Sacramento City College Top Questions

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

Leslie

Take as many AP tests as possible in order to place out of the pre-requisite classes. The first two years of college are so boring because it is the general information that all students need, so try to test out of as many of those boring classes as possible. An added bonus will be that it will save you some money on tuition. Also, take a wide variety of classes. As a college freshmen, most students have no idea what career they want to pursue. So take classes in a wide range of fields so that you can try to find out what you are good at and what you like. It is really hard to start over and change careers once you have chosen a direction, so take your time and choose wisely.

Kate

You are about to embark on a world so drastically different than you imagined it to be. You will meet people who have had out-of-this world experiences and people who have had too-much-of-this-world experiences. Some of your views that you carried with you to college on stone tablets will be corroded. Others, reenforced. You will discover possibilities and opportunities that seem too good to be true. So don't be too attached to what you think your life goals are just yet. That doesn't mean you shouldn't have goals at all, but be curious, be involved, and there will be passions out there you didn't know you had. And when you find them, embrace them.

Kevin

Hello Kevin Deacon at 17, you are one crazy guy. It is the year 2014 and I am writing to you from probably the same seat you was sitting in 5 years ago studying for school. This time I am writing because of scholarships, i am writing you to give you advice on the world around you. At this time 5 years ago you had just broken up with lisa a few months before, she had crushed our heart and stole our soul. We tried to take it with a chip on our shoulder and go after others quickly but when another girl just dismissed us and threw us to the side of the road like an unwanted puppy. We should have forgiven sooner. We shouldnt hold grudges on the extinguishing of a flame. We should allow a person to get to know us not just sexually. Yet at the same time I know it takes a village to raise a child, but when it comes time get down and dirty to get to where we want to be in our life you need to forget about everyone else and be selfish for once. Its not fun, but worth it.

Olga

Start thinking about what major i want to get in, And try not to be lazy and get organzied and get scholarships.

Mouang

I've gotten knowledge and understanding from my college experience. College has taught me to be more open-minded and that there are so many views on everything. I've also realized that we may all have different views on life but if we really cared enough then people can work together to make changes. Knowledge and understanding has been valuable to attend college so that I can learn more. In college, a lot of people express their opinions and never stop to listen to what others have to say. Once I started listening, I started to understand. Once I started to understand, I was more wise and realized that I was capable of anything. It just takes that one step to attend college. From there, I discovered who I was.

Danielle

The transition from high school to College can be overwhelming; however, it is a very important step up the ladder leading to success. Here are some pointers that can help make the transition smoother. There are many questions that will come up, so start asking now. Senior year is a perfect time to start mapping out your future. Pick a goal you wish to achieve, and plan your schooling around that goal. It can be useful to know, early on, if there are only a few schools that will allow you to enter your intended career; these schools usually want certain courses to be completed. Talk to a few college counselors, even if you will not be attending their school. Most counselors are there to help narrow down school choices in addition to avoid taking extra classes. Also, as a high school senior, you will be eligible for a larger number of scholarships. It is wise to apply now even if you think you won?t need them until later. The transition can be scary but do not let it slow down your progress. Remember, there are many steps that need to be taken to climb the ladder of success.

Sally

I would tell myself to take a year off and not be afraid to speak up , to the parents what it is that I want to do and then do it. I would tell myself that no matter what, everything will be okay. Don't go to college because your not ready, you'll only be wasting time and money. I would also tell myself that if I did go to college right out of high school that I would be a dissappoint to my parents, since I know that I went to college for 4 weeks then dropped out and how the parents were so upset and angry that I was now a college drop-out and that I wasted their money. I would tell myself to just go for it and call the folks when I get to my distination and not before. Too just take a deep breathe , exhale slowly, and laugh aloud . Life will exciting and scary but it will all be worth it .

Stephanie

Study harder!!!

Shoshannah

In college you will feel an immense amount of freedom. I warn you, do not take that for granted! Everything has it's place and there is a place for everything. You need to find what it is you are passionate about and go for it! Never let your fears get the best of you. If you do, it will haunt you for years to come. Know this; you are a beautiful person, inside and out, and there are people who want to take advantage of young women just out of high school. Don't let them get you down. Find those friends who will stick by you. Join a club with people who share the same interest as you. They will help you go far and may help you when you need it the most. Keep your mind open to other cultures and way of life. It will help you grow as a person and will help you understand other people. You are strong minded, I know you will do well in everything you do. One last thing, I love you. (It's important to love yourself no matter what happens in life and at any age.)

Nisa

If i could go back in time and tell myself what to be ready for and what to expect, i would tell myself that its a competition getting into those classes. Lots of people want them so as soon as you can, enroll. I would tell myself not to be intimmedated by college. Just work hard at it and dont slack off. Its going to be the biggest step to becoming and adult and insuring a desirable life style. I would also tell myself to stay on top of any deadlines. Making those dead lines is like is your life line at this point. Don't stress too much. And study but dont fry your brain. You're going to be spending alot of time in college so find what fits and get comfortable with the rules of success.

Tara

I would tell myself that college life is a big step, but if I show up to class prepared everyday then it won't be too difficult. Getting up and into the classroom is half of the battle. I would tell myself that it is very important to keep up on the reading and don't get behind. Being prepared for my classes beforehand will make the most difference between a 'C' and an 'A'.

Ranae

I would tell myself to first, stay focused. Stay focused on the big picture, my future. You have to work hard to get what you want out of life, no one else is going to live your life for you. Second I would tell myself to never give up. It's not always going to be easy, but anything worth working for is worth having. Then I would tell myself to manage my time wisely. Time managment can sometimes be dificult when life happens. If you can learn to manage your time everything else will be a little less stressful. I think thats the best advice I could give myself to prepare for my future, and the transition into college. If you go in focused, strong, and Ready to work hard nothing can stop you.

Sara

What advise would I give myself as a high school graduate? I probably have to say, " get more involved!". In high school, I was more involved with working then I was with anything else. I was too worried about moving up with my current employer and making a career at the age of 18 than I was I thinking "What do I REALLY want to do with the rest of my life?" I was focusing on the wrong thing at the wrong time. I had my whole life to work. Jobs are temporary. Careers are for a lifetime. Looking back, there were counselors, after school programs, electives, and many other things that could've sparked my interests to help me find a calling (if I just would've reached out). At the age of 25 ,with a husband, two kids, and a mortgage , I have found that the more I now involve myself with special interest classes and being involved with my community the more I know what I want to be. As a mother, I want my kids to be more involved in school because I see the TRUE benefit in how it can help a young adult grow.

fakee

Knowing what I knew now about college, I would go back in time to tell myself what I should do and not do when I make the transition from high school to college. First of all, I would tell my High school self to get prepared for college by applying for any available scholarships that I can find. Also, I would tell myself to apply for Fasfa as soon as possible so that I can eligible for financial service. This way, I don?t have to put up with the hassles I am facing now about financial aid. Secondly, I would tell myself to SAVE money and not use it on things that I don?t need. Now I regret spending money on things that I haven?t used for long time. Third is to always, always keep track of my financial aid services and make copies so that if there is anything that went wrong, I have backups. This much were the three main things I have to worry about now, but if I knew before, then I would have planned ahead and would never end up in situation of stressing over money and time wasted.

Israel

The greatest hardship that you will face in the pursuit of your dreams is a financial one. Quite unfortunately it makes all the difference because without plenty of money, you will be unable to finance your schooling and as a result, your passion. Digital art and animation is quite an expensive hobby to fund, it's even more expensive to get training for. However, do not let the factor of money ever prevent you from carrying on in this adventure of yours. Because while gear and training may be expensive, finding assistance in finance or a job most certainly is not, there is always a way to acquire what you need. Maintain a positive attitude throughout, a good mental and physical discipline, and you will only excel in your career, as well as in your life. There is no need to lecture you on thinking of your future, you already knew what you wanted to do with your life back in fourth grade and for the most part, you know how to get there. Keep going strong. -Sincerely, you in the future.

Alex

With the knowledge i have obtained in the first semester of city college, i would go back in time to give myself a better understanding of why we need to go to college and how to budget it. I would tell myself to go talk to a counselor on how to fill out financial aid and do not wait until last minute to accomplish any important tasks. Such as, making sure all college requirements are done, updating parents on the progress of my desire to go to a state college, and to gain as much knowledge of the world after high school. Would've told myself not to doubt in whether or not i made it into a state school and just do what counselors have advised you to do. Also, do not let the feeling of despair and fear control my actions or desires.

Waheeda

Don't be stubborn about what you want to major in at the moment and take your parents advice. Look at every option available and explore different fields. I know you may think that the classes you are taking such as chemisty and physics are easy to you now but in college it is way harder. You should start looking at majors that you are actually passionate about. Don't just try to major in something that you think will make you rich like being a doctor. You'll want to change your major in a few semesters if you are not passionate about it now. Also instead of partying all the time and shopping for clothes, get a part time job and start saving up for college. You think everything is going to be allright but in real life money just doesn't come your way easily and your parents aren't always going to be able to help you. If you have extra time, start taking GE classes at the community college so you can get ahead. Do your research now or you will be screwed if you wait till the last minute!!!

Danielle

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell my self that I need to fill out as many scholorships as I can. I would explain that college is nothing like highschool and that its nothing like I thought it was going to be, its hard work and that if you arent ready to put all of your time and committment into it, wait untill you are ready and willing to do that. Make sure that you are financially ready and set with the financial aid, scholorships and grants. The classes are short and fastpace and that feeling that you dont need to complete an assignment is not a good idea, you need to be prepaired to do everything that is assigned. The teachers rairly give second chances, they want you to succeed but they arent going to go out of their way to push you, that it all on you.

Amanda

Amanda, this is you in 2010. This is not just another adult telling you what to do or what's best for you. You may think you know what life is about, but in reality, you have no clue. Yes, you have had a challenging childhood with parents who are still struggling to fix their mistakes. Don't make the same mistakes they did. I know that you want a family, but they will need your support in ways you can't even think of. They will be counting on you to help them with their problems. So right now while it's just you, Focus on You. Don't worry about the future or what it will bring. Focus on what you can bring to the future. If you don't know, well, it's your Education. What you know stays with you forever. No one can ever take that away. There will be challenges, successes, and failures but no matter what continue to stay in school. Strive for your goals and stay focused.

Elizabeth

Me: "Why are you shooting yourself in the foot?" Past Me: "I'm not! It's the facts: my grades are just okay, I'm not great at sports, and I don't do volunteer work." Me: "If colleges were all looking for the same type of person, there wouldn't be so many out there to choose from. So what if you only managed a B in history? You got an A in physics, right? No one is the BEST at everything. Plus, you're involved in a variety of activities! Just because you're not volleyball captain, doesn't mean you don't contribute as part of the team. Your strengths and life experiences make you unique. You have drive. That's all you need. It's true, college is hard, but that doesn't mean you can't succeed. You will have so many choices ahead of you: scholastic and socially. Trust your instincts, don't ever tell yourself that you aren't good enough, and don't be afraid to ask for help. You?re expected to make mistakes; it?s part of learning, and part of becoming an adult. If you're unsure; think, breathe.

william

what would i do if went back in time to the end of my high school life going into college well i would harder. i worked very hard to get through high school but do to a learning desorder it was hard for me to retain some information. the program i was in had some contrall on what classes i was able to take and to them not letting me advance into some higher classes i got bored and and started to lack off. if i went back in time i would stay more vocause.

Janette

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would stress the importance of having a serious major in mind upon entering college and using my time wisely to prepare for it. Beginning your postsecondary education at a community college is a relatively inexpensive way to start working towards a degree, and because of this, it is also easier to remain "undecided" or change majors frequently and end up wasting time and money on classes not required for the major you really want to pursue. It is important to follow a plan so you don't end up regretting having randomly taken some classes unrelated to your major when you really should've taken the ones you need which would have meant graduating sooner. Another bit of advice I would share is: make the most of your classes! Learning the subjects is one thing, but fostering new personal and professional relationships with peers and professors is another important part of the college experience. Not only do you come away from your classes with newfound knowledge, but you also gain valuable networking and social skills that might come in handy in the future!

Zoua

Hey Zoua, I know life in high school is tough. It's easy to get caught up in your emotions, being so young and such. I know how important it might seem to you to spend time with friends and prioritze school success behind many other things. The sad truth is that all those things you may consider to be very important, they are all going to go away once you go off to college. Trust me, they are not going to matter. Do you remember all those things the teachers and counselors always say? They always tell you high school students to study hard, get good grades, do volunteer work, and participate in clubs. Well, believe me, they are right. If you do just that, you will be on your way to having a very successful education, life, and everything else. In college, you meet new people and make new friends who may truly be part of your life, for a very long time. So hold your head up high and keep your focus. Books are always the way to go!

Julie

I would tell myslef to not be so anxious about being on my own as an adult. That once you leave school and need to work to support yourself, its really hard to come back. Stay at home as long as you can and finish your college while you have someone willing to support you in food and shelter (your parents) because you will never have that opportunity again. There will always be jobs and income. The "real world" is always gonna be there waiting, do what you can now, take advantage of the opportunities now, so later you can BETTER support yourself and not need to fight and struggle to straddle work and school.

Jennifer

The truth is only this: You have not only the right, but also the responsibility as the artist that you will become to carve your own path, to pave your own road. The journey is long but the rewards are great. It will take you some time to achieve what you desire, time to hone even what that desire truly is, but know that each experience builds on the one before it. In each disparaging moment when you feel like throwing in the towel, in each defeat, there contains the seed for that moment of awe and beauty that you desire. It is when you are most down and out, and unable to move forward, that you find that wonder and beauty are right beside you, you just had to be willing to see it. Keep drawing. Keep looking. Keep moving. Paint as much as you can.

Maggie

Upon going back in time and talking to myself as a senior in high school, I would have quite a few things to say! However, there are three things that would be the most important. The first being, do not give up activities you love. I quit horseback riding for a number of years and missed it regrettably. Pastimes and hobbies are what keep us sane through times of stress and new situations. Secondly, explore new subjects and areas of study. I stuck to what I liked and knew after highschool: art, writing, and philosophy. It took me several years to take the environmental biology class that sparked my interest for sustainability and urban development. I was finally able to combine my love of art, math, and culture to find a path I really care about. Lastly I would say, finding yourself takes time. I would remind myself that not everyone knows what they want to pursue or accomplish. Discovering oneself is a lifelong process, and having an open mind and being patient with the frustrations and obstacles that come with it will be pleasantly rewarding.

Ericka

If I can go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself high school is a priority as a kid and college is a choice. I would also tell myself to search scholarships or any type of money that can help for school. Coming from a family that has low income is hard to pay for school, so please take any EOPS programs, financial aid, grants, book vouchers, etc it will be extremely helpful! College is really expensive now that I know; books, gas, parking, tuition. Know what you want career wise and find the right school match for you while attending community college for the first year after graduating. Work only part-time when attending college because it may get difficult at times depending how many units and what classes your gonna take. TUTORING! definitely take advantage of that because it will really help you with your classes, because passing classes is a must! You certainly do not want failing grades showing up on your transcript! It does not look good when transfering to 4-year universities. Please tell all of your senior friends to take all this into consideration!

Jean

As an adult student now, if I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would insist that I change how was living. As a teenager I did not have education as a priority. I understand now how everything in my life has been delayed because I did not focus on getting a college education.

michael

I would tell my senior high self to follow your instincts and take a leap. If you don't take that leap now, you might not get the chance to later. I would tell myself to take that leap, get into art school, even if it doesn't pan out, even if it costs tons of money. I would tell myself to never lose hope or doubt yourself, because life is too short and too amazing to give up on. That would be the only thing I would tell my past self.

anthony

well to be honest i wouldnt tell myself anything because everything happens for a reason. and you live and you learn so there is nothing i would change while i was in highschool as of now because i wouldnt noe where i would be headin if i changed anything back then.

Ebony

In the essence of now we cease to plan and remember. Contemplation of our academics isn't what concerns us but what concerns us the most is finishing the now and continuing on in our lives of--"of what?"--our college self asks. "Here in the next stage I hold the overwhelming power to freely discover where life's past and new revelations of contemplation will take time me." My advice to my senior self is to be busy to concern myself with excelling in not only academics, but to also involve myself in the community, school clubs, and camping trips. This is the advice of one that is left grappling with finding a social niche to ease the tension of the dizzy juggle of compounding course load, employment, study time and social amusement. ?Now is the time, high school self, to establish and discover a few strong buddies that will help you control the circus, and ground you in flight."

Devin

Hey. You've been in school a long time. The difference between before and now is you don't have to go to college. So figure out why you're going to college. Is it because everyone else is? Is it for your family? Is it for yourself? Make sure it's a good reason, because without a purpose, you will be lost in a sea of opportunity. Talk to everyone as soon as possible. Invest in community and relationships, and maintain your friendships from high school. Don't be afraid to do something no one else is doing - and that includes working harder and smarter than you ever have before. Imagine what and where you want to be in 10 years. Plan accordingly, but be flexible - never stay somewhere you don't want to be. Above all, have as much fun as humanly possible, because while school may feel like an eternity, people keep on shouting at me that life is short. They can't all be wrong, right?

Wendy

Do not underestimate classes or overestimate yourself. Several times I have made the mistake of thinking that a class was easy and did not require more studying or that I was smart enough to get an A so long as I read over the materials once. In High School your grade for a class was made up of many different tests and assignments, but in college, the majority of your grade is dependent on the few tests you take. I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to study hard for each and every test. Reading over the materials does not prepare you as much as you should be. Over-studying is always better than understudying; over-studying also prepares you better for future exams. In High School failing a test or two does not ruin your grade but in college tests are worth so much more. My advice to you is this: study hard for every test in every class even if you are given cheat sheets and note-cards; underestimate the class or overestimate yourself and I guarantee you that you will live to regret it.

Mary

I would tell myself that although, yes, it was time to have some fun, but not to lose sight of what I wanted, including an education. I lost sight of what I wanted after highschool and it was not until I had my son that I realized I had the same goals that I used to have as a high-schooler and my son gave me the motivation I needed to realize my goals. I became the first person to obtain their BA in my family and I am so proud of the example that I have led for my son.

Nicole

If I had the opportunity to go back in time when I was applying to colleges, I would have looked at colleges that were more local, and I would have applied for more scholarships. My freshman year, I attended UC Davis, and I didn't receive any finacial aid. Because the school was out of state, I paid a ridiculous amount for my education, and as a result, I was unable to go back to UC Davis this year. At first I was disappointed that I had to attend a community college, but I am saving thousands of dollars, and I am taking all the same classes that I would have at a four year college, but I am saving a copious amount of money. The best piece of advice I would have given myself if I could go back in time would be to go to a community college in order to save money, and to work as much as possible to save up in order to attend a four year university the last two years. It doesn't matter where I complete my lower division courses, the only thing that matters is that my degree says UC Davis.

Kevin

Never give up or doubt yourself for a second, it'll all be worth it in the end.

Kryst

Have something planned for life after high school.

Lauren

I let personal issues get in the way of me completing my classes. You could say I took two years off and then decided to start college. I would make sure to tell myself I deserve a higher education and not to let family or myself to take that away from me. Focus on your education and there will be plenty of time for relationships later. We often get involved in situations before we are ready. Right now I'm at the point where I should be transferring, but instead I'm barely getting started. Don't take time for granted or you'll be 20 and feel like you have nothing to show for it.