I Did It

I Did It

Dear freshman,

Before I started college I thought it was going to be exciting, fun, and I also thought it was going to be about partying. I heard many stories about friends that were in college and they said it was fun but also challenging. I knew college was going to be different from high school, but I never thought it was going to be this challenging. I got the opportunity to experienced college for the first time, and now that I have completed my first year in college, it was not what I expected to be.

In the beginning of my first year my first quarter I started off with two remedial classes, which were math 90, and English 95. I needed three classes to be a full time student, but I was missing one. I had a hard time getting classes, but I knew I had to take Health and Human Service (HHS) class, but those classes were full, so u had to take another general class. I managed to obtain my third class which was Urban Analysis (URBA). I had a difficult time in my URBA class because the professor would just use power points to teach us. Every class was power points, and I felt that I did not learned that way. Therefore, when it came to the final, I had to gather all my information that the professor explained, and the notes that I had written down. With all the studying, I managed to pass my class with a C+. It was not the grade I expected to receive, but this class was very challenging for me, so I was happy with a passing grade. Furthermore, I also managed to pass my remedial classes.

In addition to my first quarter, however my second quarter was better, but also challenging. I still had two remedial classes, but there were my last two remedial classes, which were English 96, and math 91. My English class was similar to my English 95, so I had a better understanding of what was expected in that class. My math class was the one I was having a difficult time. There were subjects that the professor would teach, and I had no clue what I had just learned. There were times where I just wanted to give up, but I had the support from my parents and I knew I could not let them down. I managed to keep my head up and not give up. I kept on studying and doing my best. With all the support from my family and all the time I took to study, I succeeded and passed my classes.

Finally, my third quarter at CSULA was about to start. I felt exited but at the same time I was feeling nervous. I knew that this time my classes were no longer remedial classes and they were college level classes. My third quarter was one of the best quarters I had here at CSULA because the professors were very helpful in a way that they would meet up more times with the students individually. I felt meeting more with the professor helped me improve.

Now I have completed my first year at CSULA. Looking back I wish I would have known where the financial aid office was. There were times where I would call the financial aid office and it would take forever for them to answer my call. There was a time where I came to campus and I could not find the financial aid office, I was lost for twenty minutes, until I finally found it. It will be a moment I will never forget because it was the first time I ever stepped a foot at CSULA. I wish I would have also known how actually college was. For example, the dedication towards classes, and how college is challenging. I now know that no class at a college will ever be easy. I am the first one in my family to go to college, so no one in my family knows how it actually is to be a college student.

What I experienced during my first year here at California State University Los Angeles was excitement. Moreover, I also experienced a difficult time, I was struggling in my classes, but I knew I had to focus, stay on task, but most importantly not give up. I am proud to say that I have completed my first year in college. An advice that I can give to you is study, do not fall behind, and do not give up. Yes, college is difficult, but it will also be a place to make memories. I wish you the best. Good luck!

 

Sincerely, Miguel Adan