University of Florida Top Questions

If I were to go back in time and warn myself about college life, I would have to say that bragging about living on my own and not being forced to go to classes is something that you should not get caught up in. Yes, the glitz and the glam of a true college life is there, but I learned from my own mistakes, that grades and learning always comes first. You can brag about how you got into such a great school, you can be happy that you can sleep in and skip, but it will take away from your grades and your well-being at the school. My first semester in college was fun, but I let the fun get in the way of studying, and my grades suffered a lot. I lost my scholarship, and I'm trying to get my GPA back. If I didn't let the freedom of it all take control, I would not be in my predicament. And if I could tell my high school senior self that, I would have prevented so many things. I did learn from it all, but I wish I didn't have to learn this way.

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior the first thing that I would do is inform myself that college is all about building relationships with people. It's about meeting people and networking. I would talk to myself about not worrying so much about what your major will be or what classwork you will have to do because that will come, but what you need to focus on is building relationships with people now so that it won't be such of a culture shock when you actually get to the university. Making the transition from high school to college is like moving from a small rural town into New York. For that reason I would advise my high school senior self to do a lot of research on the university. Find out what clubs and organizations they offer, and look up what goes on in the school, evaluate student surveys done on the campus to find out what you will like and what you won't like. I would have been grateful to have received information from my future self, but I am glad that I got to learn on my own.

1.You will lose friends.2.Chin up, that school isn’t for you anyways. Don’t sweat it.3.You are beautiful, no matter what they say.4.It is okay to cry.5.You don’t need that expensive organizer. Put it down.6.Being a member of a club is great in high school, but in college you need to be the leader7.Don’t expect to come home every holiday. Traveling isn’t cheap.8.Life at home will continue on without you so don’t be upset when your mom fills your room up with her clothes.9.Financial aid won’t kick in until AFTER the first week of school.10.A laptop is greater than a car. You won’t find parking anyways.11.Did I mention you will lose friends?12.And when you do, feel free to cry some more.13.It will all be worth it.

This time two years ago, I was spending Christmas crying next to my Father’s hospital bed. As a high school senior, I was bombarded with multiple tragedies in my life within a span of one week before Christmas. My grandmother passed away, my brother was in a critical car accident, my aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer, my cousin home from Afghanistan committed suicide, and my father suffered a heart attack. During this time I wasn’t comfortable and never wanted to be comfortable; I felt as if that comfort would be shattered the second I received more bad news. Now, as a pre-medical sophomore at my dream University equipped with the 20-20 vision only hindsight can supply, I look back on my obstacles with a clearer mind and more experience on my plate. My advice to my high school self, specifically my senior self, is this: these struggles will mold you. The pain you are feeling is temporary. These hardships will build your character, and these experiences will make you stronger. Any hardship you will face in the future will be easier to tackle, because you know that you have been through worse, survived, and thrived.

If I could go back and tell my high school self anything, I would tell him (me) that it's going to be alright. That even though you'll be undecided when you walk across the stage, and you have no idea what you want be or if you'll be determined enough to do it, that everything is going to be ok. The expectations of yourself are too high, and you need to just let go and trust that everything will work out in the end. That even though all your friends left and went on to bigger and better things and you feel stuck right where you are, I would tell him that the feeling won't last, and that you are capable of making it. It's going to be difficult, and you're going to have to push yourself to the breaking point at times, but you'll look back on it and be greatful that you did. If I could go back to my high school self, I would tell him (me) to love people deeper and trust in yourself to always do the right thing. But most importantly, just love yourself and be strong.

I would definitly tell myself to take a deep breath and not to freak out about leaving all my freinds behind. Even though you're going to be far away from them doesn't mean you'll stop being friends. It also doesn't mean you won't be able to make more. I'd also tell myself not to be afriad to branch out and try new things you might even end up changing your major (*wink*). I'd also tell them to get involved on campus and in the community because that is the best way to find out what your passionate about and to meet people with similar interests. I think the most important thing I would tell myself though would be that your still growing and changing. You may think that you know exactly who you are but you are about to be exposed to a million and one experiences you've never had before. Don't be afriad if it shifts your views and maybe even starts to change who you are at your core. Embrace the change and love it because you're finally becoming who you were always meant to be.

If I could go back in time and give my high school senior some advice, I would suggest to make the best of the weekends. To study hard, because getting credits in highschool opens up opportunities to take fun classes and electives in college. Also i would put an emphasis on getting involved in positions within the school and community. I would encourage myself to get a job and save up money for college, but also to work on time management and be able to balance school work, and involvement.

I would tell myself to start every semester off on a good note because it is much easier to lower your grades than it is to raise them. It is also wise to form study groups whenever possible because multiple brains are better than one yet at the same time ensure that you engage in independent study because only you can earn you grades. I would also tell myself to get involved in clubs and activities to take advantage of my school, not to mention it looks good when filling out scholarship applications, graduate school applications and job applications as well. I would also advise myself to go to office hours in order to say on track with course materials, get academic help when needed, get to know the professor, and to let him know that your dedicated to doing well in his class. Lastly I would advise myself to go to tutoring when needed and if there is free tutoring, go even when it is not needed. There is always a chance of learning something you didn’t know and sometimes someone else can explain things in a way that allows you to understand better.

College is not high school. The classes are harder, the lectures are not personal, and you will have to study. But whatever you do, don't forget that mom or dad, they're only a call away if something goes bad. If you can't do laundry, call them. If you feel stressed, call them. Family understands you in a way most people won't so in a place away from them, it may be comfoting just to hear thier voice and thier opinion.

Hello High School Senior Self, Things may seem small to you right now, and you may want nothing more than to get out of high school, so rest assured: college will be a whole new environment. You're salutatorian now, and that's amazing. When you get to UF, don't expect to feel as superior, though. You're going from being a big fish in a small pond to being a small fish in a very big pond. There are many people at UF just as capable as you. Don't worry, though; it's going to be a humbling experience for you. You'll find that you actually like the anonymity of walking around campus and there being no one that's putting high academic pressure on you. You're going to get your first C in precalculus, and that's okay. You'll realize math isn't for you, and through your job at the performing arts center, you'll find you love working in hospitality and switch to that program of study. I know you feel trapped now, but trust me: college will be everything you're hoping it will be. Sincerely, UF Sophomore Self