Florida Southern College Top Questions

If I could go back, I would tell myself that college is not as scary as it seems. I personally feel that being away from home is the hardest part. I only have two more months left of college and I will be done with my first year... which is crazy to think about. Time really flies and I am really excited to begin my second year. Also it is very very difficult to have a job while being a full time student, so try to do plenty of scholarships to recieve any help you can get. You are smart and determined so do not stress about college, you will do just fine. P.S: There are such things as terrible roommates.... so be prepared. Goodluck!

Dear 17 year old self, I would want you to know that feeling uncomfortable means growth. The things I enjoyed, learned and benefitted from the most in college were the things that made my stomach do flips, or made my palms a little clammy. Stepping outside of the “box” that is your comfort zone only leads to growth. I won’t tell you that every time I stepped out of my comfort zone that things turned out great, because that’s not true. But I learned something I normally wouldn’t have had I just sat down in the “box” and said “no, I’m scared”. Taking the step of moving from Maryland to Florida for college is a testimony to that! That is the kind of mind set you should apply to all the activities you’re about to be presented with, whether in internships, relationships, volunteering or at work. Everything is going to take time but get uncomfortable and grow into you. Love, Future you

Knowing what I know now, I would've told myself to better budget my money so I can save money for the next school year. I also may have told myself that I could pick a less expensive school and still receive a degree in Marine Biology. It's a good school to be educated at, but I could have had the same experience and saved money at the same time.

Embrace who you truly are. It is often said that when a person spends time by themselves, that is who he/she truly is. This person needs to be found before entering college. When you know who you are, you have more confidence and you know what you are looking for. In college, you have to surround yourself with a group of friends who know the real you, and if you are insecure with yourself, they will be insecure with you as well. These friends are the ones who you will keep in contact with after college, who will be in your wedding, and who will help raise your kids. You need to be able to trust them with your life because you never know what you might get yourself into during your college years. Once you fully embrace who you are, the friends you want and need will be easily made and kept.

The advice I would give myself would be to step out of my comfort zone. College has made me step out of my comfort zone. I tease with my friends that I am so out of comfort zone that I have forgotten where my comfort zone is. In high school, I only done things that only stretch a little out of my comfort zone. When individuals only live in their comfort zone, I believe that we miss out on great opportunities. There was probably some missed opportunites just because I was afraid to step out of my comfort zone. My advice to my high school self is to be more bold.

High school is supposedly the best four years of your life. Your high school experiences will become cherished memories. My best advice to any freshman entering Cardinal Gibbons would be to get involved in any way you can. The school and activities are the most exciting parts of starting high school. First of all, making friends in all areas of the school can help you be more a part of the school. For example, be a part of the clubs. They may seem insignificant now but they can help you later in high school and meet other people in the school as well. Thus, being involved means being a part of the school and the students. Additionally, Sports is a major part of cardinal gibbons. If you aren’t very athletic, cross-country would be a great sport to try. Cross-country is the go-to sport. If you don't know what sport to do or just need something to do after school cross-country is the sport to do. Clearly, one way to get involved would be to join a sports team. Being involved in the school is participating in school events with friends and others at school.

Ashley college is not what you thought it would be when you were in high school. College has so much opportunity that you need to take more risk and not be scared to join groups or clubs. It is not worth worrying and stress over the little things anymore. College is actually. You will make plenty of new friends, gain new skills, and become more confident. Embrass this now and not wait to open up till later in college. People do not care what you look like or what you are doing, so be yourself. Classes may be hard at times but you will get through it (believe me). Always remember to not give up and take one day at a time. This last tip is what will help you get through the next few years of college.

If I could in Looper-esque fashion revisit my younger self, I’d first tell Junior Me not to start a butterfly effect wherein Senior Me ceases to exist. Then, the real meat. “Junior Me,” I’d say, “There are more careers than the ‘doctor, teacher, lawyer’ bit you’ve been hearing.” I’d tell myself to figure out what interests me & think about jobs that fit those interests. To go to job fairs even if I don’t need to. To look at majors at different colleges for ideas. To take classes now that will help me in the future. To not endure the torture chamber of AP Calculus in lieu of the more applicable AP Statistics. As a psychology major I use statistics all the time, but I’ve never had to find the area of cones spun twice on their axes. Speaking of majors, undergrad isn’t the end. In this economy, post-graduate degrees are where it’s at. Group projects are the life blood of college & graduate school. Love them. Most importantly, I’d assure myself that the guy who said “your high school years are the best of your life” never went to college.

If I could go back to my senior year in high school I would definetely tell myself not to stress out as much. There is so much pressure your senior year between AP classes, senior activities, applying for colleges and writing essays. If I could go back in time I would tell myself to calm down. It seems like a lot of work, but it's so worth it in the end. I can say, I was more than prepared for my college workload and excited to be on my own.

If I could go back and tell my high school self about what I know now, It would be to make sure you map out where you want to be in the years to come. To allow yourself the time to commit to a college and stick through it, no matter how hard and challenged it was, to put forth the effort to achieve in what you have set. Make sure that you make the best decision and choices in life, if joining the military was a option make that decision base on the capibility of allowing yourself the option of making it your career. And finally do not settle for nothing less then the best.