University of Florida Top Questions

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to always put my classes first and get more involved. It was tough for me to adjust into college life my freshman year. I felt like it was difficult to hold on to friendships that I made and I was not experiencing college the way everyone talks about. These feelings gave me a negative perspective on my future college experiences. It was not until this year that I was able to make incredible friends and put my classes first. My family has been supportive of me, but letting them down for a year really affected my relationships with them. So far, it has been a struggle trying to raise my GPA, but I have realized college is what you make it and it does not have to be what is shown in movies. I never thought this would happen to me in my first year of college. I thought I was invincible because I always did well in high school with little effort. I now know that is not the case and I am glad that I finally grew up.

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Looking back on high school, the advice that I would give myself would be to be confident and comfortable in my beliefs. I have always been filled with school spirit and proudly displayed the black and orange of the Chagrin Tigers. While I think the other kids liked me and accepted my "spirit" at school, I was never really included in social activities outside the classroom. My younger sister always chided me that my display of school spirit was not cool but I felt I was overlooked because I did not partake in alcohol or drug use. I was very attracted to the University of Florida because of all the school spirit that was constantly displayed throughout campus. You will almost always see me around school displaying the Gator blue and orange and I am so happy and comfortable to do so. I still do not partake in any drug or alcohol and have found a wonderful group of friends who have the same beliefs. We have fun and socialize without breaking the law! I would gladly go back to high school and tell myself not to succumb to peer pressure - hold fast to your beliefs and show your spirit.

Currently I am working towards developing my skills as an animator. It has always been my dream to work in a studio and create animated films and shorts. Back in high school I knew what I wanted to study in college. I would tell myself if I could, to start practising animation and to draw from life more often. Currently I am trying to teach myself character animation. That is what I am majoring in. But little did I know the professors wouldn't really teach me what I wanted to know. I learn more through my friends and simply googling things right now then I do through my own professors. I just wish I would have know earlier that I would need to teach myself everything I wanted to know to work in a animation studio. My professors expect me to know already and to do assignments right off the bat for them. If I had known earlier I would be more prepared.

If I would a high school senior again, I would no be concerned about how popular the campus is hen researching colleges. I would pay more attention to the overall treatmernt from the campus towards its students, as well as the financial aid packages. I should gone to a school who offered more money for scholarships instead.

Listen to your gut about where you want to go, who you want to be, and what classes you want to take. Don't fall into peer pressure and stay true to yoursself. Keep up with your studies because it's very easy to fall behind and cramming doesn't always work. Get involved early, it's the easiest way to make new friends. Also, don't take Friday classes, they're the worst.

Hi, How are you? I know it must be exhausting right now, trying to move on in life, but you can do it. I believe in you. When you feel like you can't, just remember, the world doesn't end here. You have so much more ahead of you. You can make anything out of your future.

If I could go back in time, I would tell my high school senior self to really apply myself to having a good study habit. That may seem odd in the sense that I graduated as Salutatorian. Most would expect being at the top of your class means putting a considerable amount of effort in studying. However, in high school, I didn't need to try. It just came so easy because high school is easy. Sure, there were some difficult courses every once in a while, but with the smallest amount of effort I was able to get an A. Whereas college is a whole other playing field. In my first semester at UF, I had to learn just how necessary it is to spend HOURS at the library studying. There were days that I literally studied until 4 to 5 a.m. Now, compared to high school where I could study the day before, in college I need at least a week before an exam to study. Therefore, had I learned to have a better study habit in high school, I feel like the transition from high school to college would have been less of a culture shock.

Knowing what I know now, I would tell myself to stay focus in school, listen to your teachers and take your academic work serious. Don't get in trouble because that shows up on your record and it follows you. Also graduate with a high GPA because you could be eligible for scholarships, and take the ACT/SAT as many times as youcan to score high. With a high ACT/SAT it lets you not back track on taking classes that you took in high school. Meaning you could start taking your major courses earlier than others. Going to school off of loans are serious and that is something that has to be paid back; therefore, do not go to school for the wrong reasons like: the campus experience or because your friends are going. Those are bad reasons to go. Do not go off to school thinking that you can play around because you can but you can fail and flunk out easily. So when going off to a college/ university, please take the academic work and loans serious and do your work and graduate. It is also best to take 15-16 semester hours to stay on track.

Appreciate what your hometown gave you. You may hate it and want to get away as fast as you possibly can, but always remember that without it, you wouldn't be where you are. You can keep on disliking it, and swear that you'll never live there again. That's okay. But you have to give it some credit. It inspired you to end up where you are, and it has been there for you through so much of your life, and it gave you a pretty stellar education. You may hate the cold and how the trees look naked in the winter, but you have to admit it's really quite beautiful. That town filled with rich snobs and old families will always be where your family is, where you met your best friend, where you first learned you could do anything. Without it, you wouldn't be here! So take a moment and give it some love. In the words of Ron Weasley, "it's not much, but it's home."

I would tell myself to work hard the whole year and to enjoy myself more. Get more active in things and to talk to more people.

Of all the things that have been a problem for me, it’s been my own habits that have been the hardest to overcome and change. If I could go back and give my high school senior self some advice it would be, be diligent in your work. Don’t procrastinate on any assignment, but manage it. Manage your time accordingly. If you have two weeks to complete an assignment at least start an outline for it. Construct something so you know what you want to say beforehand and even if that changes, at least you now have guidelines to work with. This way you aren’t scrambling for a topic, for material to write about, and for time to just complete the assignment. Take the time to study each day too. Part of college is exams and they can be tough. Studying at the last minute for one exam is strenuous, studying for four is insane. So do yourself a favor and manage your study time. Start early and do it each day. Time is always precious in this school and being prepared is the most beneficial thing one can be for an exam, for a presentation, for anything.

Anything you may think you know about your future college experience is wrong. There is no way that you could have ever fathomed what was waiting for you: the people you'll meet, the experiences you'll make, the things you'll discover about yourself. That major that you're dead set on right now? You'll change it before your first fall semester is over. Those friends from high school you are afraid to lose? You don't lose them, and you also make some cool new friends too. The anxiety you have about being potentially bullied for being gay once you get here? People really don't care. (heads up: you will come out to dad the summer between your freshman and sophomore year; it goes much more smoothly than you could've imagined) Just realize that plans and expectations rarely ever coincide with the reality of a situation, and my best advice for you is to accept that. Every experience you have will change you in some way, for better or worse, dramatically or subtly. The worst thing you could do for yourself is resist that. Good luck, kid.

Stop worrying about what everyone else is doing, focus and study more. Join a sports team while you are waiting for Drama to start up and keep yourself busy. You have no idea now but when you are given a challenge you rise up and meet it and you are going places. Strive to get on the honor roll every year because you are going to need it. Community College is a second chance but take a step back and really think about what you want to do for a career because if you go to college after high school instead of waiting you will be able to get the career that you're meant for much sooner. You are an awesome person, don't take forever to realize that.

College is just like kindergarden, only way better. Remember that first day of kindergarden? Ok, well maybe you don't exactly, but I can assure you, you were a frantic mess. Your little five year old self was as nervous and scared as the day you thought you broke your little brother's arm when you threw that football to him. Anyway, the point is, after that first week or two of kindergarden you were settled in and it was great; nap time everyday and access to that big sixty-four pack of crrayons with the sharpener on the back. The only difference in college is there is a little less sleep. Have fun, be yourself and don't stress yourself out about it too much and you'll do great, just like you did in kindergarden.

Make just as much time for your creative pursuits as your schoolwork and social life.

If i was able to go back in time the best advise, I could give myself would be, to take my time not to rush through my education and life . Life is to fast and precious to run through and not enjoy the riches that come by you everyday. Also , to learn and listen to the stories from are elders they are full of knowledge that you wil not probablly ever learn in a book or classroom. life is full of suprises may not been the ones you expected but, take them and run with them . dream big cause any dream is possiable if you have the dermination and willfulness to go after them. dont ever say you can't do something or it's somebody's fault because you where to scared to say i'll try be brave and take a big breath and step forward even though it scary it will be a happy scary cause the unknown is always better than the known . live life to the fullest and to make sure you have your family beside you everystep of the way to enjoy it with you. life to short to be alone , be a square !

Forget about the rules and cliques. This isn't high school anymore. No one cares about how cool you were and how many trophies you won in your swim team competitions or if you were the captain of the cheerleading squad. It's time to look at yourself and everyone else as individuals and really find your place. Making friends will be awkward and difficult at first, but keep trying. Join every club that piques your interest and go to at least three meetings before you quit. Your professors aren't going to chase you down when you're missing a homework assignment, and no one's going to notice if you skip class for two weeks. This is your education, and your life, essentially. If you don't want to be here, that's your choice, and no one's there to stop you. Finally, appreciate your family. No matter how much you can't wait to move out, you will miss them, because when it comes down to the truth, no one else will care if you're vomitting your guts out at three in the morning. Love, live, and don't waste a single minute.

College is nothing like high school, high school Iqra. There are many things you believe in now that you will be disappointed with in college. It is something entirely different from waht you expect, but not always in a bad way. There are friends you thought you would have for the rest of your life. You aren't a whimsical person, but you saw them at your graduation, your wedding, your children playing with theirs. Life never works out the way you want it to. Remember that Whatever's meant to be, will be. People come and go; do not take that as a failure on your part. Taking that "whatever's meant to be, will be" mentality, keep in mind that college is different. Do well on your AP exams - they will save you incredible amounts of money and time. Form strong bonds with your teachers - they truly care for you and will always provide invaluable guidance. Lastly, most importantly, cherish your parents. Spend as much time with them. Take your mom out randomly. In a few months, you'll miss them more than you could ever imagine. In a few months, nothing will ever be the same.

Dear Me, Please don't be so scared of this. It's going to be really fun - I promise! You're going to live with Grandma, and even though she can be critical at times she'll be the one who helps you develop independence. When Ben breaks up with you, she'll be your way back to standing on your own two legs with her comfort food and advice about how to be your own person. So cut her some slack and don't gripe about her criticism every weekend when you come home. Smile lots! People will love it, and if you don't want to play volleyball, so what. No one cares or thinks any worse of you for it. You really can be yourself and people will still like you. Maybe don't go home every weekend and take the time to get involved at college. Definitely find a job earlier - sitting on the couch watching all that Law & Order is going to make you paranoid. Stop freaking out that every car behind you is really a murder/rapist out to get you. Most importantly, be confident. You can do this!! Love, Your Future Self

High school is the foremost platform for preparing for college. It’s an important moment in all of our lives to iron out most of the problems one will face during the college years. My life in my early schooling years started a great exploration. There are so many options to choose from. Thinking who am I and where I want to go was a daunting task. Determining what I want from my life is a decision that will call out and scream “It is time!” I had to start figuring this out very quickly. I place a great emphasis on furthering my education in Fire and Emergency Services. The Bachelors of Science degree offered by the University of Florida is completely online. What I know now is skills such as time management, discipline, and being focused. These traits is what I would tell the high school Abraham “Get Ready.” I would tell myself to also “Be goal oriented and try to stay as focused on college admission.” Classes I take and activities I engage have a direct connection to my career. Accomplishing my degree is almost complete. A quality education can help me realize these career goals.

I would advise myself to take a couple of easier classes the first semester. I got so many credit hours through AP and IB classes and exams that I started my freshman semester as a sophomore. All of my classes were higher level and tough. I did not ease into college life instead I jumped in head first. Take it easy and enjoy a little more and learn how to juggle it all.

As a timid high school senior, petrified of what college life would bring both academically and socially, I wish I had known how much less daunting college would be than what I had expected. I would advise myself to take a deep breath and enjoy every possible experience instead of constantly worrying about what was coming next. I would tell myself that being gay isn't as much of a constant struggle in college, and that unlike in high school, very few people are preoccupied by your sexual orientation. I would encourage my high school self to join the UF LGBT group much earlier and not to worry about what others thought. My high school self was so apprehensive about college classes and exams, as I suffer from severe test anxiety and had an incredibly difficult time in my high school IB Program. I wish I could have told myself then not to obsess about quizzes and tests and to trust myself. I would tell myself to go to a few more Gator football games, to play more than one intramural sport, and to give myself a much-needed break every now and then.

Dear Courtney, it's me, your older self!! I have a couple of things to tell you that will help you with your upcoming choices and paths you can choose from. FIrst of all, go for it all! Have confidence! You are brighter than you think and stronger than you think. You have amazing soccer talent, go forward and find a college where you can play!! I promise , you will only regret what you didn't do. Secondly, think long and hard about what you want to study when going to college. Think about a career that you will love. Look at your personality and what your strengths are and act on that in confidence. You have divinity within you! Time will keep on moving and it is much more difficult to get back to school when you are older. Remember, anything is possible if you are willing to work for it. Third, enjoy your high school days. They are precious and fun. Enjoy your soccer playing days, as they won't last forever. Live your life to the fullest, enjoy the California blue sky, and remember to work hard, play hard!

So you’re about to go to college, live in a dorm with strangers, and share a bathroom with walls so thin you could hear an ant sneeze on the other side. You’re going to worry about whether the bathroom is going to smell. You’re going to try timing doing your business when no one is around. I can sum up my advice to you in two words: Just go. The beautiful girl at the gym has bodily functions, as does that med school student who seems to have it all figured out. The faceless, nameless hordes of people competing with you all relieve themselves every day. Remembering this will help ease some crippling self-comparisons. It’ll bring the world down to scale, hopefully pricking the huge balloon of stress in your chest and deflating your shoulders in laughter. I know you’re embarrassed, and this isn’t the most politically correct advice. It’s real talk, though. You’ll want to stay at home, wrap yourself up in a blanket burrito and hold it. Just go! Go to the bathroom, then go out and meet people. Go do something new. I guarantee you’ll feel better.

Hey, girl. Listen, don't sweat it that you didn't get accepted to the University of Florida. I know it was your first choice, but the University of North Florida will introduce you to your best friend, Mary, as well as give you a soft spot for Muscovy ducks. You'll be able to transfer to UF later and graduate with honors! And remember that boyfriend? Yeah, he introduced you to Dungeons and Dragons (which you'll keep playing, don't worry) but you'll find someone much better: someone who treats you with love and respect. Also, he'll know how to wash his own dishes. At any rate, don't sweat the small stuff, ok? That B- you made in Personality Psychology won't be that big of a deal. You'll get to write more, and travel. Spoiler alert! You'll get to see real medieval manuscripts and work on dead languages at a university that's been around since 1592. It won't matter that you're a bit of a nerd: your uniqueness is beauty unto itself. So cheer up! Life is good, and it's out there waiting for you.

Do not worry about college. Everything that is meant to happen, will happen. It is not as scary as you might think and remember to attend all the football games!

I would tell myself to really think about what you want to do in life and then set yourself for the best way to do that. Talk to more people in business and try to get out of your comfort zone more. Do not get so wrapped up in each little thing that you are doing because it is only little things. Always remember to get better.

I wish I got to know people in the Gainesville community better. Often times, students here think that all there is to Gainesville is the university. However, there are real genuine people that live here with their families and are eager to share their southern hospitality with the students. Do volunteer work and build relationships with the people you meet at church. It makes things so much easier when you have people in the area that you can count on!

As a junior in college, I've changed immensely since my senior year of high school. I'm smarter, more stylish, I have a much more diverse friend group, and I go to events, bars, clubs, and parties all the time now. I still work all the time. Bills to pay, ya know! College has been a huge change from high school and not just because of the distance from the 'rents. College has taught me that I never needed to stress over that little stuff, like Homecoming or Prom. Who cares? Turns out nobody. I didn't need to stress who was voted Queen of the dance. Three years later, I don't even remember the themes. Besides, you can't put "Prom Queen" on your resume. Resume-building is something I should have focused on more, and not for my future career. I should have applied for more minimum wage jobs so I would have experince for jobs in Gainesville. It is a nightmare with all of this competition. Finally, remember that high school classes are a cake walk compared to their collegiate counterparts. Form good study habits now! And relax, college is way better than high school.

Don't be scared, or at least don't show it. That's it. It is understandable to go into such a drastically new experience with a certain degree of fear, but to a point where it consumes your life, you'll do nothing but resent everything and everyone around you. College is when you will find yourself. You'll learn of your passion for animals, your fear of the cubicle, and your passion for thinking and learning. College teaches much, much more than the facts and information found in textbooks. College also teaches about who you are as a person, what you want out of life, and how you want to achieve that. You'll learn that the jaded and detached nature of your high school experience was a function of the mundane and reduntant nature of the process, but in college, you are the master and commander of your own ship, you hold in your hands the roadmap to our destiny. My last piece of advice is this: when you pick a major, don't pick it for the attractive paychecks, the stability, or the dental plan, do what you love and do it well.

Oh goodness, there are many things I would like to tell my high school self. The first thing I would say, is not to skate by in the easy courses. Take a risk, you and I both know you would do well in AP courses. Stop being lazy and put in the work required, you'll be kicking yourself when it comes time to apply for colleges. Instead of doing nothing, get on it as soon as you can. Watching all your friends start college while you keep working at Marshalls will make you feel like a failure. Don't let that happen. Do the work, put in that extra effort, you will be glad you did.

If I could go back in time, I would urge myself to go out and meet more people! I went to college with my best friends and through the duration of my first year of undergrad, I barely made any new friends. When you are embarking on this new journey, it is so important to put yourself out there and embrace new people and new cultures. College is the time to discover who you are and who you want to be. I was so afraid of being seen as "weird" by trying something new or I was too afraid of failing at these new things-- That is not the mentality any college freshman should have! Take this time to try something out of the ordinary and take every opportunity that is thrown your way, because you really do only live once! Go to every random club meeting and enjoy every minute of it. Don't spend all your time with your nose in the books either. You only have 4 years in college, take advantage of every aspect college has to offer-- clubs, sports, strange classes, you name it!

If I could talk to myself when I was in high school, I`d tell myself to have fun every now and then and blow off much needed steam. Studying is important but releaving stress is also important. Short term stress is good,and long term stress is bad. Even if the stress is getting to you and is practically eating you alive ,always rememebr the importance of what your doing and how good it will feel once all that hard work has paid off. Also a tip on studying is to rememebr each part of the study guide or notes correctly atleast 5 times in a row before moving on to the next section or taking a break, otherwise keep keep trying until you can do it 5 times in a row without any mistakes or stalling.

After explaining the logistics of time travel and calming down my high school self, I would tell him (me?) how I learned to survive my freshman year. College was a kick in the stomach; coming in I had illusions of college created by the ridiculous movies that National Lampoon makes. I thought classes were a joke, I could sleep until noon every day, and that I would never have to study. I would administer a swift slap and explain to myself that none of this is true. You need to buckle down and get ready for classes that will cram more into a day than your previous classes had in a week. Chemistry will be no joke; in fact, you’ll fail your first exam (something that has never happened before) and you’ll have to work your butt off to scrape out an A. Don’t put yourself in that situation, past me. Yeah friends are great, and volunteering is rewarding, but at a certain point you will need to lock yourself in your room and stick your nose in a textbook. Just before leaving, I’d say “it’ll be hard, but I guarantee you can do it”

Learn study skills now, before you get into a class where they are desperately needed. Be vocal in your education, if you have a question do not be afraid to ask it. Make as many friends as possible while you are in college. The more friends you have the better your experience will. Last, but not least, do not be afraid to try new things BUT do not lose yourself in the crowd.

Dear Jose, don't even think about going out during school nights! Stay in and study, study hard! It may seem your alone at first but there are resources in school that can help you! Form study groups and apply for as many scholarships as you can! Do not worry about getting a job or going to the gym twice a day! What counts is your education and it will pay off in the long run! Don't get distracted by all of the parties and girls that'll come later with life. Now you have all the time to focus on yourself development and school will make you a better person in the long run! Build a connection with the professors, make sure they know who you are. And another good tip that I know is as much as you study you can still enjoy youself. What has helped me with exams are study all you can and the night before go out and watch a movie or hangout with friends. Trust me it seems crazy but it helps a lot with the stress. Good luck, you have a lot of potiential! Love you!

The main advice I would tell myself as a high school senior would be to enjoy the people around me and take every opportunity presented to make new friends. UF is a huge school, and it can often be very lonely. My freshman year I met new people and made good friends, but I was still dependent on my friends from home. Sophomore year brought a complete change that I am eternally grateful for. I moved into a dorm with three random girls, who I would now consider my best friends. I also met their friends and formed close relationships. The main thing I realized through this experience is that people here are open and excited to meet others. Being so introverted can become a negative thing when there are thousands of opportunities to not feel like a small fish in a big pond. Had I known this before, I would have taken a bigger initiative to meet people last year, rather than settle for the familiar. The friendships made in college are life changing, and it would be a mistake to not take advantage of the possibilities to meet people. Live every moment. Laugh every day. Love beyond words.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself in high school I would tell myself two things. One would be to look for more scholarships. When I was applying to colleges I didn’t look for scholarships outside of what the colleges had awarded me and when I got a scholarship to my dream college I thought I was set. I had a great first semester and loved the atmosphere, the challenge and the teachers, but when it came time to look for loans for my second semester I couldn’t find anyone that would help me. On top of the scholarships I had already received I needed an extra $8,000. I was devastated when I wasn’t able to go back, but then I just took a breath and made a new plan. Breathe is another piece of advice I would have given my high school self. Make the best of what you’re given. Once I learned to do this everything came more easily to me. I made a new plan. I would go to the community college and get the classes I needed and then transfer to a school and pursue my future.

The advice I would give myself is to have learned better studying habits and techniques. As I have progressed through college I have come to the realization that the studying techniques that were ok for high school won't cut it in college. I would also tell my self to apply for more scholarships even though they weren't needed for the school where my AA was attained.

You can do this. Don't listen to your friends and other people who say that you aren't good enough for UF. You have the skills, discipline, and smarts to succeed at UF. Just make sure you do what you've done in high school: study, complete assignments, read, go to tutoring sessions, get help, and make friends. These things will help you succeed. You can do it. Listen to your instincts and do what you think is right. Don't shy away from your opinions, but don't force them onto others either. Keep your head up, think positively, and don't give up. UF is an amazing school and you will learn so much. You won't just learn new subjects and material, but you will learn a lot about yourself. Most importantly, you will learn that you can do anything you set your mind to. You will gain so much confidence in yourself that you'll be a changed person. Don't be afraid of change. Just go with it and you'll find out that change is usually for the best. You can do this, I promise.

Life is like a moving--sometimes fast, sometimes treading--train. It can compete with the wind for a while. Even better, it can bullet-speed through space, atop its tracks, and leave not a single trace behind of its amighty endeavor. Nonetheless, once in a while, when its engine falls ill to fever-disease, it begins to stumble and tumble over its high-raised walls of pride. The train shatters its reason for living. It asks,"If it is not for pride that the living lives for, then for what does it live?" Now, it was destiny for the super-duper train to see the highs and the lows, the sweet and the bitter flavors that life has to offer. This may answer the question raised earlier: pride is only worth living when a human gets a taste of all the emotions that breathe into what is called the "idea of life." This idea is what we humans will have to come to understand. I was just like the train in high school: doing great, and then burning out in the end. "College will breathe a new sense of responsibility that you will have to make your pride and commitment."

I would go even further back then senior year. I would now choose a high school that has a duel enrollment where i could have earned some college credit. By doing this I could have saved myself alot of money. I would have taken the engeering coarses that were offered at my school to help me with the classes I am now taking. I would have visted my family in their different cities for a week or two so i could get used to being away from parents. I would have saved more money so I could enjoy myself more in my free time.

Try things, take chances, make mistakes, and travel at every chance you get. Be proactive, explore program options - discover dual degree programs, double major requirements, and post-baccalaureate opportunities. Do not become fixated on doing "what your parents want" or "what will pay well". If you want to be an archaeologist, go be one! Your friends will be your friends no matter what. Do your best to not become bogged down in messy relationships or greek life drama; it may seem important at the time, but your academics should come first because they are your future. Do what feels right to you - if you dont feel prepared to take an upper level course, dont take it, take the pre-requisite first. Do not let the advisors or registar bully you into taking more classes or credits than you feel capable of. Most importantly, build connections with professors you like, who teach courses you find engaging and become involved in their research. Go to football games, go on roadtrips, maximize the availability of cultural and enviromental interactions available to you. Finally, try the $3 Krishna lunch BEFORE your senior year and most importantly, go on the study abroad to Ethiopia.

If I was able to go back and talk to myself when I was in high school. I would advise myself to take more GER classes at the local Kenai Peninsula College through the Jump Start program because it would have saved me a lot of money and time in the long run (cheaper to take college classes while in high school). Also, I would have gotten my C.N.A. license sooner because working as a C.N.A. is a great “survival” job to help work your way through college (Life is easier when you have a part-time job of $14 an hour instead of $8 an hr of minimum wage). And I would advise to apply for lots and lots of scholarships! I have found there are a lot of scholarships/free money out there waiting for a student to apply for and not very many people do. Last of all, try to find a balance between school, studying, friends and fun. Its not good to study all the time, and its not good to goof-off all the time either. Try to find a balance between everything to keep your sanity.

First of all, I would tell my 'senior self' to not rush to graduate. I absolutely LOVE college so far, but senior year flew and it would have been better if I would have saviored it a little bit more. This also ties into the part where I would tell myself to really appreciate everything from back home, like spending time with my family, friends, and horses. I definitely appreciated what I had, but I would tell myself to let them know how much I truly did. Lastly, I would advise myself to not stress as much! As crazy as it may sounds, senior year of high school was much more stressful that my first semester here at UF. I was so stressed about getting into college and being involved in so many clubs and activites, that I would encourage my self to slow down and enjoy my last year in high school. "Don't sweat the small stuff" is something I would have definitely included to the person of past. Most importantly however, I would tell myself to get ready for the best years of my life here at the University of Florida!

College life is a big transition. You are completely on your own for the first time in eighteen years and you need to take responsibility. Balancing your new found social freedom while maintaining an acceptable GPA is extremely challenging. Not only that, but you have to worry about becoming involved and getting internships to boost your resume for your future. College is not just a time to have fun and "find yourself"; you also need to realize that you are preparing yourself for the real world. Taking this expensive endeavour lightly is not an option. Buckle down for an academic ride far more intense than any high school experience could have prepared you for. There are a lot of temptations now that you are fully in charge of your social life. Your parents are no longer there to tell you when you are not allowed to go out for a night on the town when you have a test coming up. You need to be your parents and realize when going out for one night of fun is not worth doing poorly in class the next day or not studying enough for the test you have coming up.

The truth is, there is a lot I regret about how I handled college life. Not knowing what to expect, I went in thinking I could handle anything and everything, taking on 18 credit semesters along with clubs and organizations and sports. I also allowed myself to be swept in, at the time, into the social life at UF. If I could go back in time and give my high school senior self some tips, I would relay the pitfalls and dangers awaiting myself at UF (in the form of distractions), and I would advise myself to truly think about what makes me happiest in life, and what gives me the most motivation, so that I could properly determine my path in life (and major) ahead of time, and minimize the unnecessary classes. Lastly, I would tell myself to be more active in the medical clubs and the Catholic youth at UF, since these helped shape my college life in a positive way, as opposed to dance clubs and social groups based on ethnicity. Of course, I would never forget to smack myself in the head and tell myself to study harder as well!

I would definitely make sure I told myself not to slack off. My GPA was a 3.44 but it could have been higher. I feel like I missed out on a couple of scholarships because lots of kids I know qualified for funding over me that had over 4.0 GPA's. Putting my self on a more strict schedule would have been easier to adapt to early mornings. Our school started reasonably late and I always slept until the last minute. I know now it's better to get an early start and give myself plenty of time to get dressed, eat breakfast and sit and plan out my schedule.

If I could give myself advice as a high school senior, there are two things I would definitely tell myself. First of all, I would tell myself to plan ahead financially. College is expensive! All of the extra money that I made in high school could have been saved in order to pay for my college education. During this time when I had no bills or responsibilities, I could have been saving my paychecks instead of spending it on clothes and shoes and all of the other girly stuff I wasted it on. And secondly, since I already knew that I wanted to make a career that dealt with teeth but wasn't exactly sure which avenue to take, I would tell myself to go straight into a dental assisting program. I would have liked to start getting dental experience as soon as possible and also have a means of making more than minimum wage. That way, while I am working as a dental assistant I could be completing all the classes that I need to be transfer ready. Then when its time for the university, I'm ready and I have money saved up to pay for it.