Charmisse Owens - Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me Before I Started College

Copyright 2016 Charmisse M. Owens

Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me Before I Started College

First Edition, June 2016

Augusta, Georgia

ISBN: 9781483573366

Published by BookBaby

Editor: Shayla Eaton, CuriouserEditing.com

Interior Design: Rogena Mitchell-Jones, RogenaMitchell.com

Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me before I Started College is under copyright protection. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. Printed in the United States of America. All rights reserved.

I was born and raised in South Central Los Angeles, California. Given my immediate surroundings and socioeconomic status, I didnt have all the answers, and I for sure didnt imagine myself going all the way to the other side of the country for school. I got to college on hope and a prayer (seriously). Neither of my parents have a college education. However, my mother put my sister and me into programs that could help. We got a lot of assistance from an after-school program called Volunteers of America (Upward Bound). In addition to help with homework, we toured multiple colleges and got assistance with the college application process as well as financial aid.

All this preparation came down to my moving to Atlanta, Georgia, at the ripe age of seventeen. I didnt have a to-do list, a checking or savings account, any references, or best practicesnothing. I had no clue how things were going to happen or who was going to fund them. I just knew I was in school.

I started my freshman year of college on my eighteenth birthdayalone from my twin sister and all of my family and childhood friends. It was a sobering experience but one that I was ready for. Failure at this point was calling home for a plane ticket to come back home to LA, and that wasnt an option.

I was a first-generation college student with little to no real blueprint for what to expect in college or what it would take to complete my four-year degree. If you put all of my cards face-up, you would see a girl from South Central LA with average grades who grew up in a single-parent household, two parents with felony convictions, one parent suffering from alcoholism, no college fund saved, and no real plan.

I managed to figure it out for myself through observation, research, and just plain ole trial and error. The trials and errors are what Im most proud of because it made me who I am today.

My goal for this book is to limit as many trials and errors as possible for you. I hope that this guide leads you to a successful college life.

This book is for everyoneincluding parentswho has the desire to pursue higher education but doesnt have the answers.

For anyone who is conflicted with being a product of their environment or reaching their full potential.

For anyone who doesnt have a mentor or exemplar for what a successful college student looks like.

For anyone looking to gain insight on collegiate experience through the eyes of a somewhat successful, twentysomething woman.

This book is my story, lessons, best practices, and soapbox. You dont have to have all the tools or the answers to succeed. You have to tap into your inner superhero and find it in yourself to make a way out of no way.

I sat back one day and thought of things I wanted to tell my students (back when I did my student teaching in my masters program), and it spilled into the next twenty chapters.

My hope is that all who read this use it as a survival guide and reference for their pursuit in higher education. Many times when I accomplish a task or do anything, I say, If I can do this, anyone can. In this specific instance, I will say it again. Good luck, and happy reading.

If after reading this, you discover that college isnt for you, I hope that you seek the path in life that best suits you. Im aware of the fact that college isnt for everyone and I agree. My book is from my perspective and I respect anyone who chooses to explore any of the alternatives to higher education. Some people join the military, go to trade school, or certify for their profession, while others try their hand at jumping straight into the workforce. These are all viable options.

I wish someone would have told me [that] what I came to college [to] pursue is the opposite of what I would do in my current career.

J. Lee-Johnson

College is the place where people go to learn and prepare themselves for their future. Its the hub of learning, partying, networking, and building memories that will last a lifetime. College is the yellow brick road to so many places in life. Its the place where you think youre going to get away from home, but where you are really going to find yourself. Its now the nostalgic place where I will always call home.

College is whatever you make of it.

In addition to academics, there are quite a few things to look forward to. Some highlights are:

• Move-in day
• First day of class
• Dorm initiation
• Homecoming
• Sports events
• School rivalry (it gets real)
• Parties
• Pageants
• Concerts
• Crossing the burning sands
• Senior trip
• Graduation

College has a lot to offer socially, but some of the things you should be looking forward to in regards to enrichment and scholarships are:

• Internships
• Job/career fairs
• Making the deans list
• Joining an honor society
• Senior project
• Work experience
• Graduation

I wish someone had told me that my five-year plan wouldnt turn out to be my five-year plan.

S. ORourke-Gray

Getting ready for your first year of college is comparable to high school, with a tad more detail, especially if you are headed out of state. This is more than likely your first time living on your own so packing up your life can be tasking. Take your time, make a list, and do some research. Some schools provide you with a suggested list of things, which will prove very helpful. In addition to packing up your life, you will also need to load up on school supplies (including books). One major thing you will need to do is learn some things that will help you in case of an emergency. Many days I found myself having to call home to ask basic questions that many adults know.

Things to ask your parents so you know ahead of time:

• Social Security number
• Blood type
• Allergies
• Insurance providers (cards)
• Cost of things you wouldnt ordinarily pay for (household goods, food, etc.)

Story Time: My freshman year, I had an allergic reaction to something I ate, and my throat was swollen to the point where I couldnt eat and barely could swallow. My first thought was to call 911, but I called my mom to tell her my symptoms first. She agreed that I needed to go to the hospital. She made it clear that I was not to ride in the ambulance, which averages $300$500. Instead, I had to find a ride. I did. I also had to find a ride home, which was just my luck that I had a neighbor who was an upperclassman at Spelman (thanks, Chanel). I say this to acknowledge that as an early adolescent, we are not always cognizant of the things our parents are paying for.

Do you know your major? Many students go into school with an exact plan (which may very well change), while others go in unsure of their career path. The best thing about freshman year is that you can change your majorwithout penalty. If you already know your major and path, then good for you!