Santa Monica College Top Questions

What should every freshman at Santa Monica College know before they start?

Amber

If I had the chance to go back to myself as a senior...wow what an opportunity that would be! I would sit me down, maybe over a chai latte, and explain a few things to myself about life and personal restraint. I would encourage myself to stay strong, not to give in or give up in school; as I did in high school. (I did not graduate, but received my GED years later.) I would instruct myself to find value in who I was and that it's ok to be individual. I would try to instill confidence and self-esteem and that self worth doesn't come from others, but from within one's own heart. I would implore myself not to doubt my own abilities and talents and to stop procrastinating! Time moves quickly and life is too short! I would tell myself to love my family, for they won't be around much longer and to make the most of myself NOW (take advantage of my youth). Use your stree-smarts, experience and wisdom and take a chance and go for what you want while remembering to respect others.

Ruby

This is some advice I would tell myself as a high school senior: Don't be feel bad because you're going to a community college while everyone else plans to go to a university. Just because you didn't score the highest on SAT's, going to college is like getting a second chance to redeem your grades. Just study hard to gain knowledge and achieve the highest grade so you know you did everything you can to deserve it. Then when you have all the credits and the 4.0 GPA, you can transfer to the school of your choice. I actually think back to high school and I really wish I told myself as a freshman to concentrate in school because it would better prepare me to do college work and colleges look at historical grades. By senior year, reality strongly nudges you on the shoulder to get with it. By then, damage has already been done. I thought about how college will change me as I sat in my first course at Santa Monica College on the day of my high school graduation, and now I know that it has molded me into a diligent student.

jackie

If I had the chance to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself that I don't have to worry about deciding on a career. College will offer me so many classes that will help me understand what I truly want to do. There will be counselors to aid me in my future career path. Being a senior means that it will be my final year in high school and I need to enjoy that last year and take my time in capturing every moment of it. I shouldn't be worrying and stressing on finding a major or career right at that moment in time. College should be a great experience and I should not worry about the transition because I am a strong person and am capable of doing well.

John

It is good for some people to take time off before college. Get a job and have fun, but remember to strive towards something greater, be it anything. Pursue music or dance, but do them with intensity. Learn to play an instrument in your free time. Never count anything out of your future, I know you may think that college is not for you right now but that does not mean it will be that way forever. Finally if you are going to spend money on somthing, DO IT!

JENNIFER

I know that you think that it's over because you're about to graduate high school but it's not. I understand that you want to take a break for a semester or a year but by then you may change your mind and not realize how important colllege is until later in life. It's never too late to go back to school. I know, because I'm twenty-seven, still studying my prerequisites. If I could go back in time, I would have never taken that year off.

Fred

Assuming I could go back to my sophmore year in high school, this is becouse I was never a junior or senior in high school becouse I recieved my GED, I would say to my self that to be able to blossom in college more efficently I must read more books. This would improve my vocabulary and help me to better comprehende the opics that are taught to us in college. This would also provide a variety of examples to use in the many essays, one would have to write in college. The next thing I would tell my self is that I should learn how to stop procrastinating and stay on topic with the subject that is being tought, by this I mean create a better work habit and work enviroment. The last peice of advice I would give myself is not to worry about the transition between high school and college and that it should be the last thing on my mind. This is becouse there are alot of people in the college that will help with the transitioning and later transfering to another school.

Kristin

If I could go back in time and find myself to tell myself some advice it would be, to never let go of that dream. Regardless of anything that crosses my path. Hold on to that dream and let it guide me throughout the years. If I keep that dream in mind, I am sure to hit the top. I wouldn't change anything about the life ahead, it's made me who I am today and I love it. Just hold on to that dream as tight as I can. I can do it!

Hadas

If i could go back in time to when i was a senior, i would probally tell myself to apply for every scholarship i could. College is expensive, and not easy to pay for. I would love to pay for my classes without worring about other expensis that need to be paid.

See

If I can go back in time to talk to myself as a senior in high school, I would tell her to apply to as many scholarships as she can. For she will never know what the future is like. I would want to mention about all the work one have to do for a class, all the essays that my old self will be writing. I would want to let her know about AP classes, and for her to take the tests. I would tell myself to save money for college, just incase other unknown events will appear. And for the most part, for my old self to study hard and stick to one specific major, to concentrate well and work for what she wants.

John

If i could go back in time i would have told myself to pick a mojor that was for me. I would have told myself that money is not the important thing choosing a career that i was right for me is the most important thing. I would have told myself that it didn't matter if my parents never finished college, that it was still possible to make the way myself, with confidence. I would have told myself that my friends and my sports come second to my schooling and that i have so many opportunities available if i just stay focused. I would have told myself that college isn't as big and scary as it seems and once you get into the groove of things it can become the most amazing experience of your life.