Potter students learn about college

FALLBROOK – On March 22, Potter Junior High School’s seventh grade students visited California State University, San Marcos (CSUSM), promoting college and career readiness. The day started off with a general welcome of all 400 Potter seventh graders, led by Marivel Rojas, the CSUSM Early Opportunity Program Outreach coordinator.

Next, students were divided into small groups for an extensive campus tour led by current CSUSM student ambassadors including visits to classrooms, the library, computer labs, the bookstore and the student union. The college students also shared their personal stories of their path to college, majors of study, and extracurricular involvements.

Additionally, the Potter students sat in lecture halls for a presentation regarding college entrance requirements, financial aid, campus life and ways to prepare for college. Student Yerry Mendez said the trip helped him understand that “if you go to college it will lead you to the right pathway,” and Alyssa Ware learned that “if you work hard you can go far in life.”

The campus visit was one of many events for College Month at Potter Junior High School. Additional activities included college apparel dress up days, multiple “I’m Going to College!” lunch presentations, and a “College: Making it Happen” family workshop during Potter’s Open House.

The CSUSM trip will be scheduled annually for seventh graders, in partnership with the Early Opportunity Program at CSUSM. The college visit promotes the guaranteed admissions agreement between Fallbrook High School and Cal State San Marcos, entitled CSUSM 4 U!, and also aligns with the Fallbrook Union Elementary School District’s goal of preparing all students to be college bound.