Rowan College at Burlington County Top Questions

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

Jeffrey

If I could go back in time, I would tell my high school self a number of things. First, I would tell myself not to be as nervous and self-conscious. This applies in many situations. Whether it’s being embarrassed to volunteer in class or the uneasiness from an awkward situation, I would tell myself that in a few years it would not matter at all. Looking back, I wish I would have volunteered to try the electron ball experiment. I wish I would have laughed off an embarrassing fall instead of becoming depressed about it. I would tell myself to think how each situation would appear in a few years. Also, I would tell myself to enjoy more time with friends. After high school, many people spread out across the state and country to different schools and the times of hanging out and seeing movies sees like a dream. I would tell myself to enjoy the best times with friends because those memories will stay with you for a lifetime. Make the most of every opportunity and never skip a chance to tell someone you love them and appreciate them: all things i would tell my past self.

Asiayana

If I could go back in time I would listen more to my mother about applying for scholarships early in the year instead of waiting till the last minute. I would strive to keep up my gpa so that I could be eligible for more money.

Sarita

"Sarita, you need to start looking into college opportunities because it is possible for you to get an education. Learn more about scholarships and FOCUS on your school work not "them." Do not let negativity influence you. Go to community college full time and not part time and focus on your job less. Transfer after your two years are complete right away. Your education comes first not your relationship. That is where you will make the biggest mistake. There are going to be so many obstacles in your way and you just have to be strong enough to stay focus and fight through them. Staying focus is the key and accomplishing your goals is the priority. Associate yourself with the right people and form a bond with your teachers. Ask questions and stay after school for help. Your guidance counselors are you friends, go to them. They have all of the information and help you will need. Join more clubs and engage in other extracurricular activities. Remember to study what you've learned daily and you will always have that knowledge with you."

Krystal

I would make sure that I understand this message: the only things impossible are the ones you claimed to be. So, don’t just go around trying halfheartedly at your goals and brushing it off when the outcome wasn’t what you intended. Go for everything you want and put your back into it. Have passion! Do what makes you uncomfortable! Be risky! Have the fear of failure drive you to continue to find a way that works. College is not about testing the waters. College is about growing in life to be able to understand exactly what’s beyond school. So, make school count, and go for it. Get that 4.0 GPA, apply to those scholarships, be passionate about everything step you take, and most importantly make sure you enjoy the journey.

michelle

dont marry so young

James

If I could give myself advice when I was a senior in high school I would definitely tell myself to give me a day off. My first semester I had class everyday Monday thru Friday and worked Friday thru Sunday. Unlike in high school the work load is more than I had time to manage well. So I would like to save myself from that stress by just having a day off sometime.Next I'd tell myself to find out the transfer requirements to my next college. Because I didn't get them until before transferring, several of my classes won't transfer. That is wasted time and money though the what I learned will still help me in the future.

Malerie

College has been to me, a convenient tool to figuring out my future. After being through so many years of school, furthering my education has been an easy choice to make. The hard choice is what do I want to do for the rest of my life. College gave me the environment to test out my interests without being pressured to commit to a major right away. I'm already through two years of my experience and I know it'll be hard to actually leave. College is a safe haven where I didn't have to deal with much change in my life, but it has been challenging to the point that I know I'll be able to handle the next step. This security comes from no only the knowledge I gained, but from the responsibility I built from my college experience.

kimberly

if i could go back in time and talk to myself as a highschool senior, i would tell myslef to never worry about what others think. i would tell myself to not do things just because it is "cool", and say that it is ok to be myself. as a highschool senior i focused on what people expected of me, and really lost myslef. now as a college student i discovered that it is not always about what people want, sometimes the best way, is to do what is good for you. for example, it is up to you to get your homework done, and let people see the person you want to be. being an independent college student really let me grow up and realize that it was ok to be myself. sometimes as a highs chool student i would be afraid to show my "true colors" for fear that i would be made fun of. i am happy that i found who i am, and am not the same person i was when i was in high school.

Merissa

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior knowing what I know about college life now making the transition the advice I would give myself would be to take summer classes because it will help you get done faster. Also, I would tell myself to do all the reading that they ask you to do in your textbooks because if you don't do the reading you can get lost because the teachers want you to do the reading becuase some teachers only have two tests a midterm and a final exam and if you didn't do all of the reading you won't do to good when it's time for the test because some teachers don't even do a thorough review for the tests. When projects and papers come closer to be being due don't procrastinate because you might think oh this isn't hard but the truh is it's always harder than what you think it is going to be and time consuming too so don't procrastinate to the day before to do it if you want to get a good grade.

Malcolm

If I could travel back in time, I would tell myself to relax and enjoy my last year in high school. During my senior year I was convinced that i was not qualified to enroll in a four year university. Because I was in that mind set, I overreacted. I joined too many clubs, and participated in too many athletic teams. Although the hard work helped, I believe I over exerted myself. Half way through the year my grades started slipping, so I dropped a sports team to study more. I was behind in school so i didn't have time to spend with my friends. Near the end of the year I found myself neglecting everyone, and also didn't like the idea of leaving home so soon. At that moment I choose to go to a community college, transfer later, and stop stressing. I wanted to make up for lost time, but it was too late. By this time it was summer, half my friends left for vacation, and it is little hope that I will see them again. Through all of this I learned not to over work myself, and enjoy the time I have now.

Brian

If I could go back and in time and talk to myself as a senior, I would tell myself not to get so worked up. It is a really smooth transition from highschool to college. You just have to be confedent with yourself and not stress over things that are not really a big deal, but this does not mean you can slack off. In college you are in the drivers seat. Mom and Dad can not be there to check up on you all the time, in fact the college can not even talk to them unless you say so. College will be one of the biggest responsibilities you have so far. good luck Brian, I'll see ya.

Brooke

Deciding what path to take after high school is crucial in the life of a senior. I knew I was college bound; however, it was not going to be as easy as I thought. My parents were not able to help me, so I ended up choosing to register at a community college. I was pretty disappointed that I was not going to a four year university. If it was possible to travel back in time, I would tell myself to make the most of my situation. It helps make the transition from high school to college smoother and allows more time for adjustments by enrolling at a community college. I would tell myself to get involved in as many college activities as possible and not to be shy. I would tell my ?high school senior self? that planning on attending a community college was the best decision I could make and not to doubt it. I also would mention that the work would be just as difficult as a four year university. If I could go back in time, I would have still made the same decision knowing what I know now.

Priscilla

I would tell me self to study harder and apply for more scholorships. Do not worry about boys, but on your studies and homework. When you graduate to a two year college, be more sturn and ask more questions.

alexis

I would tell myself if I were a senior in high school , I would say Alexis you should of had planned better on you life when it came to doing all of the work for college and the college life, and that I should of had listen to my mother when she was giving me advice about what to do for college instead of waiting around and not going to college in the fall. For my actions , I'm going to school in the spring semster and I wish that I could of had started school in the fall because it would of helped me with getting a jump-start on my life and doing my degree which is Early Childhood Education because that is my dream and to also become a kindergarten teacher. I wish I could of fixed my mistakes that I know now because I'a m out of high school and would of just had payed attention to what adults were telling my about getting my life staright an d making life better for me, but now I can only learn and make my life better today and listen to what people have to say .