Herkimer County Community College Top Questions

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

Matthew

I would tell myself to not slack off and actually get my butt in gear and try harder in high school. I didn't really try very hard in high school and I am regretting it now. I could have gotten in to Herkimer for free because of my grades. I was one person short of getting this award and I am kicking myself now for it. I would also tell myself to get involved more in the communities around my house. I was involved a bit through Boy Scouts but I was not involved enough in my life. Even though I was involved a lot I could have been involved more. I would have told myself that I would need to try harder because once I leave high school I will have to pay for the rest of my education for the rest of my life.

Ketsy

To stay focused and to never give up on obstacles that you face considering that education is the key to success. Study hard and maintain a good enough GPA to have a better oppurtunity in the future. Always have a back up plan just incase you decide to pursue another career that doesnt work for you because its never too later to start over. Save your money as well as finding a path that you feel you can find a successful career . Always be prepared for the worst to come as well being prepared for the good that will happen overall in life . Never settle for less with high expectations in mind in order to achieve goals that will take you far being educated.

andrew

I would tell myself that college is going to be lots of fun. The college lifestyle is nothing compared to what you have experienced in your small home town. The atmosphere and community is unreal and jawdropping. Never let yourself get down and not to worry if you mess up. You're only human and everyone makes mistakes. Just try to remember that every bad situation can be made better, even if it doesn't always feel like it. So have fun and be safe. For every situation there are a lot of choices and even more consequences. Oh yeah, if a crazy looking guy from down your hall asks if you want to try one of his homemade brownies just tell him "No thanks, your not feeling all that hungry right now." With that being said get out and have some from.

Rachel

I would look at myself and say, "Rachel, buckle down and WORK. The only thing that will save your ass in college is your work habit. It will define your grades. Study for that test and Pass it. You need to learn how to study for tests. Not pass by the skin of your teeth. You also need to get a job. Learn how to multitask and priorotise, 'cuz man, It is killing me right now. You need to learn to study and not paly that new game you just bought. " Then I would Shake my finger at myself and hope I listened.

Marquis

I would tell myself to spend more time getting prepared mentally, physically, and also financially. In knowing the work preparations needed for college you would need sleep and a steady head, so your mentality has to be stable enough to endure the work on a college level. Staying fit contributes to college life, seeing as its scientifically proven the more productive and fit you are the more work you get done. Financially you also have to be prepared seeing that your on your own and have to provide for yourself. Unless of course you don't want to eat, sleep, wash, etc... So in conclusion I would tell myself that college is a preparation for the real world called life it breaks you down to build you back up opening doors you could never imagine.

MELISSA

I find myself struggling through life with no where to go. So I would tell myself that you need a degree to get anywhere in life and stay focused on your dreams and goals. Don't make stupid decisions life is hard and you need to be better than the next guy for it is a dog eat dog world out there

Brittany

The advice that I would give myself knowing what I know now about college is simply breath. It's stressfull when you have so many things to think about. Getting into a college, being able to afford it, intimidation of a new scence, wondering if the other students will like you, applying for financial aid, etc is enough to stress someone out. I went to college excited but scared and if I could go back when I was a senior I would tell myself to not stress and that everything will work out. I would tell myself that everyone else is making the transition too and I'm not alone.

Darius

To begin, in High School, I really didn't have to try hard. Everything came pretty easy to me. Little did I know that the college world would require a lot more of me. If I were to go back in time I would tell myself to be mentally prepared to dedicate more scholastic time to my day. I would also recommend talking to my high school counselors about study tips and tips to succeed while in college. Another aspect that I was not completely ready for is the complete independence. When I decided to go forth with college I knew that I was making a big step. I knew it would be a tough step when my parents informed me that they couldn't help me pay for college at all. If I could go back in time I would tell myself to do more financial-aid research. With more knowledge of my financial-aid options I could have avoided my current economic predicament.

Vincent

College is a major stepping stone for many high school students. knowing what its like already, if i could go back and give myself advice as a senior, it would be to be have an open mind. In college you wil meet may new people, and be introduced to many other aspects of life. i would suggest to myself to, e open to anything but know where your limits are. College does not only give you a great learning experience, it can be a life changer for some.

Matthew

If I gave college advice knowing what I do now, my advice would be not to get too committed to a certain major right away, because it may change. Try a few classes of your intended major and see how much you enjoy them. Take mainly liberal arts classes and get those out of the way. Most liberal arts classes will then transfer into your desired major. I started college at 17, since then I have changed my major. Changing majors happens a lot as students try to figure out which career path they would like follow. I would also advise attending a low cost community college for the first 2 years and obtaining an Associate?s Degree. Knowing that you managed the money well is very satisfying. Don?t be afraid to think outside the box with online classes. They can be very flexible and economical to a student as well.

Margarita

Well first of all I quit school in the 11th grade. I only wish that I could go back now because I would have graduated. That has been something that I have always regretted. I would have told myself to stay in scholl and take advantage of the whole high school experience. I would be involved with the school. Being the age that I am making the decision to go back to school was a hard one but I ma glad that I did.

Margarita

Well for me I quit school. I was pregnant in my junior year and I decided not to go back for my senior year. That I see as the biggest mistake I have ever made. Now that I am 32 and a college student, I realize how important schooling is. It can make a huge difference in your life. I would have taken in the whole high school experience and would have went straight to college from high school. Now I am 32 years old. I have a 14 year old son, that will finish high school and go on to college. I realize now what an important part of my life school was/is. I am expected to graduate this month and start my life with a new career. I have to admit, it is very scary, even at my age.

Kristin

If I were to go back in time to when I was a high school senior; I probably would have told myself not to sweat the small things. I would have said that college goes by so quickly, that you want to make sure you enjoy yourself, but do not forget where your priorities lie. School comes first, but college isn't as bad as you think. You will find that college seems easier than high school, so for now, study hard and when it comes time to start your freshman year, you will be glad you paid attention in high school, because you will soon realize that alot of what you learnt in high school will creep up on you again your first year of college. But that doesn't mean when you start college you can goof off; college is most important, and if you goof off, your future will not look as bright, and your dreams may be a little farther from reach. A college degree is something you earn, so don't take college for granted.