Florida State University Top Questions

What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?

Kendall

I wish someone told me that it was okay if I did not have my entire life figured out my freshman year of college. There were many instances throughout the year that I would panic that I did not know what I wanted to do after college. I would sit back and look at my grades and get tense looking at the single “B” on my screen. I remember thinking that having straight A’s was a must and there was no way I would continue my education at any grad school with a “B” on my transcript. I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life, but I knew I needed to get perfect grades. I wish I had known from the very beginning that it would be okay if I got a “B” in a class, and it was not the end of the world.

Caitlyn

I wish I had known that while a large, public university can seem intimidating, the campus is a lot smaller than one would think. There are plenty of people to meet, plenty of programs to get involved in, and plenty of resources for academic assistance, but that does not mean you should let yourself be overwhelmed. All of the members of the Florida State community have tremendous spirit; I now try to appreciate that every day with each new person I meet and each new experience I have on campus.

Donna

I wish I had known how intensive the major programs were here regardless of the major. Many classes are extremely hard, while others are extremely easy. It all depends on how the professro presents that class. Also, I wish more people would have talked to me about my career. I decided to change my major and became behind in my studies. So now I must make up time by taking summer classes.

Alexi

I wish I had known how much walking uphill I would have to do to get to my classes, especially Mount Diffenbaugh. I would have prepared and trained for it. You'd think you were in the olympics and not at FSU. At least all the walking keeps the student body in tip-top shape.

Kristen

I wish I knew that rooming with a friend from high school is an awful idea, and that finding a spiritual community is almost impossible. I wish I knew that Tallahassee is a city of legislators and college students who go clubbing every other night.

Moriah

Everyone told me to not get involved right away so I could allow myself time to adjust to classes and a new city. However by not allowing myself to get involved I missed out on a lot of good oppurtunities to make new friends. It would have been better than sitting in my room by myself watching netflix. So DO get involved!

Cassandra

University is a time for self growth and exploration; don't be afraid to let these changes take you on different paths. You'll gain so much more if you embrace the changes versus not.

Darby

I wish I had known more about the campus because one of the hardest parts about starting classes was finding my way around. FSU has an app with a google map though that has come in handy on many occassions.

Kaylia

Before I attended Florida State University, I wish I would have known about the the importance of networking, and the level of difficulty of the work.

Dixie

I wish I would've known about the various meal plans on campus before I moved to FSU. Several of the apartment-style dorms have private chef's, and the meal plans are available to students that live in that dorm or elsewhere; the meal plans are completely optional. The food is way better and more affordable than eating out every day or cooking.

Brian

I wish I had known how expensive school would be, and how difficult it is to live on your own. I wish I had known that FSU is right next to an undesirable part of town.

Alexia

I wish I would have known where everything was on campus. I have been here a full semester and still find myself lost sometimes.

Rachel

I wish I knew to trust my own instincts about people before I trusted advice from a friend. I wish I knew that, when living in dorms, don't try to be best friends with your roommates (and also keep plenty of vitamin C on hand). I wish someone had told me how to talk to my professors- even coming up with silly questions after class is a good thing. Sit in the front row, attend as often as possible and email when you don't, do something that makes you stand out. Blue hair helps.

Dimple

I wish I knew how much spirit this school had! Everyone is so happy to be a nole.

Cynthia

I wish I had known not to be afraid to stick my neck out and try new things for fear of looking silly. Or that everyone new on campus was feeling just as lonely and friendless as I was and there was nothing wrong in going up to someone sitting alone and making conversation. I also wish I had known to never leave home without an umbrella or poncho because of Tallahassee's fickle weather, but most of all, that you can make some of your closest friends while trying to outrun a storm and find shelter with complete strangers.

Alexandra

Before I came to this school I wish I really knew about all the clubs and volunteer opportunities this university has to offer. I was very big into volunteering in high school and recieved the silver cord because I graduated with 273 volunteer hours under my belt. I became very involved in Relay for Life after having skin cancer as a child. I also helped organized a Christmas toy drive for a children's center because of my pull towards being a pediatrics nurse. As a sophomore it is going to be hard, but I am determinded to join.

Luke

I wish i had truly known what it means to be responsible. Financially, academically, socially, and personally. I have hurt people, wasted money, wasted time, and learned alot in the process.

alecia

I wish I had known that there was more than the one main library.

Brian

Make sure to apply for on campus housing as soon as possible. Also take advantage of all the free organizations, clubs, and sports teams that are offered there. I highly recommend studying abroad. It was the best experience of my life.

Ryan

The syllabus is the law of the land. You need to know it. Its an educational contract between you and your Professors. Syllabi are much more important in college than high school because sometimes you need a 93{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} to receive 4.0 GPA points. Knowing where to concentrate your efforts is necessary if you have are very busy. If you fail a writing requirement, you fail the class. Exams may not be weighted as much as you think, and assignments and quizzes carry enough weight to bring your grade down, even if you ace the exams.

Mitchell

I wish I had known more about both the University and City bus systems. I did a lot of walking/biking that, looking back on things, was pretty unnecessary. Although once I found out that students can ride the city bus for free, I was able to explore a lot more cool places in Tallahassee, which has been really fun.

Michael

I wish I knew that grades are important. Professors expect a lot from the students and expect them to excel. I wish I was better prepared for the acadamic load of college, but my professors helped me.

Gregory

College is much harder than high school so be prepared. Also that Pre-med is not the major for me.

Kendra

Before coming to this school, I wish I would have known the amount of time I would be spending studying. Although I spent a lot of time studying in high school, it was a shock to know that I would spend many hours each day doing school work, and realize that that still might not be enough.

Heather

I wish I would have known how expensive it would be to live on my own and how saving/budgeting my money was going to be so important. The money aspect is one of the hardest things to deal with after moving out.

Kaylynn

I wish I'd known how big it really was but that hasn't been a hidnerance to my education.

Francesca

Before I came to Florida State University, I wish I knew more about my finances. College is stressful enough without having to worry about how you are going to pay that next bill. My advice would be, before you leave for college, sit down with your parents and, as hard as it may be, construct a financial plan with a budget. Find out what you can and cannot afford. Be reasonable and logical. Also, remember that you will want to have a little extra money on the side just in case you have an emergency.

Patrick

One of the very few things I dislike about campus is the required meal plan in some of the residence halls. While it is incredibly convenient, the meal plans get quite expensive. Had I known the cost of the meal plans before I came to Florida State, I would planned my budget differently. While this isn't a big deal at all, it was still a surprise.

Nicholas

Where I can get involved in research in my college program.

Taylor

One thing In general I wish I had known was how much free time college students have. There can be a lot of down time between classes. I wish I knew this simply because I would have chosen my schedule a bit differently for my first semester.

Dylan

I wish I had known about Tallahassee because it can be dangerous.

Andrea

I wish I would have known that there is time for everything. Recovering from a bad semester is not as easy as it was in high school but at the same time if you are in the field that you like, it comes natuarally to excell in school work.

Samantha

I wish I would have known a little more about the surrounding areas of FSU.

Charlika

Before I came to this school, I wish I would have known that rain is an everyday thing in Tallahassee and that an umbrella is practically necessary during any given time of day. I wish I would have known that meal plan payments can only be deferred if one receives a significant amount of financial aid. I wish I would have known that the required textbooks for my classes would be sold out 2 weeks before class even starts. In my short time there, I have quickly learned these things, and every student should know this.

Natalie

Nothing.

Lindsay

I wish I'd known that everything was uphill. You go one way, you have to go up hill; you go back the other way, you're somehow still going uphill. It's really ridiculous and I wish I'd known that before hand so I could have gotten my parents to get me one of the spray bottles with the fan attached. That would really come in handy when I'm walking to my classes.

Kristen

I wish I had not been so apprehensive to coming to FSU. I was raised a Florida Gator, so making the transition from Gator fan, to Seminole student was difficult. But now, looking back I have not regretted my decision one bit. Before I came to FSU I wish I would have had already established that love for the University. I wish I had been more willing to accept the early opportunities that were available as an incoming freshman. But I have grown so much from then until now, and I can thank Florida State University for that.

Nathalie

Before attending Florida State University, I wish I knew what I wanted to study.

Courtney

I wish I had known how bad the parking was so as to make arrangments to make it easier to park near campus.

Beth

I WISH I WOULD HAVE KNOWN WHAT CARRER PATH TO TAKE

RoseMarie

It gets cold in the winter.

Meghan

Before coming to FSU, I wish I had known that there was an Undergraduate Research Program that I could have applied for as an incoming Freshman. I applied for it this year, but if I do not get in, then I do not have any other opportunity. Had I applied as a High School Senior, then I would have had one more chance to get in if I had not been chosen.

Sandra

This is indeed a college town. There is limitation to a lot of things that i had available to me coming from a major city.

Shaline

I wish I would have known how much I was going to love my university, it would have saved me a lot of tears and sadness before departing from home. I wish I would have known how many amazing opportunities would present themselves to me and the great things I would witness. I wish I would have known the amazing times I would have with my new friends. Such an incredible journey has been going by impossibly fast, so knowing this would have allowed me to enjoy my new life from the get-go, by skipping the moping part.

Victor

I wish i had known what good places there are to eat out.

Ramsha

The only thing I would have known before I enrolled was the insurance program. The insurance program is mandatory and all students have to buy the health insurance as long as they are enrolled in Florida State University. However, this policy does not discourage me to attent the school at all and is certainly a great benefit for the college students.

Mark

Before I came to Florida State University, I wish I had visited the campus and the city more, so I would know more about where I am living. It is a rather large campus, and I did not take the tour. Sometimes I have trouble finding my way around. However, it is a beautiful campus.

jacob

I wihs I would have known how much easier off campus houseing really is.

Lorena

I wish I would have had better financial knowledge.

Ashley

This school is nototrious for being a "party school" so I wish I would have had a better grasp of that before deciding to come here.