University of South Florida-Main Campus Top Questions

If I could go back in time, I would advise myself to learn some time-management skills and ways to cope with stress. College can be extremely stressful and a lot of the stress is due to not planning my schedule in advance. I would also highly encourage myself to start practicing working on my projects in adavance, procrastination in college just doesn't work and I had to learn that the hard way. I also was extremely nervous about not meeting people, being a commuter student, and what my classes would be like. If I could do it all over again I would stop worrying about the little things and learn to appreciate the bigger picture, I would also have chosen to live on campus in the dorms. It's definitely much easier and a lot less stressful to not have to worry about getting to school on time and it makes meeting new people a whole lot easier.

As a current sophomore in college, I would honestly not be able to advise myself anything at all. I say so primarily because at the age of 14, I started to live the life most 19 year olds merely get a taste of. At 14, I moved to a different country on my own and had to balance academics along with athletics (seeing as I was a professional soccer player in Germany). If I had to choose one thing, it would be to not procrastinate in school work because there is no room for such laziness in college. Otherwise, I would live the same lifestyle as I did in Germany.

Dear High School Senior Nicole, It's almost Fall Semester now for college. Summer Semester just ended and you ended with a passing grade for the two courses that you took. You'll have your long stressfull moment, but here's what I'll tell you. Don't stress. Don't do what you'll likely end up doing due to stress because it'll just make things worse on you. Classes and life are hard and even though you'll never know what's to come, going to the extremes is not on the list of getting by. Be more social in high school so that you'll have more friends to hang out when you come down for a break. It shouldn't start in high school. Try making other relationships with people other than having Rachele as your best friend because that "best friendship" is not going to work. College life isn't easy. Best thing I can say is don't be a procrastinator. That's where all nighters come from. Don't let it happen. It becomes a big problem. Be strong. Love you always. Future Nicole. :)

Don't think that you have all the answers. You're smart, but not smart enough to know everything. Ask more questions and meet more people! It will help you from getting burned out in the long run and keep you from making mistakes. It's tough making friends so take advantage of the fact that everyone else is just as scared as you are. Band together with them. Don't go home too much but do keep in touch with your family, they love you and support you. Remember that this is a time for growth and learning so don't feel that you have to stick to your plans. You can always make new ones and explore different paths. College is about gaining knowledge, not just getting a fancy piece of paper to impress people. Enjoy it.

If I could go back as a high school senior I would advise myself to cherish every moment I had left at my high school. College is truly the transition (for most people) to becoming an adult. When your parents leave you in the freshman dorm rooms they no longer have any control over what you do on a daily basis, you decide whether or not you want to go to class, or study, or when you want to go to bed. You are placed completely on your own. It may be scary for many people at first but being completely liberated from all sense of control at one time is an absolute breathtaking experience. I would also tell myself that I should really focus on my own system for studying because in college if you do not study, you will fail. There is no other way to pass classes than to study. In high school, many students got by copying and sharing homework with other peers, in college this will not help you, you must acquire your own system of studying to be successful.

If I could go back in time and have a chat with my high school self, I would emphasize the importance of being myself. During the first few months of my undergraduate education, I was entirely too focused on the opinions of others. I would recommend to younger students that it is vital to happiness in college to be yourself and be outgoing. Adjusting to college life is much easier when you have friends to support and love you. I would also tell myself to get involved in clubs and extracurricular activities. During my freshman and sophomore years of college, I played in the university's marching band. This experience gave me many close friends and made transitioning to college life that much easier. However, now that I have graduated, I wish that I had been more involved during my final two years. I would tell my younger self to be actively involved during all four years, not just at the beginning. Overall, college was a wonderful experience for me. I enjoyed my time at USF and made many great friends. With a few adjustments at the beginning, my years at USF could have been even more enjoyable.

I would tell myself not to stress so much about college so much. I would also tell myself to stay home and attend the local community college because it is cheaper and it prepares you for the four-year universities` rather than moving hours away. I would also tell myself to take my time and discover what I want to do rather than pick a major and try to stick it out when its not really what you are passionate about. College is a time for exploration and adventure, so I would tell myself to be patient and take an array of classes so that I would have the opportunity to discover what I am truly passionate about. I would also tell myself that it’s not the school that you are at that matters, its what you make of the experience.

I would advise myself to be confident in the school I chose and to not worry so much about everything because it would turn out better than I could have ever imagined with all the people I would meet and the opportunities I would be presented with.

College is all about finding yourself. It's okay if you don't know what you want to do right now. Start pursuing your interest and remember you can do anything you want to do. Just stay focused and give every one of your classes all you have. If you're not ready to start college, because you don't know what you want to do with your life, or because you're too busy with everything else then wait because it's not worth messing up a few years when you can be serious from the beginning. Remember, college is about finding yourself and finding what you like. It's not about just getting a job. Pick a major you are genuinely interested and make an outline for how you're going to achieve that goal. One last thing, don't limit yourself to hometown colleges. Go wherever you want and try as hard as you can to find scholarships.

If I were given the opportunty to give myself advice while I was in high school, I would tell myself two things. First, take basic courses such as English and Math with a dual-enrollment. Taking these classes will help get to the courses that most students strive to be in day one of their college experience. Second, get involved with school clubs and community service organizations. Being involved has changed my outlook on my profession and what I want to accomplish in life. It's not all about being book smart, but also street smart. The experience given by being involved has given me the tools necessary to be successful, and had I known this my freshman year in high school, my involvement would have been exponentially greater than it was when I graduated.

I would say self you really need to follow your dream. The dream being a physician. Do not take advice from others who are going to put you down and tell you, you are not the material needed. Do think that just because you are female and want to be with your one true love that he will not succeed be indifferent attain your goal whether or not he comes a long for the ride. You have told him over and over again about your dream he smiles and just shines you on. You will struggle in the medical field for the next twenty plus years yearning to full fill your dream. As you make the big leap times are tuff, but you will succeed since you have embraced a power of educational goals that no matter what can be broken. Self he is still going to put you down telling you what are you smater than me now. Self you just smile and show him upon graduating with an Associates Degree in General Studies, being inducted into Phi Theta Kappa, and graduating Summa Cum Laude that yeah just maybe you are smarter than he. For you have the power.

The most important advice I could give my self would regard my work ethic. Hard work (especially in school) is, indeed, rewarding in the long run. I would urge myself to retake my SAT's and rethink my career path. Furthermore, I would stress how crucial the SAT's are in regard to college and scholarship applications. It would be imperative to communicate that applying myself to the greatest extent in any activity (specifically academics) will not only bring success, but fulfillment as well. In terms of a career path, I would recommend searching in depth for a career that will bring financial success and happiness. Being un happy with your work is a miserable experience as my time in the military proved. Happiness will help contribute to the motivation needed to succeed. I would finish by saying that I have achieved all of these things at this point in my life, however, I would be far more accomplished were I to come to these realizations sooner in life.

If I could go back and talk to myself in high school then I would most definitely tell myself to learn how to study. I thought college was going to be as easy as high school and I was in the wrong mindset. I wish I would have learned how to study and be productive with my time. Instead of reading the chapters of my book I would go lay by the pool and although everyone deserves a break, I needed to work. In addition I would tell myself to treat school like my job. I need to schedule time to study and time to relax. I did not realize it until now but time management is key and being in the right mindset. Many people who did well in high school believe that college will be a piece of cake and that is one of the main reasons the first year is the hardest.

If I could go back to my senior year of high school I would tell myself to study longer, harder and not to take my college classes for granted. In high school I study for all of my test/quizzes but they were honestly always the night before and resulted in good but not my best of grades. If I would have taken more initiative and always learned to study at least a week in advance maybe it could have been a trend that I would carried on to my first year of college. The last advice I would give myself is to make sure I attend every class whether they take attendance or do not required you to attend. The classes are there for a reason and should not be taken lightly.

I would tell myself to take a break. To give myself some time to explore the world before I head off into college. I so enjoy school now, and I think I might even enjoy it more if I had taken a break. I would also tell myself not to worry. The future is a scary thing to think about, but it is not a bad thing. It is exciting to know what might happen in the future. Only you can decide that. And, I think when I was a senior I just wasn't ready to move on and grow up.

As a junior in college, if I were given the opportunity to go back and talk to myself as a school senior there would be three things that I would tell myself. I would first advice myself to make certain that whatever I chose to study was something that I truly enjoyed and found interesting. It is harder to be successful in an area of study where you find yourself struggling to understand the material and even worse, when you find the material to be boring. Nothing of value in life comes easy, everything takes hard work and dedication, but when you are working towards something that you love and enjoy, the hard work does not seem as hard. The second piece of advice that I would give myself is to develope good study habits and put an end to procrastination. Take every class seriously, no matter how trivial the material may seem. College is nothing like high school, it takes time and effort to be successful. Thirdly, I would tell myself to get involved in everything. Being involved develops a more globally conscious individual, something crucial to an ever growing global and international society.

The most important thing to learn in college is time management. Before coming to college I pretty much already knew how to budget my money, cook, clean and take care of myself. Most people struggle with their first semester at college because they do not know how to do those simple tasks at first. Also, being away from home is a big change and it takes a lot of time to adjust it. The most important thing to do while in college is to get involved and stay busy! If you don't, you won't meet anyone and you'll just want to move back home. Always remember that you are surrounded by others who are going through the same struggles and it really does get better in the second semester.

I gave up and dropped out of high school six months before graduation. Varying circumstances such as poor family life and 9/11 had an impact on my confidence in my ability to grow up. I would tell my high school senior self to stick it out a little longer, that college is the best experience a young person can have. The ability to reinvent and really discover oneself does not come at any other point in life. Life will not slow down for you to figure things out once you get a job, a house, a family. To do all the things you want to do, that really successful people are able to do, you need to know who you are. College is the perfect place to find out.

If I had the chance to go back to high school, knowing what I know now, I would tell myself to stay with the medical academy at my high school because in the long run it will help give me an edge over those competing for a spot in the nursing program. I would also tell myself to save, save and save some more. I would advise myself to get a part time job and to also apply for as many scholarships as possible. I would tell myself to listen to my mom when she says appy for scholarships that you don't necessarily qualify for, because if you're the only one to apply for that scholarship, you will get it. Finally, I would tell myself to have fun when I get to college. Join as many clubs as possible, make friends and be involved with your school. I would tell myself to work hard and never give up, because I can do anything that I put my mind to.

I would let myself know that I should look at more colleges then I did and apply to more as well. I ended up meeting friends of friends at other campuses and because of that I've got most of my friends not at USF. I would probably tell myself to go to UF as that has my best friend group. At the same time, I probably wouldn't have met the people who I met at UCF and I would have missed out on that. The most important thing I would tell myself is to live in a dorm for the first year. Sure it's less comfortable, but the people you meet in your dorm really shape your entire college social expeirence. While you meet people in your classes, your lasting friends seem to come from living with/ near them. As college goes on, people are less inclined to meet new people or friends and they become locked in their friend groups without too many new additions.

I would probably tell myself to be ready to start from the bottom, meaning prepare to not have as many friends as you did in high school and most importantly, this schoolwork is no joke. You actually have to crack open a book, sit down and take the time to study. It's going to be hardwork, but a degree is worth it. You're going to feel like you don't want to be there, but that's your crazy side talking. Hold in there, be strong. You will succeed.

Dear Self, Get as much education as you can done now because it will be more difficult later when you have multiple children and limited time. Go to massage and esthetician school simultaneously. Then as you are working doing that get your BA in Nursing. You will be happy when you have several careers to rely on when the economy changes. Love, Carrie

Hey, Jackob, this is an important time in your life right now and I need to tell you something. I am you from the future and I must tell you what is in store for you. First, when you graduate from high school your friends will not forget you. Second, your going to go through some tough times at Roane State, but they will make you a better man for yourself and those around you. Third, you will be ok financially for school just keep studying and filling out scholarship applications and you will be all right. Now when you transition from high school to college life you are going to meet people that are going to help you along your way. These people will inspire you, make you believe you can go through this tough time, and even pick you up when you are down. These will be your real friends you find. Your advisor will be one of your favorite people and she lets you know when you need to calm down and relax. Just remember what I told you and be who you are, because that is what will make your future and keep you happy.

If I could go back to high school I would tell myself to pick a school that offers the degree in which I want to pursue. Do not change schools even if an opportunity to move to an exotic paradise presents itself. In class, do not be nervous to talk to a classmate and just relax and enjoy every minute of class. Do not be afraid to ask for help and go to tutoring sessions if you start to struggle. I would also advise myself not to skip class because it only hurts myself.

As a high school senior, I was diagnosed with "senioritis." I would excel in my courses, and find myself doing the minimal amount of studying in order to make the grade and call it a day. In college, that is not the case. You have to push yourself like you wouldn't believe, and dedicate a substantial amount of time into making the grade. Every little point counts, and I wish I could have told myself to spend less time socializing and more time working on scholarships and pushing my GPA even higher so I would have more breathing room in terms of paying for school.

So far, I've met a lot of great people, some friends, some professors. This school has everything I need, and it's in wonderful Florida, where the weather is great yearround. I've really grown as I've had the opportunity to get into research, various clubs, and still have time for school and a job.

i have made many friends that i will have for the rest of my life. this school community is very supportive to everyone and has something to offer everyone that attends here.

My college experience at the University of South Florida (USF) was superb. For the first time, I was out of my parent’s household and had to rely on my upbringing to guide me through college. Being a college student taught me to be independent, communicate with people of various ethnic backgrounds, and take on new responsibilities. Most importantly, I learned how to be more open to my colleague’s thoughts and ideas. My college experience also helped me get comfortable working in groups with people I did not know and shape my public speaking skills. In about every class, there was at least one group assignment so that helped me get out of my shell. Lastly, my college experience taught me the value of community service. I dedicated my time conducting volunteer work at schools, senior centers, and academic organizations. Giving back helped me perfect my social skills and become a mature person. In sum, it has been valuable to attend the University of South Florida because I don’t think I could’ve learned the significance of the aforementioned values had I not attended USF.

I came to college to earn my degree and meet new people, because I felt like I had outgrown my small town on the east coast of Florida. All my expectations have been met, but the most surprising, and best part, about attending the University of South Florida is the network of which I am a part. I am what my mother likes to call a "social butterfly," so I never had any worries about making friends who would last. But I never expected seeing the impact I could make on people's lives., as well as their impact on me. I have learned more about myself in the past four months than I have in the other eighteen years. I can make people smile and inspire change by taking initiative to clean up a small patch of grass; I can save many from crying by simply listening; I can change lives by volunteering or being a tutor; and I can see my fingerprints before me, everywhere. So I guess the most valuable experience is my realization that I CAN make a difference, whether it be small or large, because all that matters is that I did and I can.

I believe I have gained many things out of my college experience from growth to me gaining more knowledge to even me gaining lots of independece .College taught me how to be a young adult the beauty of it all is Success.I no longer need that extra push that I did before when I was in high school. Because as a college student you are on your own you dont have mom and dad giving you that extra push telling you hey I need you to get up in the morning hey I need you to eat breakfast.Your are on your own its really all up to you everything is in your hands your either going to get up and go to school and succeed or do nothing and fail.I would say that it has been very valuable to attend here because it has taught me so much from finding yourself and to know when theres a time to play and when theres a time to be serious about what your doing you always be should focused on school you are always going to have people who dont want to see you succeed.

College has given me more than superficial academic knowledge, it has given me the life skills to pursue my goal as a Doctor of Radiology. When I first came to college I was shy and I kept to myself. It was only when I was surrounded by tons of people of all different personalities and kindness that I learned to open up and find myself. College is not only the best four years of your life, it is also the hardest. You are introduced to home-sick-ness, staying healthy, alcohol, drugs, parties, clubs, heartbreak, internships, volunteering, getting involved and making the right choices. College is what shapes you into the person you become in the future. It helps you define your limits and take risks. Everyone deserves a college experience, no matter if it is good or bad. College has helped me through many hard times and I have made lasting friendships. I am living the dream, that not many people can say they have.

The main things I have gotten out of my time at St. Johns River State College is a sense of independence and the feeling of family. On the Orange Park, FL campus, I have found that all the teachers are more than willing to spend copious amounts of after-class time helping students with anything. No teacher wants their students to fail, and they really do care about each student's education. St. Johns State has three campuses, and each has its own events, clubs, student elections, etc. The Palatka, FL campus is the largest because it's the main campus, but all campuses give the same feeling of community.

Although I have only been in college for one semester, I feel as though I have already matured and learned so much. Within the three months that I have lived on campus I have learned to think and act for myself. I am responsible for making sure that I learn the material that my professors try to teach me, as well as how I use my finances. These are the two greatest responsibilites that have been thrust upon me this past semester, and I believe that I have excelled at meeting these responsibilities. However, I cannot take all the credit because if I did not attend the University of South Florida I believe that taking on these responsibilites would be much more difficult. The University of South Florida has provided me with both excellent professors, and an easy way to keep track of my finances so I can see where my money goes and learn to use it wisely.

I began attending college as a senior in High School. I graduated High School when I was only seventeen, and now I will be graduating college when I am eighteen. I intend on transferring to a 4-year University to continue working towards obtaining my Bachelor's Degree. I have always seen college as a way to escape from the every day drama of High School. Other people turn to alcohol, parties, or drugs as their escape, but for me: College is it. Knowing that I have the potential to succeed and truly make a difference in the future of my children and their children is what keeps me going. College has been great! It allows you to dabble in subjects that you would have never heard of in High School; you are able to meet new people and truly become involved in your school; and there are so many more opportunities. Attending college is the most valuable skill an individual can have, especially in this economy. You learn skills that will help you through your educational and social career, and you learn what you have a passion for and what you want to do with your life.

I've gotten many different experiences out of college and I'm only a freshman. First off is learning how to be independent away from home. There is no more mom and dad there to do your laundry or cook breakfeast for you. I've adjusted to that and it helped me to become a stronger more mature person ready for the real world. I've also learned how to network better with my peers. Being in college if you do not learn how to network then you will not make it very far. Connections are what can help you receive things such as internships and jobs. That goes back to the classic saying that sometimes it's not what you know, but who you know. It has been valuable to attend college because college is where you learn about the person that you are and the person that you have the potential to become. There are many goods and bads a person goes through in college but it's how you overcome those situations that makes the college experience so valuable.

While in college, I have acquired more knowledge in the field of study about which I am passionate, and that's something that can never be taken away from me. I feel that learning should continue throughout the duration of one's life. It has allowed me to think in a more mature and abstract way and has prepared me for continuing my educational career. Additionally, I learned the importance of volunteer work and networking with peers.

Coming from a low-income family, college has always been my dream. Valencia Community College enabled that dream to come true in Aug. 2008 by admitting me to their campus as a dual-enrolled student in high school. Since attending Valencia Community College, I have gotten a new perspective on life. Attending college opens doors and oppurtunities that no where else could open. Since attending classes, I have gotten on the Dean's List and President's List during my entire time at Valencia Community College. It was through Valencia that I was given the opportunity to become part of Phi Theta Kappa, an elite and top honor society. By becoming a member of Phi Theta Kappa, I have been given discounts and various opportunities. If it wasn't for Valencia, I would not have been given such an opportunity to go to college early in life to become part of the college's top 10{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} students. Valencia changed my life for the better by making me into the smart, multi-talented, and task-oriented young woman that I am today. Valencia is in fact, opportunity, potential and success.

The main thing that I have gotten out of college would be an edge in the extremely competitive job market. Having a college education will give me the upper hand when I start to apply for jobs. My education will also help give me the opportunity to make a better income. This will allow me to give back to everyone that has helped me along this journey. Because of my education I will be able to help support my father who supported me through school and through life. I will also be able to give back to my community and I can also be a role model to young people that aren't sure about getting a higher education. I have also gained knowledge that can help me in everyday life. Getting an education has helped me understand things more clearly, like the economy for example. Knowing more about what is going on around me can help me make improvements and not only help myself, but also help other people along the way. All this would not be possible if I wasn't able to pay for school. That is why this scholarship would really help.

From my college experience I have gained self confidence, and a greater understanding of life. These skills are valuable to me because I will be able to use them once I enter a professional career. I will be able to utilize the confidence to help me obtain my goals.

My college experience so far has been a very enlightening one. I have learned the value of time and money. Being on your own you must learn to discipline yourself to get your homework and studies done prior to going out and enjoying the campus life. Also without your parents supporting you financially, you learn about the true value of a dollar and what is really necessary to get by and what you can live without. Also in my college experience I have learned how to deal with conflict and work in groups on various projects and be able to communicate with professors in a professional manor if there is ever a discrepancy over grades. These skills are all attributed to my time spent on campus away from home and are a major asset to me as I am growing up and learning how to face the “real world”. I would not trade the past year and half at college for any amount of money that would be offered!

I have learned to appreciate the dedication of many professors to a students ability to succeed. I realize now, more than ever, with hard work and constant desire to succeed and excel one can achieve things they never believed possible! I was a poor student originally when I had no real direction or goal in 1995. Now, as a non-traditional student, I have realized my place in the world. I am eager to finish school and treat individuals who need help with their health and education on healthy life choices. Every choice I have made since returning to school has been influenced by my experience as an ophthalmic technician and my desire to offer more to those whom I have been unable to reach. Life is great and has so much to offer, some people just need a push to find and appreciate that opportunity!

Throughout my college life, the experiences I received are priceless from the social life, greek life, and academic life have all help mold me into the individual I am today. I learn how to manage money, how to get along with all kinds of individuals, cultures, and ethnics, and how to be self-dependent, responsible, and accountable for myself and my actions.

College has been an integral part of my life experiences because it was the first time living on my own. Being completely independent allowed me to organize my life, learn to prioratize, and focus on where I wanted to go in the future. The USF community was supporitve and helpful as the campus literally felt like a separate, academically centered world. The many events sponsored by clubs helped to grow a cohesive community of students while giving opportunities that I may not have had if I chose to attend another school. The knowledge I have obtained during my time at USF is invaluable to me as I have learned not only in the academic arena but socially as well. My time at USF has shaped my goals and mind so that I am the most prepared adult I could possibly be as I enter onto a career path and begin the next stage of my life.

College experience is very different from High School. The 1st year is always great and unknown, you want to venture off into getting a higher Education. But after that 1st year it will be a breeze.On some of those long, seemingly endless nights of studying and writing, it will be only natural for you to long for the good old days. These down periods will pass. Whatever you do, don't make major decisions about your major, your courses, just keep on trucking along, and everything will be fine. A college experience is very diverse.,with different unique feel, no matter where you go. Just have fun, be productive and follow dreams to a better future. It's been so valuable to attened college, because you'll learn alot, you'll soak up so much info, you'll want to say in college forever. Its also valueable because its something that will be a part of you, and never let it go.

One of the most important things that I have gotten out of my college experince is living on my own. This has been valuable to me because it has helped show me how the real world is going to be like. It has been a very eye opening experience for me because I do not have my parents to help me and I have learn to fend for myself and I am now more prepared for lif after school.

The true question is what havn't I gotten??? I've done everything from learn valuable scholastic values to strong life values. I've had fun, made friends, and learned life lessons that are more valuable then the paper certificate given at graduation. GO TO COLLEGE, YOU WONT REGRET IT

Well I have not started college yet. I just returned from a two year religious mission for my church in Brazil. I will start college next month. But I got more out of my two year mission than I could have gotten out of two years of college and now I have all this experience to start college the right way. In those two years I independantly learned the Portuguese language in which I am now fluent. Also I learned study skills; how to study, how to organize my study, what I will study, etc. Also I learned how to make and accomplish goals. I learned that there are many different types of goals; long , medium, and short range goals. In order to accomplish our big, or long range, goals we need to make medium and short range goals that will line us up to achieve our long range. Also I realize the importance of attitude. I am a determined person. When I decide to do something I do everything I can and work until I achieve the task.

Out of this college experience so far, I have found that it takes a lot of patience and attention to be able to study and teach yourself. In high school they kind of baby you with how much they teach you. In college they teach you one thing and then send you on your own to learn it for yourself. It is a hard thing to grasp. I still haven't.

It is important to put forth your best effort in every way.

I find that meeting different people has been the most valuable part of my college experience so far, in college I met and interacted with so many people from so many different walks of life that I normally would never have had contact with. I never have been good with people, and meeting so many people so different from myself helped me better understand myself, my own motives and dreams, and a little bit about how other people think; their motives and their dreams. I can be a better person if I understand these things.