Orange Coast College Top Questions

Advising myself as a high school senior would be a triumph on it's own. The high school me was a different person that I have grown into today. I have matured and grown significantly from every experience between my senior year and today. The advice I would give myself would be, not every path is supposed to be traditional and embrace my own unique direction in life. When I began college I was not ready for the commitment and hard work, I am happy with the leave of absence I took to grown into the person I am today. When I reentered college I was embarrassed that I was much older than my 18 year old peers, today I feel proud that I am persevering and am persuing something that I truly love as opposed to persuing something I feel is expected of me.

You will enjoy college a lot more than high school, but to be better prepared, you need to get focused and learn to prioritize. One of the most important skills needed for success in college is the ability to study efficiently. You can get by for awhile with your exceptional cramming skills, but you will get the most out of your college experience if you learn how to study now. Take the iniative, open your books, and learn that material, even if your teachers are less than ideal and even when you are just too tired. All that hard work will pay off sooner than you think, because although you don't realize it now, most of the material that you are learning will actually be useful for you in the future. Someday you will wish you learned more in high school, and you will realize that it was your job to search within yourself for the necessary motivation. Once you see that classes can actually be interesting if you just change your mindset, your life will change. You will finally love learning again, and you will begin building your own path to a successful future.

I've only been at college a few days, but let me just tell you this: get your head out of the clouds. Yes, college is pretty terrifying, but you need to do it. Kidding yourself and ignoring the fact that you've hardly prepared for it won't make the fact that you're going to have to be responsible one day go away. Rely on no one because I know you. I know myself. You'll get too comfortable letting people give a little help and then the moment they back off you could have an assignment undone or something as such. As much as I never wanted to grow up, even when I reached adulthood, it's going to happen regardless of if you want it to or not. Don't let yourself become the person you were the last two years of high school and ignore the impending doom laziness will cause. As difficult and almost compromising as it is, this is your future and you need to face it by doing what you're supposed to when you're supposed to do it. Wishing college away is futile.

My high school self didn't think so differently as I do know, so if I had the chance to go back and have a talk with high school me, I would say "You. You will no longer be you. You will become me, and it is a good thing. Listen closely, son, college is not as challenging as you are expecting it to be, that being said, you should definitely be wise with what you do. I'm talking financial wise. You get much assistance, but don't take it for granted. Spend wisely and save likewise. Choose your classes wisely, and stay with your major. People will ask 'Are you sure you want to stay with this major', say 'Yes', and think nothing of it. Your future is bright so stay confident with who you are and what you want to do." That is the advice I would give to my high school self.

If I could go back in time, I would tell myself not to rush into working or focus on money so much. I would say to take some deep breaths and think about what I could do for the rest of my life that would make me really happy. Take a look at all of your personal goals and see if you can find a common thread to make a career out of. Be alert to the world around you and don't assume that you know anything. Look at every experience as a chance to learn something, and above all, follow your heart instead of listening to what you think others are telling you would be the best thing to do.

I would strongly advise myself to start taking my studies seriously. Start focusing on a direction in life instead of falling into whatever laid in my path. I would also emphasize the importance of staying out of relationships, their to distracting and cause more harm then good.

If I could go back in time to talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to go out and have fun with your friends and go to school events because once you are out of highschool and in college you can never experince it again. Never wait till the last minute to do things because you will never do your best on it. Preparation is the key to success. Also apply to every scholarship as you can before its too late. The most important thing is to never be affaid to try something new. Do stuff that you do not usually do, go out of your comfort zone its the only way to have fun and learn life long lessons.

As a high school senior, my social skills weren't as well developed as they are now. Being in a college enviroment with students from many different backgrounds I often felt overwhelmed. I left home, Hawaii where I lived all my life and went to California. In Hawaii I felt trapped with little opportunity to grow career-wise, but California felt like a never-ending land mass. I went into class shy and I lacked confidence. Everyday I would wake up and tell myself I would make new friends but I didn't. This went on for a few months. Having no friends made me feel more alone and made California feel even bigger. Once I relaxed and stopped thinking about it so much, people were drawn to me like a paperclip to a magnet. I was able to grow academically with study groups and my confidence also grew. I can never take back the months of lonelyness and uncertainty and I always wondered how much easier life would have been if i knew to relax.

I would tell myself not to be afraid. Everyone especially young people have fear of new places and faces, don't let fear stop you from experiencing what could turn out to be the best time of your life. Embrace the opportunity to discover who you are before making life altering decisions. I would tell myself to have faith in God and in myself and maybe-just maybe I would actually listen!!

One of the most significant events in life is the experience of attending a university for the first time and making the transition from high school to a college. Also, there are several aspects about attending college that I was unaware of to begin with, which I am now privy to. Moreover, if I could travel through time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would give myself several pieces of advice; the first of which would be to buy a computer and printer, as this would have made finishing assignments a lot easier. In addition, the second piece of advice that I would give to myself, would be to avoid eating at the cafeteria and start cooking, (This probably would have made the initial experience a lot more pleasant, to say the least.) Furthermore, the final advice that I would give to myself would be to relax and not be so concerned about performing well academically. In fact, my single greatest regret during the first year was that, I spent a great deal of my time in my dorm room, when I should have been outside partaking in campus events and spending time with my friends.

If I had the opportunity to go back in time knowing what I know now, the advice I would give myself would be simple. I struggled in High School with academics coming from a home with little or no help with homework. At the time I felt that as long as I passed, I would be fine. With minute encouragement, I didn't try, or really apply myself. The one thing I needed to hear more than anything is "Honey you can do this, you ARE and A student". I never realized that I was capable of receiving A's until I finally made my way back to school and really wanted to do well. I found myself on the Honors List and carrying a strong 4.0. I only wish I could have learned this about myself at an earlier age. I am 36 and just now a full time college student. Is it possible that with a little more encouragement a child can excel beyond even their own expectations? I believe so, anything is possible.

Stay Positive and be open minded when learning new thigns. there will be a lot of studying involved and you have to take it seriously. Start saving money every month to help pay for classes and books. make more time to study and really really read your text books, it pertinent! Speak up in classes and dont be afraid to ask questions help, even if you have to go by the professors office. But most imprtantly, find something you want to do and follow it.

I would tell myself not to be afraid of new experiences because I learned just as much through student involvement as I did in my academic classes. I would tell myself to get involved on my campus right away because that's how I learned what I wanted to major in and most importantly getting involved helped me to figure out what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. By exploring, meeting and interacting with a bunch of people who also had a passion in being involved led me to become a student leader and gave me much experience of the real world I never would have recieved sitting in a classroom. Everything in school is a learning process, therefore it's ok to get your hands dirty and mess up once in awhile. In fact it's better to learn as a student volunteer than on a paying job where your afraid to take risks. Nothing bad can happen if your volunteering and taking risks. It will benefit you. Lastly, have fun and enjoy it all. It goes by fast.

Knowing what I know now there are a few things I would tell my former self before entering college. The first thing I would ingrain in my younger self's head would be that listen and heed your alarm clock; just because you don't have to go to class if you don't feel like it, doesn't mean that you shouldn't go. Go every day and try as hard as you can--if you get a B, you didn't try hard enough. I am currently "redoing" college for this reason. The second thing is don't settle down and make life plans before you finish what you want to in college. I am married and expecting our first child and if I would have stayed with it previously, I wouldn't worry about how I am going to provide for my family and future. In retrospect I have always known what I needed to do to succeed, application of myslef is where I fell short in the past. If I were to go back to see my younger self, I would kick him in the butt and tell him, "get to work!!!!"

I like to think I made a wise decision by choosing to go to Orange Coast instead of going straight to a 4-year university. I did it because I'm paying for school, plus I had no idea what my passion was. Though I know I did it for many good reasons, I still have my doubts. If I got to talk to my senior-self, I know I would tell myself that I shouldn't just assume Orange Coast is the only option. My brother and sister had both gone down the same path, so I just assumed that's what I would do too. Even though I took classes and found my passion, I would tell my younger self to explore even more; take a couple really fun, obscure classes and enjoy the relatively inexpensive tuition to the fullest. Other than advice to do with classes and majors, I would tell myself to be a little more fearless; make more friends, be more outgoing. Because just two years with the same people is enough time to barely remember them in 5 years, but it's also enough time to make friendships that could last much longer.

If I had the opportunity to visit myself as a high school senior, I would advise myself to enroll in college classes in addition to my high school curriculum. The sooner I can begin completing units, the sooner I can transfer to my college of choice. I would also encourage myself to enroll in the Study Abroad Program offered by Coastline College. This program gives high school students the opportunity to earn college credits while learning about the histories and different cultures of certain countries. In addition to expanding my knowledge, I would also get to travel to places such as London, England, Sydney, Australia or Rome, Italy.

If I were given the chance to talk to myself as a high school senior with the knowledge I have about college now, I would advise myself to take more college courses while in high school. Many colleges give high school students the opportunity to enroll in their classes in 11th grade without paying for the unit fee. I took advantage of this but only took one class. I would have gotten an earlier registration date with more units taken, it would have been cheaper, and I would have had a lighter load trying to transfer in two years. I also would forewarn myself that even though it's a community college, I wouldn't be able to cruise by and get an A on everything like I did in high school. College takes more dedication and determination in order to persevere.

I would say to my self stick with wht your good at don't choose classes you dont need only focus on your major. Find the thing thats gives you a passion for what you want to do in life no matter what it is. Your dreams can only be accomplished if you have heart, by having heart your drive to finish school will become greater. Take business classes cause they will always help you after college. Read books that are about your major for what you want to do cause the more you know the better you will be. Study any time you have a chance so you know more while you are learning more. If you have a chane to intern for what you want to do it will give you a taste of your future, knowing that you will be ready for anything that comes your way in life.

If I were able to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, knowing what I know now about college life and making the transition would maybe be to apply myself more to learning about scholarships for when I transfer from a 2 year community college. I would have also told myself that community college just feels like high school, but a little more work to put into your classes. I would have also told myself to look up the professors I would have taken on ratemyprofessor.com so I wouldn't have made the mistakes in my first year of community college.

During my high school years, I tried to stay on course with honors and AP classes. However, I only took the AP classes I knew I would excell in. After deciding my major as Chemical Engineering, I realized my scores did not help me much, if not at all, since the classes my AP scores covered, I had to take again for my major anyways. If I had known this in high school, I would have tried to take those classes. If I did, it would save me time and money to not retake those general education classes I could have taken in high school. I would also advise myself the transition to college life isn't that hard if you know exactly what you are doing. College gives you so much more freedom than high school has, and it is up to me as a student to take responsibility as an adult to do well in class. Good friends are also neccessary since if you hang with the right group, they will help you succeed and keep you on top of your classes, instead of going to college parties and skipping classes.

Life after high school is different, more difficult, and contains so many more challenges, as cliche as that sounds. Friend's are harder to stay in touch with and the adjustment to being one of the few left at home is hard, but worth it because you are going to have another chance at your dream school! Be prepared for more work and responsibility; money is hard to come by so be ready to work your butt off. Through all the difficult times that must be dealt with, there are wonderful experiences as well. Seeing people you've missed dearly are some of the most exciting days around. Every minute you grow with knowledge about life and the world around you; whether it simply be about traffic and driving conditions or possibly the way earth functions in geography class, no matter what you are constantly learning. It's tough but it's worth it, brace yourself.

After spending some time in college and now going back to being a high school senior, I would tell myself to take school seriously and whatever information you retain my high school is very important when you enter your first year of college. But not only that, but to learn how to manage time and be more productive in school and interact with your professors because it lets them know you do care about your education and that you take it seriously and also it gives you a chance to know that your professors do care about you and gives them a chance to get to know you a little better as a person.

If I could give myself advice as a high school senior, I would beg myself to apply to all applicable scholarships - college is expensive! It's hard to focus on studying when you're worrying how you're going to pay for all your textbooks. I would also beg myself to do my research and really be firm in what path I desired to take. I wish I had taken the initiative beforehand to plot out exactly what steps I was going to take to reach my educational goals. Sometimes things need to be figured out as you learn, but life as a college student is so much easier if you have solid plans to refer back to. The two really big things I'd advise myself to do? Get stellar grades - they're worth losing sleep over! - and network! Talk to, write to, read about people in the same career path. It helps inspire and motivate you when you're running on 3 hours of sleep and you forget why you're there in the first place. One last thing - I'd make myself try new things, volunteer, join clubs, do sports. You're only in high school once!

I would say "Danny! College is a privelege! Never take for granted the powerful gift of knowledge!" Well that's what I would say to him right off the bat to kind of scare him and grab his attention, assuming that meeting his future self hadn't already done that. I would tell him that the experiences you will have and the people you will meet in college will change the way you look at the world around you forever, in a humbling and eye opening way. You will most likely make mistakes along the way but do not fret because the education; the acquiring of knowledge, which always innately sturred something inside you, will always be there to make sure you get back on course. Lastly, I would say to not be afraid to do what you truly want to do, whether the future of that road seems rocky or unstable. The only way to be truly happy in life is to not be afraid to test its limits.

The advise I would give myself back in high school would be along the line of finanical, plans, and will. I would talk about the money involed and the time and effert to start and mantain a life in colllege. I would show the importance of planing ahead and watching the present. And I would encourge the will to stick to one goals and dreams. Though I would rather give myself the winning numbers to a lottery, if i went back in time but I would be depriving myself the fullfillment of finishing college. My parents couldn't even go to college, I don't want to be like them but I do want to be something they can be proud of.

I would tell myself to buckle down a little more and study harder for my AP Gov test, and maybe take a few classes at Austin Community College during the summer. I would warn myself that scholarships are necessary and that I should make time to look into as many as I could. Third, I would happily tell myself that the college style of learning is everything I hoped it would be, and that if nothing else, the fast pace and independent studying were definintely something to look forward to.

Do not feel embarrassed or ashamed that you have to attend a Junior College first and then transfer out. You might not have been accepted to any of your top school choices your senior year in high school, but through their denials you will learn about the mistakes you have made in your educational career. Although I know you are not accustomed to falling down, you will discover this experience is defintely everything, but failure. Stay focused on what you are doing now, because before you know it you will be applying to the same schools again, but this time well prepared and with a far more impressive application. Just do yourself a favor, do not cram yourself your first semester at Orange Coast College. I know you probably think you can handle the workload, but you will find, that you will be making far more friends than you ever expected. Almost everyone you knew in high school will not attend OCC with you, but a fresh start is just what you need. Study, but not to hard. When you need help, ask for it. And when you have spare time, have fun with it.

I believe I would start by saying that "It can't rain all the time". Also that every time I feel like giving up, I should just sit down and breath deeply to clear my mind. After that try stepping back and examining the problem or work from a different perspective. I would tell myself never to give up, even when all seems hopeless and lost. That I will have two beautiful little girls who are counting me to do the right thing. Show them that school is one of the most important things in life. The transition won't be easy but just keep at it and everything will be ok. This could very well be one of the greatest things we ever do in our life. Its well worth all the sleepless nights and endless pots of coffee. That it's an experiance of a lifetime.

It really isn't about where you go its about that attitude you adopt while you're there. It seems like everyone is insinuating that if you aren't accepted into a four year university off the bat you aren't good enough and frankly that is not true. There are many other alternatives to a four year university, such as a community college, a trade school, even a break. Not everyone is meant to go to college and graduate in four years and then get married and have 2.5 kids. You should not feel pressured to be the same. Understand that at the end of the day the strongest insurance policy is knowledge. I promise you, there is no such thing as a perfect life, a perfect applicant, or a perfect student, there will never be another you and it really is your attitude and your desire to never stop learning, never stop gaining from your experiences that will make you successful in life. College may not be the answer for all but it is your best bet to preparing yourself for your future. And remember, never let people belittle you becuase they got into the "better" school.

I would've told myself, "No matter what college I choose to attend or what college actually recognizes me, I'll still receive an education to help become triumphant in reaching my goals. A college a person attends doesn't define their academic ability." I would constantly stress on how I wouldn't be acknowledged by the college of my dreams, but I know now that anyone with committment and determination can be proficient in anything they desire to achieve no matter what college they are receiving an education in. Another important thing to advise myself would to not let grades determine everything that I am. Improving, correcting one's mistakes, and being a decent human being also factors in, not just grades. Potential matters greatly, and it is rewarding to battle through turmoils and mature rather than getting accepted into the ideal college with a perfect GPA. Receiving an education and maturing is a part of becoming a better individual to our community, family, and peers. It doesn't matter where you are, it's where you want to be and what you're willing to do to get there.

The hardest thing about returning to see myself in high school is the fact that i had a very difficult time in high school. My parents divorce, and my lack of friends made it really difficult to be optomistic. The most important thing that i could tell myself is that, all of those worries and struggles will eventually be overcome. I dont regret any of my actions and wouldnt ask for myself to act differently, because of what i have gone through has made me who i am today. High school was defently a stage and now would be the best time to leave that behind and work on myself. Growing up i was set out to believe that art was a waste of time, so as i drew from time to time i never felt it was a valued skill of mine. Thats one thing i would emphasize on myself from the past, i wish i would have developed a lot sooner was art. Art alows me to express and deal with a lot of my troubled past and emotions. Its just a bummer that i took me so long to realize my passion

If I had to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior. Knowing what I know now about college life and making the transition. The only advice I would give myself is that to study and try even harder because college is a place where students cannot mess up. Many people do not get the oppurtunity to graduate on time or even at all. I am young so I would give up my spot to people that lost their jobs because it is not they're fault that we are in the recession. I would be honest that I am lucky to even receive financial aid for college and manage to get a seasonal job two months ago.

Don't procrastinate. Being an English major and taking ALL English classes makes for a heavy work load. Hanging out on the couch and computer don't help when you have a ten page paper on Oscar Wilde due in 48 hours. Other than that I would say don't be afraid of meeting people and getting lost, it's all part of the appeal of growing up.

First off, I would tell myself that things will not be as easy as I thought they would. Reminding myself that school needs to be taken seriously, and needs a lot of attention. The important things that I have learned this first semester has been very helpful to me. The old me in High School was thinking that college would be so much easier, and I would be able to skim by and not try my best. I have definately learned that school is the key to my future, and that I need to get things on track so that I can make my dreams come true.

I was an emotional wreck my senior year. I felt as if all of my friends had a clear direction for what they wanted to do while I was sinking in a tar pit. There were so many questions that I did not know the answer to. Big or small school? Near to home or across the country? What was my major going to be? Knowing what I know now, I would tell myself to relax. I would tell myself to trust in God's perfect plan for my life. I would tell myself that choosing to go to Colorado for a year would be one of the best decisions I will ever make. I would tell myself that community college does not mean that you are a failure, but it's a stepping-stone for greater things to come. High school is only a small part of life and so many things will change when it?s over. Take it in now, remember it, but look forward to the future with excitement and joy because there are bigger, better, and greater things out there waiting for you to take hold of. Don't be afraid to explore the world.

If I could go back and give my senior self a few words of advice, I would tell myself to never give up. So yea, Fasfa told me that I dont qualify for any kind of grants and I was too young to qualify for loans by myself without a cosigner because both mom and dad's credit was throught the drain, but I just wish that I could have told myself that I could have made it on my own if I tried hard enough. I also wish that I could have told myself that money shouldn't have been an option when I wanted to apply to schools. I kind of just pushed the options aside and fell back on community college. I would never tell myself that I missed out on the college expereince, I just wish that I could have told myself that I took the easy way out for reasons other than financial reasons, that I did it because I wasnt ready to move away or that I had a family situation that could have been resolved by the parties involved and I wasnt responsible for that. I just wanted to attend a four year,

I would tell myself to start studying hard in high school. I always used to think that I didn't need to study until college, but it would have been much more beneficial to get good study habits before college. I would also have told myself to join more clubs and organizations. In college., joining clubs and organizations is a huge part of getting involved and networking in areas of study that you are interested. It would have been nice to have done more of this in high school. One more thing I would tell myself to start practicing in high school is time management. I think that this is the most important skill a college student can have. Being able to balance class, studying, clubs, and a social life is a skill necessary to have an enjoyable college experience.

I would tell myself to not be so hard on myself, to relax a little more, and enjoy the small things in life. I would say to have a little more faith in that I am doing the right things and making the right choices. I would tell the high school version of me to give a school more than one semester to adjust and feel comfortable in the new environment. I would tell myself to not worry about other people and do what I want to do without letting others influence my decision. Life is hard and adjusting to adulthood is even harder, but I would encourage myself to stick it out and persevere. Life is full of surprises and every situation, whether it is easy or hard, or good or bad, is a learning experience and helps us grow into the adult we will one day be. I would tell myself to never give up and to stop being so hard on myself. I would tell myself to smile more, because we are all prettier that way.

"It's not where you start, it's where you finish." My friend's father told us this when we were in high school trying to decide what school to go to next year. She ended up going to a university, and I ended up going to a community college. I was embarrassed that I was going to a community college because I could not afford to go to a university. It seemed as all of my other friends were moving on and going to universities. Looking back, I realize now it does not matter. I saved a lot of money by getting my general education at a community college. I will transfer to a universtiy and down the road it won't even matter that I went to a community college. In other words, I would have told myself that it is okay to start at a community college. It was one of the best decisions I ever made.

Take the time now to set in place the habits you want to have during college (eating, exercise, study, etc.), because one college starts, life is stressful, and it's hard to do what you should be doing. If you practice now, you will be able to maintain those habits that will keep you healthy and make it easier for you to do well. If you don't, you will have a hard time succeeding in college.

I would have chosen more honors classes that would make for a more effective high school transcript to submit to potential colleges and universities that would have increased my opportunities. I would applied for more grants, and scholarships to fund my college expenses. I would have also increased my extra curriculars for resume presence.

Go for what you really want to do. Don't settle for a major you don't want to do because you won't be happy with it, and you'll just end up changing it to what you really like. Don't waste time working toward something you don't want. Go to a big university where you will really get the college experience. Go out and meet people and have fun. Don't hold back!

If I could go back and speak to myself as a high school senior, I think that I would try to impart the importance of a strong work ethic. If I have learned anything from my college experience, it is that one experiences the most growth and cultivates the inner self when one challenges himself or herself to go above and beyond. I would also admonish myself to stay focused and take advantage of honors courses. Honors courses compel a student to delve deep into a topic and view it from every facet and then report on their findings. I believe that this is beneficial to any student graduating high school, because it helps them to understand more deeply the endless possiblities for human thought and capability.

Knowing what I know now about college life and making the transition, I would tell my high-school self to be more responsible and take control of my life. This is important because I had no one to guide me then so I didn't know what I wanted to do my first year of college. I would tell myself to research into things that I thought were interesting (such as astrophysics, engineering, etc.)- things I would like to pursue as a career and also tell myself that deep down I, my high-school-self, secretly like math. I would also tell myself that I shouldn't avoid math because it is the one subject I realized was my strongest point in academics. Besides school, I would tell my high-school-self to save my money because if I had done so, I would have had enough to buy a car as well as a nice laptop. These are the things my parents tried to tell me then but if I were to hear all this from my future-self, I would have definitely believed it.