McHenry County College Top Questions

What should every freshman at McHenry County College know before they start?

Kaitlyn

Friends will come and go, keep your mind on school and get the best grades that you can get. You will go through a lot of difficult times with your family and money situations. But everything will be ok, don't abandon your family because they will always be there for you. Start your college preparation early, and look for many colleges to go to and start to apply for scholarships early. It sounds cliche but doing your homework comes in handy.

Nichole

As a freshman in college and on my own for the first time, I quickly forgot about my values, commitment to my studies, and the intelligent young woman I had become. Instead, I traded it all for a sorority, frequent parties, and all- night ?cram sessions? during finals. My 3.5 GPA quickly plummeted and I was forced to move back home and start over at a community college. This taught me that college is not everything that is appears to be on TV, movies, or word of mouth from older friends. College is about a deep commitment to education and discovering who you are and who you want to become. I would have advised myself not to lose sight of who I am or my dreams. There will always be parties, tests to be taken, and distractions from studying, but the opportunity to receive a college education happens once in a lifetime and should be top priority. Sure, high school prepared me for the entrance exams and term papers, but it took hitting ?rock bottom? and a fresh start to remind myself not to lose sight of who I am and my dream of becoming a special education teacher.

Frank

Do not procrastinate. Get yourself ahead of the game because you never know what is lying in front of you. Manage your time as wisely as possible and get your priorities in order. Dedicate enough time to school and work but do not allow yourself to stray from the important things in life like family and friends. Your ability to adhere to this advice will allow for greater success during your college years. Do not wait around for others to carry you, start early and be one of the few that are ready for the next stage in life.

Elizabeth

As I sit across from myself as a high school senior, the last year and a half slowly replays in my mind. After gathering my thoughts I begin my advice by saying that college is never going to come to you, you must go to college. I realize now that all this time I was waiting for something to miraculously happen in my life, for an education and career to just pop up. My older brother recently told me that I need to spread my wings, that if I do I have the ability to fly so high and get so far. I would share this with myself as a senior because I needed that inspiration. I needed to hear that in order to get far in life it starts with me and no one is going to lift me off the ground but myself. Knowing all of that in high school would have been the extra push I needed to get motivated and look at college as a stepping stone to great things I know I can accomplish in life.

Colleen

Ok! Colleen, I only have a couple of minutes so let me lay it out for you. Either take action now and adress your fears of writting , or wait till your 35 . If you wait till your 35, you will have missed several job and educational opportunites and you will not be the nurse you dreamed of being. It's not worth it to wait. So, I know you are already registered for a full load of classes. Due yourself a favor don't take such a full load . Get rid of chemistry for your first semester to allow yourself more time to work on your writting. Get a tutor! The college your going to attend has a learning center with tutors available at no additional cost to you. What ever it takes work through your writting fears. Don't let it hold you back. GO FOR IT! As a matter of fact anytime you are struggling or need help in a subject reach out and get that help. . The person you hurt most by Lastly there is destined to be other areas of study and life in which you may need guidence.

Melanie

I would tell myself that although highschool seems to be easy,college is a lot different and that it would be best to take prep courses in order to better prepare yourself for the transition from highschool to college level courses. Also, take the time to get involved in clubs and organizations because it helps shape you and diversify your college experience. At most importantly, to charish every minute of class time because it is an opportunity that not everyone gets , even if you don't like the subject.

Ninotshka

Having a child my senior year of high school worried me about how I was going to advance to college. I focused more on what I thought was going to be hard and how much of a struggle I was going to go through. I was wrong. If I had the chance to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself that life is so much better than I ever expected. College is great and there is so much help. I would tell myself not to worry and to keep following my dreams because although having a baby is a lot of work, it is also the most rewarding gift and going to college is an amazing experience. I would also say college opens up many doors and helps those with kids and offers many different types of courses. Lastly, I would say that everything is possible, to focus on the positives, and to never give up because life is GREAT and I can get through anything.

Cristina

If I could go back in time to when I was senior I would definately do things a bit different. My advice for myself would be to take more challenging classes. I took two AP classes and I wish I would have taken more, they really prepare you for what to expect in college. I would also try to find better study techniques. Finals and midterms are so important in college where as in High School, they do not have much importance. Finding new ways to remember and store all the information that you learn in college is crucial, especially ones that work for each individual. I think if I would have prepared myself for this, my college transition would have been a bit easier and more smooth.

Olivia

If I could go back in time and talk to my high school self I would tell myself, enjoy life more. College is not as stressfull as everyone makes it out to be. The process of picking a college and what you will do with the rest of your life is not a binding contract and it is open to change, we all change as we go through life. Enjoy the steps you have to go through to get to this point, and learn from them because they will all contribute to who you are in the future.

Lori

I would give myself , two pieces of advice. I would first let myself know that it is very important to get the best grades you can possibly get and to study as hard as you can. I would make sure that I acknowledge that it is important not to take and drop classes, if you are going to take the class finish it with the best grade you can, dropping classes ruins your GPA. The next thing I would tell myself is to take a variety of classes, and if and when you decide that what you started out going to school for is not waht you seem to like, change it. Don't continue on, just because it is what mom or dad wants you too, cause if you don't like it now, you will absolutely hate it when you actually get a job doing whatever that career is. Then you will go back to school late in life to try and do something you really love. Take the time now why you are young and figure out your passion what you really love, and that is what you should be doing as a Career. Do That!