Real Advice From CCI’s Top Performers
This month, we asked several of California Career Institute’s Outstanding Students to share what helps them succeed. Their answers are honest, practical, and a powerful reminder that academic success isn’t about perfection. It’s about commitment, consistency, and continuing to move forward even when life gets busy.
Meet this month’s featured students: Ailar Esteva, Candice Regan, Cera Noriega, and Suzanne Harrison.
What They Wish They Knew When They Started
Ailar: “I wish I knew how important it is to trust myself and not be so hard on myself. When I first started the program, I sometimes doubted whether I was capable of keeping up with everything. Now, I’ve learned that struggling with something doesn’t mean I’m not good at it, it means I’m learning.”
Candice: “I wish I knew from the beginning that it’s okay not to understand everything right away. There is a lot of new information to learn, especially in ultrasound physics… I’ve learned that being consistent, asking questions, and giving myself time to understand the material makes a big difference.”
Study Habits That Genuinely Work
Candice breaks material into smaller sections and turns it into simple questions and answers, using flashcards and review guides. “If I can explain it without looking at my notes, I know I actually understand it.”
Cera talks through concepts with others. “I find it’s easier to understand something if I can teach it to someone or even just talk about it.” She combines this with other active recall methods for better retention.
Suzanne relies on detailed note-taking from her books and online lectures. Working on her own time means she’s never rushed and can look things up as needed.
Overcoming the Toughest Challenges
Cera found the abdominal class the most difficult because of the sheer amount of content. What helped? “Learning from my classmates as well as my instructors. Studying together and helping each other scan helped expand on what I already knew… Teamwork really makes the dream work!”
The People Who Make a Difference
Ailar: “My biggest supporter has been my mom… She has always encouraged me to keep going and reminded me why I started. I honestly don’t think I would have gotten this far without her.”
The Moment They Realized “I Can Do This”
Suzanne: “By the time I got halfway through my first term is when I started to realize that I can do this!! The support and encouragement I received from my husband, family made all the difference… You too can do this, just keep your focus.”
When School Gets Difficult, They Remind Themselves…
- Ailar: “…why I started and how much I’ve already accomplished.”
- Candice: “I may have hard days, but I don’t want a hard day to make me give up on a goal I worked so hard to reach.”
- Cera: “…that this is to better my life, the life of my family, and to help others.”
- Suzanne: “Don’t forget your why.”
Congratulations to Our Outstanding Students
Thank you to Ailar, Candice, Cera, and Suzanne for sharing your journeys. Your hard work is being noticed, and we hope your words inspire your classmates to keep reaching for their own goals.
