University of Central Florida Top Questions

The first thing I would tell myself is to not date during your first year at college, it affects your individual perception of the university?s first impression. You need to experience the classes, the environment, and the people independently before you jump into a relationship. Secondly, I would tell myself to think more about my major. And if you really don?t know what you want to study ? it?s okay to be undecided. Switching majors, taking major-specific courses and the credits being useless later, is very frustrating. Study harder in your AP history classes, or whichever subjects you dislike. If you do pass those AP exams, you won?t have to take harder dreary classes when you want to take fun electives that would boost your GPA. Thirdly, when you get to college and Conscious is telling you to stay in Tuesday night to study ? listen to it! Then plan study time around ?fun? time. Manage your schedule so you finish studying by a reasonable time, but never blow off your study time. GPA is important, especially the first semester. A GPA below 3.2 will prevent you from doing things you want, during your sophomore year.

I would advise myself to enter college with a degree of caution and self reliability. if a person enters college unsure of both their own academic prowess or the field of study they plan on seeking it can be a precarious way to start a collegiate career. All options should be explored, whether it is better to start at a community college and work your way up, or to stick out with a 4 year program at the beginning. College success is directly linked with the amount of work and study put into it. Being involved with campus activities and organizations is great, but one should never lose sight of the primary reason for the college experience, to learn a craft to both better one's own life and the life of the surrounding community. Strive for excellence, but with patience, vigilence, and foresight

The best advice I would be able to give my younger self is too not hesitate getting involved in the organizations that interest me in my freshman year. Being involved in student organizations, especially those that involve your major can completely change your college experience. If I could only choose one to be involved with, it would have to be a Pre-Professional Fraternal organization, unlike Social Fraternities and Sororities all the members of a pre-professional fraternity are in your major. This gives you a large group of people to go for when you?re struggling in your classes, and it gives you great networking opportunities with people who are planning on entering the same field as you and have the same interests.

If I could go back and tell my senior self anything it would be to relax. In high school, you don't get a lot of guidance on specific majors in college or the details of college life, which can be stressful. As soon as you get to college there is so much help and guidance from advisors and professors to upper classmen who are eager to help you. The most important thing is to focus on each semester and class as they go, keep your eye on graduation which is of course the ultimate goal, but make sure you don't get caught up in the stress and just enjoy having the opprotunity to be in school and among such great people. Four years is such a short amount of time, it flies by so just enjoy the opprotunity that will launch you into your career and the rest of your life.

Dear Self, It is absolutely essential to be proactive in your education by being informed and organized. College is about being independent, responsible adults without the constant help of our parents. It is not their job to decide when to fill out important paperwork or to check up on important deadlines. They are not the ones attending college, nor is it their responsibility. College is a privilege, not a right. It is the job of the student to keep track of important dates, finances, and scholarship opportunities. Going away to school is a huge reality check, and it can be very intimidating living in a new environment with new people. There are hundreds of clubs, organizations, and school-sponsered events going on 24/7 on campus. Doing a bit of research, as well as making the first step to attend these events, will help yourself get acclimated with your new surroundings, network, and create lasting friendships. Self, these are the best years of your life, and I know you're ready to tackle the challenges in the next four years. As long as you stay on top of your academics, finances, and get involved, everything else will fall into place.

I was the typical high school senior that was convinced I was not ready for college. If I could go back and give myself advice, it would simply be to relax, be open to change, and to ask for help. All of my college choices were out-of-state, because I looked at schools with a strong hospitality major, so I was even more apprehensive. Although my transition was by all means not smooth, Florida is very different than Ohio, I would not change my experiences at all. I am a shy person so it was difficult for me to initiate conversations with people. I learned very quickly that I would be interacting with people very different from myself, and to embrace it. I have grown as a person from my friend's differences. I also learned to relax and adapt when things do not go exactly as I expected. For example, it baffled me when professors would not stop class to make sure I understood a concept. However, I realized that help is always offered to those who ask. Ironically, I am now a resident assistant, and I help my former self ease into college.

I would have told myself to try and enroll in a SAT/ACT practice class so I could score high on these tests and give myself the opportunity to try to get the Bright Future Scholarships. I would have made sure I had my community service hours signed off to also receive Bright Future Scholarships. I completed community involvement and a had a high gpa, but I was informed about it to late. I also would have been online like I am now trying to earn scholarships because my parents don't have the money to pay for my college because I have four other siblings in my household.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself when I was a senior in high school, I would motivate myself to get out and search for scholarships and loans, since I didn't have any out of high school. I know now how difficult it can be to work full time and be a student full time, and still try and make time for free time. Life would have been a little bit easier if I had help paying my way through college. I would have told myself to not slack off at the end of my senior year, because it doesn't look good to the college's you are applying to. I also would convince myself to research and look more in to different majors, so that when I started college I would know what I wanted to get in to, instead of wasting my time and money.

I know that you don't know what you want to do with your life yet and I understand the sentiment. The trick is to pick the biggest goal you are certain of and break it down into easy steps. Start with your Associates degree. Two years of work will fly by and you can be certain that you will need at least that to make your life satisfying. After that it is just two years until your Bachelors degree, which is the next small step. Eventually you will finish but you must count in ones. While you are trudging along you will probably find your ultimate goal but until then just focus on the easy goals like a degree. You are your own worse enemy right now and noone else can save you from yourself. You think you know everything but wisdom comes from experience. Go out there and dream huge and never give up and I can tell you for certain that one day it will all make sense and you will know what you want and the meaning of the word motivation. Never despair or compromise your self-image and go big every single time.

Being that I'm now almost 30 years old and a mother, I would implore myself to go to college straight away after High School, that I was making an investment in my future and it would pay off in the end. As time passes, change gets harder and more complex and it becomes more and more of a sacrafice. I would explain how my life has been shaped by my younger selfs inability to commit to school, and how it's impacted every aspect of my life. A career doing something you love is a reason to get up every morning, and the sacrafice is a small price to pay for that. The transition from a carefree teenager in High School to grown up College student is overwhelming, but not as much as waking up one day and realizing you don't have qualifications to make a decent living for you and your family. Life is hard sometimes, but it doesn't always have to be.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would advise myself to change a lot of things. First of all, I would advise myself to choose a major that I was interested in, not what my parents or my university wanted me to do. I wasted 3 years majoring in Molecular and Microbiology, only to drastically drop my GPA. I changed to a major in Spanish and minor in Italian and it is only taking me a year and a half. I could be in grad school right now! I'd be in less debt, have a higher GPA and have a lot more interest in my studies than I was the first 3 years. I'd also get to study abroad more often and enjoy college. I spent my first three years with my nose in the books and not experiencing life. I'd also tell myself to live on campus the first year, I would have been more involved had I done that. Instead, I lived off campus in horrible dorms in poor coniditions. So housing and majors are the top changes I'd suggest making.

Growing up in a South American island, raised by a single mother, I had to encounter many family and financial obstacles, in order to be able to graduate from high school, and many more to be able to attend college. Today, after all the struggles, and all the hard work and devotion, I am fulfilling my dream of education and success. The knowledge and experience I have gained, and continue to obtain during my college years have, not only prepare me to become a proud professional, but also remind me that, no matter how hard or how steep the climb to education may be; it is, and will always be worth the effort, the persistence, and the hope. College is not just an academic experience, but a lifelong relationship with advancement. To myself, as a high school senior, I would say, from the words of Les Brown: ?Your goals are the road maps that guide you and show you what is possible for your life.?

Dear Sherry, First off, don't freak out, but you're going to UCF for college. Now don't worry, it's not as bad as you think. You're going to make friends that will surely last you a lifetime, and soon enough, you'll be sure of what you want to do in life. Just keep trying and reaching like you always do. I'll meet you right here soon.

GET BETTER GRADES

I would tell myself to practice and study more for the SAT! Because of my SAT score, I did not qualify to have 75{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of my tuition payed for, which has resulted in an inability to support myself while attending college full time.

I would advise myself to apply for as many scholarships as possible, and to have my finances worked out as far in advance as possible.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior knowing what I know now about college life and making the transition, the advice I would of given myself would have been to become an athlete. Being an athlete in college opens the doors to many scholarships and many school opportunities. Another piece of advice I would of given myself would have been to join more clubs and organizations to help the community. I was apart of the Spanish Club and The National Honor Society but doing more for the community with volunteering hours could of helped for my applications to colleges and universities. Another piece of advice I would of given myself would have been to intern more with a lawyer to continue to further my studies and advancements as a lawyer of the future or even a judge.

The advice I would give myself would be to expect the unexpected. I went to a college prepatory high school. I often time regreted being there because it was so hard. But, I would tell myself to enjoy it because it was only preparing me and not setting me up for the shock of my life that many first-year college students experience. Endure the struggle now, and it will make you stronger in the end. Don't give up. Don't forget and throw away everything you've learned in these four years. Be aware that education is like a staircase; in order to get to the top, one must climb every step . Also, the fact that one builds upon another. What you see in high school you will see in college just in more depth. So, learn the basics and the specifics will be easier to understand.

I have learned through experience that there is always that one word or phrase that will change how we view things. If I could go back and talk to my high school self I would tell myself the words I learned from seniors at UCF. "Don't worry, be happy" While college is a high stress enviroment if you let it be, there is always someone there to help you. This fear of low grades and failure led me to avoid going straight into UCF and take the A.A. route. I would also tell myself to not despair about how hard it is to get scholarships I gave up way too early on scholarships and find myself in the financial situation I am in because of it. Overall I would be very glad for the peace of mind that would come from this knowledge and ready to approach college with an open mind ready to make new friends and learn new things.

I would tell myself to talk to many people to find friends that will last throughout my life and to connect with them. I would also tell myself not to study so much and to spend more time with these new friends because they can help me get through classes.

Work hard, don't settle for a B when you can work a little harder and get the A it will be worth it your senior year. Go out but study and don't take no for answer, be nice to everyone :)

Looking back to my senior year, I would give myself one piece of advice that if I knew this previously, I would most likely be living a completely different lifestyle. I was an avid dancer for my high school and had plans to become part of the dance team for UCF. Unfortunately, during a performance, my senior year in January, I was begged to do a dance move that I knew was dangerous, but I did what my captain told me and as a result I completely detached my hamstring. I went through a long surgery that left me in a brace and out of school for eight weeks. Once I returned to school, I realized my friends had moved on without me and I was left with a haunting nine inch scar to remind me of the horrific event. I still to this day cannot participate in sports or any physical activities without caution. I started doing things for myself and not just others, I have set a goal to condition slowly and climb the rock wall at my schools gym before I graduate. This leaves me the advice to my younger self, do what is best for you.

I would tell myself to go to a college that i think would best fit what i want to do in life and one that gives me the best oppurtunity to succeed. I would practice more on organizing my time because college life is much more hectic than high school life.

If I had the ability to go back in time I would tell myself two different types of advice. The first would be to decide my major early so I can take High School classes that my help with my ideal major. I would have taken AP Art History if I had know i would have to take History of Western Art I and II. I could have just simply passed the AP exam and saved money on those classes. The second thing I would tell myself would be to apply for as many scholarships as possible. I realize now that I do not want student loans but do not have enough money to pay for tuition. So when I do finish college I will have to use my beginning paychecks to pay back loans.

If I could go back into time and speak to myself as a high school senior I would give myself the advice to apply for more scholarships and check online for scholarship opportunities more frequently. I would tell myself to get to know each of the guidance counselors on a more personal basis, to take even more higher level courses such as honors, dual enrollment and AP classes, be more involved in clubs and other organizations such as NHS and SGA. I would mostly tell myself to get used to studying more and taking the time to write accurate notes to avoid last minute cramming. Last but not least, I would advise myself to start working and saving earlier. That way, I would be able to have money set aside for emergency use instead of depending on family at times. I have noticed that each of these changes would have made me much more prepared for college and made my first year of college experience much easier.

If I had the ability to go back in time, I would talk to myslef as a high school senior and tell myself to spend a little bit more time analyzing my skills and abilities and really trying to find out what my interest for a career would be. I happened to go for one major and then ended up switching. This tends to really waste your time in college due to the fact that you are taking courses you may not need. I really wished I did more researching and analyzing what major was of most interest to me or what career I wanted to pursue from the beginning.

Take the time to find out how and why things happen. Spend time in a counselor's or teacher's office asking questions about everything. I could have saved a lot of time and money by just finding out the "tricks of the trade" on financial aid, utilizing my advisor and campus resources. GET INVOLVED! You will make friends and connections of a lifetime and the fastest and best way to do that is getting involved in clubs, organizations and events that you enjoy. Make mistakes but learn from them! Question why things happen and don't just accept the status quo. You're going to love college.

I would tell myself to buckle down! I somewhat floated through high school only doing what was required. I would encourage the younger me to put more into my academics, and develop better study habits. I feel lthat if I would have done these things in high school, the transition to college would have been a lot easier. Since coming to UCF I have learned these things, and although it was hard to adapt, develop good study habits and focus , I did it because I have goals. I realized that if you dont help yourself no one else can help you either. You must get YOURSELF to where YOU want to be, no ifs, ands or buts! I would t

After attending two community colleges, knowing what I know now about college life and making the transition, I would emphasize to myself as a high school senior the importance of applying for as many scholarships and grants as possible. I completed my AA degree and never received any extra money to attend school because I did not take the time out to apply. In high school if i would have done that, it would have made it much easier to put myself through school. Another tip I would give myself in high school, would be to continue playing travel sports so that I would have a better chance of being noticed by a university. I played travel softball for a couple of years, and after that I played only for my school. If I would have continued playing on a travel team, it would have given me more opportunities to get noticed by a college coach, which in turn would allow me to play softball at a four year university, possibly with a full scholarship.

Life as a high school student was all but carefree till the time came to choose a college. I applied to both UCF and Rollins College. Rollins was my dream college since I was in middle school passing by the old buildings and rowing on Lake Maitland for the annual Metro Cup. I was all but awestruck by the price of such a school and the lack of rowing scholarships. So if I could go back and tell myself what I know now, I would have focused on my attendance at UCF and forget my lofty endeavor at Rollins. I have truly made a home here at UCF. I would tell myself to continue my pursuit in rowing and to love football even if our school does not always win. To be more of the community here, I would tell myself to visit the gym more often and to sign up for trips with the outdoor adventure. As for academics I would show myself the secret study spot I have acquired and to remain an ever present shadow in the Student Academic Resource Center. In the end life would be easier if I had known then what I know now.

As a high school senior, I was very excited to finish school and more to the next level, however there are a few things I could have done to prepare better myself. First, I would have definitely told myself to save the money I made at my job in high school, rather than spending it on frivolous items. When I came into school the only money I had for each semester was the financial aid I received until I was able to get a job in my second year of college, and living was very difficult. Along with saving money, I would say study harder and pay more attention in SAT prep courses. If I had obtained a higher score I would have been able to have better scholarships and possibly be in the honors program. In addition, I would have applied for more scholarship opportunites that are available to graduating seniors because I was skeptical and did not apply to as many as I could have.

I believe the most important information to relay to the younger me, is that you may never be 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} prepared for college. Realistically speaking, you have now become an adult and are expected to act as such. College comes with many responsibilities and I feel that is the area where any student might be ill prepared. In college, teachers don't always stay on top of you for your assignments; the counselor is not going to call you to their office if they see your grades have slipped; your GPA means EVERYTHING and can easily be affected by one bad semester. Another thing that you will never be prepared for is the tragedies and difficulties that come along during your college career, such as the death in your family, the hard break up, the bad friendships, the lost jobs and you must walk yourself through it all. But there are many resources available to assist you and allow you to become the best student you can be. Afterall, your main goal is to walk across the stage at commencement and receive that degree that will open numerous doors and windows of opportunites for you. Now, let's go!

If i could go back and talk to myself as a highschool senior, I would definitely say to stay on track and stay focused on what you are trying to accomplish. College is a completely different experience from highschool and there are a lot of distractions that may come from every direction but you need to show up on time and be prepared to work. Do not wait until the last minute to try and finish or even start on assignments/ projects because in the end you won't be happy with yourself or the grade you receive. Get in involved with school events and programs, these things will help you in the future and expose you to a lot of new and exciting experiments. Always make sure you have an academic advisor so that you know what classes you are supposed to take and so that you are headed in the right direction for your intended degree.

Form better study habits, enjoy the easy workload while it lasts, and live it up before real life hits you.

You need to find a roommate matching service. It is quick and easy. I know you think that you aren't picky and can deal with anyone. Heck, you'll be out until 3 AM anyway, right? Well, I hate to tell you this but a number of my friends and myself felt the same way last year. However, another number of my friends took the initiative and found compatible roommates prior to leasing. I will have you know that those who found roommates using a matching service are far happier. After all, these are the people you will share your home with for at least the next year sometimes two. Don't worry. There are several options for finding well suited roommates who may well become life-long friends. I know at UCF there are Facebook groups devoted to the subject. What could be more convenient than that? A number of schools I looked at had matching services of their own. Whatever the case may be, this is a quick and simple process that will save you from a long and miserable freshman year.

I would like to tell myself that I need to slow down and take every day as it comes. I came into college knowing that I was no longer living with my parents and that I was now an adult to act as I pleased. I would like to have told myself that the famous quote, "The world is yours," may not have been the best motto to live by. I quickly learned that I was not gifted with superman powers and in fact, I could not bear the weight of the world on my shoulders. I signed up for everything that I was given and overloaded my schedule with clubs and programs that I had no time to do. I quickly learned the hard way that my eccentric personality of "do it all" was alittle too much. I have cut back on the extra curricular activities and begun to look into clubs and programs that peak my interest. In the end, I honestly wouldn't want to change my experience in college but I would say this "Wake up every morning and be thankful for the oppertunities you are given."

If I could go back I would definetly have started out at university and not a community college. I would tell myself to join a sorority and possibily live in a dorm for one semester. I would have definetly thought of the idea of leaving Florida and studied outside of the state. I would have worked less and partied more. I would have told myself to go out and meet new people and make new groups of friends. Im definetly not saying that I regret my first year of college but after going through three years there is alot of stuff I wish I would have done. You only live once so live it up the first time around.

Michelle? This is Michelle. I would like to tell you some things that I know now that I didn't know then. Please study harder for that SAT. You know it was a hard test and you studied, but you should have studied more! You almost forgot your calculator, for heavens sake! Oh, Michelle, be more serious about your future when career day comes to school. You didn't think about it much and it may have been easier to choose a career path if you had only thought about it. You could have taken more honors classes. You had the smarts to do so, but you chose the easy way out in a few subjects. You know you can do it.

Perserverance is golden. When the times seem hard, work harder.

It?s been 10 years since I graduated. However I would sit across a desk and look at an eager, enthusiastic Luisa, so ready to start her life. I would advise her to calm down, to take things one day at the time. I would help her understand that decisions aren?t always final and even after making a few mistakes, those mistakes help us grow and see things through a different glass. I would also tell her to never stop trying. To keep dreaming regardless of the adversities. To pursue her dreams even if they seem distant and unreachable. But most importantly I would tell her to be strong. That when things don?t turn out as planned or follow the traditional path it?s never too late to accomplish her dreams even if they change and take on a different form along the way. But I know for a fact Luisa, passionate and inpatient, jumped into her life and made a lot of mistakes. Except she eventually was able to look back, come to her senses and realize her advisor was right, she was worth another chance. Education is the key of all dreams truly worth pursuing.

Knowing what I know now, I have tons of advice I would give to myself. First, is to never doubt myself. Dreams can always be reached if you put enough dedication studying and staying highly motivated. Nothing can ever stop you but yourself. Second, always stay on top of school academically. Keeping a social life/work life is important but always learn to not let your social life/work life negatively take away from school. Sometimes for some, college is nothing like high school. In my case, high school was a breeze but with college I actually studied and worked hard. Also, I recommend staying in tune with your academic advisor every semester so you know that you are in a positive pathway to graduate. Even if your academic advisor may not be of help, there are many other resources and other advisors that can be at your assistance. I never took advantage of the academic advising and did everything on my own when at times I wished I had someone to help me. Lastly, I would say "College is the best time of your life. It only comes around once so study hard and enjoy every bit of it."

As a high school senior, I was ecstatic like anyone else to be at the top of the high school food chain. Although I wanted nothing more than to have fun and enjoy my final year as a high school student, I knew I needed to concentrate on the future. College was right around the corner and I had to be prepared. Unfortunately, I was not as prepared as I thought. Attending UCF was a new and exciting thing for me. It would be my first time away from home and away from my parents. I knew my parents didn't want me going away to college but they wanted me to go to a good college where I would have the opportunity to succeed. From what I know now, I would let myself know how lonely it would be away from home and to prepare myself ahead of time for a completely different lifestyle. No more procrastinating, no more skipping class, and no more home cooked meals. Now I was in the path of my career and I would let myself know to not let anything get in the way of my dream of becoming a civil engineer.

Don't go for a general degree. Pick a very specific career, as classes are much less broad after your sophomore year.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would strongly advise myself to never stop going to school. I took a few years of a break from college after I received my AA degree, and I now realize that if I had continued my education, I would have already completed my goal of receiving my PhD in physical therapy by now. I would also urge myself to be disciplined in setting aside time to study everyday to ensure that I retain the information rather than leaving it for the last minute. I would make sure I contemplate a career early on that I am truly passionate about (which I now know is physical therapy) and go into college with that goal in mind. Although I was a hard working student back then, now that I know that each class I take would add to the foundation of knowledge that will be used in the career of my dreams, I would be even more motivated to work my absolute hardest and be at the top of my class.

If I could go back in time, and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would only have a few choice things to impart upon myself. Firstly, I would tell myself to do what it takes to get the "A", everytime. Believe and you will achieve. Secondly, I would tell myself to have a little bit more fun. Enjoy yourself, you are young, and college is meant to be fun. As long as you work before you play, playing can be quite rewarding. You will feel more whole if you do those things. Lastly, in addition to working hard and playing harder, I would recommend applying for all of the scholarships and awards you can get your hands on. You never know until you try, and you cannot win games you do not play, so do not be afraid to give it your best. To go for the gold. To hope and dream and to never let anybody around ever tell you, you cannot be what it is you aspire to be. Play the game called college and play your very best. After all, "all the world's a stage, and all the men and women, merely players."

I would tell myself to concentrate more on school. Do not let life's hardships distract me from doing the best I can. Also, to concentrate on courses which will directly contribute to my ability to find a lucrative career in a field I enjoy. Like many people, I entered by undergraduate career with the goal of just getting by and graduating. I should have, and would now, apply myself to my courses with a strong focus on my career goals and future accomplishments in the job place. I would warn myself that when I graduate college I would face extreme personal and financial hardship--the country in a severe economic downturn would be difficult place to start my new life.

Looking back on my life in education, if I had the opportunity to restart my journey from high school through college the most important piece of advice I would give myself is to, genuinely and whole-heartedly do my very best and give my all in every aspect of school. I would stress how vital it is to take full advantage of the educational opportunity ahead, also help myself to realize that although four years of college seems like an eternity while working towards my diploma, those four years are extremely important yet they ultimately have a much longer lasting affect once they have gone. I would then not allow myself to be afraid to fail! Experience has become my best friend and teacher. Failure is simply a prerequisite for success! So I would push myself to do all and be all i could. Failure is in not trying and success is in complete effort.

if i could go back in time and tell my self one thing when i was in high school it would be to take general education classes at first. i feel if i could have taken time to decided what i wanted to do and i could have saved money in the long run.

Being in college is a whole different world than in high school. There are more responsibilities you need to take upon yourself and rely less on others (such as your parents and teachers) for. Motivation is key. Your professors will not keep track if you come to class or not nor will they keep track if you keep up with your assignments. Everything is on you once you enter college. Do not waste away your first year, this is the most important year of your life because it will set up how the rest of your time in college will be. Let school be your first priority and do not let things such as partying and working get in your way. However, do not stress yourself and maintain a good balance of work and play. Remember, you're going to school for you now and not because of mom and dad. College is a place to better yourself while at the same time figure out who you are and what you want to do in life. Good luck!

Looking back on how my senior year turned out, I would have definitely pushed myself harder in 12th grade and not have fallen victim to the ever popular bug, "senioritis." Before going into my junior year, I was an "A/B Honor Roll" student, but when I hit my junior year, I switched schools, leaving a mediocre school for a prestigious college prep school, Paxon School for Advanced Studies. It was challenging from the beginning, but I hung in there nonethelesss. Senior year, however, I began to slack off and not really care about my grades, and unfortunately, that attitude stuck with me for a few months into my first semester of college. So, as a second semester college freshman who plans to turn one bad semester into a college career of excellence, I would tell my "last-year self," if you will, to "Never take your academics lightly. Put away everything that will distract you from studying so that you can study effectively and efficiently. And whatever you do, DO NOT PROCRASTINATE!!! You will never remember anything that way." I can now look back and only learn from my mistakes in order to make me a more successful adult.