University of Florida Top Questions

Given the opportunity to go back in time, I would reassure my 17-year-old self that the college experience is nothing to fear; it is truly an opportunity to recreate yourself, study what you are interested in, and learn independence. I would remind myself to try and see the "bigger picture" of what a university represents - it is not only a means to an end (simply securing a job), but its also a method of exploring your interests, branching out, and taking the courses you are drawn to, even if you aren't sure how they will ever be useful. Sometimes the humanities/culture classes mold you into a more well-rounded, captivating person, and in a nation of job-networking and "who-you-know," that skill can be just as vital to securing a career. At the same time, don't focus on the future of a "job" so much - you've only got 4 years here. Enjoy the moment - these years will fly by!

Expect and accept change. Feeling lonely is OK and a part of the process. Look for activities to build confidence. Take time to know yourself and your priorities. Do not forget to take care of your mental and physical health. Easier said than done, of course. Majority of high students have been trained for college. Naturally, it is what every successful and intelligent person pursues. If I could visit myself as a high school senior, I would ask myself, "Do I know myself well enough to pursue higher education at this time in my life?" I have needed time to discover what subjects I excel at, where my passion lies, and which issues I wish to devote my life to tackling. Some high school students might already have a fiery passion and direct life plan and feel be ready for college immediately after high school, but I might have not been totally ready. That is perfectly fine. If I could go back, I would quiet the influences of my family and society and travel to unique, new place to face the unknown and along the way, think about my priorities, appreciate my blessings, and truly discover myself.

The advice that I will give myself as a college student is to take the AP classes and exactly learn in that class, so I won't have to rest time taking the class again. I would also tell myself that college is hard no matter what classes you take or when you take them. You will always have to study and read the book. Always read the books you have for your classes. Its really hard to trasition from a highschool student to college student becuase the atmosphere is different. I will tell myself to stick to an orgazation that I signed up with no matter how hard it takes oir how busy your schedule is don't every give up. Most students come into college thinking you are goin to be partying all night when the truth is you study more then you go out. Most importantly do good on all of your assignments given in college, becuase not all teachers give you extra credit or extra assignments to boost up your grade. You would have to give your all 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c}.

Be prepared for the best four years of your life. But only if you come into college open-minded. From what I have learned in the last two years is that if you're to afraid to try new things, you will end sitting in your room all day and doing nothing but watching tv. The only way to make the most out of your college life is to go out and try things you would never have thought of trying in a million years. Go out and try to join the choir no matter how bad your voice may be, you never know what could happen. Go to socials, meetings, events, parties (but be responsible), and have fun, socializing. Remember, these four years will never come back. Make all the mistakes you want to make, but only if you are willing to learn from them. Open your mind and eyes to everything, because there will be things that you will experience in college that you won't experience anywhere else, and the only way to get the most out of those experiences is to open your mind and make new memories. And remember, say "hi" to anyone and everyone.

I would tell myself to spend time exploring life and majors, and not to worry about trying to figure out what I was going to do with my life at that age because it will most definately change, many times. I woudl also tell myself to embrace my differences and not to see poverty as a roadblock to education. We all deserve to better ourselves through education and I had just as much right to be there as everyone else.

Knowing what i know now as a college student there are a lot of things that i wish i would have known when i was a high school student. The first thing i would tell myself if i could go back in time would be to listen to my elders and put more effort into my class work and worry less about my extra curricular activities. School comes firts. I would tell myself to take advantage of my princton review classes and pay more attention so that i could have done better on my SAT's. I would also like to tell myself to keep my head up and not get down after losing a game or not geting the grade that i want because you learn more from failure than you do from winning. As far as the transition goes i would just tell myself to prepare better for dorm style living and living with other people. Be more open minded when learning about other people, religion, and culture in general. I think that would sum up everything i would want to tell myself. If i recieve this scholarship i would be very thankful. Thank You, Corey Samot

First of all, I would tell myself that having internships and a high GPA are important. I would also tell myself to focus on helping the community around me and to be more aware of what is going on in the world. High school students barely focus on how important everything around us is. I would also tell myself that decisions in life are very important. Making a rushed decision is the worst thing that you can do to help yourself succeed. I would make sure to state how important it is to think about the school that I want to attend and to focus on the communications I have with my teachers. In this life, communication and relationships (acquaintances) are what get you to the top. Second, it is very important to care about your family and to help them through their struggles. You may have problems, but other people around you might need your support as well. In life you need to live, love, and study. I would also tell myself that great studying habits are important. Finally, the most important advice that I would give myself is to have an agenda and plan ahead.

take a deep breath and have faith. find one thing that you are good at and become in expert at it. make your own path.

My best advice, if I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, would be to pursue my college education and obtain my degree while I am still young and fresh out of school. When I returned to college in the fall of 2009, I had been out of school for over fifteen years and needed to refresh some skills like math and science. That time that I spent in courses that would have been more familiar to me then would have been better utilized in more advanced courses and I would have finished school much sooner. Although I had not continued my education right out of high school because I needed to be and was a full-time employee, I would advise myself to work hard through it and take classes as I was able to, even if it meant only taking one or two classes per semester. While I believe that returning to school as a more mature adult has also been beneficial, if I would have completed college in my late teen years or early twenties, it would have been better for my future now.

I would tell myself to be prepared for a huge change in my environment, my social life, my academic studies, and most importantly my self. The atmosphere and community is different and more active than what you are used to. You have much more convienence and options. You will meet so many new people, some just like you, but mostly people with completely different backgrounds. Take the time to get to know these people, they will help to contribute to your academic and personal growth. Be prepared to study and work hard in your classes. You will have to attend class and really pay attention. Be open to new ideas, oppurtunites, and change. Be sure to have fun and stay positive. Take time to breathe and appeciate where you are at. These will be some of the most difficult and great times that you have been through.