Florida State University Top Questions

No one finds the perfect dream school. Even if their Instagram tells you otherwise, everyone struggles their freshman year. Stick with it. Surround yourself with people you want to grow into, and explore new things. Prepare for occasional lonely nights and feelings of failure- and then be pleasantly surprised when you arrive on campus and realize you're ready for this.

The most important thing that I would tell myself would be to learn how to manage my time efficiently from the beginning. It took me a few months to really understand the importance of time management in college and planning really saves a whole lot of stress. Another thing that I would say would be to not be afraid to put yourself out there. College is a time for new experiences and is most definitely not high school anymore. There are no obvious cliques in class and everyone respects each others differences. It is easy to feel comfortable being yourself at my school and not being afraid to out yourself out there makes for many more opportunities to make lifelong friendships.

Honestly, I would tell my high school self not to freak out about grades as much as I did. Not knowing that your GPA completely restarts my senior year of high school would have been a lot less stressful. I would also tell my high school self how important it is to take AP tests and PASS them. I took AP classes because I thought it looked good on applications but I didn't realize it could help me get rid of the easy prerequisites that I would have to take unless I passed an AP test. I would definitely tell my high school self that I need to start saving money NOW and to not spend it as I please. I also would say that clothes are not as important to bring to college as you think, especially because the freshmen fifteen is real. I would tell myself to have better study habits and to never have 'all-nighters' because getting the right amount of sleep is just as important as knowing the material that will be on the test.

If i could go back in time and talk to my high school self I would probably tell myself that every single day counts. All of the days where i felt like not going to school or not studying are important. Those days could have made a huge difference in my grades and possibly have gotten me more scholarship money so that i could attend The Florida State University without having to worry about how i am going to get by financially.

As you journey through this very difficult decision- making process, you need to remember that college will change you in more ways than just academically. While your education is the most important thing (and it should be) at this time, college is your first real taste of autonomy. You will learn so much about the person you have come to believe you are, as well as develop the person you hope to become. Allow yourself to make mistakes. Allow yourself to change your mind; you have every right. Allow yourself to take chances that you might not at this moment. Do not think your academic life has to overtake the crucial lessons about adulthood that you will have to learn. It will be difficult, and never forget to ask for the help you need. College is the guide that will help you become self-sufficient, and no one expects you to do that alone. Choose the school that will not only provide the best academic option for you, but the best place to foster the personal growth you now know you will undergo.

There is a couple of things I would tell myself as a high school senior. For one, be grateful for your parents, they do everything and will do anything for you. Also, pay attention in math, this is your foundation! Another thing, don't get caught up in your friendships, they're nice to have but probably won't be there in the long run. But please, if you're going to take anything from this it's save your money! Don't guilt your parents into unecessary expenses because every penny counts.

Don't be afraid to be yourself. Once you get out of your shell, you will make the friends you are truly supposed to have

If I could give advice to my high school self, I would tell her not to put so much pressure on herself; it is good to be driven, but I was still very young and should have given myself more time to be just that. Between dance and cheer practices, work, school, and organizations I was involved in, I focused so much on having the perfect resume for college that I never made my actual happiness and sanity a priority.

To my younger self, Always be willing to break the ice first, get involved in all the activities your university has to offer, and never say no to any opportunity to get to know others. There will be one week of fun activities to do, and a lot of people to meet. Talk to your Resident Assistant to know what's happening on campus, they'll point you in the right direction. Don't just sit in your dorm and do nothing. And take a chance with your coursework; pick classes that sound challenging or interesting even if it seems hard, you won't regret it. Times of hardship are often the most rewarding - remember that. Additionally, take this time to get settled into the new swing of things. Don't wait until the last minute to find out where your classes are, and be prepared to cook for yourself. I know breaking out of your shell is tough, but please try to engage with others - you'll thank me in the long run. Lastly I want to say that college is going to be one of the best times of your life, so enjoy it, but work hard.

Looking back at my high school self as a senior, I would stress first and foremost: everything happens for a reason. Whether I saw it then or even now, everything that has happened in my life has shaped who I am, what I believe in, and where I am today in my career. Follow your ambitions and dreams, don't let other persuade you where you should go and where you feel most comfortable. BREAK OUT and explore new things! Don't be afraid to apply to college out of state, don't be afraid to go where none of your friends are going. Doing that has given me the best opportunity to grow both in ways I never would have imagine. Surround yourself with like-minded people who are driven and in turn drive you to better yourself. There are alot of organizations once you become aquainted with you university. Pick an organization that resonates with you and take a leadership position. Make an impact, maybe even start one of your own. Last but not least, look in financial aid and scholarships. There are a plethora of them all for your taking. It will make life alot easier!

My dearest Tallie, Boys are not your concern; they will move on and so will you. Focus on the relationships that you already have with your best friends, sisters, and parents. Best friends will truly be there for you until the very end and in every special moment. Sisters are more than your best friends because they have to go through everything with you, and they still love you after it all. Mommy loves you more than anything in the world and just wants to be heard. Papa is not a man you should fear but a father you need to trust, hug, and love. You are his little girl, and he will treat you right, but he needs love more than anyone in the family. Cherish these fleeting high school moments because they are so sweet and pure. Love, Tallie

Don't put pressure on yourself to decide right now what you want to BE in your life. Instead, focus on what you want to DO with your life and what makes you happy. The latter focus is what will ultimately help you decide on a career choice that is fulfilling and worthwhile. During college, take the time to learn new things and take on various hobbies. Participate in intramurals and build relationships. Focus on your education and take courses that interest you. Don't choose a major because the schedule is easier. Instead, research your options; look at careers that utilize the major and read profiles of people who have excelled in those careers. Look at salaries and job satisfactions. If the career possibilities excite and interest you, then pursue that major and engage in clinics and other extracurriculars that supplement the course of study. Do internships and gain experience. Set short-and long-term goals for where you want your studies to take you. Utilize the study abroad program and pursue coursework within your discipline for a comparative review. And don't be afraid change your mind. Spend your time pursing knowledge; everything else will fall into place.

The biggest things I would tell my high school self is to become involved in campus in as many ways as possible that are applicable to yourself. Join Greek life, clubs, and internships and utilize and research all the available resources that the campus has to offer. This will greatly improve the transition into college life and help with getting a job after college. Also just, have fun. Go into college with no judgments about people and places. High school relationships, enemies, and grudges do not matter. You will meet many people that are very different from you who are amazing in every way. You will meet lifelong friends and some that will just come and go. However, to utilize the ability to meet these people you have to have an open mind about the people you will meet and the opportunities granted. The last piece of advice that I can offer, is to apply for as many scholarships as possible for your situation. College is expensive and any help that is offered should be taken advantage off.

It is all going to be okay. Sure, you are going to feel like questioning your very existence, every day, but you can't. Take opportunities as they arise, even if you don't know what the opportunity is or fully understand it. My best decisions came from taking advantage of an opportunity, even when I did not want to. I would also reccomend to get involved with your community, participate in philanthropies, work hard and strive to be the best version of yourself every day. Life is going to throw you curve balls, you are going to feel lost and confused. Sometimes you will even fail miserably, but my best work comes after a huge failure. Failure is motivation, it teaches you to better yourself. Failure is the greates thing that can happen, so do not be afraid. Embrace daily challenges with an open-mind and you will be successful. My favorite quote is "Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish" - Steve Jobs. It means to stay motivated, make mistakes, and keep making them until you learn.

I would tell myself to not be shy and embrace as many new experiences as possible. I would also tell myself not to change who I was just to fit into the "cool" crowd. I think that it is very importat to stay true to yourself and figure out who you were meant to be in this world. Do not let anyone tell you are not smart or that you will not pass a class just try your best and thats all anyone can ever ask of you. Also, do not let other peoples opionon affect you. Not everyone in this world will like you and there is nothing you can do about it even if you are the kindest person in the world. Do not let those people drag you down or make you feel bad about youself. You will do great things and never give up on your dreams!

I would say ... take the time to fill out all those small scholarships, they might just come in handy covering books, tuition, and food. Enjoy your last days in the all the sports that you gave your heart and soul. And make sure that you are prepared for the void that you WILL have when you no longer fill your days with swimming, soccer and track. Those high school sports were such a part of who you are, and the "sports high" you ALWAYS had, only you didn't know what it was ... you now know about endorfins only because you don't have that great feeling from committing to your team and the workouts you did daily. When this happens, make sure you think twice when choices present themselves ... those sports were/are in your life for a reason. Life does not need to be hurried through. Hug your family (when your parents say how proud they are, believe them), Thank your teachers and coaches, and Remember to be true to who you are ... that person is on to becoming the person you are meant to be.

If I could go back in time to talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to stop worrying. Stop worrying about all of the AP classes because once you're at Florida State University, you'll want to take every single class you can, even the ones you already have credit for. Stop worrying about picking a major. It doesn't have to be set in stone before you come here. Plenty of students come in as exploratory. Soon you'll find your passion for marine biology and everything will be okay. Stop worrying about how you'll make friends. Everyone on the campus is friendly, willing to talk, and willing to help. You will make friends in classes, in the dorms, and even at the bus stop while you wait to get to Publix. Everything will be okay. You will be happy and you will thrive here. Your experience at college will be so much better than at high school. Even the all-nighters you'll pull will be better here because you know that what you're doing matters and it will all be worth it in the end. Stop worrying.

It's a chance to learn about yourself which is an amazing but difficult challenge. You learn what it is to be lonely, but don't worry, you will learn to be happy without the cushion of your home environment. You have the oppurtunity to make a new home (though don't use the term 'home' to refer to anything that isn't where your parents' live in front of your mother), utilize this time to learn more about yourself and grow as a person. Get excited about what's in front of you, and don't worry you can figure this out. If you go to the right school you'll find you'll feel comfortable there soon enough. You're going to have to be more outgoing, you can't lean on those friends you've had since middle school, you need to talk to as many as people as you can. Join things that interest you. Try everything you want, then prioritize after you've found what you love, and dedicate time to that. If you can binge watch tv for several hours (days?) you can go to some new club meetings.

I would tell myself to be better prepared to meet all kinds of people and accept that not everyone thinks the same in college. I came from a medium sized high school that was very diverse. Although it was diverse the majority of the students had a very similar mindset. Being around people that come from all parts of the country I have run into many different mindsets and personalities. It took me a little while to get used to the fact that people will just think differently and I can't control how they think. If I had accepted that this would happen before coming to college I could have saved myself from making a few bad choices in friends and had a less rocky start.

College is not as "easy" as it seems, prepare youself for a ton of hard work and dedication to your studies.

Colllege is a big step in becoming a successful adult in the future. Transitioning from high school to college is extremely hard for everyone even those of us that were considered the most prepared. Taking AP, dual enrollment, and advanced level classes made the whole work load of college a reality for me. In college, there isn't a professor that constantly reminds you of do dates, it is up to you to categorize importance. The amount of free time you have also changes as you step foot into the university. Although your days end earlier, the amount of time you should be studying and earning on your own should continue. Be confident. Although it is discouraging to walk into a classroom with 239 other students pursueing the same degree, you got accepted to this institution for a reason. High School is like a practice and college is the game. Keep practicing and eventually you will win the game.

I would tell my past self to breath. That all the hard work will be worth it. Except, the work load will only get harder along with your home and social life. Also, do not worry about all the dumb boys that come and go. Working before you started your Summer C was the best idea in the world. You were able to pay for your books and part of your classes. Don't worry about new things. The new things that come into your life will be the best things that will every happen to you, so take every risk and try new things. Don't worry about leave your friends and family. They will all be there when you come home.

Dear past Emily, College is fantastic. However, there are a few things I would like to share with you to make your life easier freshman year. First, learn how to cook. Dining hall food gets pretty boring after the first couple months and it's something you should learn anyway for the future. Second, study smart not hard. Spend a certain amount of hours every week going over the material you covered in class, stay up to date on your readings, and never skip class. When it comes time for the test, absolutely no cramming. Spend the week before reviewing and going over all the notes, readings, and powerpoint slides. Third, I know you are worried about going to a school where you are going to know only two people. There are so many opportunities for you to join clubs, organizations and intramural sports teams to meet people. I know you're also worried about juggling all the sports, classes and clubs. Get a planner and stay organized and you'll be fine. I know these tips will make your transition into college life a lot easier. Sincerely, Future Emily

Apply for bright futures!! Take harder classes sooner because, yes, you WILL need them. Start saving for college sooner, and apply for all scholarships. Plan ahead, and set yourself up to transition fairly easily into multiple majors if your mind isn't made up just yet. Plan ahead.

If I had the chance to go back in time to relay advice to my past high school senior self, I would say that having the determined mindset is good, but to also relax and breathe as I go. Always working will burn you out if you don't laugh every once and a while. College is the time to make sure what you think you want to do turns into what you know you want to do, and you cannot figure that out if you don't explore and learn more about yourself.

High-school Cameron, you probably won't listen to anything I say because I know how hardheaded you are, but start planning for you college life now. There are hundreds of scholarship opportunities, you just have to be willing to look. The best thing you can do for yourself is to start applying now. If you're able to just get a couple scholarships, you won't have to work yourself to death trying to balance school and work. I know it's very easy to work and go to highschool, but college is completely different. All the time you will spend working could be much better used studying or discovering new things, but without scholarships you'll have to work. You'll spend countless nights in the library, but those nights will be much more bearable if you don't then have to go to work the next day. Scholarships are your friend, in fact they're your best friend; don't turn your back on them now.

I would tell my past self to never give up and to continue striving toward our dream of becoming a Biomedical Engineer. If I can reassure my past self that hard work can accomplish this, then our dream can become reality. One day I will be able to build prosthetics for amputees as well as work towards a cure for cancer alongside a team of highly respected experts. I want to be the man that people can depend on; the person that can fix the world's problems one patient at a time. Present-self me would tell past-self me that we will make this dream come true.

I would tell myself two main things about transitioning for college that I overlooked in high school. 1) In high school I was super lazy and didn't really apply for more financial aid and now I'm paying the price literally. If I could go back I would have definitely put forth more effort in finding a stable job and would have tried to make myself stand out merit wise in attempts to get more scholarships. 2) I caused way too depressed during senior year and I would have told myself to live more. You’re only a high school senior once and it is your one last chance to be a teenager before you have real responsibilities. In general I would have told everyone that college is a completely different ball game and that high school doesn’t hold a candle to the kind of experiences and opportunities you get in college. But without building yourself from those high school experiences, college will be a mighty mountain to climb.

If I could go back and talk to my high school self, i'd tell myself that it will all work out in the end. In the moment it may feel like you're putting in so much work and energy with little to no results, but trust me everything will work itself out in due time. Trust your gut and do what you feel is right because, like mom always says, at the end of the day its just you. Everything will fall on your shoulders and you can only have yourself to blame, or yourself to thank. The decision is yours. But trust in yourself to make the right decisions!!! I cannot express this enough; believe in yourself, do the work, and amazing things will happen. It may not work how you expect it to, but in the end you will see that where you end up is exactly where you were meant to be.

If I could go back in time I would tell my high school self to get as involved as possible, as early as possible. College is a time of endless opportunities and I think the most difficult part is finding your passion. It took me too long to get involved with what I love but I am happy I did it before it was too late and I had spent thousands of dollars on a degree I do not want. Getting involved is the best way to figure out that crucial piece of your life, to find out what truly excites you. Getting involved gave me the opportunity to discover what I like and don't like. Without exploring I would have never realized my destiny and would still be a Spanish major instead of a Dietetics major. Taking advantage of the opportunities provided will also help to make a college campus not seem so intimidating and will make it easier to find people that you click with. Four years seems like a long time when you are eighteen, but it flies by so make sure you take advantage of every second.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would give myself three pieces of advice. The first being to trust your gut feeling when it comes to where you feel like you fit in. I know personally I was pulled in so many directions my senior year that when it came time to choose a college I ended up choosing the school my parents had wanted me to attend, not where I had wanted to attend which eventually caused me to transfer schools. You decide what feels best for you and make the most of your time there! The next piece of advice I would give myself is to know going into college that youre going to change your major and, if you're like me, probably two or three times! I've gone from classical vocal performance to elementary education and finally to social work. You're going to change your mind, just go with it. Finally I would tell my high school self to slow down and enjoy the next four years, in the midst of homework, volunteer work, working, and applying for scholarships time flies by!

I would have told myself to get involved on campus sooner, and to get involved in volunteer opportunities so much earlier. Doing either one of those allows you to get out of your comfort zone that may or may not be being pushed already, make some friends, and network to make some connections at the least. I would also definitely tell my past self to bring a rain jacket--the amount of days i was subject to terrential downpour without a jacket was abusrd!

Kristen, the person you built up, the person you feel you now know you are is not really you. You have no idea who you are or where you are going. All this time you tried to be someone you were not and now that people are not watching your every move, you blew up. It is time to face the world and try to make the dream you didn't make come true. It's time to be someone, but right now you feel like no one. You need to do what you can to go to Pepperdine. You need to get out of Miami and grow and feel and find a place where you can start all over and make yourself something. I believe in you. Just trust yourself and don't let other people make your decisions for you, in any situation. Keep your head up. You got this.

Dear Kierra, These four years of high school have felt like a piece of cake. It has been a long journey but you did it. Now you are taking on a different journey. This one is not as smooth and consists of a lot of pot holes, speed bumbs, rest stops. You have to step up your game. College is not the same as high school. Things are not as easy and there are not as many second chances. You are now in control, there is no one to their to remind you of important tasks. You are now making your own choices and theses choices can either make or break you. You are in school to learn before anything else. Never place your social life before your classes. You will regret it in the end. As long as you keep your eye on your true goal, you will be great. Your future is in your hands. Enjoy these new experiences, just not too much.

Get involved right away in organizations and stay focused in school from day 1 until the end. Make a strong effort to find a good group of friends that are also focused and dont give up on trying to find this good group of friends that could possibly be the friends you have for the rest of your life.

Be open to new things and people.

I have had 13 years to reflect on this question and there is an enormous amount of advice I would give myself. The main thing I would say is that I am good enough to go to college. I never believed that until a few years ago. I believed I was going to be the least successful of my family and one of the only one of my friends never to go to college. I always wanted to follow in my father’s footsteps and become a lawyer but I had this notion that I wasn’t smart enough, or hardworking enough to go to college. I didn’t realize until I had two combat deployments under my belt that I can do anything. So, I would tell my younger self, “You can do it. You have the intelligence, you have the drive. You just need to find that place in your heart that makes you go.” I would tell myself that I have the support and the people around me want me to succeed. I would tell myself that I don’t have to choose a degree program that is going to make me miserable. I can do anything!

If I could go back in time I would tell myself to volunteer more. A lot of opportunities in college rely on experience. In high school I thought volunteering was just to go towards my service hour log for graduation and NHS. I wish I had more experience in leadership and activities that would get me recommendations. I also wish I would have taken part in volunteering towards major related activities. I am now in college and have a small indication of what I want to do in life, but I wish I had explored with volunteering when I had all of the free time in high school.

Hey Erica, I know you just want the best advice in order to make it on your own in a collegiate atmosphere. But here is the honest truth about college- expect the unexpected. Your college experience is going to be different from the next person and it is up to you to dictate whether or not the experience is fulfilling. College will be the place where you find your purpose in life and find out who you really are. You probably do not think you won’t, but you will; you will change and evolve into a more mature human being. Remember, expect the unexpected. What you think and perceive college to be is not exactly how it is. Some of the things that you hear are true, but some things are just outrageous myths.College years are full of experiencse in maturing, failure, success, and doubt all in one. No one is able to dictate what you receive from college but yourself. You don’t just receive a diploma but you receive memories and guidance for the future that is to come.

I would tell myself to loosen up and get to know more people in those first few weeks of school. I am satisfied with my social life but I wish I could have met more people when I first arrived.

If I were able to go back in time and advise myself about college life and the transition, I would let myself know that coursework will be more challenging, that exam percentages are more important to the final grade than other assignment percentages, and that it is important to attend profesor or teaching assistant's office hours in order to fully comprehend and master the material. It is important to understand that the professor and teaching assistant are willing to help with questions during these office hours.

I would tell myself to focus on the big picture, the reason why you are at Florida State, do not procrastinate, study hard, and apply for scholarships

I would advise myself not to rush into decisions without foreseeing the consequences that may hamper your professional goals. I would take the time needed to evaluate educational and career pathways and how to make up for any defficiencies that may hinder my goals. Time management and financial management is not a small matter to toy with, we must use wisdom to engage in matters that require time and financial attention. Never borrow money that you are not sure you will be able to pay back and never try to copy your friends in acquiring stuffs that will only cost you morepain in the long run.

If I could go back in time to my senior year of high school, I would give myself the advice to never take what I had for granted. The transition to college has put me in the position to realize life isnt as easy as it use to be. You no longer have any assistance from your family hundreds of miles away. So enjoy senior year and the easy life as much as possible.

I would tell myself to study hard in college. Studying is a weakness of mine. I struggled my freshmen year of college with this and because of that I got two B's. I would also tell myself to make friends. The friends I am making now are the friends that I will have forever. I would tell myself to enjoy college and work hard. To get involved with clubs and activites on campus.

My former self as a high school senior did not have his priorities in order. If I could speak with him before the school year began, I would urge him to dual-enroll in community college and to enjoy free classes while they last. He would be quite interested in how I managed time travel, so I would share with him a few gleanings of relativity to ogle at and suggest to him that he take AP physics. I would also share with him a few simplified insights about differential equations and elucidate how simple models can simulate real life fairly accurately. He would attain an associate’s degree from a local college, and I would urge him to take every offered upper-level math class, a programming class, a speech class, and to take Professor Vaccaro for all English courses at Saint John’s River State College. I would tell him that love is going to kick him hard, that the dirt removed from a hole will not suffice to fill it back in, that time is a healer, and that the future is brimming with new and exciting possibilities. I would leave him with Michio Kaku’s Hyperspace.

It's really not that big a deal. Going to college at an Ivy League isn't "necesarry". School is school. It's more important that the school and the city provide you with what you need than the potentional prestige a top tier school offers. AP classes are also the greatest choice you ever made in high school. And it doesn't matter that you didn't do clubs in high school, get involved some other way (in something you care about) and you'll be fine.

Take a look at what you are truly passionate about. What job can you do to incorporate that passion into your life as much as possible? Because let me tell you, unless you get your dream job working with your passions, every day will include monotonous tasks of pursuing something that is not important to you, but to someone else. University classes are exciting and inspiring when you know that each aced test and class will get you closer to living a life of passion. Don't become disillusioned with money or what others are pursuing while in university either. Stay true to what you love doing and follow those goals. What is it that you're passionate about? I recall that it was vegetarianism, food, wholesome cooking... pursue nutrition to consult others or a business degree to start a posh farm-to-table restaurant. Besides, you'll love Nutrition and Anatomy far more than Intro to Engineering!

I would advise myself not to stress about the first day of classes. Going to class in an entirely new environment without people I already knew there as a buffer was the scariest part for me going into college. I was worried about meeting people and about the content of classes being too difficult to understand or keep up with. I've found, though, that it's all a lot simpler than I originally thought. It's almost like high school except now, I get to choose which classes I can take: ones that interest me. Being nervous about it is just uneccessary stress and there is no reason to worry because talking to classmates isn't all that hard and if the class really is for me, following along is one of the easiest things in the world.

The advise I would give myself is take advantage of the tutoring and help opportunities early. I've learned after slow start that it is important to take advantage of these things. Even asking your teachers extra questions. Also, don't be scared to go to office hours. The professors and TA's want to help you, and see you succeed. Try the best you can because when you go for a job interview no one is going to ask what your GPA in highschool was, but instead college.