Florida State University Top Questions

Hey you, you know, you, the teenage girl that thinks she knows everything, I have a little secret to let you in on, “trust yourself!” You are a smart girl, talented girl, and so far, you have been doing a pretty good job, not screwing it up. Well, I mean other than the usual teenage girl drama. I didn’t come here to tell you how important your education is going to be in your future, or how much your social life is going to interrupt your studies and that you should stick with school because mom said that you should go now, I came here to tell you to change nothing. You will be blessed with a wonderful husband, and two amazing children. If we changed your path now, those precious things that have driven you to be so committed to continuing your education now, simply wouldn’t exist. You now know the value of that education, not just for yourself, but for your family. If you were to change the steps you make this year, the course of your steps that have lead you here may change forever.

Don't be too hard on yourself. You will experience many difficult situations that you're not used to, you'll lose friends and realize who is really there for you. You will lose someone that meant the world to you. Life is hard but it's what you make of it. You can do this. Your family will always be there for you. It is normal to really miss them, but just think of why you're where you are.

Be patient. Be prepared for a whirlwind of change in a short period of time. Be independent but always know you have so many people to catch you when you fall. Work hard and never procrastinate. Read the textbooks. Don't worry about getting a job as much as you should be worrying about schoolwork. Keep your head held high. Homesickness is normal. Everyone is supporting you. Be prepared for heartbreaks and for new friendships. Be frugal with your money. Understand you are a young adult now and mommy isn't there to take care of you when you're sick. Try different things out, you never know what will strike your interest and if it will give you your best friends ever. Always do your FAFSA as soon as it opens. You have a phone, you can call your friends and family whenever you need. You are at this school to get an education and get a degree in something you're passionate about, do NOT take that for granted. Ramen has a lot of sodium, you can still eat healthy on a college budget. It's okay to feel lonely sometimes. Live your own dream. Love it.

It's okay you don't know what to do, but push yourself in math because that is what you'll learn to love. Read everything you can about economics and don't let your educational circumstances allow you to think you can't make it. Just because you struggled with college early on I assure you it's only minor. The only struggle you'll have is finances and you can do everything possible to fix that. Keep hammering away because it'll happen you make it happen.

There are several things that I wish I could tell my high school senior self. Most importantly, I wish I could tell myself to spend more time with my dad before he passes away from leukemia. More trivially, I wish I could tell myself to dump my stupid, no-good boyfriend bofore he breaks my heart. Aside from that much needed advice, however, there is something else that I desperately wish that I had known as a high school senior. I wish that I could tell myself that no matter how scared I am of the future, that it is filled with so much happiness. I would tell myself not to be afraid of the unknown, because with every day that passes, my life just gets better. I would tell myself that such happiness doesn't just happen, though, and that it is earned through hard work. I work so hard to ensure that I succeed in academics, maintain and create strong relationships, and become an overall better person, and that what leads to such happiness. I wish that I could tell myself that isn't just going to be okay; it's going to better better than okay.

The advice I would give to my high school self is to not expect your high school life to follow you to college, especially in the aspect of friends. My transition from high school student to college student was a rather rough one. I had kept this idea in my mind that my friends from high school and I would still maintain the same friendships that we had the four years we were together in high school. Due to this thought, I spent more time sitting alone trying to contact through text message my high school friends instead of going out and making new ones. Now knowing the difficulties I have dealt with because of how I chose to isolate myself, I would be sure to pass on the advice that gaining a sense of independence is a major necessisty in order to make the transition an easier and more enjoyable one. I would let myself know that of course it will be difficult, but it will be well worth it; college is suppose to be the best four years of your life, so don't let high school life keep that from being true.

I wish I had known that it was okay to have fun, not just study. I spent so much of my time in highschool just studying and doing homework that I forgot to make friends, and it is something I regret now. I see how other people can simply begin talking to other people, but it terrifies me. I wish I had learned to talk to strangers with ease, because it is not enough to just know how to study and go to class and do the assignments, there needs to be a balance. I find myself feeling lonely, but I never learned how to make friends from strangers when I should have. I would tell my younger self to talk to anyone and everyone and not be afraid to do things with people, to do more than study. I would tell myself to find people that make me happy, that I love spending time with. There is more to life than studying, and I wish I had known that before it mattered so much to me.

If I could go back, I would tell myself to not take the opportunity of college for granted. The moments, people, experiences, and knowledge that one gains in a university setting is unlike any other. I think that it is a time to grow in order to find out who you are and what you stand for. If I could give myself advice it would be to take chances and do not hold back because these are four year that will impact the rest of my life. It is a time to learn priorities and gear yourself towards the person you want to become. Academics should be the main focus and no matter where your path takes you during college one should never forget that. I would give myself the advice to plan out the four year and set plans to achieve my goals. Studying abroad, joining organizations that you're passionate about, or going on medical mission trips are all on my college bucket list. All of these take proper planning and execution and if done properly college can be a time to find fulfillment while also succeeding academically.

While the obvious answer here is, "Study more, play less, and shape up!" I was never really drawn to partying in lieu of studying. I was in the IB Diploma Program--I've sinced earned my IB Diploma after years of hard work--and I was one of the few who actually enjoyed the academic rigor of it all. Without it, I wouldn't be the person I am today and without sounding cocky or arrogant, I like who I've grown into. In all honesty, my only advice would be to pay more attention to how the process of getting financial aid works and apply for scholarships much, much earlier. Had I known how strict the FAFSA guidelines were; my family received a burst of income via hazard pay from my step-father's tour in Afghanistan, but he has since returned and is no longer receiving increased pay. However, this made me ineligible for most of the financial aid that I could've received previously. Also, I've learned that college is very expensive and is not looking to become cheaper anytime soon, so anything and everything truly helps and does certainly not fall into ungrateful hands.

If allowed to go back to being a high school senior, I would focus on increasing my Advanced Placement course load, research jobs that interest me as a career option, and begin to do increased interviews with companies to see what would be required to gain those jobs. By increasing my AP load, I'd be able to not only save money on college courses but I'd also learn my strengths in schooling with more clarity. Researching jobs would help me discover my career path sooner, and researching companies that hire in that field would assist me to prepare for the post-college job hunt. Knowing what I know about college now and the transition into college, I'd advise myself to save more money and work hard while discovering what I'd prefer to study as a career.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself that boys aren’t everything. Don’t fret; it’s all going to be ok. Throughout high school, I let boys define me and ended up not following my dreams because of the boy I thought was the love of my life. I was young, I was stupid and naïve. In college, it doesn’t necessarily get any easier; it just doesn’t become so much of a big deal. When you’re out in the real world, it can be a big and scary place, so you have enough on your hands to deal with without all the pressure of trying to impress someone that inevitably may not be there for you in the end. You don’t need some guy to support you; you have love all around you. You just have to open your eyes and experience it. In the end, it’s just going to be and your dreams and your choice to pursue them or not. Don’t let anyone or anything stand in your way. You were destined for greatness.

If I had opportunity to give advice to myself as a high school senior, I would very likely advise myself to stay home in Miami, keep working part-time and pursue a Vocal performance degree. If I didn't get accepted right out of high school to my preferred school I would have gone to Florida International University or Miami-Dade Community College for my associates degree and worked on transferring to the preferred school. I would also advise myself to stay focused on doing my best in every class, instead of trying to be a social butterfly. Staying focused and staying determined in pursuing after the things I love to do like music would be the most important things I would advise myself.

Knowing how to prioritize will be essential in college because you can get caught up in the social life. You should remind yourself why you are trying to receive a higher education. Jobs are getting more competitive because employers are looking for degrees and experience. Get involved in organizations that will benefit you for your career and that you enjoy. Remember that education comes before anything because with a degree, you have a higher possibility of getting a career, which will then allow you to support your family. Time management is also “key” when it comes to getting things done before the deadline. Have a planner and write out the things that need to be done in order to have them turned in before the deadline. Know that you will make mistakes, but those are only lessons to be learned in order to better yourself. Do not be afraid of any challenges because those challenges will help you to become a better individual. When you fail at something, remember that failure only motivates you to do better the next time. Failure will eventually lead to success. Reward yourself every time you have accomplished your goals.

I would apply for more scholarships.

Hey past me, take a chair buddy. We're gonna have a heart-to-heart right now. First off, learn to study. Yes, like actually looking at the notes you wrote down and absorbing them into your brain. It's incredible how little time it takes compared to the, what, three hours a day you spend on Youtube every night? Do you know how much easier it is getting jobs, scholarships, acceptance letters with a GPA you can actually look at without grimacing? A lot. Tell your friends you're gay. It's easier now than later, especially since you don't have any I think. Are you friends with Michael yet? Nope? Yeah, just come out already, it'll be a lot less stressful now when twenty things are happening at once your first semester of college. And get a Facebook already, you antisocial numbskull. No you're probably not going to have a lot of friends on it at first, but it's how you find out EVERYTHING here at college -- every club, study group, carpool group, and almost every friend you have you meet on this site. But have some self respect, don't do Twitter.

I would first tell myself to not worry about being cool and focus even harder on my academics and get heavily involved with extracurriculars. You can learn so much about yourself just by trying new things and particpating in different projects. Next, I would tell myself to consider out of state education and really start thinking about exactly what I already know, then compare that to the options for coursework and college majors. Pick something you know nothing about and make a final decision on major by the end of year two. Finally, I would tell myself again to get involved with every extracurricular opportunity you can, study as hard as possible, consider graduate school immediately, and take an internship. If I could put all my advice into one sentence it would be "Try everything, don't be afraid to be yourself, and make logical choices in time to implement them."

Do not let the "freedom" get to your head, remember what you are going to Florida State for and where do you want to go after that. Stressing about taking up too many credits, jobs and other responsibilities will all be worth it in the end, as long you are able to manage your time right and place academics first. You don't have to do it all, it is better to do less but do it well than to do a lot of mediocre things. Recoving from a bad semester is not as easy as it looks, and it will happen because it happens to everyone. With that in mind, it is not how low you fall but how you use that fall as a trampoline to get higher than you were in the first place.

Dear past self, Don't treat college like high school - it's a completely different world. Here, being even the slightest bit unprepared doesn't fly. In highschool you had to come to class ready to be taught, without need to study beforehand. In college you'll have to do the work and make sure to completely understand the material before coming to class so that you can master the concepts. Colege is about finding who you are and who you want to become through discovering what it is you want to spend the rest of your life pursuing and who you want to be there every step of the way. You know you want to be a professional musician so don't waste any time or resource. Come to your lessons with the concepts mastered. Make each day a performance. -Future self

I would not give myself any advice about college. During my high school senior year, I was completing the Health Science Academy in which has brought me to where I am today.

I would tell myself to not be so worried about others' opinions about you.

Looking back at high school, I would advise myself to pay closer attention to details, visit compass frequent to familiarize myself, and, adjust my mind into knowing college is not the thirteenth grade. If I pay attention to details, materials could be interpreted in many other ways. I would be able to draw ideas from literature that may have gone unnoticed. When reading material, it is best if it's understood from all prospectives. If I visited the college campus I would most likely attend more frequent, I would not feel lost trying to find my way. We often feel shy asking for help in a world where everyone else seems put together and in a hurry. It is best if we slow down and ask questions. I definitely would not treat college as the thirteenth grade. Some students offend fall victim to college life. They may feel they have time because no one is dictating their every move. Either choice, they all are considered when entering into college.

If I were to go back in time I would have told myself to prepare more. In high school I did not have to put in much effort to get good grades and was not prepared for the work required to do so in college. College provides a lot of new freedoms for incoming freshman and I think it is important to have goals and not lose sight of why you are going to a university to begin with. Completing school and making connections should be the highest priority.

There have been many times in my life I have looked back and reminisced, imagining what my life would look like today if I had only taken a different course. A little over ten years ago I had a plethora of options ahead of me and very little direction. If I could go back and encourage myself I would elaborate on the enriching benefits of college life, from learning cognative self-sufficiency to intrinsic reward. I would assure myself that I was mentally capable, even with all the chaos going on in my life. I would try to reason sensibly about my long term goals and dispell the apparition of stability in seeking to focus on the present circumstances. I would compel myself to gather information and resources, to begin making small attainable goals. Ultimately, I would desire to convey that time will pass whether or not I take advantage of the opportunities before me, and time invested yields higher returns than youth squandered.

If I could go back and talk to the high school senior version of myself the first thing I would have done is stressed how important all those classes I thought were meaningless and compeltely boring are. They are the foundation that my classes have been built upon so far in my college education. A stronger understanding of them would help make the classes I have taken in college easier. I would try and convince him to develop better study habits and use them so that there wouldn't be such a learning curve when you get into college, where more responsiblity is put on the student to do the learning outside the classroom. I also would tell the senior me to not worry about what everyone else thought was cool and have fun doing what I wanted and what I thought was cool. Sometimes taking a step away from the crowd is the best decision and allows a new perspective to see the world through. There is nothing wrong with being different.

If i were able to go back in time and give myself advice about the future and or whats to come, i'd start of by telling myself life isn't going to be perfect nor easy and to not get discouraged about things to come. As a high school senior the smaller things like friends and going out is very important, i would have told myself to not worry about a social life so much and to focus on what i really want in life and focus on grasping that, being a social life will come in time. Lastly as a high school senior i would have prepaired myself to save as much money as possible because living away from home and attending a major university means high expenses and lots of asking your family for money.

If I could go back and talk to the high school version of myself I would tell them a few things to better their transition in college. First, the most important thing would be to study much harder and much smarter. Study skills learned early will go a long way in the future. Second, I would tell them to not just focus on academics 110{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c}, take some time to meet new people and have some fun. However, still make education your priority but don’t be afraid to go out sometimes and just relax a little bit. The last bit of information I would pass along wound be to simply prepare yourself for a completely different experience than high school. Prepare for much larger classes, tons more people, and much more difficult exams. These things would have helped to know back then.

I would tell myself to join more clubs that I have a passion for. At this point in time when you try to apply for teams and clubs they look at your resume and see whether or not you are more of a fit. At this point I just want to better myself and I realize since I didn't try to do that in High School I am going to suffer through not being able to get opportunities because I didn't push myelf as hard as I should have. I would also tell myself to apply for more and more scholarships because money IS going to be an issue for you if you keep this up.

Going in back in time, I would definitely stress the importance of scholarship hunting. Going through school, I realized that working hard, meeting as many friends and contacts as possible and being comfortable in my high school were things that would help me be successful. But I never realized how much work it is to try and pay for college, especially with the low income family I come from. So I would just tell myself to plan things ahead and start searching for scholarhips early. Sometimes it may not seem like its enough, and it may seem like quite a bit of work. But in reality, scholarships definitely add up and you realize how each little part helps. You also need to realize that there are people out there, who are not only helping you and your education, but they are also investing in your future and hardwork. So if I could go back, I would constantly remind myself the importance of scholarships.

While I was in high school my senior year, I found it really hard to pay attention and get things done. I was the epitomy of "senioritis". I was always an honor student but my senior year wasn't as succesful. I wish that when I was in high school I prepared myself better by developing better study habits and working on my procrastination, because I wasn't as ready as I could have been. I would have also, most definitely participated in more school activities and clubs. I never thought it would make a difference when applying for scholarships and getting accepted to schools, but it made a drastic difference. I saw so many scholarships handed out to commited skiers, key clubbers, dancers, and kids with better academics than myself. I wish I could go back to high school me and really kick myself in the butt until I straightened out and prioritized. The truth is, high school was just the beginning for me, and it was like my stepping stones for today. Now I work to my full potential and I've finally realized how important this education is.

If I could go back in time and give advice to my high school self, I would tell myself not to stress as much about the college application process and choosing a school. Even though attending Florida State was not my first choice, I ended up loving it and found that it was exactly the right place for me. I would tell myself to look forward to college instead of stressing about which school to attend. I would also tell myself not to worry too much about making friends because it comes naturally. I have met some great friends at college who I will be friends with for life. Lastly, I would tell myself to get out of my comfort zone and experience new things. I tend to be a little shy, so I would tell myself to break away from that and feel comfortable with myself. College is about learning and experiencing new things, so I would tell myself to be confident and try new things.

There were so many things that I did not know when I was a high school senior. I was oblivious to the scholarship process, signing up for a meal plan and chosing the dorm I would be living in for the next year. Because of this I really dropped the ball on being prepared for my first year of college. I underestimated all of the costs college entails. Meal plans, textbooks, and dorm rent are much more costly then I thought. So the number one thing I would tell myself is to sign up for as many scholarships as possible as soon as possible. I would also tell myself to sign up for housing much sooner to be able to get a higher housing priority number. As far as the transition I would definitely prepare myself better for missing home and my family. I thought I would be fine and have the ability to come home whenever I want. With studying, homework and extracurriculars this is nearly impossible. I would have definitely spent more time home and bonding with my family before I left. And most importantly I would say get ready to have the time of you're life!

Hello, I think the only thing I would tell myself is to save, save, save! I worked very hard in high school, took college courses, and worked part time. I was very well prepared for college. I had already saved up quite a bit of money but you could always use more money as back up. College was fun and a great adventure. Instead of going to a university right away I started at a community college and stayed home. This helped tremendously where other people I know didnt do so and struggle.

Prioritize and Enjoy. Have all of your ducks in a row so that you can get your homework done in a timely manner, but also take the time to appreciate the little things- your family, your own room, accessible food, etc. Once you're in college, life becomes a lot different and you're surrounded by a lot of unfamiliar faces.

If I were to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would advice myself to take more AP credit classes, because they help a lot when it comes to accumulating credits and having to subsitute classes. I would also advice myself to always be open to make relationships and network a lot.

Picture a girl who lost the weight and the braces, and made a decision to not be that shy, awkward girl ever again. She was the lead in the school play, she has been in Cheerleading, Band, Drama Club and National Honor Society, and she’s going to graduate with her Bachelor's Degree soon. She is now confident and optimistic about life. She realized just how ‘uncool’ she is, and she’s proud. Especially if being uncool means that you don’t go to that party and get drunk or high, not because you are rebelling against ‘the man’, but because that simply isn’t who you are. She isn't defined by any labels, by any of these categories. Perhaps it’s a mix of all of them that shows who she truly is: dedicated, strong, relentless, intelligent, and happy. Most kids don’t realize how important it is to simply be happy, or how great of an asset it is. Now, picture that girl being you in college. You are not distinct because of what you do, you are distinct because of who you are. You are you, and that is precisely who you want to be.

My high school senior year was filled with many electrifying oppertunities and experiences. High school football games, prom, homecoming, and grad bash. After 2 weeks in my first semester of college, I have collected so many things I wish I could go back and tell myself. My first piece of advice would be to not take my high school teachers for granted. The teachers in high school provided extra help, advice, and offered friendships to students. Most college professors do not know a thing about their students. Another piece of advice I would offer myself as a high school senior would be to take more Dual Enrollment courses, rather than AP or advanced placement tests. This is only because over time I have realized I am a better student than test taker, and could have obtained more college credit in high school. My last piece of advice to myself would be to slow down and enjoy it. High school was the best time of my life. I was crowned Miss Middleburg High School, won the student spotlight award, and placed in the senior hall of fame. If I could go back in time, I would.

Calm down! You know that you have prepared yourself, and now it is time to carry out all the wonderful plans you slaved over. All those trips to the guidance counselor paid off and now that you know what to do, it is time to start confiding in your abilities as a student! Remember, all things happen for a reason and there is no need to stress over the little things that you cannot control. Get in the car and buckle up, because there is a bumpy ride ahead of you, but remember, you can handle it! You've always conquered all the obstacles in your academic life, and this one may be different, but you have the skills to ride on through. Remember not to lose yourself, and get ready to have some fun!

Dear "High School" Christina, You're extremely nervous right now and having a really hard time admitting it. Everyone is so exicted for college and you? Not so much. . . . It's okay to be scared! These 4 years of high school have made you. . .YOU! It's hard to grasp that it's time to move on but this isn't the time to look away, it's time to look forward to what's to come. College is going to be hard at first because everything is so new and you know how you can be stubborn to change. Don't be afraid to open up and let new people in your life. These students are just like you! Working towards their dreams and you'll find comfort in that. You'll be able to handle your school work. How? Because you're smart and hard working, don't you EVER doubt that. You'll find happiness in college because you'll realize you're on the right path and that you're working towards an amazing goal. Just remember to trust your self, because no matter what changes. . . . You'll always be okay. Sincerly, " College" Christina.

The most important thing that I would tell myself would be regarding study habits. When I was in high school I took dual enrollment classes; I barely did readings before class but I never had trouble getting good grades. Coming into a 4 year University I thought that I would be able to do the same things I did with my dual enrollment classes. This was not the case. I found myself in the library every day for 7 hours or more reading. I wish I could tell my high school self to read more and to get in the habit of reading before class, because that can helped my test grades a lot this past semester in college. I would also tell myself that managing money in college is so much harder than in high school. There are too many expenses in college and there is no room for extra spending. In college, the only thing that I am worried about is paying for tuition - not materialistic things or activities. Becoming an adult at the age of 17 is a difficult transition, and I would definitely warn myself about these two things.

I would tell myself to not be so stressed. College holds great opportunities for anyone. You just have to look. And everyone just wants to see you succeed. That's why universities exist in the first place: to help people succeed in life and learn and grow as human beings. Instead, I was stressing myself out about trivial things like if my comfortor set would match my roommate's in our dorm room. I would tell myself to not be insecure and don't be afraid to try something I never have before. I've already missed opportuinites to do something fun and explore a new passion because I was stuck in my old ways of keeping to myself. If I would have known what there was for me to do, I would have planned to make time for them in my schedule at orientation.

I would tell myself not to worry as much, because where I thought I would end up may not be what is best for me and in the end everything works out. I would also tell myself that despite rumors of college being crazy and full of partying, there are other things to do and things that fit more of what I am looking for and the best thing to do is to try everything your freshman year and figure out what fits you best.

Don't be so afraid of making mistakes. They are simply a part of life, and they help us grow. I know in highschool I would aim for perfection with good grades and test scores, however sometimes I would sweat the small stuff. These things happen, and if I have learned anything from college, I know that these things can happen quite frequently. You WILL oversleep for a class, or forget to turn your homework in but it is okay. It is important to know that we, homo sapiens, are prone to human error, and so mistakes are perfectly normal. The key is making note of them and creating a plan to correct the error. As a prospective engineer, this is why I try to live by the phrase, "The road to success is always under construction."

I would tell myself... 'not to take that senior year for granted, the time will go by fast. You will blink and there you are standing on the stage getting your diploma. Soon your friends will be leaving, some them out of state, make sure you tell them goodbye. Don't feel ashhamd if you didnt get into your dream school or you have to go to a state college, Other doors will open. You don't want to grow up to fast. College life is harder... RESPONSIBLITES!! You are grown up now don't make mistake that will affect your life forever and close some of those doors. Make sure not to over pack.. cause that space is tiny. Oh and don't forget to pack underwear either. And always have Jesus by your side, he will help you through many things.' All those words in that essay is just a little of the advice I would give myself.. but then again you do learn from your mistakes.

If I could go back in time and talk to my self as a high school senior I would tell myself to be more confident in my self. A lot of times I tend to think that I do not have the ability to do something. I allow my thoughts to get the best of me and scare me from doing things that I probably could have done. For example community college requires you to take a placement test to know what academic level you are in. When it was time for me to take my placement test I was so afraid to take it and was almost certain that I would fail. I ended up rescheduling my test multiple times because I let fear get the best of me. I finally ended up taking my placement test and to my complete surprise I did so good that I was invited to the honors program. After graduating I learned that I should have more confidence in myself and my ability to things.

I quickly realize that transitioning from high school to college requires a lot of growing up. For me it meant that I had to get out of my comfort zone and adjust to being in college. I quickly realized that it is when. You are uncomfortable in a place that you never been before; gives you the hope of your first stage of maturity. Another thing that I would tell myself is that in high school all of my classes are in one building. Whereas when I get to college; I probably have to run all over campus to get to my classes. I would tell myself to do my best in high school and to keep up my grades. I would also say to myself make sure my GPA is 3.0 or higher. I would keep up my grades. I would also say to myself make sure my GPA is 3.0 or higher. I would also tell myself to take the SAT and other tests that would show my scores. This will help me to determine what college I could go to”. There is a difference between college and high school like freedom versus limited freedom.

After graduating high school I went to a junior college to pursue a AS degree in Radiology Technologist. Although I love being an Radiology Tech I didn't go to school for something I was passionate about. After doing some soul searching I decided to go back to school to pursue my passion. Working in the health care field is something I enjoy, however my passion is helping people in general. Not just in one spectrum of life, such as health. Knowing this I began to pursue a major in Social Work. If I could do things differently I would have applied to an University and pursued a career in something I'm passionate about.

The advice to give myself is that things are not that scary as it looks, you have to be more brave cause things are going to get harder, you've got to be more certain of what you want in life and go for it, to not let time pass by; take school more seriously dont wonder around. If I could go back in time and talk to me from senior year, I would tell her to enjoy every moment she have, to embrace those things that makes high school so wonderful cause she will miss it later, but most importantly to stop procrastinating cause it will hurt in the long run and she will be sorry for it later. To the me in my last year I will say thanks, cause the way she was she endured a lot and she is awesome although she lacked a little bit of social skills and I will remind her of how beautiful and smart she is no matter what your peers say about you. To the me in high school just to let you know college is awesome and it will be painful to get in but its so worth it.

The greatest advice I could give my high school senior self is this: Don't give yourself pep talks, Past Self. Your pep talks are the worst thing that could possibly happen to you. You get yourself all excited to do your work, you convince yourself that this time you're really going to put all your effort into doing this assignment or chore, but it's never going to happen. You know it's never going to happen. Don't give yourself the pep talk and get your hopes up that this time it will be different. You're far more productive when you just go with the flow. Sometimes you even do your work before the last minute when you don't give yourself the pep talk. Your pep talks just give you a false sense of time, Past Self, and a false sense of time is the last thing you need when you're waiting until the last minute to do most anything. Oh, and buy suitable winter clothes. Tallahassee gets cold.

Hello, me from the past. I can you see now, as you eagerly clutch those two acceptance letters to the schools of your dreams. You are ecstatic and excited to make the next biggest decision of your life. But stop for a moment, you’re leaving out the biggest factor in your decision. I know you don’t want to have to think about money yet. I know that in the back of your mind you say, “I’ll worry about the cost after school.” Those schools you’re rushing to commit to are great schools, but the cost will end up causing you a lot of stress and headaches later on. It’s not worth it to pay so much for an education you aren’t even sure you want yet. So please, sit down with your parents, come to terms with the fact that you can get as great of an education close to home as you can miles away. Plan it out; decide how you’ll pay for school together. And while you’re in school, try to pay off as much as you can. It will lead you to a much happier and satisfying adult life.

Looking back on high school now, I wonder why I put my self through so much stress. I was a part of the International Baccalaureate Program, marching band, choir, drama department and so many more clubs that I didn't have time for. Between academics and extra curriculars, I was constantly stressed out and on the brink of emotional breakdown. So basically... Dear High School Jennifer, Don't worry so much. You're smart and high school isn't all that important in the long run. Yeah you need it, but DO NOT DO NOT DO INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE. AP and honors courses would have been plenty and you wouldn't have been smashing grapefruits and ripping up paper during class. You're going to find people who actually like you in college and not people who were forced to like you because you had the same classes, so don't bother with them. You're better than your rinky dink school and some of the jerks in it. (P.S. People don't care Tebow went there.) You're a magnificent individual and don't ever doubt yourself or your dreams. Love, Future (Maybe not cooler, but definitely wiser) Jennifer