California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo Top Questions

The independence that I've gained from moving away from home has been very valuable. I knew even before I was considering any colleges that I needed to leave home and attend a place where I wouldn't have all of the luxuries that I constantly enjoyed there. I was very carefree in high school; I didn't put much consideration into what it would mean to live without my parents' support and I wasn't very motivated to find out. I had a comfortable life and I was taken care of, but I knew that I wouldn't always be able to live like that, and college was the opportunity that I needed to realize the importance of taking the initiative and learning how to look after myself.

Through my college experience, I learned to become a better student. Because of Cal Poly's challanging program, and through the teaching, guidance and experience of my professors I learned more about myself and my needs as a student, developed successful study skills and habits, as well as developed a clearer idea of my professional interests and goals.

I have gotten out of my college experience that college is very tough. If you want to be successful you have to stay commited to what you are doing and work hard. Although college can be tough at times you have to push though it, and see the light at the end of the tunnel.

I've learned a lot about journalism since I started college, and I feel much more prepared to start a career. College is a great learning experience for more than just academics. I've learned how to live on my own, doing things like cooking, paying bills, and taking care of myself. It's also a great place to meet people, make friends, join clubs, and travel abroad. I have learned valuable life lessons as well as skills to be a successful journalist.

I have learned about myself in ways that I have not yet imagined. I was able to crawl out of my shell that I had lived in for so long and was able to prosper in this new environment. There are enough people on campus to find someone to hang out with, discuss lecture topics, and to just have fun. Even though I have only attended Cal Poly for a quarter and a half, I feel that the experiences and the knowledge that I have gained have proved to be invaluable in current times and for the future. I was able to find my own niche and to bask in the relaxed atmosphere of people who are there to learn and to have a great time doing so. In the beginning, I was not so sure if this college would be right for me, but now I am absolutely positive that it is perfect for me. I can't imagine myself studying anywhere else.

College has changed me. I was once an ignorant girl who thought she knew what life was about. I hadn?t seen California, the state I live in. I didn?t know most of it was green. I thought there were a lot of Los Angeles cities scattered though out it. College has open my eyes to the world, I now realize that the world doesn?t revolve around me, but that I'm part of the world that is always changing. Every day I learn something new at CalPoly. CalPoly is the best thing that could have happened to me, and it has completely changed the way I think and view the world. It has also showed me a lot of aspects of life and personal growth I never could be seen or achieved. It hasn?t always been easy (the college experience) I had to learn how to learn, how to be a good student, how to manage my money, but at the end it pays off. Sometimes I think if I just leave it, then I won?t have to deal with it, but dealing with it (school) is the reason why I get up every morning.

The most important thing an incoming freshman should remember is to become involved and do it as soon as you enter college. At my school we have a weeklong orientation program for freshman that help them adjust to like in college, but the program offers it in a fun, non-threatening, and alcohol free atmosphere. This is vital to freshman success because freshmen are able to meet other people and become involved in the community and the school. This is the most important way to make the best transition to college. Freshman should always do orientation programs if offered, and they should also join at least one club or activity that interests them because then they meet people with similar interests and beliefs as them that can be a support group. It also gives a freshman belonging and a place at the college. The most important thing is to become involved because then the transition is easier.

If I could go back, I would not focus on telling myself to meet everyone I can and live life to the fullest. The advice I would give myself would be to have high self-esteem and be comfortable with my body. I matured at a very young age, so I was harassed in school and was given unwanted attention from both guys and girls. In high school, I had terribly low self-esteem and I would constantly put myself down. I was self-conscious about everything on my body; my breasts were too large, my toes were too long, my hands were manly. By my freshman year of college, it got so bad that my boyfriend threatened to break up with me. I, too, was sick of my low self-esteem. The next day, I started to write a list about all the things I loved about myself?my curly hair, my green eyes, my nose?and the list went on and on. From that day forward, I changed. I went through a revelation and transformed myself into a confident and comfortable young woman. And to make it a fairy tale ending, I am still with my wonderful boyfriend.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell my reluctant self to take that computer class at the other school despite the inconvenience of getting there. I would tell myself that Mom is not the convenient taxi I have come to rely on. What I really need to do is get my bike fixed to get myself to that class. I need the exercise anyway. And maybe with more exercise I would take fewer naps and that would in turn help me adjust my sleeping schedule at night. ?Staying up late will really cause you problems!? is what I need to shout at my old self. In taking that computer class, I could open my eyes earlier to a world that I now know I will really enjoy and I won?t have to spend any of my college time regretting what I didn?t do in the past. If my old self had been more motivated, I could have been farther ahead on the programming learning curve than I am now. "With the simple use of a calendar, you can balance everything you want to accomplish".

There is so much to take advantage of in high school. What was seemingly hard isn't remotely as difficult as what is experienced in College. Solidifying basics in Math are the key to success in any math class here. Solidifying an efficient study program is what makes a successful student in college. Senioritis is ridiculus when thought about because it only allows you to think that college is any bit easier than high school. What a false statement that is. Nothing will ever be more difficult than what you will experience in college and you need to arm yourself against what you will experience while it is easy to do so.