University of South Florida-Main Campus Top Questions

Currently, I am a second year student at the University of South Florida and I am proud to say that I successfully survived the infamous freshman year of college. Upon entrance into the university, I was somewhat nervous about the new faces I would encounter and the college workload I would have to endure. Nevertheless, I was pretty confident in my ability to excel and manage the new lifestyle that I was transitioning into. Over the past year I have learned a lot about myself and continue to learn new things everyday. As I sit and reflect on the woman that I was, specifically as a high school senior, there are a few lessons that I have learned; some of which I wish I had been informed of earlier. For instance, managing a full course load while somehow balancing a social life can become extremely exhausting. If given the opportunity to go back in time, I would caution myself as to the importance of effective time management and organizational skills. I would also inform myself of the proper strategies of studying, so that instead of just memorizing information I could have learned early-on how to analyze and comprehend concepts.

Hey Keith, do not worry, college is not as hard as you as you think it will be, so just relax. As soon as you get to school, get as involved as you can. Join all the clubs you can and make as many friends as possible. When it comes to classes, do not be afraid to form study groups to help out. That could be the difference between a B and an A in some classes. Also ask for help from your professors, they are always willing to help, but you have to let them know. Last, but not least, have fun and enjoy the college experience.

One mistake wasted me almost an additional year of schooling. Senior year of high school I dual enrolled at community college. Advisors at the community college pointed me into a different direction than my degree requires. The dual enrollment program does not permit students to choose a specific degree program. Most dual enrollment courses I took counted for general education requirements. About a quarter of courses I completed did not benefit me in any way. Now, at the University of South Florida I am falling behind schedule. Not being provided with information, I performed research about my degree. Wanting to become a veterinarian, I researched prerequisites for graduate school. Researching many schools and programs concluded my journey of education started off incorrectly. To resolve being half a year behind, it is mandatory to take three core science courses per semester and two additional courses a semester to graduate on time. My journey to becoming a doctor of veterinary medicine is eight years, and now might have to be nine years. Returning back in time the only piece of advice I would give to myself would be to research and take the correct courses for my degree.

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior I would have to tell myself not to rush through school, to enjoy the time I have there, to focus on what really matters most and not to be afraid of what is going to come. Knowing I was going to leave the state and jump with two feet first into a completely new environment, without knowing anyone freaked me out a little bit, but now that I am actually here and have found the friends that I have, I would never have it another way. I would tell myself not to worry about being so far away and to pay attention when people say to manage time well because college you have a lot of time to do what you want to do without other people telling you not to, but you have to take that responsibility and apply it to school work or a job or the way that college students want to go out and party. I think I would tell myself to have a good time and manage my time and to not worry about every little thing that comes up.

Knowing how I was during my senior year in high school, I would approach myself not as a wiser college freshman but just another student. I would emphasize my desires. I would give myself the advice to re-evaluate what I really want and what I think I want. There's a big difference between what I desire in my heart and what I've been pressured to want. I would tell myself that no matter what anyone says, that it's me at the end of the day slaving away at the books and having to deal with the consequences of doing something I know I don't want to do. I would advise myself that people might be disappointed that I didn't take their advice in regards to what to do as a living, but it'd be worse to be a disappointment to myself. At the end of the day, everyone I love just wants to see me happy, regardless of anything else. And I would be the happiest doing what I desire in my heart. I would advise myself to always keep that in mind.

I would tell my self to go to a community college near by home. It will be cheaper and I don't have to purchase a meal plan. Going to a 4 year univeristy is very expensive for a freshman considering that it is mandatory to stay in the dorms as well. I would also tell my self to find other options for buying books other than the university bookstore. It is very cheap to rent them online and more money can be saved to buy other important and unexpected expenses. Also try and get a job very early that corresponds with your scheduele so that you can have some money for the upcoming semesters.

Go for it Diedra. You want to be a journalist? Well, college is the time to put yourself out there. It's going to be intimidating, but that's why it's calling leaving your comfort zone and discovering if this is what you want to do. Don't worry, your dedication will not go unnoticed. The newspaper there is 2nd best college newspaper in the southeast. You have the resources, so don't you dare back out.

GET OFF YOUR BUTT and apply for as many scholarships as you can! It is amazing how much you can achieve when you simply try and apply. It is possible to win them, I promise. Even if you do not get all of them, you still had good practice writing essays and learned more about yourself in the process. Now is also the time to break out of your shell and explore your passions. Try new things to see what appeals to you the most. You could be passionate about cake decorating or fishing and not even know it because you never tried it. You should also get out of your comfort zone and and meet new people. Build better relationships with your friends and be more confident in yourself because good networking skills will take you far in life. As for academics, you need to learn for understanding rather than memorization. Once you get to college, you have to be able to retain information for the sake of your future job, not just to pass a test. Practice these social and study habits now, and you will do great in college and beyond.

I would tell myself to a go for straight A's and settle for nothing less, and upon entering college, to immediately get in the habit of studying everyday for every class, even thought temptations will arise. College becomes increasingly difficult so aim for a 3.5 GPA during the first year. Otherwise there will be intense pressure to make better grades to bring up a deflated GPA. The sooner you sort out your priorities and develop time management skills, the better off you will find yourself. Once school is over, stay in shape because you will want to try out for a sports team to combat the pressure of constant studying. Remember though, grades come first and sports second. Make sure you make the best grades you can because there will be a day where you will want a higher education and you may or may not get into the school or program of your choice. This all depends on your mentality upon entering college. The bigger the hole you dig, the more you have to climb to pull yourself out.

My advice to myself would be to not take college for granted. There should have been more research involved so that I could have chosen what I wanted to major in before applying to schools. The "undeclared" major was a trap for me and I just used that as an excuse for not trying. Quitting school was my big mistake and because of that I gave up two years to part-time retail complacency. I now know the right way to do things. Even with all the knowledge I've gained I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up, but by staying in school and being involved with career organizations I have a better idea of that. The point is is that you don't quit, and that is the point that I would try to get across.

I would let myself do the same thing that I have done since I graduated high school. I would have prepared myself more for my transfer to USF and let myself live off campus since that is the only thing that I misunderstood when I transferred colleges. I also would of made sure to get my A.A. in criminal justice.

Nicole, take the tough classes that only geniuses take in your senior high school year. Do not slack off - at least not too much. It would be best if you took at least two tough courses along with your exit courses so that when you take them in college, it will just be review and you will not have to worry about paying for a tutor - or staying up all night with a blurry page under your face. I do believe that it is good to take senior year easy and not pile a load of work on your shoulders because you will have more work than you can imagine from the start of your freshman year, and it will only increase if you want to succeed, but you will regret not taking classes that prepare you for college. Do not fret! If you develop efficient time management skills and fast learning skills now, you will be able to quickly adapt to college and will learn to enjoy all the hard work. It is refreshingly satisfying to hand in a top quality project and see the reward of your hard work come in the form of a 4.0 GPA.

Since I did not attend college directly from high school and went as an older adult this question does not directly apply to me. I was not prepared to attend college directly out of high school as I did not possess the maturity necessary for the task. It has been the experiences that I have had in life that have given me the maturity necessary to not only suceed in college but to excel. For this reason, I would not wish to give myself advice any at that age as life is sometimes about trial and error. I cannot think of anything that I could say that the adults around me at that time were not already saying. I simply needed to explore possibilities on my own to finally come to the point that I am at in my life at this moment. Life itself is a learning experience and what I have learned through direct experience is as valuable in shaping who I am today as anything I have learned, or will learn, in the classroom.

Go to college right after high school and earn a degree. The lure of earning money at an early age is very tempting to young students so much so that many would forgo getting college education. However, in this current times, most employers hire those with collge degree than those without. Your sacrifices for going through four years in college will actually pay better and provide job security. Additionally, it is more difficult to get through college later in life when one have more responsibilities such as work, family, and the like.

At first, I was pretty nervous about making the transition but I knew a few people from highshcool that were going to the same college as me so that helped a lot. Also, I think the fact that I had visited the college beforehand made me more comfortable with my surroundings. When you get to the right college you'll know if its the one for you; it just feels right. Regarding college life, don't worry so much about trying to be perfect. College is the time of your life to experiment and really put yourself into everthing you can. You want to make yourself as well-rounded as possible while ofcourse, still getting to class and doing well academically. Obviously, you are going to college for a reason and you want to be successful but do remember that it is important to balance your time and have some fun. Be open to new things; people, places, everthing. Take advantage of every single thing available to you. College has been an extremely influential part of my life and I have created some of the best memories and experienced some truly pivotal moments. Don't take this opportunity for granted.

You would think that I could come up with a profound bit of advice that would somehow be life altering or at least academically stimulating. Alas, I regret to inform you, being strictly facetious when I say regret, that I was greatly relieved to find that my high school had truly prepared me for the academic challenges of college life. Other than a few adjustments involving time management, I assimilated into the large masses of students with little or no trouble. I will, however, give advice on the single most devastating issue faced by this college freshman. PARKING. My first mistake was assuming that I could find a parking place within a reasonable 15 to 20 minute time period. My second and most critical error was the car itself, a Hummer H2, A VERY BAD MOVE. If, by some miracle, I did happen to find a parking place, it didn't fit. There was also the danger of running over the ever present "late student" who would come darting out between cars in a desperate attempt to make it to class on time. In conclusion, my best advice would be, forget the cool wheels and macho image. Get a moped!

My experiences with life after high school has been very much realistic of what a life without an education is like. Understanding that success is earned and takes dedication, it also requires planning. My set back as a college student in the past was not able to decide what i really wanted to do with my life. If I could go back in time a talk to myself about college, I would say that your future is truly in your hands and no individual but yourself can make the best of every oppurtunity that comes your way. Sacrifice every chance you have of succeeding and take the time to study even the most simple tasks. Knowledge is power but it takes applied efforts to make it work. Life is a challenge within itself but, allowing yourelf to obtain skills that can surpass minimum expectations is worth the time spent for an education. The road you take will have challenges that may seem insurmountable. keep your eye on the prize and you will reach your goal. It is better to continue to work on something that is great for your life than to do nothing at all.

As an advisor to myself as a Senior in High School, I would tell myself to weigh the pros and cons. Determine what aspects I am specifically looking for in the college and rate them highest to lowest then decide what each of my college choices have in those areas and determine which school has the most of what I want. As far as apply to colleges, or figuring out which ones apply to, do some research. FInd out what area of town they are in, the distance from your house, etc. Apply to as many colleges as you wish. do not limit yourself to only the ones that you think you will get accepted to, you never know what will happen. Once you have been accepted to a few places, then is the time to check back with your list and decide which one best fits you!

I would reinterate to myself how important it is to take college seriously form day 1. I would point out how expensive the cost of college is and would use that as motivation to get through it as quickly as possible. Also I would make it a goal to decide what to major in before I graduate high school, so I would not be wasted any time not knowing what I want to major in. And last but not least I would teach myself to prioritize your activities and put school first, everything else second.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would have a lot of tips for myself. To make the transition easier I would say to visit the campus several times so as to be more familiar with it if you live close enough, that is. Make sure to get to know your roommate because you?re going to have to live with them all year. Also know that even though you may have less work for your classes that?s not always a good thing. If you only have a few assignments or tests that means you have to do really well on all of them to get a good grade in the class so make sure to study. You can?t afford to slack off in any class at any time. But even though studying is so important make sure you allow yourself some time for fun stuff so that you enjoy the college experience and don?t burn out. Oh and make the decision of which school to attend for yourself not anyone else because you?re the one who has to go there.

If it was possible to go back and give advice to myself as a high school senior, I would not just tell but encourage myself to fill out hundreds of scholarship opportunities. Scholarships that students win are typically the easiest way for that student to pay off college. Loans are acceptable, but if a loan is accepted then the student will be paying off college for decades. One thing I lack as a college student is the funds from scholarships. Loans are accepted every semester so far for me, and it just makes me think. I really wish it was possible to go back in time. I would definitely make sure that scholarship essays will become a part of my homework. Knowing how I struggle to get books now makes me frustrated on the fact I never tried for scholarship opportunities. If only I could go back to put an influence on myself to go get the free money that would help me out in furthering my education, I most definitely would. I would inform myself on all the free time I wasted I could have been filling out scholarships, because now I never have that free time.

Knowing what I know about college life now I would I have put extra effort into my freshman year, so I would be able to take AP classes and be a little bit more prepared for my rigorous field of study in college. I would have told myself to focus more and ask more questions in class because I realized my high school chemistry class was my foundation for my chemistry class in college. During the time of filling out college applications I would have visited my college more than once so I could become more familiar with where I would be spending my next four years. Another thing I would tell myself is be mindful of what I bring with me to school and how long I am going to be there because over packing is bad when I leave a far distance and going back and forth from Tampa to Jacksonville will be a huge problem for my mom who does all the driving. The most important thing I would tell myself is to stay focus, work as hard as I can in school, and save as much money as I can for college.

If I were able to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself to accomplish as much as I could. I would tell myself to rely on the advice of friends and relatives who have also had this experience and to never give up on goals that you set for yourself. I would tell myself to focus as closely as I could on my academic success and continue to do that while you further your education in college. I would tell myself to be as involved as possible because the more connections you make while in college, the easier and more enjoyable your time in college will be.

Dear high school Adam, the University of South Florida is an amazing school with great opportunities to pursue. Continue your athletic activities as they will help you meet new people and will present amazing opportunities otherwise not available. Continue with the studying habits you have been using, I have seen many people get content in college and begin to spiral downward as their grades drop. Getting a tutor isn?t a bad thing, that is the best way to get ahead. Without spreading yourself too thin, join as many campus activities and student organizations as you can. You will meet many great people and will see the university in a completely new way. Campus food is a great way to gain weight, so make sure to eat plenty and spend a lot of time in the gym. As always, stay focused with grades as your first priority, the rest will fall into place if you don?t have to stress about your GPA or falling behind in class. Have fun, this is college.

There are so many things that I would tell myself when I was a high school senior. Although I did not like participating in clubs and extraciricular activites, I would tell myself to participate in at least one club and or activity. I would stress that colleges look at what patiential students do in their spare time and if you are doing community service, it shows that you have a strong commitment drive. I would also tell myself to concentrate more on my acedemics and less on my part time job. The part time job only brought you extra money; better grades may have brought you a better college choice. I would also tell myself to forget about the drama with your classmates. You have your own life to think about and other people do not care or can live your life for you. I would stress to myself to think more positively and not to swet the small things in life. Knowlege is the ultimate tool that one can possess; it can make the difference between success or failure.

If I could go back in time and talk to my self when i was a senior i would tell hime to try to find more financial aid that is available to him so it is easier to get through college instead of just barely getting through it money wise.

Make sure you utilize all the free money scholarship, grants, and fellowship as you start to plan for college. There is no sense in having to pay for college and/or struggle to work through college when the burden can either be paid for or relieved.

If I could go back in time there is so much I would tell myself. The main thing I have realized my first semester is my really basic math skills. I wish I would have told myself not to rely so much on my calculator because I never realized how many little things I would forget. When I arrived to USF the policy is no calculators to be used on anything. This was sort of a shock because in high school I did almost everything on my calculator. I realized that I should have kept doing the little things like multiplication and doing fractions in my head because it was hard to get into the flow of doing it again. Although there are many things I would tell myself I think I would also say good job for all the hard work I did. I worked hard in high school and I do think it paid off because I am handling college pretty good. I also would have told myself to really enjoy my last year of freedom because college along with working takes up a lot of time!

If I could go back to myself as a senior at Winter Springs HIgh School, I would make a few changes and offer advice to myself for the future. In high school, I always got decent grades and made my dad proud. My high school life was very difficult in that my mother died during that time, and I was to face high school alone with a single parent, yet this part of my high school career did not affect my performance and outcome. I was always determined in life and in high school to get he best grades and to get into a university. If I could go back I would say to myself, "Don't always be looking to please others, people will accept you for who you are in college," "College is an amazing part of your life, study hard and you will get good grades, and that these grades and hard work this will make you the treasurer in the pre med club." But the part of being myself has always been trouble for me, but now that I'm in college I know that I am accepted for who I am.

If I had the opportunity to speak with myself as a high school senior, I would reassure myself that taking time off before beginning college is the right decision for me. Even though I am now a couple years behind my peers, I am taking my education more seriously than I would have if I had chosen to enter college immediately after high school. What I should have done differently after high school was to pursue more financial aid. Despite being academically qualified, I did not receive as much aid as I could have because I did not apply. Advice which I all students should adhere to is to devote themselves to their studies and future and to seek help (financial and otherwise) when needed.

Don't stress about it. Have more fun and enjoy the last year of high school. College will change your life. Always have fun because it goes by so fast. And keep up the good grades they're worth it.

Rewind. It's 2006, and I, as a Senior, have just transferred high schools in order to play varsity soccer due to circumstances out of my control. Life in the eyes of Melanie Phillips includes, school work, soccer, volunteering, in that order and nothing more. Social life? Non-existent. Why, one might ask? Because in order to get into a good school, that doesn't matter, or so I believed. Would I change this? YES!! I would whisper in my ear when my friend invited me to her big party to say, "Yes!" I would tell myself, life will continue and schools will accept me if I didn't get an "A" on that exam. I would ultimately tell myself to take life less seriously because there is plenty of time to be serious when I grow up. School is extremely important, of course, but in high school, one should enjoy life and not fret about the little stuff. Once college comes, the classes are even harder, but once I have a job, I will be working longer than I have been studying. So, live in the moment, smile, tell a joke, relax, and be a high school senior!

Dear Brianna, College will be a time of great accomplishments and failures alike, and it is all an enormous learning experience. The best advice I can give you is that you can not do it all alone! You will need help getting through this and it is alright to ask! There is no way to get through college without the help of teachers, friends, family and advisors(especially advisors)! Head straight to the pre-major advisor's office and have her help you set up your classes, she WILL the best thing to ever happen to you! Also, do not be afraid to ask questions because college is nothing like high school where teachers and/or students seem frustrated when you ask questions, they actaully like hearing them. And most importantly, enjoy your time there! It is challenging, but fun, and there is so much to take away from the entire experience. It is like nothing else, a time to be independent, to learn, and make something out of your life. There will be plenty of ups and downs, but you will learn from them all. Enjoy yourself, and do not be scared, it will be great! Sincerely, Your Future

As I remember what I did as a high school senior, the person I am now would tell her to take the time to truly think about what makes you happy. What is your passion? I would tell myself to focus on what you truly want for your life. I'd let her know that something that is worth achieving rarely comes easy. Challenging yourself and those around you will help each other grow. It is more important and fulfilling to make a postive impact on the world by volunteering and helping other people as much as you can, treating them as you would want to be treated no matter who they are. Your purpose in life is to live a life of purpose, whatever your calling is career wise or not be diligent in your worth ethic even when you think no one is watching. Don't be afraid to admit when you need help, there's no fault or flaw in trying to better yourself. Lastly, don't let the learning stop once you leave the classroom, let it begin in the classroom and never end. The true students do not find their value in a college degree.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself to focus more. I would say this becuase now I work a full time job and attend classes. Had I focued more on my school work I would have been able to attend school without having to work and pay bills. I would also tell myself to get involved in more school activities. By getting more involved I would not only meet more people but it would also look better on a resume.

I would tell myself that there can be nothing more important to me than going to college to get a degree. Relationships may come and go and should not stand in the way of looking out for my future and independence. Also that it doesn't matter how smart I am in high school if I don't have the tenacity and preserverance to go the extra mile for my education. I would tell myself that by choosing not to have a college degree that I am making a decision to limit my choices for not only my future, but my children's future. I would tell myself that I needed to start thinking about college before I became a senior and that the only choices I am allowed to make would be in what field of study, not whether or not to go. I would tell myself that life has so many twist and turns, but once you get your education it is something that stays with you forever. I would tell myself education is a foundation that can be built upon with increasing value as I continue. This is the decision that a smart person would make.

Don't freak out if you don't know what you want to do with the rest of your life chances are you will probably change your mind....more than once. Look at college as a learning experience that prepares you for the rest of your life. It will make you a stronger and more independent person. Make sure you apply for as many scholarships as you possibly can!!! It is no secret college is EXPENSIVE. Without scholarships there is no way I would have made it this far. I wish I would have applied for more while I was a senior in high school...it's never too early to start. Most of all have fun and get involved in extracurricular activities at your school. These are supposed to be the most fun years of your life. My first two years were spent working every spair minute. If you make school fun it is a lot easier to get through. :-)

I would encourage myself to take more AP courses and to enroll in the program that allows you to take college courses in high school. I would also tell myself to re-evaluate the cost of going to a private school verse a public university with the Bright Futures . I would also tell myself to go through career counseling in order to figure out a major before entering college.

The advice I would give myself deals with choosing the right major, getting involved, and not being intimidated. They have tests you can take that can give you an idea of what you would enjoy doing in life. Once you start taking courses sometimes you realize that this just isn't the career for you. Changing majors means more school loans to finish the major you really want. I would tell myself to take a career test to see what types of careers fit my personal desires. The second piece of advice is to get involved asap; it contributes to more fun and more friends. It also helps because it increases your resources when it comes to scholarships for upcoming semesters. Last but not least, I would tell myself not to be intimidated. It takes time to make new friends, and to have a little courage when it comes to talking to new people. College is the perfect place to make friends that have the same interests as you. Although I have enjoyed my college life, those are the three things I would give myself advice on if I could talk to myself as a high school senior.

Assuming that I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior there are a few things I would tell myself about college life and making the transition. I had a hard time making the transition form high school to college. I was in a strange city without my mom and I felt homesick all the time. I also tried to apply the study habits I had used in high school to my college work. Knowing what I know now I would tell myself that the study habits I used in high school would not be good enough to get through college level work. There is nobody holding your hand or taking excuses for late and/or missing work. You can't expect to do your homework in the class before it is due because, most of the time, classes won't be in conseccutive time blocks. I would also remind myself to study more because some professors don't give studyguides or reviews for a test. I would tell mysellf that it is easy to fall behind, but as long as I priortize, I can do my schoolwork and still have a good experience.

If I could go back I would tell myself as a high school senior " Krystal this is your last year in high school, this year its time to get serious about your future. First off study hard, maintain A's and B's so that you can get scholarships and money for school, this will make it easier on mom and dad. Second get involved, being involved will get you prepared for your profession of becoming an actress. Join the drama club or audition for a play, this will pay off when you go to college. Lastly have fun! go to all the school events you can, cause its only one time you get to be in high school and you'll regret it if you dont have fun and go to school functions. High School is a lifechanging experience and it gets you ready for the adult you will become!"

I would tell myself that all of the teachers are right! When they tell you that you need to buckle down your senior year nd start studying, and stop messing around they are completely right. I would tell myself that knowing how college life is and the transition from high school to college, and living at home and then being out on your own how important it is to be focused on school. I would tell myself not to cave in to the urge of going out and staying out late to blow off studying. I would tell myself to enjoy every minute of college but be smart about it and know what my priorities are.

knowing what i know now about college life and making the transition, the advices i would give to myself as a senior if i could go back in time is that. 1. use your time wisely, college experience is not what you see on tv but how you view and experience college life through your own eyes. 2. When chooseing a major make sure that financail aid aloud minors because if you go over 150 credit hrs, then it would be hard for you to recieved financial support/money in the future, for classes. 3. ROTC programs, take the easiest major that provide less stress while taking military classes and your department classes because at the end of the day your GPA and a easier major with less stress factor will give you a better chance of what you want when comparing among your peers. if doing the Army ROTC take a easy major because its unlikely that you will use it unless for example, if you specialize in something or get into med school, then you would get that same job you have been doing in the civilian world when decided to transit to the military.

If I were allowed to go back in time to when I was a high school senior, the advice that I would give myself would be to be more serious about going to college out of High School. That making a career for myself with my future is more important than making sure I am keeping up with my social life. Also if I were able to show myself in the future to the High School senior of me, I would show myself how unhappy I was with just getting by in life. Showing that not striving for the best that I can be and making the best life for myself, gives me a feeling of unfulfillment. The last thing that I would show myself from the future was that at the age of 28 I would be a mom. A single mom at that, and how I want the best life for my daughter. I would show that I want to be a good role model for my daughter, and show her how women can be indepently strong. Showing myself that this would be how I would be able to give the two of us a beautiful life.

Choose your school and major carefully because it will determine your future.

I would tell myself to relax and enjoy my senior year. I know I am a good student and my senior year I stressed myself out sometimes worrying abut whether I would make it in college. Now that I am in college I see that as long as you stay on top of your work and assignments in each class you will be just fine. Its not as scary and hard as people sometimes make it sound. It is actually the experience of a lifetime and will probably be some of the best years of my life!

Apply for scholarships, apply for scholarships, apply for scholarships, apply for scholarships, apply for scholarships, apply for scholarships!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

The first two years would have been easier if I had commuted instead of living just off campus.

When you get to college you need to be very selfish with your time. You will have many people asking for your time and even demanding it for their own reasons. Remember that the time you give to others takes away from the time you need to spend on getting this education. Get in the habit of starting projects early and stop procrastinating. Let your social life suffer at the expense of your future. Its okay to do that because your family and friends will understand if you say "no" from time to time. They will understand the importance of your education and that it is the first step to a better future. Time is of the essence and it must be properly managed to have a successful college experience.

Research as many grants and "free" money as you can before tapping into student loans. There is plenty of money out there if you look hard enough and you can save yourself from paying on student loans the rest of your life. Also, dream big. Even if you have doubts about getting into your first choice school, work that much harder on your application.