California State University-Northridge Top Questions

The first thing I would tell myself is "Do not take a break between high school and college!" Fortunately, I've always done well in school, but by the time I was a senior, I was dying to be done with school altogether. I didn't even take my SATs, nor did I apply to any colleges. My plan was to take a break, go to community college for a little while, then transfer to CSUN. It took me 10 years to finally make that transfer to CSUN! Although my first piece of advice is extremely important, this next piece of advice beats it hands down. I would have told my younger self to not be afraid to fail at school. I would have told myself that it was ok to fail, and it happens to everyone at some poiint of another in life. I would have told myself that I would still be alive if I did fail, and that as long as I was still alive, I would have the chance to make it right, to fix it, to succeed.

Dont drop out.

If I could go back and give myself advice about college, I would narrow it down to two things. First, I would say to go in with an open mind and do not be afraid to try new things and become a new person. To break out of my shell and explore what college and life has to offer, and to not let fear hold me back. Second would be to get more involved with activities on campus and branch out to make more friends. Although my school was not my first pick, there are some great people who attend this school, so take the time to get to know them.

The best advice I can give myself if I went back in time was to volunteer more. In addition, to participating in extracurricular activities, sports, summer camps, college preparation clubs and organizations. Especially taking my senior year, English course with our principal instead of choosing another professor and have gotten a letter of recommendation. I would also encourage myself to asking for a letter of recommendation from our vice principal since I was her assistant during sixth period.

As I materialize from my time machine, which surprisingly will be an app on the iPhone 7, I approach my high school self who is head bopping to a Green Day CD on a yellow discman. The younger me glimpses the older me between head bops.YOUNGER ME: Whoa! What the…OLDER ME: Don’t freak out, I’m just you from the future and I need you to listen. I only get 200 words and I already used 78. First, you often think you should write down your thoughts in a journal but never do. Start doing that now! You’ll look back on your high school and college journal entries and appreciate the insightful, hilarious, painful, motivating, and priceless inner workings of your development. Second, have trust and confidence in your instincts. They haven’t failed you yet. The only thing that limits you from accomplishing grand ideas is your own belief that you can do them. Lastly, paddle hard with a fearless heart because the victory is in the effort not the results. Enjoy the ride. The unknown is the ride. The ride is life. Older me vanishes. Younger me immediately writes down what just happened.

I have proudly finished my first semester of my second year at a California State University. I am a full-fledged college student and not some wide-eyed and slightly terrified freshman anymore. As I have reached my second year into university life, I have two fitting pieces of advice for my high school senior self. Very useful pieces of advice numbers one and two: “Going to a college that may not have been your first or second choice is not the worst that could happen and learn to take your new college experience as an opportunity to leave toxic and unbeneficial relationships behind.” I had hopes of getting into a UC or private school, and I got into both, but circumstances come up in which other choices needed to be made. The other choices that I had made have challenged me every day since and I couldn’t be more grateful for them in the ways that they have made me grow into who I am becoming. It just so happens, that this process of growth includes combing through old and new bad-friendships which would be easier for you if you choose to leave the old ones behind.

Dear Sarah, Coming from a low income housesold, where both parents did not attend college, is pretty tough. While you watched all those other kids who had the means and tutors help, you slowly gave up to the idea, that attending college is not a big deal as ong as there is a degree. Having the knowledge that I have now, after attending college, I get mad at myself. You should have worked harder, put in that little extra effort because later on you are to find out that money is not an impossible challenge to overcome. There are so many scholarships out there that can help if you have the grades. While you do have good grades, you could have aimed higher so you would not be stuck on the edge of good and excellent. Research and knowledge are the most important things to obtain, whenever in doubt you should ask, instead of shrugging off the opportunities you could have had. Don't give up, Sarah, just because you have it harder than those kids who can afford college. Embrace the fact that you are smart and are able to achieve what all those other kids needed tutors for.

As a high school senior, there were a number of things I could have done differently. If I could go back in time and speak to my previous self, I would tell her to keep her mentality open to new ideas and people and to not be scared to do what she wants to do. I would also suggest that she waits a year before solidifying her major, mostly because it's hard to decide what to be for the rest of your life at the ages of 17-18. I would tell her to explore.

During senior year, I felt that I had made many mistkes during my previous years in high school. I did not think I had the chance to attend a 4 year university. If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would give myself hope. Hope thaat I could do anything I wanted to do. I would tell myself that it would not be an easy journey, but I know I could do it because of how determined I am. I would give myself the confidence that I could go to a 4 year university and make it. I would give myslf the strength to believe in myself and not be discouraged by what my high school is telling me that I cannot do. I would tell myself not to give up and not to feel like I cannot do anything.

If I had the chance to go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would truly change my ways in school and in life. Coming from Central American parents, I never had someone to motivate me and teach me ways of bieng a good student. As I entered college, I realized I was only blind in high school. I thought I would never reach my dreams and goals that I wanted to accomplish. The one advice I would give myself as a High school Senior is to work hard every second, every minute, every hour, because thier is not one dream and goal in this life that someone can stop you from reaching. I accomplished to finish high school and attend a 4 year university. If I had this state of mind in High school, I would of accomplished more things than what I am accomplishing now. Its better to work hard now, than suffer later.