Bakersfield College Top Questions

What should every freshman at Bakersfield College know before they start?

Molly

My parents got divorced when I was a high school senior. My mom moved to another state with my siblings, leaving my dad and I in an empty, foreclosed house. I had a really rough time adjusting to the divorce, the move, and to college all at once. If I could go back and give my high school self a piece of advice, it would be this: life will never get easier. Life will always be a struggle because for you, if it's not one thing, it's another. Obstacles will never go away completely, just change form. Remember how much you struggled with a short essay? Well now, it's a 10 page research paper. You just have to drag yourself out of bed and slap on a happy face because "that's life"! The last, and perhaps most practical piece of advice: utilize flash cards as if your life depends on it.

Terrie

College can make a hugh difference in your future! It can define who you are as a person. If you want a better life for yourself and your future family's life, you have to plan for the future today and not wait until tomorrow. Tomorrow comes all too quickly and before you know it, you are stuck in a low paying job that you wish you could get out of. You think," if only I had gone to college when I had the chance, things would have been different." There is still time, even for one in my late years, I plan to make a difference by encouraging my children to stay in school by seeing their Mother "practice what I preach, " by returning to college and getting my degree. You too can make a difference, stay in school, learn all you can, and then give back.

Susana

I woud advise my future self to not stress so much, because God has a plan. I would also advise myself to remain open to all options. And I would advise myself to work hard and save up money. These are the things I would advise myself because they are the things I have kept in mind this year. This year of hard work and patience, because I was not able to attend my dream school. I took it pretty bad when I found out I would not be able to attend, but with the support of my friends and family, and most importantly, God, I saw the good in the situation. I was so closed off to all other options that I almost was not able to get into any classes at my current college. This year, I am now open to the fact that it may not work out again. This year's hard work has earned me $7,000 dollars, all which will aid me to attend my dream school in the fall. Unfortunately, my parent's income won't be able to help me this year, so any financial aid amount makes a difference.

Lindsey

If I could go back in time to my high school self I would have a lot to say. When it comes to choosing the college I would want to attened it would of been given more thought. Think about what I truely wanted to do with my life and reasearch, apply, and to not be afraid of going away from home. I would tell myself to go for my dreams and get out of bakersfield and find a better college for the goals I want to achieve. I would also tell myself to apply for more scholarships, grants, and any form of financial aid I could because it is harder then it seems when it comes to paying for school. I know Bakersfield College is not a horrible school but I know I should have went to the higher ranked schools I was accepted too. If I had done that I think I would have stayed on track and actually have learned more for my money.

welby

Stay fit. You can stay fit as a high school student when it's easy...or you can suffer back into shape walking around the campus. If you have healthy habits now, then you won't suffer the "freshman 15". Don't do this... I don't want to be fat! So when you come into college please mind this. Secondly, study hard so that you can enjoy the future.

Mayra

I believe that the most valuable experience I have had in college is that I had an oppurtunity to meet new people. I have enjoy getting to know people of different background, both religious and racial. It is such an experience to be able to share our belief and goals with each other and although we may come from different backgrounds, have different ideas and opinions, we all come together with the same goal in mind. And that goal is to a attain a higher education degree.

Jubilee

I would tell myself to strive harder and not get discouraged because there is only more work to be done ahead of me. College is a place to start over and finally start working toward what u will be doing with your life. LIkewise, there are many resources that the college provides. Seek them out and use them. Don't think that you stop learning after high school because learning is growing. It may be tough to adjust to the times of classes or the professors or students, but all of it will pay off in the end. Education is not cheap, so don't take it for granted. Stay forcused. Going to school will become a choice but so is being successful. You can never learn too much. Good luck in college and enjoy it!

Molly

As a high school senior, I had a strong desire to flee the city and be independent, no matter where or what I was doing. In my haste to escape, I ignored the crucial step of goal setting and class planning. As an undeclared major, I had made no structured plan and therefore felt no need to adhere to one; skipping classes and ignoring schoolwork. I was quickly put on probation and disqualified from school, riddled with debt and leaving community college back home as my only option. I wish I could go back in time and tell myself to wait to escape until I had a strong and plausible plan for success. Having a major that you love is the first step, no matter how wild it seems. Secondly, picking classes that can overlap from General Ed to major requirements will save tons of time and money. Third, and this may be the toughest, try to find roommates with similar goals, so that you can help each other achieve them, and not have to face the peer pressure to skip responsibilities. Last, having fun is important, but save it as a reward for having done good work.

DANIELA

this is my choice and my future is at stake with the choices that i make, so make the best of my life and succeed to become the best i can be.

Claudia

Since I was a first generation highschool student, I did not realize the value of college. I look at my younger sister , who is now a senior, and I see what how many opportunities I could have had if I had applied myself more in highschool. If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself that I have potential. I would convince my younger self that if I want to experience the college life, to strive for the best. I would explain how scholarships given because of my grades would ease the financial burden that I have today. I would also mentional all the doors that would open, such as school choices, because of my efforts. I would have so much to tell myself, but most of all I would say that it's never too late. It took me two years of college to realize what I could have done differently when first I started college. I learned my mistakes, but since I cannot go back in time, I tell myself today, "It is never too late."