University of Florida Top Questions

I?m a first generation college student at the University of Florida. I am majoring in Psychology and I plan to attend law school after graduation. Academics definitely come first for me but I am also involved with extracurricular activities and community service. In high school, I was involved in Student Government Association, Spanish National Honor Society, National Honor Society, Project Katrina Service Club, and First Priority Christian Club. At UF, I am involved in the Student Alumni Association, Black Student Union, and PAACT (Pledging to Achieve Academic Excellence Together). I?m always interested in broadening my horizons and learning new things. I decided to major in Psychology upon interest stemming from high school on the subject. I?ve wanted to be a lawyer for most of my life and that definitely factored in my decision to apply to the University of Florida. I feel that I made the right decision in coming to UF. It?s very important to go to the school that fits you best. UF fits me best because of its strong emphasis on academics and its amazing school spirit !

Go with your gut instinct - if a place doesn't feel right to you, you shouldn't let anyone else talk you into thinking it is a good match. On the same note, though, for most people their undergraduate institution isn't everything. A good number of universities can give you a memorable college experience, solid education, and preparation for graduate level study without breaking the bank. Even if you enter into your college years absolutely KNOWING that you are going to medical school to become a doctor, that may change, so make sure that the institution you choose has other options for you as well. If you attend an all-engineering school and later decide engineering is not for you, you are going to be stuck. Study hard, but also be open to new experiences and having fun. This is the time to figure out who you are and what you are going to do with your life. You can't go back and do it all again. Well, at least until graduate school...

The advice I would give to students about finding what college they want to attend is to make the decision for themselves as to where you want to go. Parents tend to influence their children to attend either the colleges of their choice or their alumni, which is acceptable, but sometimes it may not be what the student needs or wants. In order to perform at your best, not only at college but at other life experiences as well, one has to be happy with what they are doing and what type of environment they are in. If a student is not happy with the college that they are attending, they are most likely not going to be the best student that they can be because of lack of motivation and desire to do so, which can be very detrimental. On the other hand, once a student is happy with their college, I recommend they experience college with an upmost positive attitude. With an optimistic view, the student can participate in extracurricular activities, such as volunteering and also put forth the same attitude towards their academics all while balancing both without overworking or burning themselves out.

Find a school that feels right, that fits- the one where you feel at home andget excited about going to. College is an amazing opportunity to learn, grow, get to know yourself, and become who you will be... to find out what you love, what you don't, to make mistakes, and try new things. The right college is the one where you can do this. Getting an education and preparing for a career are important- find a school that can help with this. Remember that many people have no idea what direction to head, and most will change their minds (I did). It's important to find a school that can both accomodate and help with this. However, a school prepares you not only for a job, but for the rest of your life. Individual schools, and the experience you have, are defined by the people and the opportunities. What are the people like? You'll make friends for life- they may be different from anyone you've known- and you'll learn a lot from them. Find a school with opportunities, and do new things- intramurals, hiking, travel, art classes, foreign language, volunteering, or anything you find.

Make sure to visit the schools you are looking to attend and spend some time in the city surrounding the campus. You MUST do everything possible during your four years at college; it goes so fast so you definitely have to get active with your school as soon as possible!! You only get to go to college once!!

Pick the college that is right for you. Apply to as many colleges you can including a wide variety of schools. The University of Florida was the only college that I applied to, thinking that was all that would accept me. I sold my abilities short, and I regret that. Luckily, the University of Florida provided an amazing college experience, especially with the school spirit surrounding the Gators' National Championship wins during my four years there. Research the colleges as much as you can to ensure you make an educated decision.

Your college experience is one of the most important of your life. It will affect who you are and what you will become. It will expand your mind as far as you will let it. You should choose an institution that will foster your growth and developement. There are many different universities and they all have different strengths and weaknesses. It is wise to research schools that have reputable programs in fields of study that you are interested in. You should also find out about student organizations and athletic programs. Once you have found a suitable place to teach you the ways of the ways of the world, you journey may begin. It is important to keep an open mind and absorb as much new knowledge and information as possible. Many students' first year will be an eye-opening experience. You should take advantage of all that the college has to offer and make the most out of your college experience.

My advice to students would be to follow your heart. I applied and was accepted at the university my brother attends, but that's not were I really wanted to go. I was overjoyed at being accepted to my first choice, University of Florida. Take tours of several schools before making your decision. Choose one that fits your personality. I am in the nursing program and hope to be accepted to Nursing School next fall. I know with the education I receive here, I will find a rewarding career. Stay focused on your studies - it's easy to get off track. Remember that you're in school to learn and everything else will fall into place. I lived off campus my first year and that may have been a mistake. It's important to make friends your first year and know that others are feeling overwhelmed also. It's an awesome experience and I wouldn't trade it for anything!

Narrow down choices by knowing what size of school you want. Larger schools often offer more opportunites, while smaller schools can be more focused in a particular area of interest. Once you've choosen the school, get involved. Try new things, but don't overcommitt and become overwhelmeds.

Identify what your needs and desires are (size of the school, acclaimed academic departments, available social/extracurricular activities, etc.) and use these to decide what college best suits your outlook on life. Don't be afraid to change your mind once you get to college - whether it's changing roommates, courses, majors, or even the school itself. Make sure to find the right balance between schoolwork and socializing - both are very important, but too much of one or the other can be a negative impact on how you'll view your time in college later on. Don't be afraid to try new things and take opportunities that you may not ever get again; be prepared to fail in some instances but strive for success. And, if you need help in any way, be it academically, physically, mentally, spiritually, or otherwise, do not be afraid to ask for it. There are people whose job it is to assist you when you need it, all you need to do is ask and people will be glad to offer a helping hand. College is what you make of it - so make it something you can be proud of.