Letter to College Freshman

To a Brave College Freshman,

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My name is Robert Gutierrez and was in the First-Year Pathways Program at Pasadena City College. I came to college because my career and dream is to become an academic counselor and a professor in Psychology and Social Behavior. Basically, my career and major requires a college education and a master’s degree. You are not quite sure what your major is? Do not worry so much about it! College requires you to complete general education classes like English, Math, Science, electives, etc. like high school. You will have additional time to think deeply for your major and not waste time in major classes you might not end up majoring in. I took 14.3 units and it was a challenge to complete as an incoming college freshman. If you have self determination and motivation, you will have no trouble in passing your courses. Are you disappointed you are in non-transferable classes? Well, you should never be disappointed about learning! The lower classes will help develop missing skills from high school and prepare you for the next level. Realistically, you rather be a skilled and prepared student that took English 400 and 100 for English 1A than someone that just got out of high school. I am just stating that taking these classes will help you be more successful for the higher classes. Hard work will always pay off and I promise that you will grow as a person your first semester alone. How was my week during my first semester like? On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday I have Math 450 from 10:30a.m. to 12p.m. On Tuesday and Thursday I have English 400 1:00p.m. to 3:00p.m., English 415 8:45a.m. to 10:10a.m., and English 902 3:45p.m. to 4:40p.m. (Thursdays only). Fridays I do have College 1 from 2:00pm. to 5:00p.m. as well. What do you recommend when scheduling your classes? Honestly, being at PCC in the morning and evening on the same day is really exhausting for me. However, if you have the time you may want to consider taking morning and evening classes to see which time fits best for you! I realized that morning classes work best because I have more energy and motivation to get my classes out of the way first. If you do not enjoy waking up early or going to school at 7 or 8 in the morning, you should stick with evening classes. Always remember! Each unit requires 2 hours of studying, homework, and reading for each course. So, Math is 4.0 units which needs at least 8 hours a week to do homework and study. I highly recommend to make room to complete assignments which is practice for your exams. What is my advice to you? Be open-minded to learn and empathize others! PCC is a diverse campus with amazing professors that care! Having a fixed mindset will control how you think and view life and others. Never limit yourself and learn something new that challenges you. You will grow as a person and develop many good friendships that you missed in high school. You are a brave person that overcame many obstacles and challenges to graduate and attend college. You are now a College freshman and have even more challenges yet to come. Now what? Be the wonderful individual and use the strength you had in high school to be successful. Never forget where you came from! The past holds your weakness that gave you the courage and determination to shine your brightest in life and your academics. I wish you the best of luck on your first semester! Never be shy to shine your personality. Take it from someone who lost both of his parents before the 10th grade. I had the self-determination and motivation to graduate from high school and make it here just like you. I am proud and honored to write a future student that will help change society for the better. Never give up and do not get discourage when times get hard. Take care!

Sincerely,

​Robert Gutierrez