My First College Experience.

Full classes. Double-digit wait lists. Filled over to capacity. My chances of attending college exactly slim to none...

I applied to school at the last minutes which pushed my registration date til the very end. My assessment test was 3 weeks before school started and I had no way to pay for classes even if I got into any.

I was scared to go to college to say the least. 

“Where am I going to get the money for school?”
"How do you apply for financial aid?"
"Is it too late?"

“Can I afford the books?” 
"Can I even get into any classes?"

"How am I going to change my work scheduled to fit around school?"

All these questions swarming around in head as I was going through WebAdvisor looking for classes. The process was rather straightforward. I first had to select which semester I would like to enroll in then gave me a list of different subjects Southwestern has to offer. It even allow you to specify it even more to which days you would like to attend each class.

Luckily through hard work and determination I made it into all of my core classes, but some classes I couldn't get into because of work and time issues.

But I’m glad that I went through all of these issues. I believe it’s an experience I had to go through in order to get into college because I learn from it and maybe someday your experience will help other feel not as confused as I once did.

Bayani's and Coke

I was standing at the door waiting for it to open so I could bribe my way into his class with a cold bottle of diet Coke... they said his class was over capacity by 20 students. I knew this was my last chance so I had to pull all the stops.

This was my third English class I had attempted to crash and time was running out. From the last two classes I was rejected from you'd think I would've given up by now and said fuck it... but I didn't. I pulled through and took a risk.

A few hours before class started I was in Maria Abuans counseling room practically on my knees begging to get into their Bayan learning community because they had the only English class open. I left countless messages on her answering machine you'd have thought I was stalking her or something.

But to my surprise she gave in and gave me the slightest bit of hope. She said, "I want you to attend Mr. Aronson's lecture and let me know what you think." I took that as an invitation to the class and it felt like a huge chip was lifted form my shoulders.

But nothing was for certain yet. So I had to play my cards right if I wanted that add code.

Before I left her office she had mentioned that his favorite drink was either coffee or coke... I was so desperate i felt like this little bit of information was going to be the key to my enrollment to this class. So I took advantage of what she told me and ran to the cafeteria.

So now I'm standing at the door crowded by students hoping as well to get into the class, some lucky enough to already be enrolled. Now all these thoughts are running through my head like,

"Is this considered bribing?"

"I should've gone with the coffee, what if he's not feeling soda right now?"

"Maybe i shouldn't have grabbed diet, what if he thinks I’m calling him fat?"

But before i had any time to back out the door opens and everyone starts to rush in like cattle. I made a bee line straight for the professor and made sure that i was the first one to approach him. I hesitated to hand him the drink but when I did he gave off a faint laugh as if he was already expecting it. He thanked me and told me to place it on the table then grab a seat for he had been expecting me.

I guess you can say only through my persistence that I had gotten the class. Getting classes in college is no joke. I remember in high school they take you out of classes just to register for classes next year but now you are responsible for taking time out and registering earlier than everyone to get the classes you want. I guess going to college will teaches me to be a little more independent and responsible but at the same time having as much fun as I can.

First Post

Hi. My name is RJ and I like to ride bikes with no brakes.