California State University-Stanislaus Top Questions

By attending college, I have learned that I can do so much more than I ever thought I could. I have gained not only academic knowledge, but also knowledge about myself, which I believe is just as valuable, if not more. Before attending, I always went through life playing it safe, but now I am a completely different person. My eyes have been opened up to so many different subjects, viewpoints, cultures, and places. Now my dreams are much bigger. I am making plans of transferring to a school on the other side of the country, which is an exciting challenge that I never would have considered before going to college. Without the college experience that I have gained, I would still be limiting myself and my outlook on life. But now that I have gone to college, I am no longer too timid to have big dreams and go after them.

Having the opportunity to attend college has been a one of a kind experience. I have learned to appreciate how fortunate I am to have been able to receive higher education. I have learned to appreciate the sacrifices that my mother has overcome, as a single mother, to be able to put her children through college. I have learned that the education that I posses is something that I will always encompass regardless of where I may end up. It has been a valuable experience to attend college because I now realize the door of opportunities that I have opened for my own family. I realized how difficult times may get, I can only imagine how much more difficult it may be for those who do not have an education. I have learned that no matter where you may come from, you have the choices to break cycles and make a better future for yourself and your family. This is why I continue my education today, I would like to be able to share my experiences with other students and hopefully make an impact in their life that will make them want to continue receiving higher education.

I am a working mother of 4 beautiful children. I work full time and go to school at night to try to better my life me my children. I am working to get my Dental Hygiene degree. Going back to school has been hard on my family and myself, but they have been very helpful. Because money is tight, I have been putting off going back to school, but this year i decided to start. I am very greatful for the chance to better my life for myself as well as my family. It has been a wonderful exspirence so far. Even though we are struggling because of the money, i believe it will pay off in the end. thank you, Renee Matonti

One of the most valuable assets I have received from my college experience has been the ability to fully understand and appreciate what will be expected of me after I graduate and enter the work environment. While I would hope every institution affords their students such an asset, CSU, Stanislaus has been the best environment to learn in and to graduate a prepared individual. For this, I will forever owe a debt to my school and to the future attendees. This is what makes for loyal, supportive Alumni.

I am honored to have been given the opportunity to attend college. Receiving a higher education has allowed me to learn and educate my peers, faculty and many others that I come across. My college experience has taught me how to have a voice and to advocate for others who are oppressed. Attending college has not only helped me academically but also on a personal level. I am a single parent and have spina bifida which means a level of physical limitaion for me while needing to care for my son and attending to my academics. Attending college with spina bifida has helped me to grow as a person having overcome many obstacles in order to achieve my goals. I am proud of who I am as a student and parent. College has been an aid to help me grow in the profession of Social Work and as a person. College has instilled a desire for me to learn what is beyond the textbooks. College further encourages my natural drive for life and to continue to be teachable so that I may help others.

I am learning a totally new proffession. I have also learned to have more patience with people. Which I will admit is not my strong suite. I can not wait for the next class everyday because of the valuable information I am learning. My teacher makes the information easy to learn and very interesting. She also shares her experience for her twenty-some years in the operating room, which to me, is priceless. I am currently enrolled for an AAS degree to become a certified surgical technologist. I am also learning to network. Which is valuable as well, since we moved to VA from NY, where I have lived all of my life. I have also learned how to manage school life/work with my husband and three intellegent, very spirited children. It is a very different experience from being the spouse of a college student. What I learn here at college, will be my foundation for a new and very interesting career. My experiences will stay with me for my entire lifetime. I hope to be able to help guide my children through thier college years with my knowledge and experiences of my college years.

I have learned a great deal about what it takes to be a student that is not only successful academically, but also involved in the community. There is a great sense of urgency to use the education that I am receiving to raise further awarness of social issues such as poverty, and disease. I am enrolled in an undergraduate nursing program at this school and have learned plenty in regards to personal and public health. I really feel that the professors in the nursing program strive to bring out the compassionate side of nursing students so that we can act as advocates for patients in need of care. The research based practice that my school focuses on is teaching nurses to evolve and adapt with changes in technology and protocol. California State University, Stanislaus has helped me to realize the need for effective compationate nursing and a vigor for learning knowledge.

Assuming that I have the chance to go back in time to talk to myself as a high school senior, Knowing what I know now about college life and making the transition, my advice to myself would be to avoid procrastination at all costs. Be determined and always stay focused. Never give up no matter how hard the class may be or the work. There is help everywhere whether it may be for schoolwork or financial aid. Making the transition is hard at first and it's like a whole new world, that'z why it'z very important to concentrate on what you have in front of you. Always be open to new experiences. College is expense and it can be a handful but in the end it's all worth going through.

If I could go back in time, I would tell myself to manage my time carefully because when finals come around, I wouldn't want to be procrastinating. I'd tell myself to offer some of my free time towards volunteering or join a school organization instead of being a couch patato. I should take some time to go out with friends, but not all the time, and get to know other students. I would tell myself to spend some time to get to know my college professors, because they will be the one to write my letters of recommendation. Last, but not least, I should enjoy the time that I will spend in college and good luck!

If we could only go back. I sit there and slap my past self in the face. I struggled my first semester with time management and I also went a little money crazy. Oh how much I would love to get the opportunity to go back in time, and warn myself in advance! I think I would sit there lecturing my other self to start practicing the art of time management. Then I would explain how the money I will make from working at Del Taco is going to fly right out of my hands. Too many birthday and christmad presents! Therefore, I say to myself to watch just how much I really spend on such things. Make sure to start saving little by little. As of right now, I have slapped myself in the face quite a couple of times. I am learning to manage school and two jobs. Laptops don't may themselves, you know? I am also learning to manage the little money I do have, while paying off my laptop. I know I can't go back and slap some sense into myself, but I am pushing myself to find a perfect balance. :)