Patrick Henry Community College Top Questions

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

Caroline

I graduated high school at sixteen years old and immediately began classes at my local community college. It was a huge step but it wasn't scary or horrible. I loved it! Looking back, I would go back and tell my high school self to be more confident. I was the quiet girl in class who made excellent grades, (and I am naturally outgoing and talkative,) but I wouldn't speak up in class or talk to the teachers because I was afraid. I would definitely change that! School is fun and exciting, but going through college is hard when you don't believe in yourself. Being confident is beautiful. Being confident shows that you respect yourself and that you are comfortable with who you are. I have struggled, yet overcome, stuttering and the fear of public speaking. Because I am now confident with who I am, I can speak to a room with hundreds of people without stuttering. I now walk into a room with my shoulders back and a smile on my face, because I believe in myself. I would tell my high school self to be more confident- this is going to be an exciting adventure.

La'

The most valuable information that I would to myself as a high school senior would be to experiment with topics that interest you most. If possible, job-shadow with people who work in fields of your interest to determine if you would really be willing to pursue a career in the same field. Most importantly, do your research on colleges of your interest and stay in contact with your senior counselor and college guide. One should find out the schools' tuition and room and board calculations, scholarship and financial aid availability, funding for programs of your major, visit the college campus and arrange permission to sit in on a class, talk to the professor and find out his/her concern for students? education, and talk to college students about campus life. When graduation has come and gone and that first day of college begins, be absolutely certain that the college that you decide to attend is perfect for you and you'll be proud to say you received your degree from that institution.

Bethany

I would tell myself, first and foremost, to enjoy the transition process. Choosing a college, deciding on a major, and filling out applications can quickly become stressful and aggravating. There is no rush, and spending a year taking core classes at a community college is much smarter than hurrying off to an expensive school when you have no idea what you want to major in and you end up wasting money and getting into debt. I would also say that going to college can seem daunting and a little scary. It's a huge change, but in the long run, it's a change that's worth making. Just remember there are adults in your life that are more than willing to help you through the transition process, and even if the first day of classes your freshman year is a little overwhelming, by the end of the semester you'll be totally comfortable and ready for the next semester!

LeMar

I would certainly go back and tell myself to study a little bit harder. My grades in high school great, I finished my senior year with a 3.5 gpa. The thing that I regret most is that i didn't dual enroll. I should have paid to recieve college credit for classes that i could have gotten out of the way in high school. Then in my first year of college i would have been considered a rising sophmore or junior. I would also tell myself to strive even harder in sports to earn a scholarship, mainly focusing on my track season because thats what I did best in. I would have join more and gotten more involved in the different organizations and clubs that my school offered as well.

Susan

If I could go back in time to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to concentrate more on school than the party and love side of life. I would explain to myself that being more concerned about school than the party and love side is more important because instead of going to a two year college that is taking four years to finish, I could have been going to a four year college with a full ride not having to worry about how to pay for next year. I would also explain that if it was right the party and love life would sit and wait until the time was right and I was done with school.