California State University-Long Beach Top Questions

In high school, I was constantly concerned about getting into that perfect school. The one I had falling madly in love with. So when I first applied for colleges, I only appied to one; Long Beach State. This was the only place I wanted to be. Only there was one problem. I didnt get in. I went to community college my first semester of college, something I never invisioned myself doing. I was pathetic, but not because I was at Mount San Jacinto Community. I was pathetic because I had convinced myself that because I was in this place, I was a failure. I had not only hit rock bottom, I had thrown myself there. Then I got a letter. Long Beach State was inviting me to enroll for their spring term. That was when I realized it wasnt about how I got to where I wanted to be. The important thing was that I got there. I didnt fail by going on the path I had. I had become stronger because of it. And if I could go back knowing what I do now, I would take a breath and think. There are no shortcuts to anywhere worth going.

First and foremost, do not be lazy! Do well in your Extracurricular and academic lives because it will help gear you towards good study habits. Remember to grab as many AP scores and credits if you can, it all pays off in the long run. Even if you aren't doing well academically, don't be afraid to see what you can do to boost it, or supplement it. It's important to talk to your professors and go in at office hours, even if it is just to say hi. It will help you, believe me. The more assertive and more curious you are, the better chance you have in suceeding. Remember that and never stop asking questions or getting outside of your comfort zones!

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to never give up and that life gets better. High school was not the best for me, and in college I definitely was able to find myself. As much as I am overall happy with my current university, I may have told myself to apply to other universities as well. When in high school, a little thing goes wrong and you feel like your life is over. I would have tried to explain that things get better and you grow and learn from your mistakes. Also, i would tell myself that the friends in high school may not be the most important people in your life, and that as you get older, you find people that you click with that you will be truly compatible with. Being open minded going into college is another thing that is important, because you meet so many new and interesting people with ideas that you may not be used to hearing. College is fun and exciting, and is definitely a new beginning to your life.

College is important to me because it is the first step of doing something on my own. No one can force you to go to college. It is up to each of us to do so. People that go to college want to be something more in life. They want to make better salary than they would by just attending high school. This is important nowadays because many jobs want people that have went to college and earned a degree. By ending our education at the high school level is not enough anymore. We have to achieve for greater things in life and college is the first step in doing that. As my first semester in college, I would have to say that being in college is so much freedom and you must use it wisely. I learned that I must manage my time for studying or else I won't succeed in any of my classes. This I know now.

I have made many friendships at my college. I want to transfer and meet new people and have the oppurtunity to network with other students. I am in love with Journalism and I am a people person, so everything I am involved in at my college involves communicating with others. Working for my college's newspaper has given me the oppurtunity to meet the college president and other great people that work hard at my college. So far it has been an amazing experience at the college and transfering to another college will only further my journey in Journalism.

CSULB is a school infused with cultural diversity and sensitivity. Despite not being completely satisified with my major, it was through one of my classes that I became compelled to take up my minor in Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies. In my experience, my minor really challenged what I thought I knew about different communities. The education I received allowed me to be more aware and empathetic towards the many populations I hope to serve after I attend graduate school. As a social worker, I feel that it is imperative to educate yourself on the needs of your clients. CSULB provided the tools and resources for me to do just that as a professional. Additionally, as I worked full-time through school, I recognized the practicality in projects assigned to students. I felt many of them were applicable to professional environments. Overall, I believe that my experiene at CSULB was beneficial to both my personal as well as my professional growth.

College has been the most exhilerating and liberating experience of my life. I am a first generation college student, and I have worked extremely hard all of my life to achieve what my parents never even attempted. I feel very priveleged to be able to experience college to the utmost. I am proud of my involvement on campus as well as my academic achievement as I have made the dean's list multiple times in my time on campus. This experience will have lifelong benefits for me. I have found mentors and advisors extremely helpful, and I have met some career professionals who have helped me immensely. I am grateful for this experience, the many people I have met (including professionals and lifelong friends), and the education I am gaining.

Through my college experience, I have made invaluable friendships and have gained professional experience that has allowed me to apply theory to practice. I have had the opportunity to serve my campus community but in general, the community overall. Attending CSULB has been such a valuable and irreplaceable experience because I feel that I have received a wholesome experience and education. In addition, I feel like I am prepared to go out into the community and find a job even in this poor economy. Finally, our school receive sso many accolades about the students it produces that I am proud to be one.

Before college, I was timid and reserved. I refuse to voice out my opinion even if it may help out others. But attending college, specifically CSULB, I learned to speak up and own my words. I joined a national service-based organization and I am currently holding an executive committee position. Looking back, I have never imagined growing as a person the way that I have grown now. I knew I had the capability to grow; however, I never thought that it would happen so fast and in a totally different environment from high school. I have touched so many lives by volunteering and doing services around the community, but what is equally--if not more--rewarding is meeting life long friends while helping others. Honestly, CSULB was not my first choice, but my college experience would have not been the same if I went to a different school. CSULB has given me the opportunity to turn my life around by providing service to other people. Also, CSULB has helped to find the inner leader and a better friend in me.

The step taken from high school to college is enormous. From living at home, with my family and the same friends I’ve had all my life, living in the same area, and doing the same daily routine, to living in a dorm with hundreds of diverse and new people, in a different city, where I personally had the responsibility to create and take charge of my own schedule; I was forced to adapt, change, and most importantly, grow up. I have loved every minute of my college experience so far. I have developed relationships and met people that I know I can trust, and have changed my perspective on life. I cannot stress how important and influential it has been to move away from my home town to a completely different environment. It has opened my eyes to what is out there in the real world. Not only does choosing my own classes give me responsibility, but it also provides the opportunity to take classes and learn about subjects I am actually interested in. I have learned more in the classes I took my first semester of college than i did throughout all of high school.