Orange Coast College Top Questions

Life after high school is different, more difficult, and contains so many more challenges, as cliche as that sounds. Friend's are harder to stay in touch with and the adjustment to being one of the few left at home is hard, but worth it because you are going to have another chance at your dream school! Be prepared for more work and responsibility; money is hard to come by so be ready to work your butt off. Through all the difficult times that must be dealt with, there are wonderful experiences as well. Seeing people you've missed dearly are some of the most exciting days around. Every minute you grow with knowledge about life and the world around you; whether it simply be about traffic and driving conditions or possibly the way earth functions in geography class, no matter what you are constantly learning. It's tough but it's worth it, brace yourself.

After spending some time in college and now going back to being a high school senior, I would tell myself to take school seriously and whatever information you retain my high school is very important when you enter your first year of college. But not only that, but to learn how to manage time and be more productive in school and interact with your professors because it lets them know you do care about your education and that you take it seriously and also it gives you a chance to know that your professors do care about you and gives them a chance to get to know you a little better as a person.

If I could give myself advice as a high school senior, I would beg myself to apply to all applicable scholarships - college is expensive! It's hard to focus on studying when you're worrying how you're going to pay for all your textbooks. I would also beg myself to do my research and really be firm in what path I desired to take. I wish I had taken the initiative beforehand to plot out exactly what steps I was going to take to reach my educational goals. Sometimes things need to be figured out as you learn, but life as a college student is so much easier if you have solid plans to refer back to. The two really big things I'd advise myself to do? Get stellar grades - they're worth losing sleep over! - and network! Talk to, write to, read about people in the same career path. It helps inspire and motivate you when you're running on 3 hours of sleep and you forget why you're there in the first place. One last thing - I'd make myself try new things, volunteer, join clubs, do sports. You're only in high school once!

I would say "Danny! College is a privelege! Never take for granted the powerful gift of knowledge!" Well that's what I would say to him right off the bat to kind of scare him and grab his attention, assuming that meeting his future self hadn't already done that. I would tell him that the experiences you will have and the people you will meet in college will change the way you look at the world around you forever, in a humbling and eye opening way. You will most likely make mistakes along the way but do not fret because the education; the acquiring of knowledge, which always innately sturred something inside you, will always be there to make sure you get back on course. Lastly, I would say to not be afraid to do what you truly want to do, whether the future of that road seems rocky or unstable. The only way to be truly happy in life is to not be afraid to test its limits.

The advise I would give myself back in high school would be along the line of finanical, plans, and will. I would talk about the money involed and the time and effert to start and mantain a life in colllege. I would show the importance of planing ahead and watching the present. And I would encourge the will to stick to one goals and dreams. Though I would rather give myself the winning numbers to a lottery, if i went back in time but I would be depriving myself the fullfillment of finishing college. My parents couldn't even go to college, I don't want to be like them but I do want to be something they can be proud of.

I would tell myself to buckle down a little more and study harder for my AP Gov test, and maybe take a few classes at Austin Community College during the summer. I would warn myself that scholarships are necessary and that I should make time to look into as many as I could. Third, I would happily tell myself that the college style of learning is everything I hoped it would be, and that if nothing else, the fast pace and independent studying were definintely something to look forward to.

Do not feel embarrassed or ashamed that you have to attend a Junior College first and then transfer out. You might not have been accepted to any of your top school choices your senior year in high school, but through their denials you will learn about the mistakes you have made in your educational career. Although I know you are not accustomed to falling down, you will discover this experience is defintely everything, but failure. Stay focused on what you are doing now, because before you know it you will be applying to the same schools again, but this time well prepared and with a far more impressive application. Just do yourself a favor, do not cram yourself your first semester at Orange Coast College. I know you probably think you can handle the workload, but you will find, that you will be making far more friends than you ever expected. Almost everyone you knew in high school will not attend OCC with you, but a fresh start is just what you need. Study, but not to hard. When you need help, ask for it. And when you have spare time, have fun with it.

I believe I would start by saying that "It can't rain all the time". Also that every time I feel like giving up, I should just sit down and breath deeply to clear my mind. After that try stepping back and examining the problem or work from a different perspective. I would tell myself never to give up, even when all seems hopeless and lost. That I will have two beautiful little girls who are counting me to do the right thing. Show them that school is one of the most important things in life. The transition won't be easy but just keep at it and everything will be ok. This could very well be one of the greatest things we ever do in our life. Its well worth all the sleepless nights and endless pots of coffee. That it's an experiance of a lifetime.

It really isn't about where you go its about that attitude you adopt while you're there. It seems like everyone is insinuating that if you aren't accepted into a four year university off the bat you aren't good enough and frankly that is not true. There are many other alternatives to a four year university, such as a community college, a trade school, even a break. Not everyone is meant to go to college and graduate in four years and then get married and have 2.5 kids. You should not feel pressured to be the same. Understand that at the end of the day the strongest insurance policy is knowledge. I promise you, there is no such thing as a perfect life, a perfect applicant, or a perfect student, there will never be another you and it really is your attitude and your desire to never stop learning, never stop gaining from your experiences that will make you successful in life. College may not be the answer for all but it is your best bet to preparing yourself for your future. And remember, never let people belittle you becuase they got into the "better" school.

I would've told myself, "No matter what college I choose to attend or what college actually recognizes me, I'll still receive an education to help become triumphant in reaching my goals. A college a person attends doesn't define their academic ability." I would constantly stress on how I wouldn't be acknowledged by the college of my dreams, but I know now that anyone with committment and determination can be proficient in anything they desire to achieve no matter what college they are receiving an education in. Another important thing to advise myself would to not let grades determine everything that I am. Improving, correcting one's mistakes, and being a decent human being also factors in, not just grades. Potential matters greatly, and it is rewarding to battle through turmoils and mature rather than getting accepted into the ideal college with a perfect GPA. Receiving an education and maturing is a part of becoming a better individual to our community, family, and peers. It doesn't matter where you are, it's where you want to be and what you're willing to do to get there.