My Biggest Regret

Overall college has been great. Every single day that I’m on campus I enjoy my time. I always see my old friends from high school but also the new friends I made throughout the school year. College did have its tough moments when it came down to midterms but it was mainly relaxed if I did my work. This school year was one of learning not only in the classroom but also on how to deal with managing school, work, and the bit of a social life one may have. My first semester went very well but unfortunately this second semester has not been the same. I thought I was going to be able to manage everything going on in my life. It’s not much but it keeps me busy. This second semester I began working at AutoZone and it has had both its pros and cons. The main con though is that I have noticed how time consuming this job has been for me. I work part time but the part that affected me was the late shifts at night I would work. Closing the store at eleven but still having to finish closing task and be getting home past midnight and then resting to go to class. I know that having a job has played a huge factor on limiting my full potential in school. It takes the bit of time I have to work on school assignments. Even with time management it’s not enough as I end up mentally and physically drained. I regret working and dedicating so much time to work as I know what truly matters is school. It’s a mistake that I can’t undo but learn from.

My Huge Student Debt

Going to a four-year university is no joke. You have to pay for so many things that eventually you get in debt. Parking permits are $182 a semester here at Stan State which is a ridiculous amount compared to the $30 at Modesto Junior College. In addition to that our books range from being as cheap as eighty cents to a crazy two hundred dollars or more! Stanislaus state has made me get into debt and it has played a negative effect into my life style. I owed an amount of SIX dollars to the school. I had two months to pay off those six dollars I owed but I didn’t because since it was a small amount I didn’t worry about it. Until two days ago I logged onto my school account and saw the tragedy that happened. I had a hold on my account! That is the worst that can ever happen. I need to choose my classes tomorrow and with a hold my class selection is in major jeopardy. I couldn’t risk having to go through that so I finally paid off my student debt. It took less than five minutes online and I questioned myself on why I didn’t do it sooner. The issue though is that I checked my account and even though I have paid off the six dollars it still states that I have a hold. I am in fear for my academic life that I won’t be able to get the classes I want. Pray for me guys. I love you all. God bless.

Stan State Parking Lot

            Waking up in the morning to go to class is a hassle for me. I wake up, curl up in my blanket, and tell myself five more minutes. By the time I know it I only have thirty minutes left to go to school and make it on time to my lecture. I make my way into my car, turn it on, and head out to class. I become relaxed and confident that I am going to make it on time but I suddenly face traffic. I have no other choice but to speed my way left and right through the road. I make it to campus but then I face my greatest enemy…the parking lot. Parking here at Stan State is such an issue. You have problems finding a parking spot as everything may be taken up or because students do not know how to park either! Some spots are too tight that it’s not even worth risking it to fit in. I know Stan State is not that big of an university but the school should take into consideration the parking space available versus the number of parking permits that they sell. I make it on time to school with ten minutes before class but sadly I take about half that time cruising around the parking lot to find a spot for me. One of the main contributors to this problem may be that we all want to park as close as we can but even when I don’t mind park a bit far there is no parking available.

Summer Courses

With spring semester coming to an end it is time to start thinking ahead. We need to choose our classes for fall and see what are our best options. I am ahead of what I am supposed to be by nine units. This gives me an advantage in completing my general education requirements in less than two semesters. I want to be further ahead by taking at least one summer course. The issue is that I am curious to see if financial aid can cover it for me. Having my summer course paid for would be very helpful but it’s risky in a way. In order to be considered for financial aid covered one must be registered for a summer course regardless. So at the end of the day if I do not get financial aid to cover my course I will be enjoying summer in school and also working to pay the bill I will be receiving. Stanislaus State stressing the idea of graduating in four years. I know this is barley my second semester but when I think about it that goal seems hard to achieve for many. Depending the degree trying to be pursued also depends how many prerequisites there is to be taken. So those prerequisites may then take up an extra semester. That is where the university plays a role in help out students in order to achieve that four-year time frame. That can be done with the help of providing more affordable classes or rearranging the game plan they have for students. 

The Beauty of Stan State

Stanislaus State was not my first-choice school to attend for my college career. It was my emergency university that I knew I could attend regardless of the situation. At first I wasn’t super hyped because I was still staying in the region. I felt as if I wasn’t really achieving anything since I didn’t have to move anywhere to attend school but as the months have gone by I came to the conclusion that I made the right choice. Stanislaus State is a very nature oriented campus that has lots of green beauty. There is a vast number of trees and green field to see that one may not be used to. Having so many trees purifies the air and gives a sense of liberty that is not offered in the city life. Along with the trees and green grassy fields are the ponds and wildlife that lives within it. Geese live here on campus and provide an additional beauty to the campus. Even though they may be annoying and leave feces on the sidewalk it is cool to have them on campus. I can’t think of another university that has geese living on their campus. It is a trademark feature of Stan State. One of the major highlights is in the spring when all the trees blossom and it is such an amazing view. People are taking pictures and being proud that this is their university. The only downside is for individuals with allergies. Overall, this is a great campus and I am glad to call it home.

Is School Prioritized Enough?

Do we truly prioritize school? Do we wake up every morning eager to go to class? I’m sure we have all questioned ourselves “why am I even here?”. I have come across that question several times as soon as I began college. During high school, I had to go regardless but in this situation, I have a choice. I question that decision because of money. Money has had a great influence on my decision making. I am currently employed at AutoZone and ever since I have only cared about making money. I am living my life with the motto, “money is the motivation!” and “gotta rack up them hours!”. On my days off I call other stores and work extra hours because I am striving to get my checks looking like phone numbers. The issue though is that I do that even when I know I have school assignments to take care of. If I have something due next day I take full shifts that take up my time when I could’ve done homework instead. Also, the fact that I’m working takes away the importance from school because I have more responsibilities to take care of. It is then that I begin thinking on how I would much rather work full time and be making money already instead of going to school to obtain a career. As much as I would want to dropout though I know that I’m going to continue with school. Working full time at a minimum wage pay will only be good for a short-term period. It is the long-term thoughts that make me stay in school as it’ll be the best decision.

The Greatness of Technology

Isn’t technology great?  As time progresses, we are using more and more technology in school.  I am pro technology in the classroom, and I believe it benefits both the student and teacher.  Technology helps us communicate more easily.  If a professor is not going to show up to class, they typically send out an email to their students so the students won’t show up as well.  Also, if a student has any questions about the information being taught in class, he/she could easily email and get in contact with the professor.  Another way technology is a great help is because of Google Drive.  I have gotten used to Google Drive back in high school as this is what we would use.  It is a great program that allows you to create documents, slideshows, and sheets.  If one is not able to purchase Microsoft Word, they can simply sign up for a Gmail account for free and use Google Drive.  One of my favorite features it has is how it saves your work automatically as you go.  I cannot tell you how many times my computer shut down when I was using Microsoft Word, and all my work was gone.  Because of this, my go to for creating any type of document is Google Drive.  Lastly, our society is shifting into a world in which technology is everywhere.  By us using technology now and getting more accustomed to how everything operates, we will succeed and have no trouble learning it in the future.  Overall, technology is a great tool we have as students.