Sacramento City College Top Questions

In the essence of now we cease to plan and remember. Contemplation of our academics isn't what concerns us but what concerns us the most is finishing the now and continuing on in our lives of--"of what?"--our college self asks. "Here in the next stage I hold the overwhelming power to freely discover where life's past and new revelations of contemplation will take time me." My advice to my senior self is to be busy to concern myself with excelling in not only academics, but to also involve myself in the community, school clubs, and camping trips. This is the advice of one that is left grappling with finding a social niche to ease the tension of the dizzy juggle of compounding course load, employment, study time and social amusement. ?Now is the time, high school self, to establish and discover a few strong buddies that will help you control the circus, and ground you in flight."

Hey. You've been in school a long time. The difference between before and now is you don't have to go to college. So figure out why you're going to college. Is it because everyone else is? Is it for your family? Is it for yourself? Make sure it's a good reason, because without a purpose, you will be lost in a sea of opportunity. Talk to everyone as soon as possible. Invest in community and relationships, and maintain your friendships from high school. Don't be afraid to do something no one else is doing - and that includes working harder and smarter than you ever have before. Imagine what and where you want to be in 10 years. Plan accordingly, but be flexible - never stay somewhere you don't want to be. Above all, have as much fun as humanly possible, because while school may feel like an eternity, people keep on shouting at me that life is short. They can't all be wrong, right?

Do not underestimate classes or overestimate yourself. Several times I have made the mistake of thinking that a class was easy and did not require more studying or that I was smart enough to get an A so long as I read over the materials once. In High School your grade for a class was made up of many different tests and assignments, but in college, the majority of your grade is dependent on the few tests you take. I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to study hard for each and every test. Reading over the materials does not prepare you as much as you should be. Over-studying is always better than understudying; over-studying also prepares you better for future exams. In High School failing a test or two does not ruin your grade but in college tests are worth so much more. My advice to you is this: study hard for every test in every class even if you are given cheat sheets and note-cards; underestimate the class or overestimate yourself and I guarantee you that you will live to regret it.

I would tell myself that although, yes, it was time to have some fun, but not to lose sight of what I wanted, including an education. I lost sight of what I wanted after highschool and it was not until I had my son that I realized I had the same goals that I used to have as a high-schooler and my son gave me the motivation I needed to realize my goals. I became the first person to obtain their BA in my family and I am so proud of the example that I have led for my son.

If I had the opportunity to go back in time when I was applying to colleges, I would have looked at colleges that were more local, and I would have applied for more scholarships. My freshman year, I attended UC Davis, and I didn't receive any finacial aid. Because the school was out of state, I paid a ridiculous amount for my education, and as a result, I was unable to go back to UC Davis this year. At first I was disappointed that I had to attend a community college, but I am saving thousands of dollars, and I am taking all the same classes that I would have at a four year college, but I am saving a copious amount of money. The best piece of advice I would have given myself if I could go back in time would be to go to a community college in order to save money, and to work as much as possible to save up in order to attend a four year university the last two years. It doesn't matter where I complete my lower division courses, the only thing that matters is that my degree says UC Davis.

Never give up or doubt yourself for a second, it'll all be worth it in the end.

Have something planned for life after high school.

I let personal issues get in the way of me completing my classes. You could say I took two years off and then decided to start college. I would make sure to tell myself I deserve a higher education and not to let family or myself to take that away from me. Focus on your education and there will be plenty of time for relationships later. We often get involved in situations before we are ready. Right now I'm at the point where I should be transferring, but instead I'm barely getting started. Don't take time for granted or you'll be 20 and feel like you have nothing to show for it.