Dan Brown, an SF State senior, sits in front of the Cesar Chavez Student Center on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021. As a transfer student, Dan switched majors and went from pursuing a degree in music to pursuing a biology degree once attending SF State. (Garrett Isley / Golden Gate Xpress) (Garrett Isley)
Dan Brown, an SF State senior, sits in front of the Cesar Chavez Student Center on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021. As a transfer student, Dan switched majors and went from pursuing a degree in music to pursuing a biology degree once attending SF State. (Garrett Isley / Golden Gate Xpress)

Garrett Isley

Xpress Yourself: Students share what they wish they knew before coming to college

November 3, 2021

(Garrett Isley / Golden Gate Xpress)

College is a time of learning, both inside and outside the classroom. For some, it’s the first time they’re living on their own. But all students share a similar experience of taking the first step into this unfamiliar world largely on their own.

With a new degree of independence and the lack of a guiding hand walking them through the steps, students must figure it out along the way. And on this path, students are learning valuable information that would’ve proved useful as they dove head first into their college careers.

The Golden Gate Xpress asked students what they wish they knew before coming to college.

 

TRANSCRIPT

Dan Brown, senior: Man I wish I paid attention more to the metric system.

 

Annika Ponciano, sophomore: If you work in high school, try to save money because college is not cheap.

 

Andy Omvik, senior: The value of my classes and how much you can get out [of them] if you put enough effort in. And just how awesome professors are. I’ve had professors now who have gotten me jobs and plugged me into like really great like networks of people.

 

Ebony Bailey, senior: Um, time management.

 

Hope Gilman, freshman: I wish that I knew to, like, figure out time management before.

 

Jake Collins, sophomore: I feel like I know how to manage my time a bit better than I did before I came to college.

 

Ebony Bailey, senior: I mean, I feel like in high school I learned how to, like, time stuff very well. But, in college, since you’re on your own, you gotta know how to do it yourself and nobody’s gonna help you, so.

 

Cassandra Rittiron, freshman: People really don’t care, like, about you. It’s not like high school where you just feel like judged and, like, everyone knew what you were doing. In college, people are very, like, care-free and they don’t really care, you can do whatever you want.

 

Nika Shirazi, senior: I guess something that I wish I knew now is like how to be, like, more myself, like, put myself out there more. Rather than in the beginning of college, I was more timid and I didn’t really want to try new things but now I’m able to, like, try new things. So, yeah putting myself out there is something I learned.

 

Alex Vaheid, senior: I guess, uh, you can do anything you want.

 

Garrett Isley: What have you done?

 

Alex Vaheid, senior: Anything I’ve wanted to do, you know?

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About the Contributors
Photo of Garrett Isley
Garrett Isley
Garrett Isley is a photographer from San Diego, CA. He is a senior photojournalism major at SF State covering arts and cultural events across San Francisco. When he doesn’t have a camera in his hand, you can find him skating, at the beach or drawing in the park.
Photo of Paris Galarza
Paris Galarza
Paris Galarza is a photojournalism major and a senior at SF State. He is from South San Francisco and likes to photograph, but is always willing to work out of his comfort zone. Outside of school, Galarza likes to travel, bake.  

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