San Francisco State University Top Questions

If I could go back in time I would tell myself "It's real. It's going to happen and you better do something to make sure you choose the right place for you." I was under the misconception that I could flourish at any school, so I didn't put any thought into the application process. I would also tell myself that "It's not going to be easy. Friends don't come in a day and you have to be brave." Once I was in college I assumed it would be fun right away, but it's hard. You're away from your family and friends and you're completely thrown out of your comfort zone and you just have to deal with it and make the best of it. The last piece of advice I would give myself is to not let anyone discourage me. I had a lot of people tell me I coldn't get in to good schools, but as a transfer student now, I realize schools accept a diversity of people and you just have to try your hardest and not let anyone dictate your limitations.

Through the lens of a college student who has undergone much change through the various experiences that have opened my eyes to a world more insightful, I honestly wouldn't give myself any advice as a high school senior if I were given the opportunity to go back in time. My experience in high school was filled with moments that I cherish so fondly. I took risks, I made mistakes, I learned. These moments gave way to continuing clarity and growth. However, I would leave myself with this quote, "Each person you meet is like a book ready to share its knowledge and wisdom. The quality of your existence is measured by the depth and volume of your library."

try even harder to get in to a better school, or even get in to the same school again. but just try harder than now in order for more choices.

If i i could go back I would tell myself to apply for more scholarships and take college more seriously. I did take applying for college seriously but I could've done more research on my own.

I'd tell myself to start alot sooner, to take chances, to bridge the gap, to ask questions, to move on and take on the challenge, to not be scared and make the most of life and pursue the dream even if you dont know the dream yet.

I am not the kind of person who wishes to turn back the clock. I recall myself at the rip old age of 18. I knew everything. I highly doubt that I could convence myself of anything. Besides, the worst vise, is advice. I wouldn't say anything to myself except that I have a grad adventure ahead of me.

Don't fall into the trap of going into a "safe" degree just because your afraid. But if you do do this because you can't find your passion, just keep looking. Don't ever stop going to school or take a semester off; you're bound to leave for longer than you plan. Instead, utilize everyone around you: family, friends, counselors, professors, music teachers, high school teachers, etc. These are the people who have watched you grow and can help you find what will satisfy you most in life. Take classes in other fields, go to community college and experiement, have fun. Your career is not about money, it's about doing what you love to make a difference on this earth. Stability and success will follow once you are on the path you are passionate about. Learn from other people's mistakes and don' t make them yourself. Don't live a life of regret, think about the future every second of the day. Figure our what will fulfill you and remember that helping others and doing your part to make our society better is usually the biggest step where most find their greatest joy and sucess.

If I could meet myself in the past as a high school senior, I would encourage myself to ponder where I saw my future self and what steps I would need to take to get there. I would tell myself to follow the path that balanced my inspirations with practicality and to use the opportunities presented to me. I would engage my past self on time management, balancing work, education, and my social life. I would remind myself that there are resources available to me that may help me on my path and that I do not have to take on every challenge alone.

If I could go back in time and talk my self through college, I would tell myself three key words, stay cool, calm and collected. It is an overwhelming process, especially moving away from home directly from high school. After having everything done for you, paid for, no worries about meals, then, all of a sudden you are alone. College experiences allow you to grow and learn from these processes and even appreciate the ease of home. There were definitely times where I just wanted to break down because I didn't know how to deal with the stress, loneliness and overall change. It was like learning how to ride a bike, I had to learn how to pedal with each phone call from home and tell myself that I was able to get through this change. Socially and emotionally my struggles have only made me stronger and learned to appreciate all I have worked for. In the end, everything has turned into memories that will stay with me forever because of my continuoues learning experiences at San Francisco State University and the unique city of San Francisco.

Go to a school away from home.

Be who you are, have fun, stay responsible, don't take any of it for granted.

Sign up for FAFSA asap! Sign up for scholarships. While going to school, only work at a job that will help to develop your self and prepare you for your career. Its not worth your time to work at a fast food restaurant or a low paid job if it cuts into your study time!

Now that I've experienced the college life, there would be a few things that I would advise myself if I was able to talk to myself as a high school senior. Because college is a totally differene scene than that of high school, I would tell myself to remain open-minded to the new environment, yet to stay true to myself. Also, in college, there are many new people to meet; however, I would advise and remind myself to surround myself with people who are able to challenge, encourage, and be honest to me.

If you are going to be moving far from home to attend university - definitely give it at least 6 weeks. I was so homesick the first month all I could think about was going home. Once I settled in a little bit and started become more curious about my new surroundings I was so much more relaxed and confident in my decision.

Stay Focused in school because its easy to get off track and use all the help you can getwith classes or papers. In the end it will only benefit you.

The advice I would give myself would be, to inform myself that college is nothing like high school because the amount of studying needed for each class is much more than you would expect. It is important to maintain your grades because one bad grade can heavily affect the final grade you get in a certain class. If you struggle to capture everything your teachers teach during class, there are many tutors available on campus and you should take advantage of them especially if they don't charge you. Always stay focused and strive to keep away from bad influences.

Take high school as seriously as possible, and you will be prepared for the vigorous intellectual and academic road ahead of you in college!

The advice I would give myself in enior year would be to take more Advanced Placement classes. By taking AP classes I could have bypasses many General Education courses. This would result in getting my degree faster, saving money and time. Also I would advise myself to try and become more independent in preparation to college. For instance going to places alone so in college it woud not have been such a change. Lastly I would have told myself in my senior year to get a summer job, having a bit more spending money would be nice now.

Before applying for college applications it is important to research ahead of time about the colleges that I am interested in and see what kind of majors the schools are offering, extracurricular programs, and how is the campus life is. I will tell myself to take high school seriously and take advantage of any college preparatory programs that will help me with my SAT exam and writing in a college level essay. I would also tell myself not to have any jobs during my high school year because I have my whole life to work. Friends come and go, it is not worth cutting school and hanging late nights out on the weekend because you will not able to concentrate in school and sooner or later will regret it when you attend college because you will not have good studying habits. Do not think that high school is easy because once you reach college life you will have a transition to a whole different environment. Everything and everyone are over achievers and know what they want to be in life. It does not mean that you have to change yourself in order to fit in with the crowd.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior , I would definitely have to think about the best way to get my point across without scaring me off. Knowing that education is no cheap and easy game, I would have to let myself know both the pros and cons. A pro is that on average , college graduates earn more than their peers who do not have a degree. A con might be that you may not be able to finish college over night, and depending on when and how you choose your major, you might be in college longer than you planned. Ultimately I would sell myself on the aspect of becoming educated enough to help my community since it would have appealed to my emotional and moral self. A person is able to help and serve their community when they have rightfully served themselves through education and developing life skills. I would also have to highlight the social aspect of college to myself and perhaps seal the deal with mention of the opportunity of international studies. I don't think I knew enough about college life when I was in high school.

i would had study more hard.

I would advise myself to take several Science related courses to better prepare myself so they would not seem so new in college. I would tell myself to experiment with my career goals by volunteering. I have found my passion in regards to what career I want to follow, but by volunteering, I could be so helpful to society as well as having the chance to learn things that I can only learn from experiencing what the job entails. I would tell myself to keep up my studying discipline and to not deviate from that because being focused means that I have high chances of excelling. I would tell myself that hardships come our way, but it is by working hard and never giving up that we reach our goals. Knowing that all the scholarship and grant opportunities would be extremely helpful in college would give me a peace of mind to focus on school. I would tell myself that working hard to give my all in high school, learning studying techniques, organizational skills, financial opportunities will build me up into becoming the best I can, to become a better skilled professional, more ready for what awaits for me.

Just to take things slowly.

You may think that you're all grown up going away to college but let me tell you you're not. You need to be careful, you won't have anyone to tell you no. Almost all of your rules are thrown out the door if you've moved out of your parents place. The next couple of years are going to change you, and you're really going to gain a sense of who you are and where you stand through the many experiences, good and bad, that you will have. Make sure to give yourself a break from studying, enjoy a few nights out with friends. Be brave enough to stand up against peer pressure. Realize that one more drink could be one too many. Don't be selfish and not call for help if a friend has drank too much because you're afraid of getting into trouble. Their life is more valueable than your pride. Experiment if you want, but be in a safe enviornment. Let yourself grow and enjoy every minute. Live in the moment.

If I could go back and talk to myself...this is something, though I love my life and what it has given me, that I always think about. So often I wonder where my life would be if things were different in highschool. Sure I had friends applying to college, my closest friend went to UC Berkely, I didnt take her lead. I had no idea how to even begin applying to college. It was never expected of me to go off to college or do anything but go to the Community College. My parents didn't push me, I wasn't in honors classes so my teachers didn't help. I stayed behind. If I could go back to highschool and talk to myself, I'd tell myself to ask questions, to not be scared, to apply. I'd answer all the questions I had that made me skeptical to apply that I still have even now. I'd tell myself how great this life could be. No one in my family went off to college let alone got an Associates Degree. I would give myself the pep talk my parents never gave when I needed it the most.

I am a resident assistant for freshman at San Francisco State University. As result, this year I am experiencing a sense of community that was lacking my freshman year of college. If I were able to go back to a time before I went to college I would advise myself to get more involved in extracurricular activies outside of the classroom. Not only would this have enhanced my freshman experience, but also it would have helped to be less homesick since I go to school 400 miles away from my hometown. Now as an RA I am able to give incoming freshman the advise I wish I would have been given. Additionally, my younger sister also attends the same university as me, and I made sure that she was involved in many different groups on campus. Creating a community will help new students assimilate to a new environment and ultimately encourage success during their freshman year.

If I were to go back in time as a high school senior, I could've told myself to work harder on the Math portion of my college entrance exam because I didn't want to be placed in that Math 60 and 70 courses during my first two semesters. These courses are remedials for people who did not meet the minimal requirement on their ELM exam. Basically, people who are taking these math classes are taking it for no credit, which is a complete waste of time in college. Now I'm taking a statistics course as a sophmore at SF State. This statistics class is lectured upon college level math. This course is a class taken with college credit that goes towards my General Ed math requirement. If I was to pass my ELM exam, I could've been placed directly into this Statistics course and not waste my first year taking remedial math courses. Overall, the low score on my ELM exam gave me a bad head start, math-wise, in the first year of college. I could have done better, but I just did not have the knowledge to pass the exam with the minimal score.

Looking back, I believe that there are three things that all highschool seniors should know about college : to be open to new experiences, to be open to the future and to be open to yourself. Being open to new experiences means discarding any previous expectations you might have had about college. Everyone experiences things in different ways, so I find it best to let things happen as they will and take them in the best possible way. Furthermore, being open to the future is a huge part of college. Sometimes things can become clouded with uncertainty. What major to choose? What career to pursue? Where will I end up? In all the worrying and anxiety, it is important to remember that the future will come no matter what. All you can do is prepare for it in the here & now. Lastly, be open to yourself. The years spent in college are often life-changing years. You are discovering what it means to be "you" and things about yourself that you never knew before. It is truly a time when you come into your own. Don't let anybody tell you differently. There is so much to be learned.

In retrospect I realize there were a lot of things I could have done in order make my life a lot easier than and now. First thing I would have told myself to do is study for the ELM and EPT placement test. I didn?t know that ELM and EPT would have such a huge impact on the classes I had to take. My low test scores really put an anchor on my free sailing to graduating on time. Second I would have told myself to establish better communication with my parents who are supporting me through college. I would have asked them each how much they were willing to pay for my education because now im at the mercy of their day to day moods. Each day is a new text saying they can?t pay for their share or they can pay. It is very frustrating because I would have looked for more student loans had I known it would be this way. I would have also told myself that despite all the hardships I may face in the future I would overcome them thanks to my perseverance and my positive attitude.

For the most part, I think I picked a college that's a good fit for me, but I wish that I had been more relaxed during the college process. I worried a lot about which college would be best for me and if I would find friends that wanted to get to me for who I am. I would advise my high school senior self and other students to not to worry too much about finding the "perfect school". Find a school where you can picture yourself being a successful student and reaching your academic potential, a school where you can find students who are completely different, or even students who have many common interests. Look for a college where you can become involved in activities and events that you are passionate about, and where there are people that are always there to support you. Basically, seek a school where you have the ability to be the happiest person you can be.

If offered, take college courses ahead of time, so you can be ahead of the game. Take really good notes and study everytime possible. Try to save up as much money as possible. Apply to a community college first then transfer, this way tuition will cost less and save you money. Take college courses in the summer, so you can graduate from college in exactly four years. Just keep up the good work and don't procrastinate.

I have a question for Daeniel Francisco Macarayo: do you really know what's ahead of you? Well let me tell you, college is a completely different experience from the lifestyle back home. Many high school seniors can assume what college would be like, but then again, those are only ideas. The best advice that I can give you is to always have an open mind for unfound knowledge and to never forget where you came from. College is a good experience to network with others who have similar interests--also different ones--and to grow from them. The space and freedom given to you offers a chance to look into your own cultural roots and identity, using that knowledge, and giving back to the community. But don't get too excited, for college is an opportunity to learn things in the university classroom that you haven't got a chance to learn in those high school classrooms. Time management is an important task to master. I admit that my first semester was a bit rocky in the time managing department. You get a new chance to learn new things, meet new people, and to make a difference.

I would tell myself to work harder than before in life. However, that would be a contradiction to life because life is based on experiences and learning is based on experiences -- both literally and academically. Working harder in terms of avoiding certain uncomfortable experiences such as: the emotion heartbreak of separating with the first girlfriend/lover as well as understanding the meaning and value of life. School really does provide the foundation in building a solid life for those who seek to betterment their life; not only for themselves but for their family, friends, community, country and the world.

Like many high school students, I constantly looked for ways to save time and effort. I chose shorter paths that cut through the trees, read the CliffsNotes instead of the entire book, and crammed for tests rather than studying diligently throughout the semester. If I could advise my high school self, I would explain that true shortcuts are nonexistent. The knowledge obtained from earnest study rather than frantic learning is deep and lasting. As your studies become more focused, the strong foundation of past learning is invaluable. Without background knowledge, you will eventually need to recover lost information. And trust me, re-teaching yourself can be a long and painful process! Learning builds upon learning. Someday, you will want and need long-term retention of your education. Additionally, the long road supports meaningful relationships and experiences. Lasting friendships and significant endeavors require time and effort. In these matters, shortcuts are impossible. Academic and social success comes with the price of persistence, hard work, and self-discipline. Managing time wisely does not mean accomplishing more in less time. Rather, it means choosing to do worthwhile activities with significant people in the time that you have. Do not shortcut your college life!

CHILL OUT! You are going to love college and no one really cares that you are not Valedictorian or good at any sports or even that you bought all your clothes at the Goodwill. All those people who never talk to you now? They will soon, on a thing called Facebook, and they are going to act like you were always best friends. They are going to marvel at your accomplishments and congratulate your sucesses. You life is going to take turns you could never imagine and, believe it or not, you are going to be just fine.

Go along wiht the student's choice. I believe that students have analyzed and made their best choices by the tihey graduate high school.

Make sure to do a campus visit during a normal school day. You need to make sure that the campus feels right and that you are going to be okay spending the next few years there. Also make sure to try and become active on campus with either a fraternity or sorority. Eat on campus, peek in on classes, and get a good feeling of what is around campus and beyond the confines of campus. It really makes a difference in picking a school, and making sure it feels right!

When looking for a college that fits your child, be sure not to believe the hype of "big name " schools, from my personal experience, the school that fits best, is often the one you wouldn't expect. San francisco State Univerisity is a fun active school. The choice of college is a major one, be sure to be open with your child's feelings and choices. College is a place to explore new things and meet new people, and of course learn!

Basically I think that the parents should allow their sons/daughters to choose the college of their choice on their own. That's basically what I was faced with doing. I had to step up and pay for my own tuition and books. It was my own decision so I feel more responsible for my life/career. I am so glad that I chose SFSU because this school fits my personality perfectly. I am a business marketing and finance major and I am loving all of my classes here. I think that if my parents would have chosen my school that I wouldn't have felt as confident about my school/education as I do know. I also think that it is the students choice to decide because they need to feel right in the place that they will ultimately be living at for the next four years of their life; so it should be their own decision. Also I encourage parents to take their sons/daughters to visit as many campuses as possible to see what's out there and if they like the campus/atmosphere. I was lucky enough to find that place where I can be myself.

To find the right college, make sure to check out the campus and to research the brochure along with the school book to learn what they offer and how descriptive they describe the courses. Make sure the cost fits your economic background, unless you are the next Albert Einstine or Hemingway. Upon checking out the campuses, figure out which is the most comfortable, due to the racial diversity and the campus size. Make sure the college offers what you are interested in, applied to your majors and interests.

I think more than anything people should not limit themselves due to money. I think that might be some people's biggest mistake not taking risks because they are scared of debt or of not being able to make it, try it, believe me once you are here you will find that even if you are in debt , it is worth it. Parents try to not be sacred of distance, it's probably one of the biggest learning experiences for you as well as your child. Being successful in college from what I have found is being able ot manage time and having limits. If you know you have three hundred pages to read in a week divide those three hundred pages by seven, so then you space out your study time appropiately. Time managment is key, and being able to know when it's time to work and not play.

To find the right college, I suggest that students should visit the colleges to which they plan to apply. By doing so, they can see how the school, the students, and the staff are like before they make final decision. The other way that they can check out the school is talking with school alumni who definitely would provide a detailed information about those schools. In order to succeed in college and make the most of the college experience, the students must manage their times well, meaning scheduling times for academic works and social activities. If they do a good job in balancing the times well, they will have wonderful college experiences. Furthermore, the students should not hesistate in seeking for help when encountering personal issues and academic problems because schools' facilities such as counseling and tutoring programs are designed to help them. Thus, they should take advantage of the resources that are available for them to use.

Visit the college and try to attend some classes before you make your decision. This will give you a better idea of what campuslife is like and whether it is a place that you will want to spend the next four years of your life.

You are spending a lot of money on this experience and your education for the next 4 years will be with you for the rest of your life. Make sure to fully research the schools you choose, especially with their courses offered, amount of students, international programs, and club activites. If you choose the right school, you will have the best 4 years of your life!

Take your time, follow your dreams, get plenty of sleep, eat healthy foods, and never give up.

Try to find a place that you feel comfortable in. If that's not possible for the moment, then it's definitely alright and probably worth your time to transfer.

To students I would say, If you don't know what you want to do for the rest of your life, it doesn't matter where you go as long as you get out of the house and live on your own. To parents I would say let your kids make their own mistakes, if they won't listen to your sound advice they have to learn the hard way, let it happen.

It's a good idea to research what fields are most likely to be hiring in 4-5 years so there are jobs available when you graduate.

Finding the right college is not the importatnt part, is what you can offer and your goals in being in college. That's what make the experience worth while, and just be proactive!

Many graduating high school students make a beeline rush for the most distinguished University. That is all fine if you know exactly what area of study you want to go into without hesitance. Many prospective college students do not know which area they want to go into and upon landing in a high calibur University, find themselves in a stressful whirlwind of potential career choices. Even when you think you know where you want to go with your life, there is always the irritating itch of competition and the floating candle down the alternate path of interest. If you have a slightest amount of doubt, take things slowly. Apply to a large diversity of Universities; pulic, private, and community. Maybe by the time acceptances roll around, you will have a better idea. It does not hurt to start at the community college level, find where your interests lie, and then transfer to the institution of your choice. It is not necessarily the most decorated University that you should apply for, but the one with the greatest curricular diversity.