University of Central Florida Top Questions

I would make sure that I apply to all programs at potential colleges even thought I had my heart set on UM. You never know where you are going to end up.

Get more involved in on campus activities and be honest with yourself about learning and career aspirations. Focus on learning not 'earning an admirable grade.' When you focus on learning, good grades will come.

If I could go back in time and give my high school self advice; I would tell myself to keep focused on my schoolwork and not put things off. I would remind myself that UCF has many tutoring opportunites to get help in classes I don't understand. I would tell myself to get involved as much as my spare time would allow because being active on campus can make a big impact in your college education. Not only can you meet great new people but you can obtain life skills you will need once you leave college. I would finally tell myself to stay organized and make sure I eat balanced meals. Organzing one's time is perhaps the most important rule when juggling a college schedule.

Going back in time to when I was a senior I would tell myself to dual-enroll at the community college. Knowing what I know now this would have cleared up a lot of general education classes and I could have applied to the nursing program and finished a year early. Also, I would have made sure to have a kitchen the first year I lived on campus because I gained about twenty pounds due to the foods I ate with only a microwave. Lastly I would have told myself to be more invovled in my first year. The one thing advisors kept stressing was the excessive amount of time needed to study for classes. Although they weren't lying entirely, I still had a lot of time to maybe be involved in a sorority on campus and meet more people. Because if there is one thing I have realized in the past year and a half is that the more people you meet the easier things become.

I would tell myself to take the application process more seriously. Practice harder for the SATs. Also that freshman year is hard but important, so make sure my grades are high.

I would unquestionably tell myself to enroll in duel-enrollement courses (as opposed to AP courses), to obtain college credits while in high school. In additon, I would tell "myself" that a 2-year institution is perfectly acceptable (rather than just attending or wanting to solely attend a 4-year instituion directly after high school). A 2-year institution allows for a smoother transition, from high school to college, and college life in general.

Going to summer session at college was the best experience! I learned so much during this session that I wouldn't trade for anything. I got accustomed to the campus and I met new friends that I still have today. While everyone who came into UCF with fall being their first semester and had to adjust, I was already adjusted and ready to start the semester as a veteran with one semester under my belt. Also, eat healthy. Don't waste your money on canned foods, Ramen Noodles, and snacks just because they're fast and easy. Don't go out to eat all the time. Save your money, shop at the grocery store every so often, and get good healthy foods. Your body will thank you before you know it.

Work a little harder and do you homework in math class and pay attention which it will help with Calculus but you did pass with a C but you have to try harder.

I would tell myself to stay focused. It is a big transition living on your own and you have to learn how to adjust. Temptations may come your way but you have to get throught them and stay focused on your mission, which in my case is to excel through college. Also, you have to be more outgoing and join more clubs. This way you can meet people who share your same interests and hopefully make lifelong friends. Stay active and in shape because it is easy to follow a path of junk food and not working out.

I would change nothing. The experiences I have been through have brought me to the place I am now. Life itself is unique it that way. If we could go back in time and try to changes things, we would only make matters worse, due to an ever changing set of circumstances. Life has its barriers and transitions; the realm of college offers the ability to hone in on our individuality. These barriers shape us into the men and women we are destined to become. College life is exciting, noble, and full of energy. If I had to go back and talk to myself as a highschool senior... I would shake my hand, smile, and with a confident tone say "good luck."

Take things easy. There is no use to stress out over the little things. College is going to be the best time of your life, the time you find out who you truely are. So, keep your eyes open and don't fear the future.

College is supposed to be a fun, challenging, knowledgeable, experience of a lifetime. You start out with a clean acamdemic slate, along with a myriad number of decisions to make. The decisions you make and the actions you take during your freshman year of college impact the rest of your college experience. Therefore, my advice for you is to be very wise with your decisions, know what you are getting yourself into before you do it, take risks, and strive for good grades. Set goals for yourself and make sure you work as hard as you can to acheive them. Remember, you put the limits on yourself, nobody else does. The more you dream, the farther you'll get and always remember and believe, you can acheive.

I would tell myself not to let go of the friends that I make. I would advise that I avoid some people and embrace others. Help my best friend stay with me. Not to do what other people want me to. Keep up the insanity and never stop being who and how I am.

The best advice would be to GO TO CLASS! It is so tempting to skip class (since so many do it), and your new freedom will be tempting, but you will do better and feel better about yourself if you go. Also, get to know your professors! They are a great resource for you. Take advantage of it! Don't be afraid to speak up and ask questions. Talk to everyone you can and explore your options so you get an idea of what path you'd like to go down.

I would have definatley went straight into college rather than waiting three years. I would have studied more and and tried to get scholarships instead of getting loans.

Mistakes provide an opportunity to learn valuable lessons. If I could go back and talk to myself when I was a high school senior, I would give myself much needed advice. I would communciate the importance of not procrastinating, good study habits, and making certain I grasped each assignment entirely. Procrastination is a major issue I faced when I started college. I would tell myself to not only get started earlier but to break up the assignments into doable pieces so I would not feel overwhelmed. This would be extremely helpful during finals week when there are many things that need to be done. Good study habits are necessary. I would inform myself on different methods and locations for studying. No one likes to fail or do poorly because they are not prepared. Making sure I knew the assignment fully was another issue I faced. I would communciate the need to ask questions so I could be certain I understood what needed to be done. Most times there is not a chance for a redo. All in all, if I could go back in time these things would be my advice. We do not always need mistakes to learn.

I would have told myself to get help. I didn't realize it in high school, but asking for help was one of the most important things I have ever done. I don't mean academically, but personally. I suffer from severe depression and back in high school, I let it go and my grades definately suffered. After being diagnosed and treated, my grades improved as well as my intent to learn. Now that I have taken a year off, gotten myself straighten around medically, finacially, and educationally, my desire to go back to school and look into a bright future is stronger than ever. I know now that asking for help is ok and no one is going to hold it against you. I would have sat myself down, and showed myself a reflection of a mirror and tell my past self that I don't have to look and feel lonely. Now I am ready to back to school and do amazing, and be the best possible me that I can be!

Given the ability to give advice to myself as a senior, I would encourage myself to prepare mentally to work hard and stay positive despite the circumstances that will arise. As a senior, I was ranked academically within the Top 5{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of my class. Now, as a pre-medical student, I have been exposed to studying through all hours of the day (and night), having difficulty understanding intricate details of microorganisms within the body, and realizing that I was no longer living within the relaxing realm of high school. Thus, I would reassure myself that my passion towards becoming a cardiologist is greater than those all-nighters struggling with studying. Regardless of the lack of rest and stress, making a difference in the medical field and in the lives of those I will touch will be worth more than words could ever express. So to me, I say, "You can do it! Your motivation to radically change lives will surpass the endeavors you will have to endure. You have the key to success, for you have been given the gift of compassion towards others. In the end, love conquers all".

Going back in time, I would tell myself that in order to make the transition smoothly to college I need to save money, and not slack off. I was originally differed from the University of Central Florida because I slacked off in high school, but once I got differed I worked hard and ended up with straight A's in my senior year. I brought this work ethic with me to college and I have the highest GPA which is a 3.9 out of everyone I know. I have been on the Deans list since my freshman year and I have seen that with hardwork and dedication you can do anything. I regret not saving more for college and even though I am on financial aid, I still find myself struggling with money. I felt that it has stopped me from being more involved in clubs for my major because for many of them you have to pay to be a memeber. That is why I am hoping for scholarships to help fund my education and make the most out of this experience.

The most important aspect of successfully transitioning to college is getting involved. Because most colleges and universities have a much bigger student population than high schools, college freshmen must engage themselves in at least a few different activities in order to meet new people and stay active. Whether you become active in Greek Life, leadership programs, honors societies, or clubs, you must participate in order to get the most out of your college experience. I know kids who will wake up, go to class, then go back to their dorms and do nothing else. You do not want to follow in their footsteps; make sure to be friendly and meet as many new people as you can, especially throughout the first couple weeks of the fall semester. By becoming involved, you will be guaranteed to have a great college experience.

I would tell myself that eventhough its completely different than high school, its not difficult as long as you apply youreself. I would tell myself to be carefull with all of the freedome because it is very easy to wait until last minute to do homework. Even though it is very tempting, it in no way is worth it. Overall, i would just tell myself that as long as you keep an open mind and dont think negatively, then you will be just fine.

I would tell myself to get more involved right away when entering college. Perhaps joining a sorority and getting into student government. I would also tell myself to live in regular dorms and not apartments. This way it is easier to meet new people and make friends.

If I could go back I would tell myself to prepare for change. That things will not always be as they are now and that I should prepare to gain all the knowledge necessary in anticipation of these changes. Make as many friends as possible, watch your finances, and work towards making yourself a better person and help others along the way. This time in college will "fly by" so live in the moment and do not worry about the past, remain focused. The college experience will eventually define who you are and the type of person you are going to become. Enjoy it.

Retrospect is an awful thing. It makes us dwell on facts we cannot change. Things like: ?I may have received an A in underwater basket weaving, had I done my homework? or ?If my brother were never born, my friends might actually enjoy coming to my house?. Unfortunately, someone cannot realistically change that they neglected to do their homework, nor that their socially-awkward brother exists. If I could throw realism to the wayside and speak to my high school self, I would have one important bit of advice for her. My college experience began in high school, as a dually enrolled student, at Brevard Community College. I was determined initially, but I let the novelty of being a seventeen-year-old college student get to my head and I received mediocre grades my first semester at BCC. This mistake has left its permanent mark on my GPA and, although I blamed my lack of motivation on an under-developed frontal lobe, they wouldn?t let me write that on the grade appeal form. To be certain, the one piece of advice I would give my high school self, would be to realize that every decision has an eventual repercussion.

I definitely would talk to myself and give myself lots of advice about getting my college degree before I decided to get married and have children. I would have told myself that I need to spend more time on my classwork and homework and to actually care about what I was going to do with my life after high school. I would tell myself that I needed to go to college right away and work hard so that I could earn good grades. I would also complete my college degree so that I could get a job that would help me to be financially secure in life. A huge piece of advise that I would have given myself as a high school senior would be to finish college. I truly wish I had gone to college right after high school without stopping. I would also not decide to take a year off after high school before I went to college.

I would want to know more about my resources during college. How and where I can get help when I'm questioning my position of my studies. More of a guidance to my degree and the steps it takes to become more involved in the big environment that surrouonds UCF. I would of liked to have known more about faculty organization within the Digital Media department and its specializations. What digital media has to offer, what you can do after college with the degree , ways to find jobs within the design field and gain opportunities of research with faculty and my college. Although I have been able to aquire these questions with time and my own effort, I am sure some students of yesterday and today will be asking them too.

I would first explain to myself that I should have gladly accepted to be a dual-enrollment student and I would have had all the necessary tools in becoming a successful student, though I did not accept and continued going through Broward College without any help from grants. I would tell myself, that not making that wise decision costed me a lot in making payments towards courses and supplies. I would congratulate myself saying that even though I did not accept the invitation of dual-enrollment , I myself today do not dwell so much on what I could have done I focus more energy on What I plan to do and What I wil do. That is what really counts towards becoming the student who takes what he has learned and use it towards what he will further his studies and develop ideas towards becoming a top student. Difficulty will always be around, but having the strong determination to not give up, giving it all you have towards what you have always desired will come, but it only will happen, my friend, if you choose it to happen. It all rests on you, and what your decisions are to make.

I would tell myself not to stress over the big things inlife. I would also tell myself that in the long run it is a better idea to stay at home since your first year away from home will be a hard one. I would tell myself to take one day at a time and not stress so much.

Knowledge is a burden, ignorance is bliss. Enjoy ignorance while you can, for with great knowledge comes great responsibility. Anything worth doing is worth doing right, and there is a time and a place for everything so choose your battles wisely. Life is a race, so never look behind, always look as far ahead as you can. Don't rush things, patience will take you far. Take life one step at a time, because falling is a lesson best learned early. Never loose hope, never give up, stand proub and be confident in yourself. You are your best asset, protect it and grow.

I would tell myself to keep going and pushing harder. Don't settle for less and be lazy. If you get a lower grade, always question it, and don't skip classes.

I would advice myself to be in a good company. Friends play an important role in our college life. If we are in good company where everyone study hard, then we compete with our friends and try to get better grades. But if we are in bad company, then our future gets into trouble. Its upto us where we want ourself to stand. Bad company attract us to them. But it depends on the person what we want to do. That would be my advice to everyone.

If I could go back in time; I would be wiser about my decision to attend a 4 year. It was a big change going from small classrooms to large over crowded ones. Maybe if I had gone to a smaller college, or had dual enrolled things might have been easier. Resulting from this change I was unready and it showed in my performance. From this process I am learning, but I wish I would have known sooner. My advice to myself would be to think things thoroughly, and make better decisions. Don't base it off of speculations that community college is not as good. On a side note, I am extremely determined to do well at UCF. I am majoring in molecular and microbiology, and I'm planning on graduating with it finished. A vet once told me before; there are 18 holes in golf. You can screw up on a couple, but you can end up winning the whole round if you learn from your mistakes, and succeed in the other holes.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself when I was a senior in high school, the first thing I would say is apply for more scholarships! Living on your own is so much more different than I ever thought it would be and the gravity of how beneficial scholarships and grants can be really did not sink in until after my first semester at college. There were so many scholarship applications I did not fill out simply because I was lazy or did not feel it was important or necessary. Something else I would tell myself is to be more open and willing to put myself out there when meeting new people and finding student organizations to become involved with at UCF. There were many times when I allowed fear or uncertainty to hold me back from making new friends or experiencing new things, and it would have been to my benefit if I had pushed all of that aside and focused more on getting as much as I can out of the college experience. Lastly, I would tell myself to be prepared to study hard. College is definitely not like high school!

The best advice to give a High School Senior to make the transition smooth is to go to a community college first to start the first 2 years and then transfer to a 4 years university. I am the perfect example, I went to Valencia Community College first and then I transfer to UCF. The reason why I think this is the best way to start your career is because you start getting use to the university level at a similar level than in high school by attending college first. Classes are usually the same number of students as in high school, so it is easier to make the transition. In addition, another advice I can give to a high school senior is to take advantage of all the resources that are given to you at the College such as writing lab, tutoring, etc. In my experience, my first language is Spanish, so I took advantage of all the resources including going to the writing lab to have my project revised by a professor and make sure that my grammar and spelling were correct. I also used the tutoring center when I was taking a Calculus class.

I would go back and tell myself instead of taking another year of ROTC that I should take the ICP (Chemistry and Physics) class so I can get my Academic Honors Diploma. In some ways I may be able to get more scholarships had I done that. Or at least take Anatomy and Psyiology that way I know a little bit more about my own profession and not feel so dumb about taking Medical Terminology or the College Honors Anatomy class I will be taking next term. In short, I would explain to myself as a senior in high school that if I do not do this or at least save up some money to retake the SAT or ACT that I will end up living at home with my mom until I turn 21 if I do not get a better score on the SAT to get into a four year college like Ball State University.

I would look back and say, you doing a great job, then I would say that I need to be an engineer major so I can invent a machine that would let high school seniors know all the necessary information they need to know about their future college life and all small niches that are meant for freshmen students to find on their own. I would tell myself that each class, every professor and every one you meet, will influence your fresh and innocent mind. You will learn a lot only if you consider taking the opportunity, involvement and passion in your own hands and do something with it. No one can build your character but your knowledge and hard work. I would also tell myself that I did a great job and followed good practical skiils that I've acquired through independant living and that I have not fed off parents' pockets but worked at wal mart and other small silly jobs on a side. I would also tell myself that I'm proud myself and that I will always have my own back and help out my friends and family even if I'm still a college student.

You have a golden opportunity here, in so many ways. Don't worry about trying to fit in, that will come with time. Your grades are going to get you through this, so stay focused. Don't let your parents tell you what your major should be. Choose what your good at and like! Stick with that!! That is all.

If I could give myself advice before entering college, knowing what I know now, I would have warned myself to take certain things into consideration I would have never thought to do before. When researching universities to attend, don't look strictly at academics. The environment of the school and the students that attend there are going to be just as much a part of your life as the learning side of the college. The environment of my previous university was just not for me, and I constantly felt alone, isolated, unable to fit in or belong, incapable of finding my proper niche. UCF has given me that opportunity. Now that I feel more comfortable with my surroundings in an environment more compatible with my interests, I have the chance now to develop into the person I was meant to be. College isn't just a learning environment, but a social environment as well. Now that I finally have my niche, I am an unstoppable force who will one day find the cure for cancers and look fondly back at my experiences at UCF that allowed me to blossom into my best me.

Dear Me, First off, it?s Not the end of the world! For someone who has survived a war and refugee camp, college will not kill you; it will however, make you become an incredible individual and important member of society. College will be challenging, time consuming, demanding, and there will be something called "responsibility" that will you encounter often. More importantly, college can do something that high school, private school, and any other education system cannot do. College will teach you to think analytically, or in other words, think critically, and be able to take what we learn, question what we learn, and be able to relate it to our lives and the world. A college experience will be the ultimate experience if you learn balance. Balancing your social life and getting involved in extracurricular activities-clubs, volunteer organization, school events are all there to enhance your college experience. Another is balancing your academics, or in other words, time managing your classes, study time, and more importantly avoiding procrastination in all levels will save you. College can be one of the best or worst experiences of your life, but it will ultimately be what you make of it.

Implausible as it is, I'm sure we all wish we had this opportunity on more than one occasion! However, to be perfectly honest, I don't think I would go back, even if given the chance. I know that in my circumstances, I have done all that I am able to be where I am today. And in all truth, I'm in a great place. I've had many great experiences since then and of course, some not so great. There have without a doubt been moments of joy and moments of discontent, but, these moments are mine alone, moments, whether positive or negative, I garnered something from. It is said that with each experience is a lesson learned. And looking back, I know that to be the truth. I strongly believe that each of us is where we are for specific reasons. Having the ability to go back and change that in any way would be an effort against experience and wisdom. Besides, even if I were to go back and impart information to my past-self, I'm not so sure I would have listened. Some things just have to experienced to be truly understood.

I have asked myself this question many times while in college. The answer tends to change, depending on what the context of the question is, but I have to say, I wish I had better study habits. Coming to college, I thought I would be able to breeze through my classes. Only having four classes put me under the impression that I would not need to study very much to maintain A's and B's. But I was sadly mistaken. After my first wave of exams, I was devestated . I had not achieved the high grades I used to get in high school with my minimal studying. This was the wake up call that I needed. I had to basically learn how to study, and study often. Luckily, my four classes that semester dropped the lowest exam grades, saving my gpa. But with more preparation by just having a steady studying ethic, I most definitely would have avoided those first exam woes.

If I could go back in time, and give myself advice for my future college years, I would tell myself to strive to work my hardest in high school. I would tell myself not to get "senioritis" during the second half of my senior year. Even though I took on the task of 6 AP classes my senior year, I would tell myself to study harder. Even when it seems like all you do is study, in reality, your senior year is only one year, not even that when you account for holidays, weekends, and breaks. Studying is worth it. If you want to succeed in life, you must create a solid base, and build up. If you start off slacking, thats all you will ever do. Instead, be above average; strive to do your best. It's like the old saying, "shoot for the moon, even if you miss you'll land among the stars." You are what you make of yourself. If you want to go far in life, you must push yourself and challenge yourself to move on. So even when life and studies seem to hard, don't give up. You MUST strive on!!!!

Going back in time would be nice, however I belive it would be more profitable not to give myself advice. I believe it is the experiences in life that mold you into who you are today. I am a successful college student who believes she can do anything and adjusted quite well to the challenges of being in a university setting. By going back in time, I could possibly change who I am today; I could change the way I adapted. Going through the experiences first hand has given me more knowledge than I would acquire by going back and telling myself about it. I am a person who learns things by experiencing them on my own. If I were to go back, and change who I was by giving myself advice, I belive I wouldn't be the successful, know-it-all college student I am today!

Don't procrastinate, don't be afraid to ask questions and find out all available resources on campus.

If I could go back to advise myself as a senior, my first advice would be telling myself don't worry. College life may change everything, but this change is needed for myself that would open my eyes and open up a little more of myself that would make me feel better because many people go through the same emotional turmoil and talking with each other is a great feeling. Then, I would tell myself that college is a marathon not a race as well as try not to pill everything on at once; instead, add a little bit at a time until I get use to the changes. Now that I think about it, I would tell myself get to know the professor for they are a great resource and are even better teachers when one-on-one with them. Furthermore, all those nights stuck up in the dorm for no reason or if i was bored out of my mind, volunteer and get a little a more active in any club or group because not only does it help with the resume, but it keeps myself more active and gives a satisfaction feeling that I have accomplish something.

Sara, The reputation your college holds is not as important as you may think. Just because they have a great football team, or an undefeated basketball team doesn't mean they are the right college/university for you. Most people want to get as far away from home as possible, but sometimes it's really nice being close to home. Never worry about a school being too big, because you can always make a big school smaller but you can never make a small school bigger. Make sure to get involved as much as possible! You always hear people telling you that, but you really don't realize how important it is until you experience it. Getting involved allows you to meet so many people, and develop friendships that will last a lifetime. Don't let yourself fall behind in your schoolwork because it is so hard to catch back up! Make friends in your classes because you are going to want people to study with when exams roll around. But, the most important thing is to just have fun and enjoy the time you have in college because it is so much fun and goes by way too fast!

I would tell myself, that harwork doesn't stop once you get admitted to a unversity, you have to continue your work ethic and not become a slacker especially your first semester.

If I could go back to talk to myself as a high school senior, I would warn myself that college life is a big transition, a big challenge, and a big opportunity. It is a transition from being surrounded by family at home to living by yourself with strangers and learning to deal with their odd habits. It is a challenge to be self motivated enough to avoid skipping class without your mother standing on your shoulder telling you what to do. College is an opportunity to meet new people and try new things that aren't available to the average high school student. If you try your best to work through the hardships and stuggles, you will ultimately grow into a better, more mature person in just four years. You just have to be prepared to work for it!

If i could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would definately tell myself to listen to the advice I was recieving. I was always told that I would be thrown into a whole new world where the people and the work was different. However, I never wanted to listen and when I came to college for the first time I was shocked. Although I have met very nice, intelligent people, I have also met people who are very in for themselves. I would have a prep talk with myself about all the pros and cons of going away to college and make sure that I was truly ready for what was to come.

If i could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, knowing what i know now about college life i would tell myself some information that i wish i new back then. First i would tell my self to stay a the community college to finish all of my pre-recs , because the classes are alot smaller with allows for more one on one help and the classes are alot cheaper. The next thing that i would tell mt self is not to rush through high school, It is your last year as a kid so enjoy it. The last thing that i would tell my self is to save money. There are alot of exspences when you go away for college, so save money now and it would come in handy in the future. If only i could go back in time to give myself some helpful info this would be it.