University of Central Florida Top Questions

wow, The advise I would give myself is to go straight into a university and live on campus. I regret not focusing on my education from the minute I graduated high school and now im 26 trying to live like I am 21. There are so many oppottunities I would take advantage of but because I already have my career is makes it difficult. I would definitly advise myself to not be afraid to leave the nest and go explore, study abroad, not work and enjoy the 4 years of college to the fullest with no obstacles in the way. I would also higly recommend networking as much as possible. The most obvious maintain a high GPA because a GPA can open a lot of doors, but most of all i would tell myself to have fun and enjoy every minute because college life is memories for a lifetime.

First I have to say, I hope I can keep this less than 200 words. As a 38 year old student in college today, I can truley say I know how hard it can be. If I could go back to my senior year, I would tell myself to get to know you high school counslors well. They can help you research and learn what college career will fit you. Stay motivated and envolved with your high school, you dont ever want to look back and think "I wish I would have done that or gone there". Dont be a follower to what you life is going to bring. Go out and get it yourself. The world is out there and its not going to come to your door, you have to go out there and learn what it has to offer to you.

I would tell myself that hard work and perseverance are needed to attend college. It is not as easy as people make it out to be. The pressures of life can weigh you down but you must look forward to the light at the end of the tunnel not the darkness of the unknown that meets you at the entrance. Study hard. Make a designated time and place to study in to avoid the inevitable distractions of college life the parties, events, social outings and even sports. College is not high school and you cannot treat it that way. Most of all have fun with what you do. Don?t let yourself be worn down to nothing and live your life to the fullest everyday. Do these things and you will make it through. Most of all be safe you only live once.

don't drop out then go back...finish the first time.

plan ahead

I would tell myself to take my courses seriously - go to class, study, do all of the necessary assignments. College can be a lot of fun, but at the end of the day one is supposed to be there for an education. I might bring a copy of the total tuition bill so my younger self would appreciate the monetary value of a college education. In addition, I would let myself know I was on the right track to begin with and changing majors was a bad idea that would result in a second trip through undergraduate studies 6 years later. I wish I had known then to go with my gut and do what was necessary to get the degree I really wanted to begin with.

Honestly, if I could go back in time and talk to my self as a high school senior, I think I would tell my younger self to do everything exactly. It sounds plain, but I feel that everything I have done to-date has been on track with what I wanted to complete by the time I was twenty-one. Maybe if I had to pick something in general to be specific, I would say to study more, but what student doesn't say that. Who knows where ill be in months or years to come, but as of today I'm proud of myself for the achievements I have accomplished and I am looking forward to what the future brings.

"What we put into life is what we get out of it," is what I would stress to myself if I had to go back in time. In high school, everything was handed to me. I had to work, but not as hard as in college. I would tell myself that college is difficult, but it isn't impossible. There will be challeneges, things will not always work out the way I plan. However, determination, motivation, focus and perseverance will get me through the rough time. "If it is to be, it is up to you."

I would tell myself to continue with school straight through. Do not take a year off to "save money" and so not get any credit cards. They will only help you get into debt at an early age.

If I could go back in time with the ability to have the knowledge I do today, I would start off by doing most of my college classes dual enrolled while in highschool. This would have given me a major jump start of my college career. Most importantly though, I would have done a lot more research about what I wanted out of life and what school best provided that for me. I stayed home because it was convenient and I adored my job; however jobs like that are replaceable, but going to the school that fulfills your dreams is really what matters most. I ended up paying for most of my school because I didn't apply for enough scholarships while in highscool. If I could go back in time, I would have spent my nights researching scholarships rather than just hoping they'd find me. Even though I did things differently then what I would have with my knowledge today, it has made me who I am. The choices I made in the past has created the person I love being everyday and I honestly wouldn't change that for anything.

If I could go back into time as a high school senior knowing what I know now, the best advise I would giv to myself is to be prepared ahead of time. I know a lot of times during the time I was in college I did a lot of things at the last minute and struggled to get things done at times. Even though in the end I got it done it was still stressfull on myself and my parents trying to get things done. TIme management is a key factor when going to college and doing anything else. So my best advise to myself would be to stay prepared ahead of time so you won't have to stress out over getting things done and turned in on time.

I would tell myself that college is completely different from high school. You have to be completely depedent of yourself ad it is completely up to you to get all your work done. Just stay positive about things and everything will work out for the best.

Fill out scholarship applications as much as you can and save up your money to buy food in college. Do not try to imitate the cooking at home, but, instead, buy the cheapest food and spice them up with flavor. P.S. save your quarters. Ask mom and dad for bags of them before you leave.

I would advise myself to work more days and apply for more scholarships. Also, don't be afraid to meet new people.

As a senior i would constantly tell myself just take each subject one at a time. Its better to take a few subjects and understand all the concepts, rather than take many subjects and not get as much understanding and not get the best of grades. I would post the peom "Don't Quit' as soon as a enter college and put it on my wall.

I would tell my high school self to become involved in extracurricular activities as soon as possbile and to make sure the activities were something I enjoyed doing, not just what would look good on a resume. Also, I would tell my high school self to go to the workshops offered on campus because they really do help you with important things for your career including resume building and how to act in an interview. I would also tell myself to get the most out of the college experience because you only get to be a college freshman once, so you should go to as many of the events that you can, but you should never neglect your school work.

While you are under your parents' roof and they are taking care of you and you do not have no rent or food or utilities responsibilities, GRADUATE FROM COLLEGE. When you step into the "real world" and you have all these responsibilities, everything changes. It's not just about freedom, because there is a price to pay for that "freedom". Trust me when I tell you that you will be in your thirties, ready to marry and have kids, but feel stuck because without a college education, you are not guatanteed that you will be able to take care of your family and what do you tell your kids. You want them to look up to you and come to you for EVERYTHING including academics, but without continuing your education, there are no guaratees that you will be able to help them or that they will even come to you. Now is your time for school, not tomorrow or ten years from now. Times are changing and a high school diploma cannot stand out there. Trust me I know. If you don't believe or listen to my words, you can always go back, but it wont be the same.

Take everything in stride. Do not ever have any one force you into doing something that makes you uncomfortable, or unhappy. Live ever moment during your college years to the fullest for they will become the greatest mind, body and spirit building years. Learn that although college may have a tough work load, keep an open mind and always know that there are people out there who are willing to help you succeed in everything you do. Also, love your family. They love you very much and want to see you succeed in life. Do not feel that if you do bad that they will cast a shadow on you. They will still support you through your lowest of lows, and love you for being able to rebound on your own and succeed. Learn to grow and prosper within your mind. College and life is about what you make it. Always learn to excel and learn more than you have ever learned. Remember to always have fun, too. The more fun and more relaxed you are in these years, the easier the ride will be on yourself. You can do it, I believe in you!

If I could go back to high school I would tell myself to go to college much earlier in life. I am now 36 years old, work full-time as a waitress, and go to school full-time. I live in a small beach town with little opportunity to make a sufficient income in the hospitality industry. This is why I am seeking to secure a scholarship.

Finish all your general education requirements first instead of diving in to your major!!! It will help later by not wasting your time and money!

Always ask questions, ask them before you get stuck and are unsure of where to turn. Asking people for help never hurts and always leave a meeting or classroom feeling unsure. There is so much information for students that deals with every aspect of their lives and there's an answer for everyone. When I first began I was clueless to what my class load should be, how much I should work at my job outside of school and still be productive and how to manage time to relax and socialize. College's offer mentors, professors and other crediable ources to ask anything and everything about. Don't get me wrong, college life is one of the greatest experiences in your life; you learn so much about yourself, how to think properly, learn about others and and meet friends that will last a lifetime. It is so important to start out on the right foot, knowing where you are heading, so you can see your career become a reality.

I would apply for more scholarships and working harder on getting better scores on my SAT and ACT tests.

If I could travel back in time to my senior year of high school, I would tell myself two important lessons. Number one; take your school work more serious and your classmates less serious. As a college student, your main priority is school. Don?t let your peers distract you from your goal. Number two; while college is a time of self exploration, don?t push it too far. It can be very easy to loose yourself while you are pushing personal and social boundaries.

You are about to enter the best years of your life! Become involved in any activities that interest you. Joining clubs is the best way to meet new people and helps build your resume. Living on-campus for the first year is a major convience. Study regularly to avoid cramming at the end of each semester. Take summer classes to avoid a heavy workload during the fall. While taking general education classes, explore all majors and do your research. The last thing you want is to take unnessesary classes. Balance your class schedule. Do not invest in a meal plan (you will spend more than necessary). Apply for all scholarships that you are eligable for through the University's website. Communicate regularly with your instructors. Take advantage of free tutoring services. Look for a job before fall semester starts; it is almost impossible once school starts! Take advantage of the gym facility to avoid the "freshman fifthteen." Do not buy textbooks untill teacher tells you to in class (may save you hundreds of dollars). Definitely attend football and basketball games! They are the best experiences in college! Work hard and it will pay off in the end!

Dont waste your time avoiding college because you eventually end up in it. Trust me I would know.

If I could give myself advice about what to expect about college, I would tell myself to aim higher because I know I can do better when challenged. I can do better in terms of school and in terms of goals. Though it is a frightening experience, I would try to reassure myself to try new things and to be more observant about the things going on around me. Other advice I could have given myself would have been to take my time and not to panic because the right major would come along soon. I think I would have also advised myself to be a little more assertive. I feel that being more assertive would help in many situations to advance not just life in general, but my outlook on the world. I would have liked to be more open in the beginning in order to make the most of these new experiences sooner.

College is much more involved than high school. It takes a lot more effort and studying and its hard to get by without these things. Try and meet as amny people as possible because these people will help you adjust to college life.

I would have told myself to apply for more scholarships, visit the schools I was interested in, and make sure its right for you.

If I could go back in time to give myself advice about college life, I would have so much to say! I would try to reinforce the fact that high school should be used as more than just a social arena! Although it is important to have friends, and have that "high school experience" it is also important to remember that it is your grades in these years that help determine your next steps in life. I would also encourage myself to take some advanced level courses to help make the transition to upper level coursework a little easier. Also, I would mention to myself the impact that good study skills can make when it comes time to take college courses. It is extremely important to be self-motivated to study in college since the teachers cease to stand over you and force you to do your homework at this level. Lastly, I would point out that being on track in high school and having goals for college can help eliminate trying to get on this path later on in life. At this point life is a little more complicated and it can be difficult to attain your college aspirations!

I would tell myself that as unlikely as it may seem, my interests at that time aren't going to stay as my interests in the future and I need to try to give more serious thought about what I'm going to do with myself when/if I got into college and what/who my motivations are. I would need to make it MY desire to go to college, not anybody elses. Switching over to living at a college dormitory is probably going to be the best alone time experience your ever going to have even with all the work because you get to make your own decisions about what you do, what schedual you keep, what you eat, and who you associate with for the first time in your life. Nobody elses opinion matters. As a final bit of advice, I'd tell myself to get a parttime job at the school doing something during my off time during or after my initial General Education Classes are over. The extra money helps and it gives you experience doing some sort of work so you can have that on your resume, just in case.

If I were given the ability to go back in time and offer my self advice, the first thing that I would say is "be more prepared. Start early, because there isn't enough time." Senior year was hectic, and a lot of personal things interrupted my school search, but I wish I would have found a way to get around those and put in the time to visit colleges to make a more informed decision.

The only adivce I would give myself is dont stress out to much. All your questions will be answered. You just have to find the right advisor to talk to.

Assuming I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would advise myself that you end up where your supposed to end up. There is alot of stress put on high school students, about where they apply and where they go to school. I would just tell myself to be proud that I even got into college. It is extremely difficult and to not let anyone pressure you into where you go, because you have to stay there for 4 years. I would probably mention to myself that college is really no different than high school, it is actually just more about time management.

I would say to myself to never doubt myself of the amazing talent and knowledge I have when I graduated, and to strive for the best. Also, I will recommend myself to not be afraid and to take challenges because life is short, and we never know what can happen tomorrow. I will definitely suggest to start my scholarships and college search a lot earlier, so I could have a better selection and approach to all of those amazing and interesting opportunities. At last, I will tell myself to trust my insticts to never step back and to enjoy those last moments in high school, because hard work and late nights of study are coming his way.

I supposed I would tell myself to stay in Orlando rather than going to USF in Tampa. This caused me to lose my scholarships when I moved back to Orlando.

I would tell myself to take advantage of every extra curricular activity available and really explore my interests as much as possible. Trying new and different things is the only way to find out about yourself and learn what it is you may want to do moving forward. It will also keep you focused on your studies while having fun all at once. It took me a long time to decide on what I wanted to major in and what I wanted to do in general. That advice could have saved me a lot of time and helped me along the way. Simply being immersed in your school atmosphere along with your peers is a positive environment conducive to growth and learning. I would advise myself to truly experience the wonder of being a teenager entering college with the entire world to explore and an exciting new life ahead.

So many students try to search for their dream job or perfect career path and end up switching majors their junior year or graduating college with a degree they can't use. First, be honest with yourself: if you're not the best at math then rocket science, no matter how cool the labcoat looks, may not be for you. Consider what you like on a basic level and then use that knowledge to choose several career options. Take the time to learn about the jobs you think you may like; sometimes what the career entails isn't at all what you've dreamed it to be. If possible, try to find a position as an uncertified employee in the general vacinity of your career choice in the meantime. This may not only give you a better idea of what you'd like to do, but could also open doors and create connections for the future. Lastly, don't be so hard on yourself! There are grown men and women who still don't know what they want to be when they "grow up". The key is to never give up searching for something you can be passionate about.

I would tell me to manage my time in a more productive way. College is all about how you manage your time. You should learn now because the older you get, the less time you seem to have.

If I could go back in time and give my high school senior self advice about college life and making the transition I would tell myself to be focused , and to put as much time and effort to school as you can. If I would have really done these two things could have gone to college with a four year, Bright Futures Scholarship. When I was in my junior year of high school I took a College Algebra class which became difficult for me, and was the reason why I did not get the Bright Futures Scholarship. I would stay after school seeking tutoring but that would only be for an hour or so. This is where I would have told myself to put more time and effort. Universities can demand a student to spend fourteen hours a week, on homework for one class. I would have also told myself to be more focused. In order to get a degree in college ,you have to have a clear and focused path. So in retrospect, I would have told my high school senior self to be more more focused and dedicated at school.

As a high school senior I would of learned to relax and take life a little less seriously. I would of taken harder classes and worked twice as hard to get good grades. I wouldn't have worked so hard to keep my friends because they are not around anymore. I would tell myself not to give up on what I love to do, not band, family, friends, baseball, or writing. I would of told myself that saving money is very important because when parents lose both jobs it really does suck. But most importantly I would of told myself to apply to UCF and another state school and not go to the University of Tampa as a first choice.

If I could go back and talk to myself a high school senior I woul remind myself to have fun and not take myself too seriously. I would remind myself to do what makes me happy and to never let anyone make my decisions for me. I would settle down and focus on school a little bit more but always allow myself to have fun and not get too frustrated when things I did academically were not 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} perfect.

I would tell myself to not get caught up, to remain true to myself and be proud of who I am.

I would advised myself not to worry or stress out too much. Everything's going to be ok. Take the classes you want to take. Worry about your plans for the future and no one else's plans for you. Keep a positive attitude even if everyone around you doesnt. Keep the negative out and the positive in. Stay strong to the faith and your always a success. Good luck.

I would tell myself to do more research on scholarships and financial aid, becauses every little thing helps.

I would tell myself not to overload myself with too much work and school at first. I would take things slow until I felt comfortable to add more. I would also tell myself to socialize a little bit more. I would try and get involved a little more with school activities. I would also recommend that I utilize resources offered at campus more. There are numerous tutors and advisors to help out whenever needed. I would recommend using them when things got tough. I would also save a little more time to study. I would make sure I got my school assignments finished before doing extra things. I also would tell myself to just relax....it's going to be fun and knowledgable. I would tell myself to make time for myself and to enjoy the college life. Everyone is very helpful and a joy to be around.

I would make sure that going to college is something that I absolutely want to accomplish. I would prepare myself for the financial burdens that will arise while I'm attending college. Devoting a lot of your time to your studies is an important part of college, and I would make sure I had enough time in my schedule to devote such time before I applied to college.

I would tell myself to not care so much about what other people think. When you go shopping, you try on things for other people, not for yourself, because you?re constantly wondering ? what will other people think about me? This definitely applies to teen driving. We speed, we turn the radio on full blast, we drive dangerously, because we think that our friends will think it?s cool. For that matter, why would you put yourself in DANGER just to make someone think you?re COOL? I realize many of the end-of-the-world problems I stressed about were not as big of a deal as they seemed to be. I was always trying to win the approval and acceptance of my peers. I became so scared of what they might say or do if I tried to accomplish something and failed, that fear itself kept me from trying at all. Although my actions were not as severe or dangerous as they could have been, I nonetheless did not escape the jaws of peer pressure. If I could do it all again I wouldn?t have let fear stop me from being myself.

Don't be a hermit and just get to know your new roommates. Get out there and explore! Meet new people! Live on campus for a year you will meet hundreds of people in no time! These are the best years of your life, make the best of it!

I would probably simply tell myself that I need to focus on school first, learn how to study, get involved, and use evry resource to its full potential!

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself to start applying for scholarships, loans and grants ASAP, like as soon as I became a senior. Also to do a lot of research about different schools, in different areas that offer different programs to best fit my goals.