Pima Community College Top Questions

After getting familiar with college life , experiencing and getting used to what was expected of me as a College student, I would say that working on my discipline would have been a good start when I was a high school student. As a student in High School I still had my teachers remind me of the assignments I needed to turn in and sometimes work with me when I was late turning in my work. In College the teachers will not hold you by the hand, tell you repeatedly what assignments you have to work on and by what date they have to be turned in. In College you are considered an adult who is focused, mentally prepared to take in the responsibilities as a student. You are encouraged to attend group studies and be ready with homework when it is due. If you are not disciplined as a student, College life can become very frustrating. The bottom line is that as a student in College I have to meet the required GPA, homework expectations and show that I am disciplined and focused if I really want to reach my goals.

If I could go back in time and talk with myself about college life, I would inform myself to pay more attention in class and prepare for the financial hardship that going to college can bring. I would educate myself on how much money I would have to spend every semester on classes and books. Another issue I would speak with myself about would be the break that I thought I would take between high school and college was not the best decision I could make. Not only was it unenjoyable work I had to do, but all the money I worked so hard for went to having fun with friends, when it could have easily been placed in a savings account and used to pay for school. Before returning back to my time, I would remind myself to stay encouraged about school and to do my best. And also, to enjoy my time at school and learn all I can so I would be prepared for anything college had in store for me.

In high school, I don't think I realized the magnitude of attending a university and what it really took to achieve my goals. I worked hard but I don't think I reached my full potential as a student. I would definitely tell myself to do everthing and anything I could to be the best that I could be; don't just settle for average. I didn't realize how valuable financial awards could be to me and the role my grades had in providing me with these awards. I would also tell myself to start being self reliant and more careful with my money because these are important factors in college. My family is anything but wealthy and has been struggling financially for a while now, which has been hard on me as I try to pursue an education without a scholarship. I want more than anything to achieve my educational goals and attend the university of my choice, and if I would have prepared a little better in high school and just worked a little harder, I'm sure I would have been able to secure a future for myself and be presented with greater opportunites.

Now that I look back I would tell myself three words "Life goes on." My senior year I was a prospective football recruit for the University of Arizona as well as an outstanding scholar. I felt like I had it all until one day I got a phone call and found out I would not be receiving an athletic scholarship. My biggest dream was to play for the U of A. I had the entire community of Nogales supporting me and I felt like a failure when I hung up the phone with the scout. My dad is hardworking man and my families only source of income. He works in the automobile business as a car sales person. However, with our recent economy, my dads salary was cut into more than half. As a result, my college expeneses add more weight on his shoulders. I figured I would receive a full scholarship to the university and my lack of planning kept me from applying for scholarships. If I could have the chance to whisper in my own ear my senior year I would tell myself to better prepare myself and to always keep my head up.

If I could talk to myself as a high school senior the first thing that I would tell myself was to keep an open mind about college and the people I meet. It?s not like high school so make friends with everyone you meet and don?t be quick to judge people. Some of the most interesting people I have met are people that I would have never been friends with in high school, so give everybody you meet a chance. Get involved with your dorm and do the activities that are offered that first week of school, you?ll meet people and start to make friends. In classes always be prepared and don?t be afraid to ask questions, most professors don?t go back over the material you have learned the day before so ask when you are confused and not later. Also go to all tutoring sessions that are offered, even if you don?t think you need them. If you follow by these simple things then you will make your college experience the best it can be.

If I was to go back in time to give myself advice about college I would have told myself to apply for more schlorships and try my best in school. I would have told myself to spend less time chatting on the phone about boys, but rather go out and help the community. Lastly, I would have told myself that you can do whatever you put your mind to. If you try hard enough you can be anything you want to be.

IF I WERE ABLE TO GO BACK IN TIME AND TELL MY HIGH SCHOOL SELF TO APPLY FOR EVERY SCHOLARSHIP POSSIBLE I WOULD NEVER HAVE BECOME STUCK IN THE RUT OF SATISFACTION IN A JOB I'M NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH. MY FINANCIAL SITUATION WOULD NOT BE A PROBLEM AND LIFE AS I KNOW WOULD BE BETTER IN EVRY WAY.

As a freshman in college i have often thought back to my senior year in highschool. Wondering if there was anything i could have done differently, to make the transition from high school senior to college freshman any easier. With out a doubt the number one thing that comes to my mind when i think about this would have been to save up more of my money all though out my senior year in high school. This is because i have learned that college comes with many unexpected finances, while i was prepared for the cost of tuition, it was books that caught me by surprise. Books cost almost half of the cost tuition cost for my first semester alone.

If I was able to go back in time and talk to my younger self I would tell myself to be prepared. Everything seems go so fast after you graduate, and it takes more than a summer to find, apply, and find the funding to go to a university, because mom and dad don?t have that type of money. Always think ahead. Exceed in your classes so that the scholarships will come to you. Know what you major will be and plan out your classes, focusing on the classes that will contribute to your major only. Yes it is a lot of work but it is a lot easier to do all of it when you aren't living alone and have the support of your parents. Everything will get a lot harder before it gets easier but it takes work. It?s better to get ahead that to procrastinate, and everything will pay out in the end.

As a high school senior I was already entering the work environment because I thought that was the most important thing in life. Boy, was I wrong! I continued to go from minimum wage job to minimum wage job and finally ended up frustrated and angry at the 'no opportunities' of getting out of that trap. It was difficult to improve my quality of life with 'just getting by' financially and life seemed to be passing me by. I also thought it was important to have a boyfriend and didn't see my world without one until I realized that a boyfriend with the same level of skills I had was another dead end. Years later I decided to apply for financial aid and go back to school to improve my life. The grants, loans and scholarships are worth the time and studying is well worth the effort as an investment in improving my quality of life. Although it was scary at first and I had to rearrange my life it has been a blessing to be a student again. This time with determination in hand because in hind sight I've experienced the other side of not having education.