Pasco-Hernando State College Top Questions

If I were to go back to my senior year in high school and give myself advice, I would say to believe in myself. I found when I started college that it could be easy when I was working on school that I started to feel incapable of doing what was set in front of me. Even though I had support by others to encourage me through this time of my life, I really needed to believe that I could do it. As an example, when I took my final exam for anatomy last semester, I was extremely nervous because I was not sure if I would receive that grade I wanted. The day the grades came out I was a nervous wreck. When I got the courage to look at my posted grade I do not think I can even describe my happiness; I got my grade I needed!!! Looking back, all I needed to do was to believe in myself. In the words of Eleanor Roosevelt,"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."

Knowing what I know now about college life, I would inform myself of the importance of time management, budgeting my finances, preparation and adequate study time. There are many skills that help you transition from high school life and the dependence that you are allowed to have there into new independent college life. However, out of all of them, the five I mentioned in this paragraph, would be the skills that I would prepare myself for. These skills, or disciplines, as I could call them, are so crucial. As a high school student, I was able to have so much layed out for me and prepared for me. I didn't have to have the motivation to budget my finances in order to maintain my education. I recieved a free education (government funded) and free boarding at home, as well as everything else I needed to live and more, provided by family. Whereas, now, I need to provide an income for my family to maintain our living arrangements, as well as have the adequate study time to prepare myself to get good grades so that eventually, I will graduate and get a steady job in my career field.

We havent got much time Amanda. Im you, but in the future you, the almost college graduate you. I need you to listen and do everything I say, trust me I have done it all already. First start at a community college it is the way to go, for lower cost and for a smoother transition. Used books are just as good as new ones and buying a good pair of walking shoes will be essential. Use the bathroom everywhere but at home because paying for toliet paper is rediculous. Also, burn in your brain that credit cards are the devil, and paying interest on a burger and fries is idiotic. Make sure you plan out a monthly schedule to balance classes, study time, and fun time, and make sure you stick to it. As good as all those parties sound, taking classes only once would be benificial. And most important, boys will be a waste of time. Just make sure you meet your neighbor junior year, thats your husband! Basically, enjoy your college years, debt free, making the grades, and create lots of memories.

As I walk in I notice myself sitting there, it was crazy, like you see in those clone movies. I sit down and just look at myself for a second. "Hey man" the older version says. I don't know what to say, before I say anything he continues to tell me this. "Michael, look I know this must be absolutely crazy to imagine right now but just hear me out. Your probably thinking of that song "A Letter to Me" by Brad Paisley, which is good. So I know your enjoying senior year, and trust me its going to be pretty awesome, but I want to give you some advice. So we are going to take the SAT's right? Do us both a favor START STUDYING NOW! You have no idea how much that affects us, its to late for the grades now, so trust me and focus on that, and if you do you will be enjoying the university life next year instead of being stuck in this town. I know it does'nt seem like much, but it will pay off! Oh and one more thing please, please focus when you get to college! Trust me!"

I would say to myself that it is alot harder than you think it is. It's alot more homework to do and so much to learn. I would tell myself to get more serious and not to play around as much.

Dear Me , I know that you do not enjoy being in highschool and I know how much you hate waking up early in the morning. I know you do not know how to get into college and the main reason you do not go for a few years is because you do not know how. Everyone around you is getting accepted into universities and you don't even know what a university is . Trust me now and listen to what I have to tell you. You are not alone and you can be accepted just like everyone else .Think of your future. In a year, you will be pregnant and you will have a beautiful baby boy named Dylan. Start school now if not for you then for him because he will look up to you and ask you one day "Mommy what do you do ?" And you will have to tell him because you didn't go to school you are a waitress and you serve people daily their eggs and bacon. I know you have always thought you could be better and if you go to school now, don't wait, you will be.

Dear Megan, I'm aware that you've come to the final chapter of the "best years of your life", congratulations! As I would know, you have motivated yourself to excel in school. Luckily for you, I have decided to forewarn you of the unforeseen circumstances that will cause a few bumps along the way in attaining your education for the social work field, but never fret! In summary, your well-devised plan in general is not as brilliant as you may think. When you decide to look up the requirements for becoming a licensed social worker in the state of Florida, you will notice that you need a Master's of Social Work. You'll feel defeated if you believe at first you'll need an AS in Human Services and then a BSW to do so, although you have already enrolled for an AA. After more research and advice from those with experience in the field, you will finally understand that you may obtain your Bachelor's in Psychology, continue to a Masters in Social Work, and then perhaps a doctoral degree in clinical psychology. That way, you truly can get the best of both worlds! Sincerely, Yourself

I couldn't think of a better thing to ask for than being able to go back in time to talk to myself as a high school senior. If I could go back in time and tell myself what skills I need to prepare for my college future I would say, "Jen! Wake up! Be on time! Be alert and ready to learn today!" I would tell myself that motivation and focus are imparative to doing well in college. "You need to be confident and proud in everything you do because if you are, you know you have done your best."

I would without question tell myself to do my homework, and not just the type of homework assigned by the professors. I would have told myself to do more research on what the colleges can offer me, what I can do to better my chance in passing, and what I really hope to do in terms of career choice. As a high school senior, I thought I had it all thought out and well planned, but once I entered college I was taken aback. I expected there to be a lot of work, that was a given, but the expenses are mind numbing. I was unaware of the Fine Arts Club at PHCC which I would have joined first semester. I changed my major already as well. As a high school senior, we had guest speakers that would come in and say that on average a college student will change their major five times, but I always thought that wouldn't be me. I was unaware that the scholarship I had no longer covered 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} tuition and or books. To make the transition smoother and more enjoyable, doing more research would have been ideal.

If I could go back to have a conversation with myself when I was a senior in high school, I would tell myself do not wait to go to school. Do not think that you have to go to work right away to get by in this world. Go right into college and get your education, get your degrees. Doing this will ensure that you will be able to take care of yourself and your family. It is important in this world to have an education and be a contributing member of society. You can do this without going to college, but it is ten times harder. You do not want to go to work for someone else making minimal wage for hard labor. Go to college right away, don't wast a second and remember "Work Smart, Not Hard."