Grand Rapids Community College Top Questions

Dear High School Senior Me, You can cry, but just a little bit on your graduation day. Be proud of yourself for making it this far, but just know that it only goes up from here. You're officially in the big leagues. You don't realize this, but the decisions your make after today will effect you for the rest of your life. Please, no matter how tempting, do NOT post all the dramaties of your life on Facebook. You're too mature for that now. There's no time for cliques and bullying in college. Also, it's so sweet how you think you're going to marry your boyfriend, but you're probably not-- break up with him ASAP. It's also time to stop defying your parents. Those silly rules and curfews you hated will be understood in about 5 years. You're going to need them in a lot more ways than you think you will. Lastly, past Me, I'd like to tell you not to worry too much, but worry a little. Because that small amount of fear is what will drive the passion out of you that you'll need. Love, YourFutureSelf

As a high school student going into college the best advice I could give you is to not be afraid of failing. Many obstacles will present themseleves throughout your years not only relating to studies but financial and personal as well. I advise to accept your failures and faults and pride yourself on being able to turn them around. You will make mistakes and it's only natural because were human however, nothing says determination as much as falling down on your knees then getting right back up and running in the race. Know that everything you do is for your future and that because your working towards your own success your the only one who can decide how hard your going to work for it. Remember to take risks for when we takes these risks we learn our weaknesses. Knowing your weaknesses is the greatest piece of motivation, it will allow you to turn those weaknesses in to your strengths. As for the new insight and discoveries that interest you the most be sure to incorporate them into your goals only to enhance them and leave you going in the same direction but with a better expectation for sucess.

So, little me, you're graduating in a couple of weeks. That's a big deal. You're on your way to the rest of your life! I know exactly what you're feeling at this moment; you're scared and excited, you have no idea whether life on your own sounds like a great adventure or a terrifying Stephen King novel about to take a dark turn. I know that life in high school must've seemed the like the high point of our life, but let me reassure you those days are still on the horizon, little me. Right now college is a daunting thing, and no doubt you'll go through some hardships and stumble a bit, but hey, I'll let you know if I ever found someone who had a smooth first year at college. So what do we do when times get rough? We fight our way through it. That's just who we are. Biggest point of mine, don't worry about what you can't change. Push through it, find a way to make yourself flexible, rise to the challenge. You're gonna go places, kid. See you in a few years.

I would tell myself to save up as much money as possible. The expenses of going to an art school and living on your own costs more than youve ever spent before in your whole life. The reason I say to save as much before you go is because having a job and going to school really limits the time you will have to do homework. You never know how long it will take to make a successful piece of art. I would tell myself that no mater how big the campus or how intimidating the other artists are that you have to give yourself a chance. Dont set yourself up for failure, give yourself enough time to do projects and do not procrastinate. Dont be afraid to ask for help, thats what your professors are there for. Think positively about projects and professors untill you actually have a reason to not like them. Think of going to school as an oppourtunity, some people in the world dont even get to go to high school. In the end you're doing this for yourself to become a well educated person and succesful artist. YOU CAN DO THIS!

Being content with my current life, I would bypass the standard 'study hard, get good grades' advice, and tell myself to embrace my passions. I was a great musician in high school--I would tell my past self to throw myself into that, to block out popularity, to experiment with my interests, to find myself while I still could. I would say that AP classes weren't all that important, that I had nothing to prove anybody. Most importantly, I would tell myself to 'trim the fat' so to speak, to hone the ability to sit down at a table or desk and work on something I'm passionate about, and embrace it wholeheartedly.

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself not be afraid of the big college world. Yes its hard work and you will struggle at times. But its not all that bad. I would tell myself that everything will be ok. I would also tell myself to keep following my dreams and to never give up hope. You can do anything you set your mind to, big or small. Never let somebody tell you that you cant do something. Because you can! I would also tell myself that during the transition into college to talk to anyone. You are going to school with all new faces and that can be very scary. But just talk to your fellow classmates. They are in the same postition as you. Relax.

It seems so much better than the structured high school process. I like college freedom and hopefully in the future I will be dealing with more educated/talented instructors. So far the learning is fun, informative. The hours are what I want them to be and I hope to build from my education the skills that I will need to help me make a nice comfortable living in the future. I hope I will be able to contribute to the future technologies that will assist in our daily lives.

I have gotten a lot out of my college experience so far. I have learned how to become indepent in a way that now I know I can rely on myself to get things done. I have also gained so much confidence in myself that I didn't even know I could have before I started college. I'm not afraid to try new things now, and I can make friends a lot easier then I use to. I know this experience will last me a long time, and I am grateful for it. I is very valuable to attend college, not only for the education factor but also for the social factor. I am very excited to learn all the new things I have so far in college, and I can't wait to graduate and then continue on to get my masters and become a successful teacher.

The simple answer would be to say that I am only getting a higher education to put me above others in our society, but it is truely more than that. During my freshman year at CMU I was really able to figure out who I am as a person since I was exposed to completely new people. I went to CMU without any friends from my hometown and landed in unfamiliar territory. I was able to find out my true personality and figure out who I am as a student. Students should also join organization, clubs, and sports because it really helped me get to know people. I would have stayed at CMU, but I needed to save on cash. GRCC has been great as well, I've met many nice people and its a nice small campus. It just isn't quite the same without the dorm experience especially since I am, once again, living at home. Overall I would say, if you have the money to go to a university then I would say you will get a ton more out of it than at GRCC. Otherwise get the requirements done and then go to a university.

College experiences help mold us into the people we are today. I attended school very unsure of who I was and also who I wanted to become in the professional world. Going into my senior year of college I had chosen to become a social worker. I was playing soccer, working, and had a full class load, on top of an internship with Wedgwood Christian Services. I interned with the Summit Program. The focus of the program was Substance Abuse and Co-occurring disorders. During my internship my life began to change in that I knew I wanted to work with high risk teens. I began focusing on learning as much as I could and take in every experience my internship had to offer. I know for a fact today that I would not be the person I am if I had not had the experience and opportunity for this internship. My college experience helped me professionally as well as academically. I strive to help others take full advantage of this experience and push for high risk teens to not let their circumstances determine their futures, but encourage them to take full advantage of the opportunities given to them.