Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach Top Questions

If I could go back in time, there are many things I would tell myself. The one thing I regret the most is not trying hard enough in high school. To put it in simple terms--the better you do in high school, the less you will have to pay in college. That applies to every aspect of high school, from academics to sports. I would also tell myself to learn what it is that motives me, because self motivation is crucial. Something that is very important in college also, is people skills. Network, make as many friends as possible, or just be social. You never know who it is that you will need one day. Scholarships, scholarships, and scholarships. There are so many scholarships out there that are not being used because students do not apply for them. Apply for as many scholarships as possible, because you will get one eventually. Although scholarhips are a fraction of the cost, they add up and reduce the amount of loans you will have to take. Last, but not least, do not be afraid to dream big.

Future Austin: Hey past me, I came from the future to tell you that you’ve been out college for a year and still don’t have a job. Past Austin: Say what?! I thought it’d be easy to get a job if I got a degree in Aerospace Engineering from Cal Poly. F: Well, it probably would if you didn’t graduate just under the cut-off GPA of 3.00. P: GPA shouldn’t even matter! I should be able to learn what I want to learn in college, I thought I was done with GPA after high school. F: I still totally agree. But, companies use it as a way to sift through thousands of applications. P: I mean, it makes sense. I just thought it’d be more important to be a good well-rounded person than a workaholic. F: That still remains true. But, being a well-rounded good natured person only gets you the job if you get the interview. You need to be a workaholic now, so you can be a family man later. I’m out of time but one last request. Apply for internships all the time. They are gold.

We all of have things that we've done in the past that we're not proud of, but would you change it if you could? If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would have a lot to say. I would tell my indecisive self that psychology is my real, underlying passion, and that I should work towards pursing it now, instead of my sophmore year of college. I would tell myself that if I apply myself more, I'll end up going to a university I'll actually love. I would tell myself to dump that jerk that's making younger me cry every night, he's not worth it. "High school senior self," I would say, "don't spend so much money on food, you'll regret it later on." But most importantly, I would tell my high school senior self to not listen to a word I'm saying, because all of my experiences, may they be good or bad, made me the person I am today; and even with some minor regrets, I'm happy to be that person.

If I could go back in time and I where able to talk to my senior self I will tell him alot of things. First I will tell him that college will not be easy and it will requierd alot of hard work. That the college that he has picked is a awsome college for mechanical engineering, but it will requiered him to work hard. Second i will tell him that he should apply for as many scholarships as he can because the school will not be so easy to pay for if he dosen't apply. I will tell him that he should try out for AFROTC because it will show him a whole different side of college life. That the transition wont be easy, but that he will get the hang of it . I will say that he will have new friend that will help him in class and outside of class too. Finally I will tell him that it will be a great expirence for him and that when he gets to college he should make every second count toward his degree.

Work hard and study. But have fun! Get a job and save your money for college. Keep life simple and don't get overwhelmed. Be yourself. Have integrity. Search for your dream, and when you find it, don't give up until you have reached it. Don't be manipulated. Make lots of mistakes. And learn from them, you will be less likely to repeat them in the future. Laugh until you cry. Keep in touch with family and friends when you graduate and you'll never be lonely. Don't be stupid on purpose. Eat less food then you are provided with even though it's a buffet. Don't waste money, you're going to need it. Focus on studies, that's what you are paying for...and that's what will pay the way for you for the rest of your life. Love what you are doing in college or else you are not going to love it when you wake up to go to work. Enjoy life. Go to sleep at night so you wake up every day with a smile on your face. And finally, treat others the way you want to be treated.

My experience in college has not varried much from my expectations. I was always excited to start college, and looked forward to the opportunities it would bring - and it has. I don't think that there is any advise that I could give myself, as I haven't really encountered anything for which I wasn't already prepared. Although I would advise myself that having a roommate can be a pain, even if you think you will be good friends, and that, in this scenario, to keep your head up and try to compromise rather than letting your roommate ruin your life. Aside from that, I have not really encountered any unexpected challenges. The workload is heavy, but that was to be expected. I would also advise myself not to overload and join every club possible, as it can get overwhelming at times in this event. Overall, I would consider my transition and adjustment a definite success, and I feel as though I had been ready for college for years.

My first, and most important, piece of advice I would give to my high school "me" would be to make "me" do more scholarships every single day. The college I am going to is expensive enough as it is and the financial aid I could receive has always been available to me; so why not use it? Secondly, do better on my SAT/ACT tests. With a higher score, I could have received more state funding for college and, with a high enough score, could have gotten into the Honors college at Embry-Riddle, which would push me to strive more and would be a great resume builder. Finally, I would tell myself to study more, even if I have to find people to help. My grades were good during high school, but there were always the select few classes that would mess with me in the end. Studying is a vital tool that I am seeing as the gateway to great grades, which will lead to a better future for me.

My advice would be: “prepare to burn the midnight oil”, “get ready to have more responsibility”, and “get ready to use your networking skills”. This advice is essential to any prospective student because you must make sacrifices, take responsibility for your work, and effectively work with others to be successful in college. College is where you meet people from all over the world. Different cultures, customs and traditions will expose you to a side of the world that Discovery Channel can only attempt to explain. College is not a cake walk. If you are not ready for all nighters or spending hours to get your work accomplished, then you’ll be in for a rude awakening. As a college student, one must be willing to sacrifice that personal time required to get the work done. Professors understand that you may have other classes but they still expect you to be responsible for ALL work assignments. College students are preparing for careers. You cannot predict opportunities that associates will provide in the future. Sometimes, that one person who you help out or were friends with could be the one who interviews and hires you.

Although trite, the statement, "College is a chance to recreate yourself", is true. But this is not the advice I would give to the meek, disheveled and blemished-faced high school version of myself. Rather, I would tell him: "How to recreate yourself in college”. When you first arrive at college, endless opportunities lie before you. Just as a block of granite sits shapeless, waiting to be formed by the sculptor, so too does your college experience. It is your job to shape this experience into the most beautiful sculpture your ability, effort, and dedication can create. The more effort, dedication, and ability you put forth, the more you will "get out" of your college experience. The phrase "get out" is not to be misinterpreted. An engineering student who sits in on economics classes because he understands that engineering is nothing without business will "get out" of his college experience the tools of both an engineer and a practical businessman. The art student who starts a club that teaches underprivileged children the fundamentals of painting will "get out" of his college experience the skills of an innovator. To recreate yourself in college you must eagerly accept one thing: challenge.

Life is gonna be good dude. Start looking for extra scholarships and money now though otherwise you will probably be dropping out of college your junior year because you can't find any money to be able to continue. Work hard and study though and the fun will show up. Make friends and get involved but don't spread yourself to thin. Navy ROTC is gonna be physically and mentally demanding but you will make some of your best friends there. Don't take home life for granted, you will miss the home-cooked meals and not having to live in a 100 square foot room with a roommate you don't know or like. Most importantly though, have fun and be yourself. College is about learning who you are and what makes you tick. Don't let anybody change you, like I always have said, Imma be me and you can be you or him but i am me.