MHS Alum Advise Current Seniors about College

The sun of San Francisco blares down on Dolores Park as you look out the window, wondering what the next steps are after high school. You see a man walking his dog with a shirt that says “Bruins,” and another woman with a shirt that says “Go Bears.” What are your next steps? What does your future entail?

Recently, Mission High School was fortunate to welcome two alumni back on campus to inquire about their college experiences so far. Students, Alejandra Flores, attending UC Santa Cruz, and Brianna Rodriguez, attending UC Riverside, are offering a variety of experiences and advice to let those still contemplating their college choice and experience with National Commitment Day, May 1, present in the rearview mirror.

What are the biggest challenges in transitioning from Mission High School to college?

Alejandra – “It’s a lot easier to make friends in high school, but in college, you have to actually try and talk to people outside of class, or else, it’s kinda hard to make friends.”

Brianna – “Definitely classwork and homework, and also staying disciplined. Like waking up on time, which I remember the last time I came to school early during high school. So definitely waking up on time was the biggest shift.”

What are ways future students can put themselves out there to make friends?

Alejandra – “I went up to people, I would just sit with people at the dining hall and just say Hi, I want to go to events too. And then also follow up with people after classes, like hang out with them.

Brianna – “Go to events and stuff. Socialize with other people. Like you have to try. People aren’t just gonna come up to you, like you have to go up to them.

What are the ways Students can work on budgeting and saving money in college?

Alejandra – “Don’t order food! Because Door Dash upcharges hella. So it’s not worth it at all.

Brianna – “Probably just don’t spend money on dumb stuff and refrain from overspending on food. Because they give you money there that you can spend on food, like 100$ but you have to save, just don’t waste money on stupid stuff.

Have you guys experienced a roommate or a friend you grew to not like? How did you handle it?

Alejandra – “I haven’t had many problems with roommates, although one of them has a boyfriend who sleeps over every night and snores. I don’t have a problem with him being there, but this quarter I made him only sleep over two or three nights a week. 

Brianna – I have three roommates, with two rooms; I share one. So I get along with 2 of them, but the other girl doesn’t clean, and she’s always to herself; she eats in her room, which annoys my friend. And usually we try to tell her what’s up? And like she’ll try to fix, but she doesn’t really fix it. So we just distance ourselves.


What are the basic roommate etiquette that you would suggest to Mission Students to enter college with?

Alejandra – “Your laundry, pick it up the second it’s done drying, or it will get taken out, and I’ve taken out so many. Also, clean your stuff, clean your dishes.

Brianna – I would say keep everything clean and have basic respect. If somebody’s sleeping, don’t open the blinds and let the sun blare in somebody’s face. Don’t talk loudly on the phone. Don’t bring people over, and like have them sleep over. Just basic respect, and just be clean. 


What advice would you give a Mission student who has already committed or is going to enter college soon?

Alejandra – “Be prepared to have a slow start socially, you’re probably not gonna have many friends at first, and it may potentially get lonely, but take your time.”

Brianna – Stay on top of your work, and like I’ve said before, be disciplined. Nobody’s there to push you in college. And like, they don’t care if you don’t go to class or not. All they care about is the money you’re giving them. So stay disciplined, do your work, and stay on top of everything, don’t fall behind.

Alejandra and Brianna’s insight shows that college can have its ups and downs, but now that the decision is imminent, were all bound to experience them at some point. Besides, any decision is hard when 90% of your options could change your life drastically. But fear no more, Brianna and Alejandra both prove that the journey is worth it. That succeeding and adjusting to college is something that a Mission student can realistically accomplish and excel at even when the odds are against them.

So next time you’re staring out that window at lunchtime on a random Wednesday dont doubt yourself. Remember that success can be achieved by students just like you who aspire to attend college from Mission High School, because if they can do it, you can do it too.