California Institute of the Arts Top Questions

If I could go back to highschool as a Senior I would plan better, address my weaknesses, and balance my passion for dance with schoolwork. Planning would have helped me avoid procrastination. I would learn to set reminders with a schedule to help me stay organized in order to complete tasks. Doing this would allow time for breaks and fun activities. Recognizing my challenges with math and writing would have helped me improve those skills. I would find tutoring and take advantage of the teacher’s office hours. I would learn to write more specifically and avoid generalizing. Recognizing my passion for dance, I would have used my free time better. Instead of playing with social media, I would have concentrated more on schoolwork so that I would not have fallen behind. I have been dancing for at least 10 years--bollywood, african, tap, jazz, contemporary and ballet. Dancing has been my major outlet to express myself and strengthen my confidence. Having performed in over ten shows and knowing what it takes to prepare for a show I would advise the need to plan, the need for specifics and the passion as part of making the transition to college life.

Having already lived through everything that you are about to, I know that for the most part your head is in the right place. The idea to go to community college because it’s cheaper and leaves room for experimentation, to continue living at home and working while you have that luxury, and to begin building steps toward what you’re currently passionate about are all things that you and I continue to pungently believe in. With that said, there are still some things that I’d like to advise. First, take the bus, and pay off those loans as you go. Debt is discouraging, and at that point in your life using your money to pay loans is of the utmost importance. Also, don’t look at core classes as something to just get done, but find something in them to put towards your passions. Doing this will make the work easier and more rewarding. Most importantly, always let love and passion fuel your advances. I won’t spoil anything for you, but trust me on this. Pursue what fills you with life, and it will lead you to truly living.

College has been an unique thing for me as a person even though i only have attended a summer course at a local college it just feels as if a chance if you hadn't had one to turn your life around and make more of yourself education wise and gives you more insight on the world and also gets you more prepared for success in this world. Being from a city where alot of kids dropout and or dont go on to the next level of high school because most dont have that type of work ethic and its just a fad for otheres i have stood up and decided to do more with myself as a person being a leader and not following fellow peers to make the best of myself so 5 years from now i will be able to look back at this moment of goin to school and say im glad i made that decision rather than being another statistic as being a young african american male either dead or in jail or struggling to make a living to provide for my daughter and thats also another reason why college so valuable God Bless.

To be able to meet people from different majors and be able to go to different performances, events, and visiting artists lectures that inspire and motivate. Also, you come across people that really affect you creatively and you build a lot of relationships and connections that are valuable to your future career. Cal Arts has a different vibe than other schools-- it is an extremely liberal school (no censorship policy) that nurtures everyones creativity in every angle. Everyone is very friendly, extrenely talented, and unique or different. By the 1st day of school, I felt right at home and it just felt right. Having one huge buliding as the school campus allows mingling among different majors and it's easy to do collaborative work. Every Thursday there is a gallery opening where people can view artists' works and socialize. I can't imagine going to any other school than Cal Arts-- it fits me 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c}.

College is an ironic, invaluable experience. Einstein Believed that school destroys a student's natural curiosity and I agree. I remember being mad about restricting my life to school and work. What about that wonderful balance that Maslow made so much emphasis on? I remember being mad about having having to read wonderful literature from Dante, Sophocles, etc. because I did not have time to enjoy it, because I was only preparing for a test. It is true that school destroys our natural curiosity because not only does it limit us to what it teaches, but it makes us hate knoweldge because of all the rules that are associated with it in college. Schools' rules are a negative reinforcement that makes us believe unconcsiously that there is a direct correlation between knowledge and negative experiences. However, If we are open minded, we can forget for a minute about society, and focus on what we want to learn! Be it science, literature, physics, philosophy or business. The possibilities are limitless! Because of college I am a more literate person who appreciates life in a new, very special way. I know now that I can be whoever I choose to be!

I believe that the college experience is the most important, profound, inspiring and exciting adventure that one can embark upon in hs or her lifetime. There is no greater opportunity for self-improvement, professional networking or building lifelong friendships. In fact, my oldest and dearest friends are those that I met while I was training to become an actor at CalArts. Those bonds of friendship that I formed were the basis for an education that endured long after I graduated. When one engages in a higher education, it is the beginning of a personal evolutionary process, which, in my case is continuing to this very day. The process that I speak of is the process of seeking the truth of oneself. When one understands the self, one is illuminated to the limitless potential that exists within oneself and all living beings. My mentor, Dr. Daisaku Ikeda states, "Victor Hugo wrote that those who open schools close down the prisions. This is his way of expressing symbolically the significance of education. The opening of schools sheds the light of humanity on society and does away the need for prisions, which symbolize darkness."

If I could go back with some advice to myself as a senior to help me better adapt to college life, it would be a pretty basic concept, which for some reason, is a very hard one to grasp: procrastination, and taking initiative. Even in the first few months of college, I?ve had many opportunities where if I had taken initiative earlier, I would?ve been much better off, such as losing a credit for being too scared to turn in a late essay and others where if I didn?t take initiative I would have been much worse off. These are skills I believe need both in high school, college, and is applicable all throughout life as a successful, responsible adult. If only I could go back to myself as a senior in high school, after the initial shock and explanation of why I came back in time, I would grab myself by the shoulders and I would say ?Senior Jenny, learn this now! Why learn in a year for 40,000 dollars, what you could learn now for free!?

If you are not ready to leave home, dont. nothing is wrong chillin for a little while and going to community college.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, knowing what I know now about college like and making the transition, I would tell myself not to stress over whethe or not I made the right school choice as though it might make or break my future opportunities. The most important lessons I have learned have to do with performing to the best of my ability in every situation so to open doors and increase opportunities no matter where I am or what stage of development and self assuredness I am at. I put too much emphasis on making my mind up concretely about what I wanted for my future at a time where I could not have known what I would want for myself in four to six years, let alone what I wanted for myself in a week. If I could talk to myself as a senior I would tell myself to follow my heart, because passion is crucial, but most importantly to believe in myself and work my hardest no matter what so that if my passion evolves, I will have the skills to do anything.

Jahcobie it is important that you start building a portfolio for youself, and organizing the connections that will help enrich you at CalArts. Get serious about how you are going to afford school an living. Your an adult so you need to advocate for yourself. Finally, remember you make life what you want it to be.