University of Florida Top Questions

The only thing that I would tell myself would simply be: your best friend may not always be the best roomate for you. I learned and matured so much my first semester at the Univeristy of Florida, unfortunately the circumstances were far from pleasant. I would tell myself to live in a dorm on campus my first year and to skip living with my best friend at the time. Needless to say, it was one of the most terrible experiences I have ever had to live through, and I lost a very important person in my life because of it. I give this advice to others in hopes that they won't make the same mistake that I made. I have seen many friendships break because of a silly living arrangement, and I always tell others "you may be compatible, but that doens't necessarily mean that you can live with each other." It's a shame, and although I did learn a lot from it, I feel that it was premature and unnecessary at that point in my life. Other than that, transitioning into college was smooth and I would reassure myself that everything would work out just fine.

No high school kid knows what college will be like. I thought that college was a magical place in which I would find myself, have fun and still have time to get straight A's. This idea quickly changed when I entered school this year. School was not this place that made me perfect but rather I had to work and it was hard. My high school self hade been well....lazy but I'd always managed to get the A's that would get me into university. I have to study now...STUDY! and my high school self had to get used to this concept. I had to learn how to use notecards and pens and papers and I had to use textbooks. So my advice to myself would be simple, learn how to employ all the study devices people have been trying to instill in you for years. University is new and it is exciting but it is hard and sometimes you just need to actually work, however lazy you feel (that's what the weekend is for).

Going back in time, I would tell myself to overcome the laziness that every senior in high school suffers from. Applying myself in my senior year would have enormously helped in my freshmen year in college. A number of times I have tried to understand material in college that I know was covered in my high school classes and have become discouraged at my ignorance in my senior year. My senior year I could not stand the fact that I was not out of the school and, as such, my understanding of my classes faltered. Specifically, my understanding of the concepts of my physics class fell through the cracks, and, while I still earned an ?A?, it came at the price of forgetting almost all of the material. Last semester, I found myself stumbling around, trying to find my way through the thick forest that was my freshmen physics class. I realized that if I had just overcome my senior laziness I would have seen the path that was just beneath the brush. I failed to look to the future and plan accordingly.

I would tell myslef to relax and enjoy high school. I think I was too worried in high shcool and now that I'm in college I realize that I missed growing up. You have so many responsibilities when you live away from home and you have to become your own rule book. A little fun would not kill a high school student, but help them to prepare for the responsibilities of college.

Assuming I could travel back to the spring of 2008 , I would have a difficult time locating myself to pass along any advice. That semester was for me a fulgurous blur of college applications, my rigorous academic schedule, my six or seven clubs, and graduation parties. I never stopped, rarely slept, and spent all the free time I did amass worrying about "The College Transition." If I could manage to pin myself down for an afternoon, I would give myself this hardly unheard of advice: stop worrying so much, and just do your thing. I was always a natural at getting involved, why should that be any harder in college? Embrace the opportunity to take your education and future into your hands, don't fear it. The educational experience I've had has everything to do with my efforts in asking my professors and classmates for help in my classes, exploring new academic interests, and finding a way to get involved with my school. Now that I'm five semesters in, I've got the system down; I only wish I hadn't spent the first two or three letting my fears and insecurities get in the way.

Looking back, I would give myself these words of wisdom. First of all, time is of the upmost value, every minute counts. Due to the demands in college, it is important to study on the bus, in the doctor's office, and during any "free time". Administer your hours of study carefully, so you can have time to "play". It is just as important to have fun as it is to work hard studying. Second of all, friends are more than just people to hang out with. They become study partners, tutors, and a vital support network; choose them wisely. Develop strong study groups and interpersonal relationships that will help you achieve your goals. Lastly, perseverance is the key to success. No matter how difficult a class may seem or how boring a professor might be, the final outcome is well worth the torture. What is four years of your life in college versus the rest of your life feeling miserable about not having achieved your dream. College is for the brave, the strong, and the fighter. Regardless of your smarts your effort will pay off in the end.

Dear Self, While college is meant to be the tool for preparing you for your future ambitions and dreams, do not forget to relax and enjoy your time there. The transition can be an easy one if you make it that way. It is all about what you tell yourself. Sure the first semester may be daunting; however, do not let this dictate the way you perceive the next four years to be. College is also meant to be fun. The secret is time management my friend. Finding the right balance between "study-time" and "friend-time" is like discovering the recipe to a great college experience. Be confident in yourself and your work. Listen to criticisms, and don't take it personally--they are preparing you for the real world. Stay positive about your future--everything will fall into place, and what's meant to be will be. Everybody is scared at first, verbalized or not, so you are not alone. Study hard and try your best, but also don't forget to have fun. Cherish these years and they will be the time of your life!

Friendship, experience, and knowledge are what I've gotten out of my college experience. Originally being a shy person, college has taught me that speaking out to a stranger can lead to great friendships. Joining a club or a team encourages this friendship and helps diminish the shyness. Some of my best friends and people who will be with me throughout my entire life I've met in college. Going to class and learning from professors has encouraged me to reach out to other professionals, such as orthopedic surgeons, to enhance the learning experience. Taking the learning out of the classroom and into the real world has been an incredibly valuble experience. The primary reason people attend college is to gain knowledge. To become ready to have a real career someday. Throughout my college experience I've gained knowledge not just from textbooks about particular studies, but about myself as well. I wouldn't change my college experience for anything. It has taught me about myself, friendship, and life, which are the most valuble lessons in life.

When I was in high school, I thought that college major equals chosen career field. This is a misconception. I wish I would have known that prior to entering college because sometimes I focused on majoring in something that is very practical yet had a strong interested in philosophy and other liberal arts. I did not realize that there were many career paths for philosophy majors even if the career was not identical to my major, because once I graduate, I will have a number of skills that are adaptable to several work places. I would also encourage myself to be involved in a few student-run organizations and clubs, with a focus on gaining leadership experience. This way, whoever my future employer is, they will know that I have number of pther skills that fall under leadership: organization, communication, cooperation, etc. Plus, campus involvement can lead to great friendships and connections. I am glad I learned these tips before I graduated, but I wish that I would have known them prior to college so that I could get the full college experience.

Everyone's dream is to time travel, but does it contradict to the belief of never living with regrets? I believe that college is a transitional phase in one's life. The chance to live on one's own teaches independence, and the need to study for exams while balancing finances teaches responsibility. Although being an age from 18-21 is barely considered an adult, college experiences allows one to mature from the peer pressured environment of highschool. No, i do not have regrets, however i would go back in time and give myself advice. I would explain that education and good studying skills isn't just overly lectured qualities to have, but rather they are neccessities to succeed in college. I would explain that possibilities in life are endless with the value of education, especially when you couple it with something you love. Education isn't something to take advantage of, but a privledged experience, especially since a highschool student doesnt have to pay for classes/books! I would tell myself to take a deep breath and know that life will become harder on my own, but the lord never gives someone something they can't handle.