Northern Virginia Community College Top Questions

I would tell myself to finish up strong in high school, go to college and don't let anything get in your way. Not money, career, relationships, nothing!! Get your degree, once you have it, no one can take that away from you and you won't spend the next 32 years of your life explaining why you didn't get your degree. It should be the automatic next step in your life after high school. Bite the bullet, get it done, you won't regret it.

I'm currently going back to community college for some extra classes to qualify for a graduate program and have already earned a bachelor's degree from a four-year college. The best thing I could have told my high school self about college is learn how to manage time now. Time management is vital to success in college. When roommates and friends are having fun and skipping class, remind yourself this fun event will only last a short time and getting the work done now means you can have fun later. Long term success comes with winning the short term battles. Have fun but work hard first. Also, sleep is crucial to do well in class. An all-nighter is never a good idea especially during finals week. You'll feel better and perform better on your test if you get adequate sleep. These were skills that I eventually learned in my undergraduate career and am currently applying in community college. My grades have never been better and I attribute the success to diligent time and sleep management.

There are some things about life you can only figure out through experience. If i had the ability to speak to high school me, I am sure I would assure myself about one thing. As a senior I was worried about many things a typical high schooler would not have on their mind. I was worried that, despite my good academic standing I would not be continuing my education. My single mother of five beautiful girls, could not afford to take on the burden of the cost of college. Although I was devastated, I did not blame anyone for my situation and decided to make the best of it. I would go back in time and tell myself that there are options out there. College is not only for the wealthy. I would emphasize the benefits of a community college and tell myself that my dream of becoming a doctor is achievable. I would also explain to myself that the transition to college level classes are not as difficult as one might perceive. There are many people around campus there to help you and make your life easier.

Everything has a drawback. If it had already happened, it must have had some reasons behind it.

Every year, every day, every moment of our lives counts. If I could go back to when I was in high school, I would tell myself this over and over again. One of the most important lessons I have learned from my college experience thus far is that every day of your life is a gift. Time is precious; we can never get it back. I have so often underestimated this gift. Now I realize, that if we have a goal in mind, we should sieze the opportunity now. Now is the time. Even if we feel like we have not even made a dent at the long time goal, we have made progress. I often used to shy away from striving for goals because I thought my efforts would be in vain. Oh, how I wish I could go back and sieze every moment that I thought I could not do it. Instead of wasting those moments, I would turn them into positive ones of perseverence. Now I know, and now I will live by this: sieze every day and live it as if it were my last. The very first step to succeeding is deciding to try.

If I could go back to my senior year in high school, I would strongly advise myself to take more classes and get more involved in clubs in the arts program. I would say "Stop being so shy and put yourself out there! Talk to people who are in the industry you are interested in and get their advice. Time goes by so very fast. Focus more on your studies and participate more in outside activities. And above all listen to your parents. They understand more than you think and things are not as different in your day as it was in theirs. Except for the social media aspect that is. They know the pitfalls out there and the things you can learn from their experiences are endless. Their advice is invaluable. And last but not least, find confidence within yourself and be happy with you. Don't look to your peers and classmates for validation that you are a valuable, capable and talented person."

Dear Jazmyn This is my letter of advice to you about college life. Jazmyn earn your education while it’s free, because there will come a point when nothing is free. You are still in high school so you are probably not thinking about college expenses. Studying is the key to your success. Step up your study habits, because once you enter college it’s a serious necessity in order to pass. Secure a job and start saving, so you won’t have to take out loans. Do not procrastinate , assignment deadlines come up quickly, it’s better to work on projects and essays in advance. When you start college don’t be afraid to join different student groups and organizations, but don’t put your GPA at risk by getting involved in too many activities. Time management is key! Most importantly, HAVE FUN. This is a major milestone in your life, so make the most of it. Make memories to tell your friends and family. Your ultimate goal in college is to earn an education and prepare for your career. Don’t let anyone stray you away. Jazmyn put God first in everything you do. love you!!!!

After completing high school, many things changed for me. I assumed that after graduation, it was all fun and games. I didn't quite understand the meaning of 'Kicking it into high gear', or 'The sky is the limit'. Like most of my peers, I began attending college in the Fall of 2008; however, I had other priorities that eventually took my full attention. In the Spring of 2009, I began working at a small town cafe. This was my first job out of high school and I was promoted to supervisor within a year. My job quickly took top priority over my schooling and I began working full time. Although I placed my education temporarily on hold, I continued to experience on the job training which made me realize the importance of obtaining my degree for further advancement in my field of interest. Knowing what I know now, I would tell my high school self that I must surround myself with people with the same drive, goals, and priorities as myself. I would also tell myself that everyday is a learning lesson and there will always be more goals to be achieved

If i could go back in time and talk to myself in high school, i would tell myself to apply to more schools! i wish i had the opportunity to tour and attend other colleges!

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself that college is important and more than worth it. In high school I did not see the need for college. I took three years off after graduating. I would tell myself that dreams are important. Without them we can become depressed, feeling like we are on a hamster wheel - going around and around everyday without seeing a point to our lives. This is not really living. It is important to believe in yourself and pursue your passions. Do not get stuck in that rut! You can do whatever you put your mind to - just give it your all. It may be scary to enter new situations without knowing the outcome, but with great risk comes great rewards. Following your passion is a reward in and of itself.