Lone Star College System Top Questions

I've stepped back in time. Across the room is my younger self walking to class. I approach her, and she is baffled. She can't believe how much she will change, as well as simultaneously stay the same. Younger self then asks, "What should I do future me?" I respond delightfully, as this is why I am here, "Every penny you make from your job, save it. Use your electives to take classes that are dual credit. Be mindful of your future, and plan to succeed. Apply to your dream college early. Be independent, and don't let fear of failure and disappointment decide that you aren't going to college. Life continues to move forward no matter how much you want to stand still. Give yourself opportunities to move with it." My younger self smiled, and started walking toward the counselor's office. She knew what she wanted, and was finally going to work towards it. I turned to go forward in time, back to where I belonged, proud that when I return it will be a brighter future.

Dear Karen,

Start looking for scholarships NOW! Money was the only reason I was not able to atttend the college of my choice. My parents had no money saved for my college education and I figured I could search for money as a senior. Start as soon as possible raking in the cash because if I had, probably my freshman year would be paid for.

If I were to go back in time as a senior in high school I would encourage myself to be more outgoing and participate more in school activities and clubs. I would try to join outside organizations as well and begin to volunteer. I would seek more information as to what field of study would be the best for me. I would seek advising from the counselors available. I would have set a better plan for the future in regards to what path I should be on and how to stay on it. I would prepare myself and get everything organized so that my transition into college would be more of a sucess and I would end up where I want in my planned time.

I would explain to myself to go in more depth with my advisor and go over all the little facets that I needed to know in order to be successful at college. Rather than just taking classes that felt like they were right, immediately get on a degree plan and allow myself to have graduated when i needed to. I also would tell myself to focus harder in school, because I started off doing extremely well in my freshman year of college and then dropped down as my sophomore year began, all because I decided to focus too much on a dead end job than on my education.

This question is all too easy for me to answer; my first semester of college didn’t go nearly as good as I’d hoped. Looking back now I wish I would have learned how to balance things better before my first semester and not after. I would have told myself that you have a season for everything, and right now is your season for school. While you can still have fun in college you need to learn what to say “no” too, know that you have limits and time constraints and that school will take up most of that time. You are no longer in high-school, what you do is on your record for a long time and can affect you far down the road. So while that party or even community service may sound fun and exciting you have to decide if you can really handle it on top of all the school work you have to complete. Just like your job or kids will be your priory latter on learning that school is your top priority at this point in your life. Once you figure that out, then you have fun!

Four months ago I lost my father to cancer. I had just started my first semester as a transfer at the University of Louisiana for petroleum engineering. The loss of my father was a speedbump in my education. I debated resigning for the semester and moving home in order to clear my head. Instead I stuck it out and finished my courses. This semester I transferred to a community college at home to help out with my family. I was nervous about transferring a second time - this time from a major university to a community college. When I signed up for courses I was awestruck at the intensity of the courses offered. I was able to sign up for my geology and engineering courses! I've learned that sticking out your education, no matter what hardships face you, will eventually work out with time. Never had I thought that I would have to deal with losing a parent and moving back home, but with the efforts I put forth in my education, I will never have to second guess myself and think "What If?" My education is my life, and every lesson I've learned helps shape my future.

During the time I've been going to college, I've met a lot of new and interesting people that I feel I have connected with. I've also developed better study habits and my time management skills have greatly improved. Admittedly, it's hard not having as much free time to myself, but knowing that it'll all pay off once I hold that diploma in my hands makes it definitely more bareable. I've always been told that, "In order to succeed, you need to go to college," and I've never strayed from that. Without the help of a better education backing me up, there is a much higher chance of failure than success.

I have taken multiple experiences away from North Harris Montgomery College. The main experience was the college experience as a whole. It has been many, many years since I attend college and I have really enjoyed attending this college in particular. It is a small college that offers big opportunites. It has a University Center so that is how I am attending another college for my 4 year accounting degree. I will go to the facilites at the College and not have to make the drive to the Universities that they partner up with for my Bachelors degree. So my journey continues.

The college experience that I have gotten so far has been unremarkable. I have been out of school for over twenty years. Also, I have five children all attending college as that influenced my decision to go back. There is this program that I applied for that has been so helpful. The people here are just so family oriented never belittling you for whatever level you stand on. I love attending this department because I am welcome to do my homework, get tutored, and discuss my unsolved problems. You never know what might be going on and who you can share your good or bad days with, without worries. However, at any given moment they are the ones I would select. The Instructors are vibrant and understanding in all my classes. Taking their time to help out; making sure you understand before preceeding on to the next assignment. I came from a broken home, relationship and jobless not knowing what to do next, so going back to school is valuable to me nor was it bad idea. Nevertheless, I do not regret making this decision yet I would do it all over again.