you really want to make an "A" in a class you need to do a lot of studying, and not the night before. Coming to college and not being prepared, or the lack of studying, kept me from achieving a few of the goals I had set for myself.

Angela

If I could go back 14 years ago and give myself advice on education and what to do with my life. Here is what I would tell myself. Angela, you are on the right track and heading in the right direction. You are graduating high school early and have been awarded a scholarship for 1 year. You did the right thing on taking all of your general education requirements because when you decide to go back to school this will help you in pursuing your dream. Cosmetology school was a great idea and it's a wonderful trade to know and will help you while you are back in school. But there is more for you to achieve, do not wait to long to go back to school because the more time that goes on the harder it will become. You'll find that through your journey that you can not put a price on education and no one can take that away from you. Remember to always make sure that you are constantly learning, even from your mistakes. ?The only person who is educated is the one who has learned how to learn - and change" written by, Carl Rogers.

Aram

Maturity and time management are two concepts which as a high school student, I didn't understand but are vital in the college. These two concepts are what not only allow you to pass your classes, but learn. As a high school student, I only thought about passing the class and not learning which was a mistake which I regret but realized. High school should prepare you for college but I didn't feel it did simply because I was immature. I didn't care about school nor did I see the benefits from it. It isn't until after graduation when a new mindset sets in. One of which is not only mature, but wise. All our flaws come out and we try to fix them. As a high school student, I should have taken tougher classes including AP classes, make a schedule of the day every day, and do anything in my power to get involved in my community making my resume/experience seems more attractive to prestige colleges and universities. Humans aren't perfect but it's the ability to learn from our mistake which makes our species great.

Lorelle

The advice I would give myself is 1) to take high school curriculum seriously before entering college. Bases on personal experience, being unprepared and feeling behind of among other classmates just made learning much more difficult in college. 2) College life requires more self discipline than high school. In college, you pick your own classes and it's your responsibility to complete those classes.

Joseph

Wow, If I could go back in time to give myself advice as a high school senior, the list could go on and on. I was my senior class president, and what every leader, big or small struggles with, is to make everyone else pleased before themselves. And, as I have found out leadership is a very selfless position. The major thing I would change now that I look back would be to live a little more. Time after time I found myself strapped for making my fellow peer's senior year enjoyable that I never stopped to realize my personal needs were being put to the test. It was not until I was starting college when I realized that everything that I did was an awesome feat, but that feeling of self-actualization and fufillment was buried by endless paperwork, stress, and lack of time for the normal things teenagers do. Granted I have made some great friends doing what I did, but i feel that I should have focused more on myself. Maybe I would have found my passion quicker if I looked more into it during my high school years. However, we can not regret the past.

Erika

I would tell myself to really savor my college experience. I personally went straight to work and didn't think I could afford to go to college- now I know that I could have found a way to pay for it if I had really tried. So, I would certainly go back in time and remind myself that I could pay for college, and that its not a grind, but a pleasure. I am truly grateful that I am now able to attend classes in my 30's, and I enjoy opening my mind and taking in new experiences.

jessica

If I were able to go back in time knowing what I know now about college life, I would definitely tell myself to do exactly what I did in high school because when I was a senior in high school before going to college, I had no idea what it would be like but I had the help of one class that gave me the idea and allowed me to understand a small percentage of what it would be. The class I took was called AVID and they allowed me to do my work and learn college life without having to go there. They helped me stay on top of my work and allowed me to understand that college won't be easy and that I will be on my own. I won't have someone guiding me along the way like they did in high school. I was glad that I took that class because it prepared me for college and for the unexpected. Without that class I'm sure I would have had a difficult time and wished someone would have told me how it really would have been stepping into college life.

Nare

I would tell myself to take things slowly and not try to rush with all the classes. Quality is definately better than quantity so taking a unit overload just to finish sooner is not the best way to go.

Clarence

I would have given myself the advice of starting to think of what I really want to become and what career to choose in the future. It would make the decisions I have to make now easier because that's the biggest problem for me right now. I don't know what I really want to be. I would also tell myself to really do good on the first classes I get and not get lazy.

Anton

The advice would be, study more English, because I schedule always ahead of time, do my homework and never miss a class. I would like to change that If I could go back because coming to the US as an International Student I was a little behind with my English. But about the college life and the transition, I had a very easy transition to college because of the decipline I had in High school.

William

Go with engineering it was a blast

Gevork

I would have advised myself to finish off my Calculus class instead of dropping it. I worked way too hard to get to where I was at and I ruined it during my 12th grade just because of that one class. For 4 years I pictured myself out of SoCal and at UCB, but things change. We must adapt to these changes and learn from our mistakes. Because of that mistake I must spend an additional 3 years at GCC to complete the requirements for Berkeley for my major. If one thinks that High School is hard, wait until they get to College. Working 30 hrs/week to help pay for classes and being a full time student at college isn't what I had expected, but life moves on. I just hope I reach my goal because one thing that I fear in life is being unsuccesful.

Ryan

Have you had your time? Good! Now get ready to start school! There are three crucial points that you should know when you enter college: plan ahead, work hard constantly and never fall behind, and be prepared to put yourself to test. First of all, plan ahead which includes choose your major before you enter college and organize your schedule of classes that you will be taking during your stay in collge. Work hard constantly and never fall behind! You have no time to take breaks and mess around. Even falling back one class will hurt you and might be the reason why your stay in college will be prolonged. Do not risk carelessness of making up classes that you gave up on early. Most importantly, be ready to put all that YOU have taught yourself in high school into test when you enter college. High school was a time and place where you got to teach yourself the skills required to be successful in college. For example, you have spent all these years studying for different classes and by now you should have already figuered out and mastered the best technique for you to study for your classes.

Monika

Since I was little, I always thought of myself as a businessperson. If I were to attend the right college then I would try my hardest to succeed in business. In order for me to succeed, I would dedicate half of my life to studying and learning the right way. If I were to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would advise myself to make an educational plan before attending college. This particular plan will insist of hard work, time, and dedication to reach the goal I have been dreaming to have. I would mention that without a plan, there is likely a chance of failure. Once you realize you are unable to accomplish that goal, you know that you have failed. Why fail when you can be prepared with a plan leading to success. I would also advise the right college to attend for this particular business major. Education is recommended if you want the right career to provide financial support for your future. In addition, I would teach several ways to access grants, scholarships, and overall benefits when attending college. Advising myself will help tremendously to prepare for college.

Kristine

I would advice myself as a high school senior to learn how to manage time. At the college you are on your own. Most teachers do not collect homework assignments every day. They collect them on the test day or they never collect them. Students need to manage their time wisely to do their homework and learn the material in order to pass the class. If they do not know how to manage their time wisely, they will have many sleepless nights before tests to study two or more chapters for tests.

La

Hey, don't be worried about the colleges your friends are going to . I think you could have a lot of fun going to school in LA. There are tons of community colleges for you to choose from. Go around to the various campuses and find one that you would really like to be apart of. Then find one or two classes you find interesting. This an opportunity for you to learn about anything and everything you find interesting. I know you're worried about finding a boyfriend but guess what, you'll never have a problem finding a boyfriend, you may even find the man of your dreams. However, how can you find the man of your dreams if you don't know who you are? In college, you'll have more fun than you ever knew was possible and what you do and what you learn in college can never be taken away from you. I know you're scared, who wouldn't be? It's the beginning of a brand new life with brand new opportunities, and brand new friends. So take a deep breath, smile and enjoy the ride.