Florida Gulf Coast University Top Questions

Sometimes you won't get your first choice. Sometimes you will get your first choice but life will get in the way. If a class is frustrating, get help! Have friends tutor you, seek out help on campus, don't just give up on the class. Get involved immediately! Spend your first semester trying out as many clubs as possibly so that by the time you are a sophomore you can narrow it down to 1-3 clubs you will fully dedicate yourself to. Enjoy yourself and make new friends. Don't fall back on high school friends for everything. They'll change, you'll change, your situation will change. Especially make friends in the field you plan on entering. Don't stress out if you decide to change your major 3 times. Don't worry about what anyone thinks or has to say about your major. It is YOUR college education and YOUR life. If deep in your heart that is what you want to do, do it! Consider all the options and details, salary, employment rate, but most importantly how much YOU enjoy it. It's not the wrong choice if you are enjoying yourself.

If I were presented the opportunity to travel back in time and speak with myself while I was a high school senior, I would have many words of encouragement to share. I would advise myself to relish in the school and life events of senior year because those fun times would soon be fond memories. I would encourage my younger self to devote my time whole-heartedly to my passions and pursue a degree in which I would be academically challenged, emotionally driven, and motivated to push through every obstacle I might face. Above all, I would remind myself that college is another stepping stone in the path of life, an opportunity to grow and develop into the person I want my future children to admire.

The main peiece of advice I would give myself is to get involved as possible. At the time, I preferred to stay in the background and got involved with the wrong people and made high school much less enjoyable.

If I were to be able to go back into time to tell my senior self in high school I would change a lot about myself. I would focus better in school and go to all of my classes. Go to all the events at school, since college doesn’t really have that many. I would make my teachers be a little tougher on me, preparing myself for stricter professors. I would be more involved with school and make more friends. I would have applied at a 4 year university instead of going to a 2 year. I also wish I would’ve just enjoyed my time having more fun in school instead of being stressed about my classes now.

I took some College courses while in my senior year of high school. I studied hard but if I would have put more emphasis in sciences, it would have helped me a great deal now. I am in the health field, and if I studied Biology or Chemistry then, my understanding of these subjects, would be better now. These classes are difficult, and I would have had a better background and more knowledge of what I need to know now. It would have provided me with a wider base and helped me retain what I need to memorize and learn. It is never too late, but I feel these sciences were lacking in my education while in high school. I wish I would have learnt some of the basics, so that, my understnding of this material, would come easier. I'm afraid that by taking easier subjects in my senior year of high school, just hurt me instead of helped me now. Oh well, I guess everything just happens the way it's supposed to! I'll have to study harder, yet not punish myself for doing things differently. I will get through this subjects reguardless.

Dear Lauren of Fall 2009, Congratulations on your hard work so far! You have just decided to pursue the study of medicine; however I would advise you to set small weekly goals so not to lose sight of personal growth opportunities as you pursue your long term dreams. Do not rush through school but rather enjoy the journey! Weigh your decision to set aside music for an accelerated curriculum. Though grades and finances are a priority, strive to find balance in your day and schedule a few minutes to relax! It seems intimidating to adjust to campus and dorm. Step out of your comfort zone and SMILE! The other college freshmen are equally nervous! Lastly Lauren, as you make the transition into college I would advise you to find balance in your schedule. As you transition to more difficult and demanding courses, do not be ashamed to ask for help! As you prepare to embark on a new and exciting chapter in your life, I encourage you to enjoy and make the most of each day. College is a beautiful time of self discovery and growth! Best of luck on college applications! -Lauren of FGCU’s Fall 2013 graduating class

One of the advices that I would give myself as a high school senior is to look and apply for more scholarships. I am currently feeling the downside of not being able to pay for all of my college expenses. I truly believe that no one should have to go into debt to pay for college when there are so many scholarships and grants available. There were many scholarships that I knew about my senior year but I didn't apply for and now I'm stuck with having to take out loans to pay the rest of my college expenses. I would also tell myself to find help if I need it. I used to give up so quickly and this would hurt me mentally and academically but now I know that there is help out there, I just need to be the one to find it. Never be afraid to ask for help. I would say don't procrastinate and never give up because it does get better and things could be much worse. Don't forget to breathe and only take as much as you can handle. Be patient and take care of yourself!

To say the least, jumping from high school to college is huge milestone in one's life. If I were to be a senior in high school currently, I would advice myself to explore many different options. I would do a great amount of research on the internet involving many different career paths. This would include taking surveys, research majors of interest, and majors that will be in demand down the road. Along with this, I take many notes and ask myself questions such as: "What could I see myself doing for a living?", "Where could I see myself succeeding in college?", and "What are MY aspirations in life?". If I would have followed these important steps while attending high school, transitioning to college would be a lot less stressful and more solely based on my future aspirations in life.

Thinking back to who I used to be when I was a senior in high school, I see a girl looking to be better. If I could go back to that girl and talk to her about college life and the transition I would tell her not to worry about her that test she got a "b" on, and was only one point away from an "A". I would say just keep focusing on school and remember that every moment you are setting the future. I would say make your future bright and let failures become dim and that every day she will become more independent as she faces the challenges in college. I would tell her to set her standards high and her goals higher and be the best she can be; to go all in or not at all. Not to go in with a mind that the transition will be easy, but that it will totally be worth it. That when college life gets her down, to stand back up and remember tomorrow is not only a new day, but a day to learn from your mistakes and to enjoy not only college, but life itself.

I would tell myself that I need to study more and practice better study habits.