Florida Gulf Coast University Top Questions

The most important advice I can give, is don't abandon your old friends, but don't be afraid to make new ones. When I first came to school I knew absolutely no one and so I gave myself a fresh start. However, it took me a long time to make the friendships I have now, and I have gone through two friendships that haven't lasted. No matter what happens, I still have my support system back home with my two best friends from high school. Also, focusing on grades is important, but make sure to find time to hang out with friends. Carve an hour a day for fun, just for you, and never procrastinate. You'll laugh at people trying to finish that ten page paper the day before its due when you've had it finished for a week. If you come into school with a serious boyfriend/girlfriend, and it doesn't work, it isn't the end of the world. You will meet many wonderful people who may be even better than your ex. Call your family at least once a week, they will miss you and you'll realize you miss them.

Pay closer attention to the AP Classes; I find they're more diffucult than most of the college courses, so if you can make it there you can make it here. Money WILL get tight, so make sure to sign up for as many scholarships as you can and study to pass the AP Exams.

If I could go back in time I would have told myself to stay at a community college near home. The reasons for that are so I can help my parents within paying the bills and being able to spend time with them. My parents are like millions other parents struggling at paying bills, and getting food on the table. Back at home I had a job. Now in college I haven?t had any time in looking. I?m taking fives classes this semester and I?m in Greek Life. My sorority is called Chi Omega. Both of them take up my time. When I get the chance to visit home, both of my parents are at work all day. So I spend very little time with them. College for me is going great. I passed my classes last semester with flying colors, but not being able to help my family in this ruff time kills me.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would give myself simple advice about making the transition into college life. Although this was a huge transition, I did not look at it that way. Instead, I saw this as an opportunity and a great stepping-stone in my life. Being that I am away from home, I have learned to cherish my friends and family when I have the opportunity to be in their presence. Overall, the advice I would have given to myself would have been to not be nervous about going away to college, for my life can only advance from here, and my family will only get closer, regardless of the actual distance.

If I could go back to when I was a senior in high school I would tell myself to move away and stay there. Originally I went to PA on a soccer scholarship for my freshman year of college. Because of finances and other reasons I moved back home thinking it was the best decision. After a semester of being home I realize this is truly not what I want. Living at home is not the "real" college experience I had when I was on my own in the dorms. I wish I could go back and tell myself that moving away to PA is the best decision because it will give me the experience of a life time and to stick with it because it is not as bad as it may seem. The first year is the hardest to try to transition, especially being so far away. I wish I could tell myself to get more involved with my team mates and try to make more time for school during spring semester. Lastly, I wish I could tell myself that this is my life, I need to live it and stop worrying about financial debt.

Get better grades and try harder

If I could impart some of my newly gained wisdom about college to my former high school self, I would have told myself to work harder. Since entering college, my eyes have been opened to a whole new lifestyle where I am able to control my own destinty. However, I am limited because of what I did, or didn't do while I was in high school. I would have told "high school me" to apply myself more vigorously to gaining scholarships and getting better grades so that I would be eligible for more opportunities that I have unfortunately missed.

My adivce would be to continue taking the path you are taking. You should continue your focus on education and hard work. Don't venture off the path you are currently taking. Do not stress out for things will work out for you. Also, if this scholarship existed back when I was a high school senior, apply for this scholarship! You might just win!

study hard form the beginning. Do not fall behind inany class. try to get ahead

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior there is a lot of advice I would have given myself. The first piece of advice I would give myself is to not take your senior year as a joke. Most student their senior year take the easiest classes they can, others just don't care. I would have taken harder classes, and would have worked harder at my sports. I would tell myself to look for more scholarships to pay for college. One of the hardest things about college is worrying about money. The most important thing that I could give myself advice on would be to take looking for scholarships more seriously. Who have teachers in high school that can only make you do so much. When they tell you about scholarships, you should go fill them out right away, don't wait till the last minute and then it's too late. A lot of scholarships don't even get to give their money away because nobody applies for them.

Don't bull shit through high school. make good grades, it will cost you less money in the end. paying for college out of your own pocket is no fun. Don't let turning 21 make you lose focus on what you should be doing, save the booze for the until the end of the semester. always plan on going to your classes all the time (even if they are boring). Pick a major you can do. Computer science sounds cool, but it is alot more demanding than it is fun. Be real with yourself when it comes to picking your major.

I would, as a high school senior, tell myself to treat college not as an extension of high school, but as a "first step" in my career. So many high school students do not take their first year of college seriously, and do not fully focus on their educational goals. Freshman year in college is substantially vital in acheiving a degree and graduating on time. I would simply tell myself to stay focused and utilize any and all college/university aid programs, such as career guidance and tutoring.

As a high school senior, I was one of the many students at the point in their educational career where they feel like the little obstacles of high school seem beyond feasable. What these student experts don't know is what the real world holds ahead of them, ready to throw at their faces like a wet snowball without warning. Nothing that the high school professors told me and nothing that the AP classes presented to me would ever fully prepare me for college life. I heard tales about college regarding study skills, GPA, professors, partying and so on but what I didn't hear about was life on my own. I never realized that having two jobs in high school wouldn't be enough, I never realized that I would have to turn down my friends movie night because I didn't have the cash, and I never realized that my dream of having a car of my own would become far fetched. The advice I needed was to have a better budget throughout my senior year. I was living in the "here and now" and I was too absorbed in the affluent and unrealistic world that surrounded me.

Going into college, I was pretty prepared for working hard since I was going to be a music major. But I would remind myself that college is more about learning and understanding what the professors taught than the grades. Getting wrapped up in the grades is not important. I have been told that numerous times over the last 2 and a half years. If you understand what you are doing the grades will come on their own.

Don't wrap yourself up material things, save your money and be smart about who you trust. Spend more nights studying and less nights drinking with strangers, they won't remember you next week. Relationships are a part of life that even you will have to experience, don't let people be reckless with your heart. Stay healthy mentally and physically. Eat right, excercise regularly, and study in groups as often as you can. You don't know this yet but study groups will help you build beautiful friendships and succeed in school. Don't be shy, ask that silly questions because a third of your class is probably wanting to ask the same thing. Remember to study smart not hard.

Transitioning from high school to college is a big deal, but getting involved with programs right away is the best thing to do. Making sure you know your way around the campus and introducing yourself to the people who are higher up in the "food chain" at school will always help you in the long run. Essentially, socialization is the key.

Be more out going. Enjoy the first few years, work hard, go to class, and take a full 18 credit load as many semesters as you can handle. SAVE your money ! Most of all, enjoy it.

Well Sophie, all your high school teachers are going to tell you that college is going to be a complete 180 from high school, and they are partially right. When they say college professors are going to be super tough on you and not anywhere near as nice as your high school teachers, they are embelishing a bit. My experience with college professors is that they are each very different in their own right. Some are extremely hard on you and will not give you the time of day, and others are extremely accomodating and want to help you in any way possible. As far as the course work goes, it varies from class to class and professor to professor. Some of my professors never assign any work and prefer class discussions to any written work and others stick to long research papers and presentations. Studying is something you are going to have to learn to deal with also. I know you never studied in high school and managed to pass all your tests, but if there's one thing that is different in college, it's the tests. They can make or break your entire grade and GPA.

I would study more my senior year so I knew how to study like you do in college. I also would learn to balance my priorities before I went away to school and didn't have my parents on back telling me what to do. Another thing, you don't have to go to every party there is. There are parties almost every night of the week, so if you miss one you're not going to die.

Advice I would give to myself as a high school senior would be to save as much money as you can instead of wasting funds on unimportant things.

Think really hard on what you want to do with your life. It can be hard to change your major after you started with one thing; or worse yet, find out that what you wanted to do you can't because of physical limitations. You need to have a back-up plan. No matter how much you want to go to college or where, the most important thing is to know what you want to do and not settle for the college that looks good but for the one college that meets your educational needs and requirements to finish first.

College is NOT as easy as high school is, it requires a lot of studying and hard work and if you are not prepared then you will not do well.

Learn study skills and do dual enrollment

Be open to new ideas, stay focused and theres nothing wrong with trying everything once.

If I could go back in time to my senior year of high school, I would tell myself that I need to make sure I always keep up with my schoolwork and stay motivated because they do not hold your hand like they do in high school.

Hang in there. It will take time to adjust but it will all be worth it.

study more not to get left behind in college because in the end a good degree pays off..........

I would tell myself to keep an open mind and to take every experience for what is worth. Rejoice in failures, because from them you will learn to soar.

The advice I would give myself would be to never give up. In my freshmen year I was so overloaded with school work and my job that I needed to pay for school that I gave up on myself. This is the worst mistake I have ever made in my life. I let myself slide into the mundane world and only focoused on doing the bare minimum. When I saw what it did to my social life and my GPA I really wanted to give up. But I kept telling myself to push on, to try and finish my freshmen year the best that I could. And I did, my first semester I finished with a 1.5 GPA not so good for an aspiring Med student, but by the end of the year I had brought my GPA up to a 3.0 and I was proud of myself. I vowed to never give up on myself again and to push on and make it to my emerald city at the end of the yellow brick road of higher education.

I would tell myself that there is no longer any time to fool around; the time has come to get serious about my life in more than just the romantic ways; hopefully those things will come in time, but for now, I have to focus on school. I would tell myself to pick something I enjoy, to go out there and explore the things I may like, to make new and loyal friends, to start working early, to study now and get used to working hard, and to start learning more about myself and what I like. I would tell myself to interact with my professors and to listen to what they have to say; absorb every bit of knowledge and wisdom my elders give me like a sponge, both the education and the advice. I would tell myself to be outspoken and to meet new people. I would show myself all the things I can still fix and rectify them so I do not end up regretting the choices I've made up till this point in my life. I would tell myself it is not too late to make something of yourself.

I would tell myself to spend my senior year studying as much as possible and to stop worrying about boys. I would also tell myself to relax and live a little in college; try not to rush through college so quick and enjoy it instead.

Be open to new things and keep your head in the game.

Make sure to visit the campus and learn everything about the school. Learn about how well of a program they offer for your major and learn about how big or how small their classes are. Learn about the professors and if they really care about you and you academics. Learn about how far you will get in the world from going to this school. If you have a learning disability, make sure you learn about how they take care of students like that and if it fits your needs. Also learn about how you can get involved with your school and what kind of extra-curricular activities they offer. Lear about what their dorms look like, do they look clean and is it somewhere you want to live. Make sure that you are going to a school that you will have fun in and will learn greatly for your future career.

Picking the right college is like picking the right prom dress; when you see it, you know that?s the one.

Make sure you spend time looking at all your options. Visit those schools you are most interested in and see what kind of vibe you get when walking around the campus. Make sure you are or have been saving up so you do not have to go into major debt to get a college degree. Make sure the school is an area you feel comfortable and safe in. See what kinds of opportunities are available for you academically and socially in the on and off-campus scene. Make sure you and your parents are both satisfied with your choice so that there aren't any unnecessary arguments about it in the future. Make contact with a current student and see what they enjoy about the campus. Attending and Expo at your school can be helpful in deciding if the school offers academic and social programs to your liking. Finally, spend time with family making the decision together, so that you go to the school you're meant to be, completely satisfied with the positive experience you expect to have.

make sure to visit schools, don't just trust the pamphlets you get in the mail or what you see online. go visit the campus and talk to students who are already enrolled who live both on and off campus, compare how their daily lives differ.

THe best advice that I can give a student is to know where you are going. I did not want to be far away from home but had only visited FGCU once before i made the decision to attend. I wanted to be close to home and even though i did not like the campus the first time i came, i enrolled anyway. While now I absolutely love the campus and wouldn't ever want to attend college any where else, i know how difficult it was for me the first year. I didn't know the area, anyone who attended here, and all i wanted to do was go home and have fun. I would highly suggest to every student to visit the school a couple of times. If the students knows someone who attends that school, stay with them for a weekend and check out what life is like on that campus. It will really help in your decision making process and will also help you in being homesick at the beginning and throughout the school year.

When choosing what college you want to attend, it is very important to do your research and find a school that fits all your needs. You should also visit and tour the schools so you get a better feel of what the school has to offer.

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When looking for the "right" college, it is best to look at different aspects of a school that will help you in your future career. The first thing you should look at is the program of interest to you. School websites are very informational, they describe the program in detail, the requirements, other student's reviews, and more. These sites can give you a feel of what the program will be like and how affective it will be to your career. For example, the college I chose continues to update their physical therapy program to the needs of the outside professions. They used to have just a masters program, but they recently changed it to a doctorate program. This is because these days employers are looking for physical therapists that can write prescriptions and this involves a doctorate degree. Even though a Physical therapist only needs a masters for their career, my college is aware that it is in the student's best interest to further their education. Finding the right college means finding a college that cares about your future and is willing to help you and one that current students can describe in a positive way.

Visit the college before you attend! Consider if you want to go far from home or stay close. If you are going to be working while going to school, make sure you secure a job ASAP or at least make sure there are opportunities around. Get involved as much as possible, it really does go by way too fast! Follow the syllabus the professor gives you and do not procrastinate!

When looking for the "right" college, look at all of the possibilities and situations that the school has to offer. The surrounding areas, campus life, academics, housing situations, and more, all affect the growth and prosperity of a student. Even though some of the before mentioned may not affect the student directly it does affect the student in someway, shape or form. The bonds the students create throught campus involvement and housing arrangements can lead to a life long networking circle. All schools have websites, do research, not just the prospective students information page but research majority of the information on the school. Look at the school's recent news, clubs and organizations, awards recieved and more. Lastly, look more into the career path you would like to take, is that school the best for your career? Find out about the school's graduation and career placement statistics. Make sure you not only attend the open house but speak to students that attend the school, not just the ones volunteering or getting paid to showcase the school, but the average student walking around. Then you will know exactly what the school has to offer.

not sure, I'm a single mother of two boys not only working to support my own family fulll time but going to school full time. I did not get to enjoy full college life. I will advise students to get their education prior to starting a family and enjoy everything college has to offer.

How excited are you? You are a senior that is going off to college! There are so many decisions you are going to face on finding that perfect college and then experiencing that perfect college experience. I had to face that and it was not easy. The advice I would suggest to finding that ?perfect college? and that ?perfect college experience? is finding out what lifestyle you want at that college. Do you want to have a great football team or do you want to have that amazing aeronautical engineering program? This is vital because you want to be happy where you are. Do you want to stay local or have a change? Ask yourself questions. Parents: You have knowledge your kids do not posses yet. Guide them on their decision but allow them to make the final decision. They will be successful if they are happy. No matter how many college preparation books you can read just know that doing research and asking questions can help you make those final decision because you can never be to prepared.

Visit the schools that you wish to go to. I know when I went to visit I could see myself attending that school. It was such a great feeling. Also, students, finding the right balance of work load and friends is the hardest thing to do especially if you are away from home. It is the most important thing you can do for yourself though. Once you find that balance and stick to it, life can be a bit more easy. Sometimes it takes people a long time to find that perfect balance for them. I know it is my second year and I am still working on it. College is ment to be fun but you are there to study so both are important!

I advise parents help their son and/or daughter to acheive what their passion is and to constantly build their confidence and to not be pushy. Parents should not try to be in constant contact with their children because I feel the distance from family can help someone find who they truely are and what will make them happy in life. Parental influence can play role in a student persuing something that does not make them happy. I advise students to study a lot! Complete all assignments and seek tutoring if you are having trouble. Pay attention to all of your surroundings, other students are not as nice as they seem, so keep friends far and few, and secrets to yourself. I do feel that Fort Myers is a vortex for taking ones good energy and having nothing to give in return, so stay strong! Don't let the world take you down and please, please constantly swim against the flow of society. Be yourself and be free. Don't take no for an answer and live life knowing you can do whatever you dream to do. Always spread good, and refrain from evil.

The most important thing to look at when choosing a college is their majors! Really look at them and read about them. If a school doesn't have what your interested in doing for the rest of your life, and you attend it anyway, well your obviously not in college for the right reasons. Once you have schools narrowed down by what your interested in majoring in, look at what their values are. For example, Florida Gulf Coast University cares very much about the envoronment, and so do I, that gives them an advantage in persuading me to go there. Last, I would say to look at what they offer for free time activities. Is there any sport your interested in? Or maybe a club or sorority? Are there areas near the school where you could have a part time job? All these things are important when choosing the right school for you!

My best advice for choosing the best college for you is to DO YOUR HOMEWORK! Read the local papers, publications from the University; read about the instructors and their accomplishments, the research they are involved in. Make sure you know the outcomes of recent graduates and their ability to pass boards or find employment after graduation. It is important to make a list of the most important things you are looking for in a college and to seek one that meets your needs. I made a mistake in that I chose a college for the gorgeous campus and I failed to do my research on the faculty, staff, passing rates on the boards and press releases regarding my school. Overall, the most important thing is find a school that you will feel comfortable and safe attending and be proud to represent in the community.

In finding the right college and making the most out of a college experience, remember to select a college that you would feel the most comfortable attending. Make friends, have fun, and be yourself. College is where people make lifelong friendships and I know this firsthand.

Be sure to visit the school and take a tour. Speak to an academic advisor before registering for any classes.