Florida State University Top Questions

"Gaetscha, you are a smart girl. Take advantage! I know you want to help your family by working as much as possible, but don't let it conflict with your schooling (and especially not with band practice). Scholarships will help your parents, brother, and sister better than you can. Just think about how much your dad brags about you to everyone here and in Haiti. You are the image of what our family wanted: a Marcelin-family college student! I know your the baby of the family and you feel like you have everyone's burdens on your shoulders, but don't let that bring you down. Rid of your pride and ask for help when you need it. And most importantly, do as your mother says and pray. God is the way; don't take too long to figure that out like I did. By the way, you have two nephews coming soon. Be aware of your actions because they will love you and look up to you by exposing those toothless smiles as you walk through that door. Stay focused and at peace! Everyone is counting on you and most importantly they are supporting you one-hundred percent!"

Oh boy, I would definitely have a lot to say to my high school self. I would tell my senior self to buckle up because transitioning into college life is quite a ride. I would tell her that no matter how lazy I get or no matter how bleak everything seems, that it is all worth it, trust me. I was at a point in high school where college didn't really seem like an option due to my family's money issues. However, I'll tell her not to worry so much because there are people out there who help and although times are difficult, keep your head up because Florida State is waiting and you're going to shine.

Never thought it would take this long to get grounded. It has been a year since you have graduated and college has yet to be our experience. But the right is in Chicago and we are moving there in October. So pace yourself and be prepared.

Money is so much more important than you think. Apply for scholarships and do not get discouraged when things do not go your way as quickly as you would like. I went to school in state, but out of my city. Being away from home can be difficult but there are always people you can reach out to for assitance with just about anything. Keep an eye out for opportunities and snatch them up, even if you think your chances are slim.

As a Seminole, it's easy to get overwhelmed by the large campus and massive lecture halls, but take it all in like a sponge and enjoy every minute of it. Don't assume you don't like something just because it is different or you have never heard of it--embrace differences, celebrate them! Take random classes that are out of your comfort zone because, honestly, those are the classes you will appreciate the most. They might ding your GPA and stress you out during finals week, but in the end you will be a more well-rounded student and deeper, more knowledgeable (or culturally aware) person in general. Ride your bike around campus and the surrounding areas! It's fine if you get lost; like your college experience in general, it's an adventure. Locate different restaurants, stores and buildings--make a mental note of these locations because you never know when you'll need them in the future. Also, don't be afraid to change your major. I know you want to be an Athletic Trainer now, but after the introductory course and clinical rotations you may change your mind. Keep your options open and explore!

Learn time management. Get organized. Get involved in as many clubs as possible. Get out and make friends, socialize outside of school. The more involved in academics, extracurricular activities, and a social life you are, and the better you can handle all of it, the better you will be able to handle the workload of college. Stay as involved in college, enjoy every aspect of it. DOUBLE MAJOR!

I would have to tell myself to overcome "senioritis." This is a common mindset many seniors fall into after being accepted into college. Seniors, including myself, think that they no longer need to care about their grades while the year goes on. If i would have kept my original "work hard" mindset that got me through the first three years of highschool I think I would have been offered more scholarship opportunities. Also it would have been better for me to never let myself give excuses to stop studying because that is definately not a possibility in college. When you go to your freshmen orientation you get to pick your classes. A full-time student is one who takes at least four classes translating into 12 credit-hours. My freshmen year I did not have school on mondays or fridays which i saw as more time to relax, but I was wrong. Even though you might be spending a considerably less time inside a classroom that just means that there has to be more work done on your part to get that "A" mosts students strive for.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior , I would have said go to college and don't wait. I think going back to college right after high school would be a good investment in your future. If you wait to go to college, a person may lose interest, and may lose the knowlege if you dont use it. I also would have told myself is to take college courses to prepare you for college, as well as getting some extra credits when you do go to college. Another thing I would have said, is to pay attention in class and do the assisgmnents required to pass the course. These are just some of the things that I would of said. There are many more things I could have said or done to better prepare myself for college, but the most important thing in my life now, is I'm taking that step to go back to school and become a product citizen.

I would tell myself to study and try hader during your first year. It is nothing like high school and you really do have to study! I would tell myself that it's okay to go home when your home sickness gets bad, and to go to as many sporting events as possible, you will miss them when they're gone. Once you get to know the area make a list of places/things you want to see or do before graduation and do it! I still have a list of places I wanted to go to but never got around to it!

I was prepared for college on an academic level; my struggle was the part about being on my own and setting my own schedule and not having too much responsibility. I was accountable for myself and I had to make sure that I woke up for classes and created my schedule along with the financial responsibilities that come with being independent. I would have told that seventeen year-old senior to LISTEN TO YOUR PARENTS! Yes, they were annoying at the time but they knew what they were talking about and they wanted to prepare me. The social and personal responsibilities that come along with being a college student is something that high school doesn't prepare you for and those lessons are some of the most important of all.

The advice that I would give to myself as a high school senior would be to have saved more money from work because it would have helped to have had more money for living expenses. I would say that it would have been better to have gotten a new car, instead of sticking with the old one with maintenance issues. I would also say that it would have benefited to have moved to Tallahassee before starting college there because living in the dorms was awful, and I would have been on my own and would not have had to come back home after graduation. Also, work through school, somehow. I think it would have helped to not have had to get so much in loans just to live, and live on campus no doubt. It is going to be hard to pay off $40,000 in student loans within 10 years.

learn to study harder, and try to take more ap classes or college credit courses, also do research on what kinds of careers you might be interested in so that you don't waste you time focusing on the wrong kind of classes

I would tell myself to talk to everyone I could about what I wanted in the future, instead of trying to do everything myself. And I would tell myself to take it a little easier my first semster, take less credits and go to more club meetings and meet people. Make connections with the staff and the student body right away, it makes life so much easier, and fun.

1. Change requires action, i.e. if you want it to happen, you have to make it happen! If you want to better yourself or your community, you have to be willing to take a risk. Don't back down because of embarassment or the fear of not being accepted. 2. As individuals, we cannot grow unless we give ourselves the chance to. This means we have to be proud of our values and embrace them. Then use those values to work towards your goals with those around you who appreciate the same ideals. 3. Most importantly, never stop thinking. Always ask questions. They say all the time that you should speak up in class, because someone else is probably wondering the same thing. I find this to be very true, but it is SO much more than that. Academic education is only a small portion of what we learn in life. Never take your world for granted by not constantly contemplating the workings of it. 4. The greatest intrinsic reward in life comes from the concept "pay it forward." If that doesn't make sense to you now, try it. You'll have every answer you'll ever need.

Senioritis is a "condition" only if you give it that level of importance. Consider your senior year as being just like the others, but with a slight twist- a few fun moments scattered here and there like Prom and Senior Night. It's important to keep your head in the game, so as not to throw away, in a few months, what you've worked so hard for these past three and half years. Other things to consider are tests and reading. If a teacher assigns a practice test or asks you to read a chapter, consider following through with the task at hand. This will prepare and discipline you for the tests and reading to come. College is like high school in many ways, but multiplied by five (at least), when it comes to workload. Lastly, clubs are a good idea, but don't overwhelm yourself with too many extracurricular activities. It will not be a direct translation of what you're capable of unless you're an active member and will likely not influence your standing with a University unless you held a position. Leadership opportunities will transfer to college life and, later on, to life after college.

The advice that I would give myself is, take the ACT's while your a senior! It's more difficult if you wait 4 years after you graduate! Get more involved and don't forget to log your hours if you do community service! On the first day of classes choose a seat in the front, you'll focus better. You may have more time to do the homework you are given, but that does not mean wait until the last minute to do it!!!

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would make sure I would be more prepared for the transition into college life. The first few weeks of dorm life were a lot tougher than I was expecting, not to mention the classes. Looking back I finally realized how much teachers babied us in high school, even though they were always saying that they were trying to prepare us for college. No one mentioned that we would practically have to teach ourselves in college. But, I would also talk to myself about the parties and social pressures at college. I've always been good at handling peer pressure, but things got tougher at college. I would prepare my high school self for one of the biggest transistions of my life and help myself be more prepared to deal with the numerous peer pressures.

Knowing what I know as a sophomore in college, I would tell myself back in high school, that college life focuses on time management and resposibility. Althought college can be fun with having the social aspect of a campus or gaining and maintaining friendships, it is also a time to define yourself as a responsible adult. College is the path way to your future and the things learned there can help you decide what your ultimate life career will be. Time management is important because it is the only way to successfully achieve good grades and balance a social life. There will be some sacrifices that need to be made for your school work alone, but the ending result to get your degree is well worth it. College is not all fun and games, at times it will be challenging, but you have to take on the responsibility of doing it on your own. You are capable of being whatever you desire as long as you work hard enough for it. College is an expience that is highly rewarding and unforgettable with hard work, decication and the will to succeed. Oh and no matter what, don't forget to smile.

We must all learn and educate ourselves to face the labor sphere which is very competitive. Besides, it is a way to tell the truth and to communicate well with others.

I would tell myself to wait to figure out what degree makes "sense." I changed my major many times because I didn't allow myself time to step back and decide what I wanted to do with my life. I felt a need to hurry through because of cost and ended up with a degree which, although I am proud of, doesn't help with my current profession.

Do not stress so much and take everything with a confident attitude. Also, do not worry about the people in your life who seem to bring you down; their purpose in your life is to make you stronger. One more thing, take more dual enrollment courses- that'll be handy.

Keep working hard! The hard classes and schooling continues in college. There's nothing more you can do than to do your best. Study hard, and keep focused on the light at the end of the tunnel.

I would tell myself to be more serious and keep my GPA up. As hard as I work now to make up for lost ground, I would love to go back and re-do it all and be more serious!

Alright, we don't have much time, so I'll try to keep it simple. You're going to be graduating soon and I know you've got some questions. First, don't make your college decision based on any particular individuals location, especially your boyfriend. Trust me, Jack is a great guy, but I'm telling you now, you're not going to marry him. Be friends. Focus on your studies. That goes for the whole of your college career. Got it? Next, I understand you're not sure what to study. That's fine, but honestly, the sooner the better. I'll give you a hint, you're going to be helping people, saving lives, in general a part of something much greater than yourself. Here's another hint, you should probably enroll in some physical science courses. Do you good.Keep in mind, as busy as you'll be, it's always good to network. Get involved. Study often, get good grades, and get inducted into Honor Societies. Give to others. Volunteer your time. This not only makes sense for a poor college student, but is often times more valuable than any sum of money. Good Luck!

Assuming what I know now as junior with only a year left until I complete my undergraduate degree, I would tell myself to get ready for the most life changing experience you have yet to come by; to never underestimate myself and to never stop pushing my safe harbor to reach my fullest potential; to worry less and enjoy this wonderful opportunity that not everyone gets to experience; to never stop believing in myself and have faith that I can do anything that I set my heart, mind and soul to. I would tell myself that change is necessary and very fruitful and to always be thankful for what I have.

In high school, I was a star student. Academics came naturally to me, so I seldom had to study or apply myself very much in order to do well. But when I got to university, I found that good study habits are extremely important. In order to retain the vast amount of information you are getting from each class, it's really necessary to take time outside of lectures to study on your own or with a group of peers. I wish I had taken time in high school to learn these habits, because my first semester was academically challenging. I would tell myself to learn how to make a monthly budget and then stick to it. I grew up very poor and never had any money to throw around, so I never learned how to manage it well. Now my financial obligations are often difficult to make. If I had learned early on how to save and manage money properly, I would probably have had an easier acclimation to living on my own.

If I could go back in time and speak to myself as a high school senior, I would say to prepare myself. High school is nothing like college. The work load does not compare. You have to put a lot of effort into college courses. You need to attend class every day and put in some studying every day in order to not fall behind. The exams are quite difficult if you do not fully study and put time into your school work. You have to get to know your teachers and your advisors. Not only will it benefit you in the present, but it will also benefit you in the future. Advisors give great advice and teachers are actually willing to help. They are also great for recommendation letters. The transition can be tough and there will be times where you will become home sick, but hang in there. Everything will eventually fall into place. Just remember to get involved and make new friends. Life is so much easier when you do not stress it out or overthink things. College is a time where you really get to know who you are and decide who you want to become.

If I could go back in time and give myself advice it would be; dont be too emotionaly atached to your girlfriend because she is cheating on you, a trade school is much better than a 2 or 4 year college and you will always be able to make more friends but opertunitys are rare

My first piece of advice to my younger self would be to avoid getting TOO involved. I have always been one to immerse myself into the depths of learning to no end and I have always prevailed. But this year, between eighty pages of reading a night, being on the rowing team, and having a job, college got the best of me. I had to drop one of my classes and reimburse Bright Futures Scholarship $310.00. Going into college this has to be one of the most hackneyed iterations, with every teacher and parent you have ever met incessantly chanting, "Enjoy college and don't kill yourself." I would like to tell myself this one more time though in the hopes this time could have saved me from half a semester of academic torture. I missed cameraderie with my friends and, more importantly, many hours of sleep. Even though I would like to remind my younger self to seriously consider lightening my load, I would not be fibbing if I claimed this experience was worthless. I have learned where my limit lies and learned a lot (maybe too much) about England's History before had to drop the class.

Looking back at my high school career there is SO much advise I wish I could have given myself. Based on how hard I'm working now in college, I would have loved to push myself harder to begin getting the grades I am now back during freshman year of high school. I wish I had seen the long road ahead when I was 14 and begun planning on my future college career with my grades. I also would have told myself to be more open minded to people, opportunities and taking risks. Since being in college I have opened my horizons and become friends with and involved in several different cultured organizations and people. I am so thankful for the opportunities I am partaking in currently and wish I had taken advantage of such opportunities in high school. At the same time, I'm proud of the hard work and dedication I had in high school, beginging work at 14 and working hard to stay involved in school and grades. I'd do back and pat myself on the back and tell my self to continue working hard for the years to come!

Some advice I would give myself would be to make better grades in high school so my GPA could've made the Bright futures cut.

If I had the opportunity, I would explain to myself that the transition from high school to college is probably the hardest part of coming to college, other than the classes of course. Throughout my freshman year, I have struggled to acclimate myself to this new environment. In high school, I excelled without nearly as much effort as I have to put in now. The class load of a college student is definitely overwhelming at times. On top of that, there is also community service, clubs, sororities/fraternities, and other opportunities to get involved around campus. Finding something to try to get involved in is definitely a tough task. There's just so much to choose from. I feel that if I had known this a high school senior, I would have been much more mentally prepared for what was ahead of me.

I would go back and assure myself that while college may appear intimidating, it is a great canvas upon which you can model yourself into the successful adult you dream to become. The dorm life isn't the best but it's a necessary right of passage, a place to learn about who you are and about the myriad of personalities and people in the world. I'd tell myself that courses are much more difficult at the University than at the Community college, so take them very seriously. It's okay that you don't know what you want to do for the rest of your life, because there are so many resources and advisors available to coach you through the trials and tribulations, and to guide you towards your goals. Have fun, and be outgoing; nobody bites! Be patient with roommates, and considerate of others. But always remember; you're here to learn, study, and research. Expand your horizon, expand your network, and grow as a person!

Nick, you need to try and take the Spanish IB SL exam even though you are no longer in the class. Essentially you can get free credit for Spanish and skip some foreign language requirements in college. Also try not to text so much and be patient, you'll thank me later. Always remember what you've learned, there is no need to bring all your notes from high school with you. Another bit of advice, when you register for college classes, take three classes instead of two. They'll say that you shouldn't take three because you need time to adjust, that's not true at all. You'll have nothing to do if you only take two courses. A final bit of advice, try and get a job early. Summer is the best time to apply, if you wait too soon, all the other summer students will take the jobs from you. Most importantly, have fun and don't worry about what others think of you, what matters most is what you think of yourself. Self-respect is the best trait to have against life's challenges.

I would advise myself to begin my college career strong so that the end will be far less stressful. If you work persistently and give it your all as soon as you enter into college, you will be able to focus more on certain aspects- such as internships, grad school applications and job security- and less on school towards the end of your undergraduate career because the majority of your academic milestones will already be out of the way. Do what you need to do so that later on you can do what you want to do. Additionally, nothing is unobtainable if you set realistic goals and prioritize. There are an unlimited amount of resources available to you at all times. Keep in mind that it takes many attempts and much failure to arrive at success, so do not fear rejection. With that being said, do not be afraid to reach for the stars!

If I could go back in time and give my younger self some words of wisdom, I would tell myself to take advantage of my last year at highschool, and enjoy the great friendships that I once had. During my senior year of highschool I thought that I had made friendships that would last a lifetime, but unfortunately, I have realized how hard and somewhat unrealistic it is to stay in contact with all of my highschool friends and have accepted that my friendships will inevitably change. If I were to go back to highschool, I would try my hardest to make memories that I could never forget, and photograph everything. Probably the biggest thing I would change is the amount of photos I failed to take. You'd be surprised how nice it is to look at old photographs of you with friends and family from back home, and I cannot stress how much I wish there were more. Regardless, enjoy highschool, and as much as you want it to end, once you're in college you might actually miss the luxuries of living at home, as strange as that sounds. Oh, and as a sidenote, you love FSU.

I would encourge you to pursue two things that are essential in succeding in college life: community and opportunity. Starting in college I was a loner, and I tried to pursue life without the company of friends and support. Community, loving friends and leaders who were there to help me up when I fell, is the reason I am still in college today. Everyone comes to college with baggage and things they must deal with now that they are on their own, and I dare say it's impossible to overcome those things on your own. It's equally important as being faithful in your studies, for what is life and achievement without anyone to share them with? The second point of seizing opportunity is more practical in orienting career opportunity. While in college, you will have a plethera of opportunities to grow in knowledge, to gain professional experience, and to explore the world! Be wise with your money, but don't let that hold you back from jumping in. There are many financial aid opportunites. If anything, see it as an investment with large returns. In a nutshell, I say "Carpe Diem". You'll do great.

I went from highschool to the Air Force and so my college life has been unique. The only thing I could say to myself to make any difference is tell myself to pick what I want to do early and stick to it, don't keep changing my mind, don't let others change my mind, and most of all never, ever give up on my dreams because nothing is impossible. The only thing that will get in my way is myself. So don't get in my way. Look forward, keep my chin up and carry on as hard and as strong as I possibly can. Study hard, work hard, and don't let anyone or anything stand in my path. The most important thing to tell myself would be to not listen to the doubts of those around me. I let people tell me what I should do instead of me telling myself what I should do, instead of following my own wants and desires I allowed others to lead me in the direction they thought was best for me. I would tell myself to do what I wanted, what I thought was best and not anyone else.

Hey Derek, highschool was fun huh? It only gets better at FSU, now here are a few tips to make sure you get a good start. Don't waste time during your first year on campus! Go to the first Habitat for Humanity meeting and get involved instantly, you'll find some great friends there. Keep reading your devotions, your faith WILL be tested. I know you didn't study a lick in highschool but start studying immediately, a little bit everyday will do the trick. Just stay and take classes during the summers, Tallahassee is actually pretty fun during the summer. You ARE going to be Pre-Physical Therapy, don't wait till Junior year to decide that. On the Pre-PT note, go ahead and start observing DPT's and look for therapy tech jobs. Maintain that "Keep Moving" attitude your learned in wrestling. Only party on the weekends. Don't take the friends you make for granted, they're going to need you and you will need them. There you go man, now go make life a little easier for me.

I would only be so lucky if I could actually go back in time and talk to myself when I was a high school senior. As I think back, I see how naive and unprepared I was for college. A piece of advice that I would tell myself as a high school senior would be to straighten up, set some goals, and get my priorities in order. For me, as well as others, the transition from high school to college can become a wakeup call. You quickly learn that life does not revolve around petty high school dramas and bickering friends.

I would encourage myself to be more involved in activities. In highschool I was concerned about working my job. I wish I would have joined more clubs, and voluteered more. This way I could have gotten more scholarships for college.

High School is nowhere near the actaul intensity of the college environment. The amount of time you will focus on school work is easily five times more than usual. What you accomplish in these four undergraduate years will determine the path for the rest of your life, so if you choose to use these four years to "live the amazing college experience" you will pay for it by suffering the rest of your life. On the other hand, if you can balance your social life with the tremendous amount of hard work you need to succeed, then the rest of your life will thank you.

I would tell myself to take advantage of all the social opportunities presented and to get involved in as many clubs and organizations as I wanted to. I feel that I spent a surplus amount of time studying and in the library or in office hours with a teacher for extra help. High school should have been the time to spend with friends having fun on the weekend and taking advantage of all the free time I had. College has brought a lot of opportunity for socializing with more diverse people, but I would tell myself that the big party I envisioned college to be is actually spent exactly how I spend high school: buried in books with miniscule amounts of socialization. Go have fun!!

Every freshman should know not to immediately go out and buy all of the books for their classes. Often even if a text says required it may not be by the actual instructor. For example I bought a $200 book for college Algebra. I took it out of the wrapping and put it in a binder only to find out I didn't actually need to purchase the book since the instructor put all of the information on the course website. I was unable to return the book and only used it once the entire class.

I would tell myself not to stress out as much as I did, because the transition was nowhere near as bad as everyone made it out to be. College life is great because you get to work on your own schedule and you get to take classes that you want to take, not just classes that you have to take.

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would make sure I knew how important it was to stay on track and focused. While it is good to enjoy your senior year and everything that comes along with it, I would make sure that I knew to stay busy looking for scholarships so that I could pay for college and that I would get everything planned out and done in time. I would also tell myself to enjoy the time that I had at home. Although college is a great experience and it is wonderful to learn independance and freedom, don't rush it. Enjoy every second you have with your family and enjoy how easy it is to be in high school. I would make sure I knew that everything was going to change within the next year but not to worry about it because even thought things are going to change, they are all going to turn out all right. Just keep up the good work and don't get distracted by things that aren't important in the long run for your education and your future.

If I could tell my high school self anything I would say get involved, stay focused, ask questions, and don't give up until you get your answer. Something I've learned is that most of my time is geared towards asking questions to get involved in campus. I never used to go out of my way to learn more and be involved in student organizations. Also, going to the library is very beneficial to staying focused. If you email an advisor or staff on campus a question and they do not answer, don't stop there, make a phone call or better yet, go straight to their office. FInally, be willing to meet a diversity of people. It helps you get a broad perspective of what kind of person you will be in the world. Know what you believe, challenge others but be open to listening.

As a senior, I knew that getting into college wasn't the goal--but graduating from it was. I knew the importance of productivity in high school, and I also knew the importance of strong character. Professionalism was my constant goal, and integrity was, and still is, one of my favorite words. If I could go back in time and sit my high school senior-self down, I would ease my fears of having my character and morals compromised upon entering college. Secular state colleges are not places that suck in good students and reshape them into immoral party-goers with no sense of success, but far from it. I would tell myself that college would instead grow me and my appetite for morality, and that I will learn many exciting and strengthening lessons! I would ensure that my experience would be either positive or negative based on MY OWN decisions, and how hard I hold on to my faith. I'd tell myself not to worry.

As a high school senior, the only thing on my mind was going away for college. I imagined life after high school to be much easier and full of excitement. I spent all day in a daze, dreaming about the freedom I would have living on my own, and about how much less college proffessors cared about attendance and such. Little did I know, all this would only exist in my imagination. I wish I could go back in time and sit my high school senior self down and tell myself what to expect. I would say, "Dayana, snap out of it. Get your head out of the clouds. Life in college is not all fun and games. With freedom comes responsibility. Thank mom and dad every day for paying your bills, doing your laundry, buying your groceries, and cooking for you because you're going to do all this, and more. Also, use your money wisely. Classes are expensive and money doesnt grow on trees. Stay on top of your classes, that's why you're in college. Most importantly, be responsible. I know you're a big girl, but college is full of temptations. Take care of yourself."

When transitioning from high school to college, I learned to ask one question that changed the way I view every relationship with a light of respect: “Why do people do and believe the things they do?” We all start out as empty vessels and learn right from wrong as we grow, but people and events teach us those lessons. Understanding who and what did the teaching reveals much about a person. People are mirrors; we reflect what is around us and do the best we can. To understand anyone, one must become familiar with what is close enough to them to be reflected. After learning to ask this question, I made myself open to experiences and people that have enriched my life beyond anything I could have imagined and learned how to more critically examine actions and beliefs. I appreciate the lives I come in contact with and empathize with people like never before. The new openness acquired from asking one question has given me the ability to learn about and from everyone, and no longer an elect few. Acquiring the ability to learn from the hundreds of people one meets in college is the best advice I could give.