Stetson University Top Questions

If I could go back in time and talk to my high school self I would tell myself never give up. I know that during high school that I thought that I should give up and that I would not be good enough for college. Especially having a really young mom everyone already expected me to just be another statistic. I would tell myself that what I am doing is good enough and that I am going to be accepted to an amazing school. Also that I am much greater than the statistic that I was born into. I would also tell myself that things are going to get harder before they get easier. Especially when my dad was going through Chemo Therapy but that we where all going to make it and that you are going to make it to college to further your education.

I've thought of this topic quite a bit throughout my college transition and while starting my second semster of college, I've narrowed down what I would say to my high school self, if given the chance. I would tell myself, "It's not what you hoped it would be. There aren't lecture halls, there's small classrooms. You'll have to interact with people you don't know. And you'll barely see your best friend that you followed to school so you'll need to meet people to hang out with. But, "And I'd smile to dejected past self, "Everything gets better. You'll meet a group nerds like yourself, and whatever you do, don't side with James for Dungeons and Dragons because he's a selfish player." Then I'd add, "And make sure, you actually study for classes and participate because it's easer and a lot morefun than you will expect. You'll know the answers, you just need to say them. And don't foget to take Mathmatical Game Theory because you actually play games in that class!" Lastly I'd say"The most important advice is to have fun."

I can imagine seeing myself sitting behind the librarian’s desk at my high school as a senior, I see myself sitting there and reading, helping the librarians, taking phone calls, and helping other students. I see my sixteen year old self being socially awkward, instead of eating lunch in the cafeteria, I ate lunch in the library, instead of making new friends, I made friends with the library staff. My senior year revolved around the library, I was always in it working rather than socializing. If I could go back in time to talk to myself when I was a high school senior, I would tell myself to be more social. In high school, I only talked to a few people, I would avoid social situations, and sit alone and study If I could go back, I would tell myself that I didn’t always have to study, I could make new friends and experience new things. If I would have talked to more people in my senior year, I would be more social in my freshman year in college.

We were slipping down into the lower classes, I ignored the fact that financial difficulties would only grow with the cost of a dimpoma. My mother had given birth to my younger half-brother Daniel just five years before, and she was already struggling to organize finances with his father for kindergarden at a montosori school. I would have then opened my eyes to the every day sacrafices my mother had made for me to go through private school as well; a luxury she made sure we could afford. If I could go back I would have told myself to apply for more scholarships in order to avoid being a financial burden to my parents, instead of being ashamed to apply for scholarships while my prep-school friends asked for the latest BMW. Maybe I underestimated what it was like to be a "poor college kid", or I didnt believe I would feel embarrassment and guilt asking my mother for tuition money when I knew she could not. Regardless of the reason why the decision to apply for scholarships didn´t happen then, I am grateful for sequence of events that led me to apply for the chance now.

During senior year, stress flowed freely through my blood stream. I know, it's only temporary but at the time it seemed like we were all stuck in a perpetual loop of assignments, finals, tests, and applications. Breathe! Look at me, I'm alive and well; you can do this. It only gets better. For one, the people in university actually want to be there and share some of the same aspirations as you do. The atmosphere is generally more positive, so even if you're having a cruddy day you're sure to see someone you know with a smile. But, don't expect too much from the kids your age. In a lot of ways they are the same as in high school, just older and "cooler". Just be true to yourself and don't let any of it get to you. And don't worry, you'll make some friends who like you just as you are! Keep smiling kiddo and don't forget to have fun.

Hey Ryan, I know you think if you opt for dual enrollment in your senior year that you are going to miss out on the whole high school experience but that is really not true. Sure, you won’t see those knuckleheads that entertain the whole class and you might not be able to walk your girlfriend to her locker, but the other possibilities are endless. Those knuckleheads will still be entertaining crowds at the fast food restaurant they are working at and it is definitely way “more cool” to be waiting to pick up your girlfriend when she gets out. Understanding that, consider the following. First, you will get one year of college for free. Crazy, I know, but consider the savings if you transfer to a college that accepts all the credits. There are a lot of hidden costs when you are in college and the savings could help. Secondly, you’ll get to experience the pace of assignments and the type of work college professors expect from you. Lastly, I think you will really appreciate that the other students are there to learn just like you and because they are paying tuition, most are take it seriously.

If I could go back and give myself advice I would have told myself to apply for more scholarships. I really wish I could have told myself, to take it seriously right from the start. I would have told myself to become more involved in organizations on campus and party less. Thankfully, junior year, I finally got the job I wanted in the finance department and excelled as a D1 NCAA rower; but I am overloading my plate in order to increase my campus footprint, which is working, but would have been easier if started two years ago. When I started college I was all about business and taking hard classes to prove myself smart and able. Although I did well I wish I would have known that it really is better to take American History 101 instead of History of Eastern Europe, which in any case has come in handy with the current crisis in Syria we are following. Luckily again, I did take an art law class as my junior seminar and it has incited a world of interdisciplinary interest in me I cannot wait to pursue in grad school.

Right now you have your eyes and mind set on Harvard. But trust me when I say this, there's more to life than Harvard. You have a part to play in this world and no matter where you go in this world, you can achieve it as long as you believe it. You may want others to assist you, but don't give up when everyone turns away from you and looks the other way. You are all you need to get it done. You are in a room full of many doors. Don't be afraid to grasp a handle and take a risk. Sometime when you risk it, you lose big. Sometimes when you risk it, you win big. You never know which , so take your eyes off that one door and open up your eyes to what else lies before you. There are different ways to reach to the world and achieve your dreams. Think outside the box and walk through that open space. I can assure you this, if you take the risk, in the end you won't be disappointed.

With what I know now, I would advise my high school self to have faith and trust myself more! Being on your own in college means making decisions for yourself without anyone looking over your shoulder. Having more confidence in who I am and how I was raised would have helped me make better choices during my first year in college. Trusting myself and my gut feelings would have saved me from a few awkward situations, improved my grades and overall helped me grow as a person. Additionally, being able to reflect on decisions that I made helped me realize areas that I had potential to grow in. My high school self should know that it is okay to make mistakes! Stop being so hard on yourself, and have confidence. One way or another, everything works out. Trust yourself.

If I could go back in time and tell my high school senior self about college, i would tell her not to worry. College is a big deal but take it instrides and you will be fine. There is a lot of coursework, reading, and writing essays but if you have a schedule then you will not have to pull all nighters. I would also tell myself to join more activties. Knowing only a few people might be fine during the first weeks a your firt semester but talking to more people makes you get out of your comfort zone. Join more activties; you need to find a balance between having a social life and your school work, meaning get a social life. Don't just focus on your school work, that will work itself out. Oh, and one more thing, have a good time, don't stress so much and thank your parents for everything.