Mt San Antonio College Top Questions

Looking back into my high school years I would tell myself to not spend all my time training for sports and spend more time concentrating on my education. While diversifing my friendships while taking more risks in life. Since i did not really enjoy my high school years since i spent all my time with sports

Don't try to fit into any preconceived college stereotype or standard. That's all television and movies. Let yourself be open-minded because you'll be pleasantly surprised at the kinds of opportunities that present themselves when you are open. Go in as an undecided major and take any class that seems interesting. If in the first two weeks you know that it's not for you, drop it. It's ok to drop a class. It's also ok to skip a class or two per semester, but it's not ok to skip the whole semester--you seriously can't learn everything the night before the final. It's not the end of the world not knowing what you want to do with your life. You have plenty of time to figure it out. Lastly, keep the partying to a minimum. There's a party every weekend and you have all your life to improve your beer pong skills. The partying doesn't stop just because your graduate so you'll have plenty of time. That paper and/or test is more important, trust me.

Set your priorities and do not let anyone steer you elsewhere.

If I had the chance to go back in time and talk to my high school senior self I would tell myself to take math early and to study hard even when I don't want to. I would tell myself that even though four years seems a long time to get a bachelor degree, there are personal matters and money matters that could slow my progress so be sure to start saving and apply for scholarships now. I would remind myself that having a direction is important and to see a councelor early to work out an education plan for my major. I would tell myself to always believe in me and know that even if it gets hard, there's plenty of student aid out there and tutors that are very helpful.

During my High School years, I dealt extensively with depression and contemplations of suicide. As such, my motivation to pursue a higher education was not very high?it was mostly the encouragement from my parents that lead me to apply for community college. However, as the years progressed and I found greater self-confidence and direction, I found the internal motivation to achieve what I thought would be impossible. If I were to speak to my younger self, I would stress that I have the intelligence and diligence to earn the highest degree in any field of study I choose. I would say that it is only our own fears and pessimism that prevent us from achieving greatness in life. When we have the motivation to succeed, the long hours of research, study and examination that its takes to earn a degree seem effortless. Nothing is impossible.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself when I was a high school senior, I would say: Michelle, things are going to happen to you that are going to change your life. Life is full of surprises and something wonderful is going to happen! So believe it when I say that you are worth it! You CAN go to college! Many things are going to happen in the future that you are not expecting, but do not give up; you will succeed. With loss will come strength, and when you feel like it is all over, keep pushing because that is when your life will change and everything will be worth it! You are going to become disabled, however, don't focus on how your dreams were lost and of all the things you can't do anymore; but focus on all the things you CAN do. This will be a time when you will learn who you are, and it isn't who you thought you were. Focus on your school work, do not procrastinate with your homework and study for your tests. Against all odds, you are going to graduate with your degree!

If I could go back to my senior year and talk to myself, first of all I would tell myself to really start thinking about what I really want out of college instead of just taking for granted that I was going and not thinking beyond that. I would advice myself to really think about the consequences of everything I do, and to stop thinking that I really do know what I am doing, because I don't. I would also tell myself to ask for help and to stop thinking that I have to take care of everything myself. I would tell myself that even though I live in a city where it feels like I'm not a minority, I truly am a minority, especially at the school I've chosen to attend. I would also tell myself, a seventeen year old senior in high school, that turning 18 doesn't mean I'm an adult already, and that high school was really a piece of cake compared to what's ahead in college. Lastly, I would tell myself that pulling "all-niters" isn't the best way to study for a midterm or final.

If I went back in time and could talk to myself as a senior in high school, I would tell my self to become committed in my educational career instead of spending my last year in high school slackinng off and not giving any importance to my education. I would let myself know that leaving work for the last minute reduces my chances of attaining an assignment's educational purposes and limiting my own chances to prosper in my career. I would also tell myslef to keep my GPA in good standing because a high GPA would allow me to graduate high school with high honors and earn more scholarships to pay my college tuition.

If I could go back in time to 2003 as an Upland High senior and give myself advice about college would be a dream come true. In my family, I am the first to graduate from high school and make the transition to college. Between that transition, I had to learn the do?s and don?ts about a community college vs. a university, admissions, educational plans, GPA's, prerequisite courses, and so forth?all on my own. If my dream came true I would tell myself, ?go to a community college and stick with it, finish all the prerequisite courses required to transfer to the Dental Hygiene B.S. program offered at Loma Linda University, work super hard on getting A/B grades, don?t take any semester breaks keep on going, meet all deadlines, and don?t allow any distractions from home and life hinder my educational goals?! In reality, I spent a lot of time understanding the do?s and don?ts of a college transition and I got distracted between personal transitions; but now in the present I am not letting anything get in the way of my transition from Mt. Sac community college to LLU!

The college life style is very helpful to the dramatic transition, so use all the resourses that is avalible on campus. Do not feel shy when asking for help because it can mean your counselor can possibly help you recieve $500 worth of scholarships or $50,000 worth of scholarships; from third choice school or first chioce school. Do not let any opportunities pass you by because every opportunity helps you succeed and it also helps your parents wallets. Also, get involved in extracurricular activities, whether it be in student government, school clubs such as art, music, and language, or sports but stay involved, and if you do so with your best of your ability and do it in a positive way. Do not give up when times get tough because times will begin to get hard as years go but stay tough.