University of Central Florida Top Questions

I have gotten experience and how to truly value education.

Out of my college experience, I not only received a great education, I received a community that supported my higher education. In a school that is known for having one of the largest enrollments in the country, I never felt like a number when I attended UCF. There were a variety of activities that allowed me to meet other students as well as the faculty and staff that allowed my experience to be memorable one. I still have contact with many of the individuals that I met in my undergraduate education and they have assisted me with applying for graduate school as well as receiving my current employment. UCF truly did a great job in preparing me for my future, the individuals that work for the college truly care about your success and show that each and every day. Even now, when I visit the campus it's amazing to see all of the new buildings and growth here at the University. It is truly becoming a living community for students where they can eat, sleep, play, and learn. It's truly been great to be a Knight!

My college experience has opened my eyes to many new possibilities. I was once tied down to only one option for my future but now I see that there are so many things I can do. I have also met a variety of people unlike any I have ever met before. I have been exposed to diversity and it has been a wonderful experience. I have also been challenged more than I ever was in high school and I like being expected to step up to the plate and succeed. I have also learned how to better myself and take care of myself. Going to college has been beneficial in every way possible.

In my college experience thus far, I believe I have grown individually. I enjoy using the resources my school provides to me that make me more prepared to work in the professional world. I think the value in attending my university is the real-world experience that I learn. My professors do not simply lecture about it; they make it a tangible experience I can see, touch and feel as a student. It makes me excited to continue learning and educating myself to know that I truly will utilize all the skills I am learning now and to feel that purpose driving my ambition. In addition to applicable skills in my future professional field, my university has heightened my sense of self and confidence because I feel that I have a support system that is also interested in my success. I feel that I am not alone in pursuing my dreams.

I would attend class more regularly, and take better notes. Notes in college are the source of learning for me, and the organizatioin aspect should have already been set in stone in senior year. My junior year of high school I had everything under control, and I'm sure would have transitioned perfectly into college. But I let my gaurd down. I would also remind myself to be careful what you do, and stay on top of your mental health, because if that slips, it all does.

Spreading yourself too thin can really break your spirit and destroy your drive like nothing else. Despite all suggestions to the contrary, it is important to be passionate first and foremost. If you are passionate, then you know that whatever you are doing, you are doing it for the right reasons. Perhaps it seems a little silly, a little sad even, that we need to be told this. But it is too easy to get caught up in the mundane, everyday rush of things, to allow your mind to run a million miles per hour while your spirit is numbed, put on hold, and you are unwittingly steered off course to places you do not recognize and did not ever foresee finding yourself. Stay true.

If I could talk to myself all those years ago, I'd have to say I'd give myself the option of going to college. I never thought I'd attain a higher education. I aimed low and expected little. Now I know that it is possible, and not as scary as I once thought it was. It is a means to an end, and by end, I mean doing something that you love! I'd let myself know how exciting it is, and how great a feeling it is to be going to college. To get to do something you love, and be taught to excel at it is great. It's a scary thing to think about what you're going to do with yourself when you get into the "real world." I now know it doesn't have to be scary, that it can be an awesome feeling. I would say that I think every senior should be told to try college, at least once, for the experience.

This is the time of your life to experience as much as you can. Study hard and take any opportunity you see available. Get deeply involved in any extra curriculum activity that includes any of your interest. These experiences will help you get a better understanding of what life is really about, the actual job market, and they will also open doors for what is coming. Your time in college will be really short, and anything you can do now, will give you a more solid base and understanding to start your life in college. It will help you to make a better decision about you major, and will increase your opportunities in the future. Only you can make things happen in your life, the sooner you start the better. The job market is a long and puzzled road, the more prepared you are, the better. Don't waste any time and enjoy the ride!!!

I would go back and tell myself to do really good on my AP courses and not to procrastinate with school work.

The atmosphere created around a typical college student encompasses many joyous occasions of the past and experiences gained from overcoming the many challenges that have come to pass in turning a lifelong aspiration into reality. Although my journey has just begun in college, I have come to the realization of an important component in achieving in college. A concept that has been taught time and time again, from previous instructors, but has been underplayed in many regular high school courses. As a result, If I was given the opportunity to go back in time and share a piece of wisdom with my former, high school senior, self I would stress the usage and the continual improvement of a profound ability known to many as questioning. In most of my high school level courses, staying at the surface of the details presented was the minimal requirement to perform well, but in college it?s not. Remaining at the surface is no longer adequate. Through the correct usage of questioning, the user can dig deeper below the surface of text to gain a more in-depth understanding of the subjects presented. A level of understanding that is necessary to college success.

I would tell myself not to be so worried about being on my own living away from the comforts of my home in Miami. There's plenty of opportunities to meet people here that you will consider as part of your family because they're always there for you when you feel like everything is above your head and you need an escape from the stress of transitioning from an 18 year old adult who's dependent on their parents for every decision to an adult who thinks for themselves and makes decision that could affect the rest of their lives. Even if you feel stressed about where you're going to find money for school expenses or much needed personal expenses because you don't want to increase your father's financial burden; you will have plenty of opportunities here in UCF and financial aid sources to go to, so you can take care of yourself. I know you're being rushed to finish school, so you can help the rest of your family in Haiti but you need to take care of yourself first before you can be in the position to help them.

Though I am very happy with my life today, I would advise myself on what path to choose from the start to save time because I am a practical person by nature. On the other hand, I also believe you go through certain experiences in life (even by taking the long road) that are part of your journey to make you into the best person you can be as an adult. Having said this, I would rather focus on giving advice that stressed how to make the most of challenges that are presented to you academically and personally. Don't hold inside, rationalize, or let things just "roll off your shoulder." Confront them and fix what you can, because if you don't, all you'll be left with are questions like, "What if?" College has been the most exciting time of my life. I've made life-long friends, gained pride in my academic successes, had satisfying professional achievements, and have all these memories that I will treasure the rest of my life. So I would leave myself with this, "The best part is not knowing what's ahead, but learning it along the way."

If I could go back to talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself not to worry about what others think of me and to make decisions for myself. As a high school senior, I was very influenced about what others thought of me. Based on that mentality, my desicions were what others wanted and not what I wanted. Coming to college has really let me learn from that mistake. As of right now, I am in a major that I love and I make desions that are my choices for what is best for me. I don't know if my high school self would listen to my college self going back because this advice is something that I had to experience and to go through in order to realize it. This is the one piece of knowledge that I gained from college that is just as valuable as the degree that I hope to be holding pretty soon.

Assuming it were possible to return as a high school senior, a serious word of advice would be not to procrastinate when it comes to financial aid. Fill out your FAFSA on time and take all financial aid available to you. Also,do not hesitate to use loans as they are an investment in your future. Scholarships and grants are also extremely important and they are available if you are willing to find them. It would be best to try to find as many grants and scholarships as possible, before trying to take out a loan. Furthermore, it is urgent that you do not procrastinate when it comes to making time for classwork. It may be tempting to party with friends and join clubs in school, but the main objective is your education and that diploma, so stay focused on your aspirations to graduate. Additionally, if you need to change your work schedule for school then do it. Your education is more important than anything. Lastly, but most influentially the SAT's and ACT's are vital to get into your college of choice, so study hard for those and give them your very best effort.

If I could go back in time and give myself advice before coming to college, I would say I made the right choice about attending the University of Central Florida and I would tell myself to have fun in college. I would tell myself to be more laid-back and more involved. I would tell myself to make more friends and go out with people. I would tell myself that college is the time of your life and that although school work is important, you have to focus on yourself and embrace life to the fullest!

College is a very exciting time in one?s life. It is also a challenging time, while independence is right around the corner, there needs to be a balance between study, and fun! Learning to balance is essential for success. A part time job can help to establish some time management skills important in the transition. I would also speak to an older sibling, friend, or relative who may be similar to me in terms of study, and play habits! It?s important to also seek the advice of others who are making the college transition successful, especially in the area of academics. If possible make the trip to the college of my choice in order to become familiar with the setting and ambiance. It?s important to become familiar with the campus; it leads to less stress, and more a sense of comfort at the start of the semester. The unknown is scary! Be prepared!

?Suddenly, it is 1999 again. I see myself about to graduate high school. After commencement, I will live with two friends and throw away any semblance of my being an honor graduate during my first semester at college. I will fail two classes and barely pass two others. I will have earned seventeen credits in two years, and ultimately quit school. Currently 29 years old, with a wife and two children to support, I have been laid off three times in eighteen months ? and I have nothing to fallback on. I am not unintelligent, quite the contrary. Even as an honor graduate, I underachieved. Putting forth the effort was not necessary to accomplish the bare minimum in high school. Priorities change in college, but not so much concerning study habits (which are imperative, regardless), but more so with one?s mindset. There must be a will to succeed and a desire to learn, because when you have children, you realize what is truly valuable in life. An education is an asset that lasts a lifetime. These things I tell myself - though I have heard them often - because the only advice I have ever taken was that of my own.

I would tell my self not to be afaid and just enjoy the time in college.

If afforded the chance to talk to myself as a college students I would tell myself to not stress out so much but rather enjoy life. I'll tell my younger counterpart to consider college as a buffet line where one can pick and choose what they want to try. You can decide to stick with things that you are familiar with or step outside the comfort zone and try something new that appeals to your curiosity. I would explain that the true college experience is trying everything college life has to offer. Colleges are melting pots of diversity where people of all different races, beliefs, ages and backgrounds intermingle with one another forming a single, unique culture. Nowhere else in life will you be around so many different people with such diverse and similar interests at the same time. I would tell myself to never doubt myself. If I have a passion for something like medicine or music then just go for it. I would tell myself to not get scared of taking hard classed like organic chemistry or physics nor let others pysch you out from taking them.

I would suggest to remember all the instructions that were given in class on how to balance study time with fun time. I would also spend time with my parents asking questions on the best way to manage my monthly expenses and how to keep track between the money I receive of financial aid (after all my credits and books are paid) and how I use it during the semester. I would spend more time with my counselor asking questions on how to apply for scholarships and interships. I would check with all my friends and find out who would be going to the same school I was, so the transition would not be as difficult as going on my own. Best of all I would study harder and make sure my GPA was 3.0 by graduation time, to give me a better chance at obtaining admission to a University and also have larger choice of scholarships I could apply for.

Senior year, students try to take the easiest classes, so they could have time to have fun with their friends. When I was in my last year in high school, I knew that I wanted to continue higher education. It was a dream for me to have the opportunity to continue my education in America with great resources, and I saw my dream come true the day I moved here. If I had known that college was harder than high school I would have taken some challenging classes during my senior year. I advice myself to get as many honor classes as I can, so I could be more prepared for college. Honor classes are not as hard as I thought in high school. They are just more challenging, but it prepares the students when they go to college. Also, apply earlier to college that way you have the opportunity to apply for the scholarships that the college offers for high school graduates. My last advice to myself is to not leave things for the last minute. If you do things earlier, you have more opportunities. The main goal of colleges is to help students, so look for those opportunities.

Looking back to my senior year I now realize I could have done a lot more to prepare myself for this experience. Stepping into a University has been a huge change and I wish I would have been able to warn myself about how much harder I would need to apply myself because it wouldn?t be about memorizing anymore, I?d have to be able to apply the concepts! I could have told myself that having 400 students in a lecture class would make it harder to get specific questions answered and that I should utilize a professors office hours! Not only would asking specific questions help me in class, but knowing the professor would give me an advantage of being able to get recommendations, and even get involved with the professors research! On a lighter note I would have also told myself to bring an extra sweater, moving from South Florida to Central Florida is really a leap in temperature! I believe that I prepared myself very well for a University experience, but the things I wish I knew from the beginning would have made it easier to get involved!

If I could go back in time and tell my senior self about college and its transition, I'd tell myself to get involved in extracurricular activities during freshman year. When struggling with classes, there are plenty of resources available on campus to help you succeed in your studies, SO USE THEM! I?d also tell myself to not slack in school, as it will come back to haunt you later. Keep track of your GPA, and work really hard to keep it up to graduate with honors. But most of all, enjoy your time in college and have fun!

Some advice I would give myself is to take as many advanced placement and dual enrollment classes because those types of classes would help prepare me for the course load of college classes. Starting a good study routine would be helpful becuase instead of just learning in college how to balance fun and shcool it would be eaiser to transition.

Leadership: a term tossed around so often in highschool that the average student dreads even the mention of getting involved in school. In highschool, I was no exception to this. Sure i did my fair share of extracurricular activities, but as with most other students at the time, my only goal from joining these programs was to improve my chances of getting into a better college. Looking back on this now, the immaturity of this train of thought is almost laughable. Since attending the University of Central Florida I have become deeply involved with their Student Government. But this time around there is a major difference. I'm not doing it to improve my resume or get ahead. From this, my mind allows me to actually enjoy it and inturn, allows me to grow as a human being. So if I had to give my former high school self some advice, it would be to not worry so much about the future and just do things for the sake of doing them. In other words don't take life so seriously and just enjoy what your doing in the present moment.

To the optimistic soul with whom I share an identity but not a temporal parity, I send the following abbreviated advice in good faith. Your self-image is a delusion. Despite your presumptions, you know only enough to be dangerous, too little to be potent. One is only as wise as his perspective is broad. Only by accepting your own ignorance early and opening our mind to the wisdom of those greater than us can we begin your journey toward learning who I am and gaining realistic global perspective. Neither you nor I are as marketable in the workforce as we feel we should be. Your attempts to employ your drive, motivation, and potential as substitutes for experience and education will be met with impedance. The clich? ?stop and smell the roses? becomes relevant in your case. You will avoid a lot of stress and heartache if you remain where you are professionally and allow me to develop before seeking a career change. I have what we need to achieve our dreams, you don?t. Your belief in me is the belief in yourself that has led to my impending success and I hope this advice will strengthen that belief.

I would tell myself to be open-minded, and not to rush myself. I have such a zest for life and I'm so excited to achieve my dreams that I pushed myself quickly through the first half of my college years, taking as many as 18 credits per semester. In retrospect, I wish I had taken my time not only to improve my grades but to enjoy myself more and be more involved. As far as being open-minded, I can't stress enough the diverse people you meet at college. I was nervous and didn't have enough confidence in myself to pursue friendships with all the different types of people I met. I missed out on a lot, and I really want to improve my experience in the coming two years.

If I could go back and visit myself as a high school student there are a few things that I would tell myself. First, I would tell myself to take the SAT and ACT as many times as possible because college is expensive and the more times you take them, the better chance you have at getting more scholarship money. I would also tell myself to apply to as many scholarships as I could find. Secondly, I would tell myself to make sure I stay focused. It's very easy to get off track or to slack off when you don't have anyone making you go to class. Thirdly, I'd tell myself to mingle. Its very important to build good relationships with professors, other faculty, and students.

I believe the best advice I could possibly give myself as a high school senior would be to literally expect the unexpected. The reality of being on my own proved to be the hardest part in transitioning over. The newfound freedom is bittersweet, it enables you to do what you please but also allows you to make decisions that you may later regret. My advice would be to remember why you are in college. You spent 12 years of school to reach the position you are now in. I personally found out how easy it was to fall off course, and I saw many of my friends leave only after a few months. Concentrate on being the best you can in school. The effort you put in will be returned tenfold.

If I could tell my high schools self anything the main points i would hit would be: 1.) get a job now. 2.) practice studying now, in high school, find your best study habits. 3.) possibly most important, dont stress yourself more than you need to. College life is different than high school, but not that different. Classes are harder, and you make your own schedule. It can, at times, be overwhelming living on your own for the first few months, but, like anything else in life, the thought of it is worse than doing it.

I would tell myself to get involved. I would also tell myself to talk to professors even if I don't have much to say to them at first. They are very knowledgeable in their field and can help me find opportunities that I would otherwise know about.

The one advice I would give myself is to be outgoing. The most difficult thing to do in college is to allow people to see you as a person in your raw state. When people can see you for who you are they will gravitate toward you. Having friends on campus makes the transition much easier and much more fun. I would also say that you have to go out of your way to make friends, because they are not going to magically appear because you want them too. Joining clubs and Greek Life will provide an awasome outlet for meeting new people and adjusting to college life.

Be prepared to become an academic. This means to be prepared to hit the books and focus on learning new things and boosting the GPA. Learning is the most important part of the college experience. With that comes excellent grades, followed by experiences that include hands-on projects, internships, and finally the social experience. All element of college are important, but the most important is learning. Do what you want to do, don't get distracted once you've chosen your path! Visit academic advisors often to ensure that you're on track. Get involved with clubs, fraternities, sororities, sports and/or whatever interests you just as long as these activities don't affect your academic progress whatsoever. Always remember that you're in college to develop yourself into a better and bigger person. You're on your way to success, keep up the good work!

If i could go back in time and talk to myself i would tell myself to get my shit together and learn how to manage my time better. I would tell myself not to party every weekend but to take time out of the day to study and do homework

As a senior, only one thing mattered to me, my report card. It didn't matter if I learned anything, as long as I got that "A" stamped on my report card. Would I study? Of course, even if it was in the class before my test. Now that I am in college things have changed quite a bit. I tried the whole studying before my class routine, but things didn't work out as it did in high school. If I could have given myself some advice in high school it would be to actually learn the material. Don't cram it the hour before the test. Yes, grades do matter, but in college learning matters more.

1) Don't bother majoring in Biology and minoring in Finance. Legal Studies with a Music minor is the right one for you. 2) Go ahead and make that four-year schedule plan - it will take quite some time to create, but the end results are worth it. It really helps in organizing and deciding classes for each semester. 3) DON'T BE STUPID AND DO WELL IN YOUR FRESHMAN YEAR!!! Some GenEd courses are a pain in the behind, but it will be good to get them out of the way. (If possible, take AP Calculus AB and AP Psychology. Perhaps AP Statistics too. It'll take hard work and effort, but it's definitely better than taking it in college...) 4) Oh yeah. Taking the "Law and the Legal System" course with Dr. Koblasz is a definite MUST! She's awesome and doesn't take crap from anyone (which is cool), but it is partly in thanks to her that I found legal studies to be enjoyable. And finally, 5) Find out for yourself. You're in for quite a few surprises... *hehehe* >:]

Work harder. Work harder, work faster and do more; immerse yourself amongst people and ideas you never knew existed. I do not come from a big city, a rural town either. In my little Rhode Island suburb I was not rich, but certainly not poor; always complacently right in the middle. But I needed a change, and although the depth of that change was beyond my understanding at the time, I knew that Cumberland was not the town for me to accomplish my dreams. Up and moving to one of the largest cities in the country, I have found that Orlando is full of so many different people, places, and ideas, it is impossible not to grow. If I was standing in front of my former self, if I could say but one thing to her for the rest of my life, I would shout "Look at how far you've come!" Embrace whatever comes your way I would say, and know that if you really want to go somehwere with your life, if you really want to start with nothing and end with everything as you so claim, you need to work beyond your capabilities. So go, do it.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior. I would talk to myself and discuss how colege life is different from high school.I would try to interview other college students to learn how college life is different from high sool life and how to cope in the first few years. I would like to gain the wisdom about the responsibilities of living alone and how to manage money and time while living away from home. This would make the transition easier to college life. I would also advise myself to have abalanced life with work and social life to have the best mixture and be a complete person

I will advice the upcoming high school seniors to be more focused on their students and avoid any bad friends and gang activities,because college is fun and they have a whole world ahead of them to explore.

Definitely I would advice myself to keep on going to undergrad school, grad school and beyond not allowing any interference with my schoolwork and career because at the end of the day the pain of regret is greater than the pain of discipline...

My senior year when I started applying to colleges, paying application costs and picking out my dorm I realized that while I wanted to fly away from the nest there was a lot of work that went into it. If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior I would first off tell myself to enjoy being with my family and friends, to enjoy spending time at school and learning as well as to enjoy having little responsibility. To most, family and friends are critical to a persons happiness. People surround themselves with positive people that they are familiar with and love. When going away to school, it is sometimes difficult to transition into making a whole new group of friends and leaving family members behind. Telling myself to enjoy high school would be next. While in high school, there are many clubs and organaizations that a person can be involved in, so stay in those clubs. Lastly, to enjoy having little responsibility. While at home, there is often no need to pay rent, electric, and utilities. Being on your own is different so enjoy the time that you have. Enjoy going to college!

College life is all about defining who YOU are. In high school, being associated with a certain group or being apart of the in-crowd was top priority. But here, you're treated like an adult, you are held accountable for your success or lack of success. You learn to organize, plan, set schedules, and to pick and choose when its time to play and when its time to work. You begin to see yourself for who you really are with so many opportunities to leap out and expand your knowledge. Don't worry about making friends, as long as you get involved on campus with different organizations and career opportunities, trust me, friends will come with the territory. And most importantly, have fun, enjoy your four years of learning because they only come once!

I would tell myself to remain focused on my work and not so much on social events. I would also tell myself to spend more time studying and less time talking on the phone, driving around, and going out with friends. I would let myself know that I ended up at a great place in life, but it could have been better had I not slacked off at the end of each semester in high school. Most importantly, I would have told myself to keep being me and being the focused individual I am. Most of the friends I knew then, I don't know now, so it's more worth my time to just focus solely on school. Finally, I would tell myself not to let anyone bring me down and that I should ALWAYS shoot for the stars and never settle for second best!

Don' t be afraid to pick the school that is far away from home or really big, take this opportunity to grow up and get out there!

I would tell myself to get a job and apply for scholarships. In highschool, I did not apply for a single scholarship and I also did not have a job, and it is really hurting me now. I am so poor right now that I can barely afford to pay attention. If I would of had a job or obtained a few scholarships, I would have of been able to save up for necessities like food (the only food I have in my refrigerator right now are apples and one yogurt), housing (even with the Stafford Loan, I did not have enough money to cover housing this semester), and books (I only have two books for the four courses that I am taking right now).

Entering college I was thrilled for the new experiences I was about to encounter. However, something in the back of my head was holding me back- lack of confidence in myself that I could perform academically at the college level. Therefore, if I were back in senior year, I would make myself believe that I was intelligent enough to pass college courses. But not only that, that I could pass the intimidating high level science courses I would need to take in order to fulfill my dream of becoming a Physical Therapist. In high school, nothing came easy academically to me. However, I worked hard to achieve my goals which led me to build character and strength in my study habits when tasks became difficult. Through my efforts, I became a member of National Honor Society. In spite of all this, I still had this assumption that even though i did well in high school- the same might not be true for college. Forunatly, I've found quite the opposite in my experience. I've discovered slowly but surely my confidence is rising and that with every step I take towards believing that, I am one step closer to victory.

I would definately tell myself to hang in their and to try to enjoy high school a little bit. I spent all my time with dual enrollment college courses in high school, that I didn't leave much room for fun. Now that I am in college, I wish that I wouldn't have been in such a hurry to leave high school. I might have more friends and be more involved in college activities. I also would tell myself to apply for more scholarships. There are very few scholarships out there that aren't for minorities. I wish I would have tried harder to find scholarships that I was able to apply for. College is very expensive. There are so many expenses that arise that I never dreamed I would pay for in order to complete my classes.

Having been a college student for a few semesters, if I was able to talk to myself as a senior in high school I would tell myself to apply for a random roommate. When I was in high school I was scared to have a random roommate because what if I got stuck with a crazy girl or someone who was mean. So when I was applying I talked to one of my girl friends who also got into U.C.F and we convinced eachother to room together! I was so excited to know my roommate. The first month or two all we did was hang out with each other. I never got the chance to meet new people. We were content just having each other and never cared to go out and make friends. So a word of advice to myself as a senior in high school, get out there and meet people. Get a random roommate, who knows they could end up being your best friend. You come to college with a fresh start and to meet new people, so give yourself all of the opportunities you can get.

If I was able to go back, I would sit myself down to talk about upcoming events. I would think the conversation goes something like this, Even though it feels like High School is your life, it ends shortly after you walk across the stage with dimploma in hand. One night you will realize, It's just me vs. the world. So now what are you going to do? Being raised by a single parent, a hard working mother trying to make ends meet, hardly sets any kind of stable financal future. As you know collage is definatly not free by any means so I wish you would start saving now. Along with saving, I wish you would start apply for every kind of scholarship you can. Planning is the key element in your future. Plan to set aside a little bit of money each month you won't be in a sticky financial situation in the future. You will be able to start a life out of debt and able to give back to the community. Please heed my advice. If not you will not fail in life, you will just to work a lot harder for your dreams.

As I sit on the grassy hills in front of the UCF reflection pond, I do a little reflecting of my own. It feels like just yesterday I was an eager, bright-eyed high school senior battling anxiety about leaving home yet ready to tackle the opportunities of college. I peer into the water and study my reflection, chewing on the notion that time flies. "What if I could go back?" I ask myself. "What advice would I give my younger self?" I bite into my apple with a loud 'crunch,' thinking about my question. I look my younger self in the eyes and tell her to remember to take care of herself when she leaves for college. I tell her to eat properly, to get enough sleep, to create a positive routine in her new life. I tell her to make good friends but not to get too caught up in the rush of things. I say, "Remember why you're in college: to learn!" The opportunity is a blessing. I tell her to be true to herself, and most of all: have fun making new memories but never forget the people that love and miss you back home.