Florida Atlantic University Top Questions

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself first and foremost not to get a credit card. There were times when I did not have a job in my first year of college, and even though I had housing and a meal plan, I ran up large bills on my credit card for gas expenses and recreational activities. I would also tell myself that it would be a time of great growing, academically as well as personally. I have learned a lot more about what is important in life, and have focused my energies toward positive results. Though I struggle to get by with a minimum wage job and tons of school work to finish, I have attained a 4.0 gpa for the first time in years. So most importantly I would tell myself to beleive in myself, keep going and never let the negativity of the world bring me down.

The best advice I could give my pre-college self, is to choose your friends wisely. We often make friendships haphazardly, let life pass us by as we are fascinated by the new freedoms of college, and four years later we have no idea who we have become. I believe a big part of that are the friendships we make, and the people we choose to spend our time with. I heard that if you want to get an idea of how the world sees you, take the five people you spend the most time with, and average them out as a person. That average is you. In retrospect, I would make friends with the different kids in class. The ones that have some issues that they need to overcome. For one, you could help them with their problems, and when you see them get over their difficulties, it would be great to know you had a hand in helping them. Not every dog will have his day, but if you can help the underdog get to that graduation podium, well, that is something great.

If I could go back I would tell myself to apply to colleges early! Also, I would say to check for scholarships everywhere I could because it is difficult paying for college without them. Another piece of advice I would tell myself is too focus more on my classes and actually read the chapters assigned by the professors, it really makes a difference. Lastly, I would say stop being so shy and talk to people, start coversations because having no friends in college can get very depressing.

I would tell myself to apply for more scholarships no matter how low or high they are, every penny helps! Also, I would tell myself to make more of an effort to meet new people, join clubs, and try new things. No matter what, never forget your goal which is to obtain an education, a degree and become successful.

I would tell myself that, "anything you can conjure up in my head you can do in life. It may seem like a hard struggle now, but the feeling of attaining what you've worked hard for is a feeling worth fighting for. More over, the feeling of living your dreams, being at your fullest potential, getting to a place where there's no regrets, is certainly worth being patient and driven for. Stay on track and plan for every obstacle, road block or fork road. Never lose sight of the true path and only then will you realise the importance of my words. Good luck kid!"

If I could talk to myself as a highschool senior, I would definetly take the opportunity. I would go back in time to tell myself that I don't need to control every detail of every day. I would say that life is short, so don't be afraid to live it! I would tell myself that the economy will get bad, so save money today. I would tell myself to not strss out over the small stuff and that life has a funny way of letting things happen another way that what we wanted. I would say don't take the overabundance of math classes that re just going to get dropped anyways. Finally, I would tell myself to live life like it is my last day on earth, because it very possibly could be.

Going back in time I would inform my former self that taking more duel- enrolment classes is good for me now; that taking a larger course load now means a lighter one in the feature. In High School I would take classes not only in the summer but also on weekends. I would try to learn as much as I possibly could in those years because that is what is bound to help me in college. As a college student I now realize the advantage of having many classes under my belt. The advanced placement classes that I took are now helping me in college. It is because of them that my college life is easier. I would also force my self to apply for more scholarships. Colleges eat up money like a sick monster; I just wish that I had been a little bit more prepared for that. I would also tell my old self to hold on tighter to my former friends-call them everyday, have lunch together every weekend, anything so that I don't lose them. College is an experience like no other. It forces one to grow up and realize that life poses many challenges.

If I could go back in time with the knowledge I have now about college, I would tell senior me not to worry about impressing others with materialistic objects (fancy clothes, shoes etc). When people (especially prospective students) think about college what comes to mind first? Social life ofcourse, and the baggage that comes along with that (how to dress for the party, how to impress the guy I met at the party and etc). I was a victim to that myself. I use to take at least an hour picking out an outfit and doing my hair before class. I now know it was time well wasted because everyone is focused on their career goals and the classes they need to pass and order to get there (well at least everyone worth being friends with). I would tell myself that the friends I would of made based on the clothes they and I were wearing would not even be worth it. I instead should surround myself around others who know what direction they are going in life because those are the people worth my time. College is about finding yourself so don't try to be like everyone else.

From what I know now, I would have advised myself to take more challenges classes from the start in high school. When students are in high school they are allowed to choose different electives and in my case I chose to take Web Design and Pottery. They were not the most challenging classes but they were something that I enjoyed. Now that I am in my third semester of college, I realize that my time could have been better spent taken a few more challenging classes. For example I could have taken a science class or maybe an extra math class. Once you get to college there are no more easy classes. Everything you do in college requires a lot of work. Another thing I regret not doing is taking Advance placement classes or signing up for dual enrollment classes at the local community college. Both options would have allowed me to earn college credits without having to pay the college credit price. These were just some mistakes that I made in the past and if I was able to go back in time, these would be the things that I would do differently.

I would tell myself to get my nursing license right after i got out of highschool. I put six years into a nursing home as a CNA to have it close down. Now we have an over abundance of CNA's and not enough nurses. It would also helped during my husbands recovery form his snowmobile accident three years ago. He is now unable to work and my job is gone so I am trying to futher my education to get a better paying job to support my family . I have three wonderful children and a husband to support.

Breath! Looking back I remember all the kids who were really intelligent and that there was no way I was going to keep up with them in college. I was scared probably more than most thinking ? Ill be all alone in college?; that terrified me ! Now that I am here sitting I my dorm room I realized college is about three things; organization, being mature;, and taking a deep breath ! I needed to realize that yes some of the classes may be hard but I wasn?t the only person thinking that. There are so many other students who are just like me; scared and thinking this is so different from what there used to. Knowing that I?m not alone made me a lot more comfortable. At least try hard. The studying and organization skills that I picked high school helped out so much. The truth all comes down to the fact that once you realize that you?re your going to school for you makes even the hardest class that much more easier. AND HAVE FUN! Honestly its not that scary, its a lot like high school but instead your around people who share a common interest: EDUCATION!

To be prepared for homesickness. As a senior, I was so excited to leave New York to go down to Florida and it never crossed my mind that I would miss home. Being only 17 years old when I came down here, I was a young freshman and it was a hard transition for me. My family was a call away, but I knew that it would be a while until I could see them. I had made it through to Thanksgiving break but it had finally taken its toll on me. That day I had bought a plane ticket with money I saved up and went back home to see my family. Coming back for the 2nd semester has only been harder too because of going home a month for Winter break. It is a tough thing and I wish I had known how hard it really was going to be.

If I were to go back in time and talk to myself as a senior, I'd tell myself that my life is what I make it. I'd explain to myself that Even though I came out of high school unsociable it doesn't mean I have to walk around college with out friends either. If I knew that when I was in high school, I probably would've had an easier transition from high school to college because I wouldn't have clinged to my highschool friends as much as I did when I graduated.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior about the transition into freshman year, the advice I would give myself would be very simple: "go to class!" and "do your homework!"

Focus on school and finish education before engaging in a serious relationship or commitment.

I would tell myself to join the clubs and activities the school offers. It is a great way to start the college year and making friends. Also it is a great way to know more about the school through the students who have been there for years. I would also tell myself to take school more seriously and not withdraw from classes because I thought I was going to fail, when I could try harder and use the available resources and free tutoring offer on campus.

Dear Jevais, I know your enjoying senior year and hoping you get that promotion at work really soon but you have more important things to focus on. I've been in your shoes and I want greatness from you. Take the initiative and apply to colleges early; do not wait to do it with your friends. If you want a bright future then forget about your part time job and focus on school. Make school your career and in the near future it will definitely pay off. Instead of sitting around the cafeteria for forty-five minutes every day, go to the library and apply for some scholarships. No one is going to hold your hand anymore. The next 12 months are going to bring great oppurtunities for you and you need to be ready for them. So hit the books and study hard. - From someone who cares

My transition from a high school senior to a college freshman was rather smooth to begin with, however, there is a couple things I would inform myself about. The greatest obstacle I faced as a college freshman was learning self discipline. I'm very self disciplined in alot of ways like staying in shape and staying out of trouble, however, it's hard to make yourself go to EVERY class when there is no attendance taken or no one forcing you to go. I slacked off in a couple classes my first semester and founf myself struggling in academics for the first time in my life. Even though I'm only a sophomore in credits, this is my fourth year at FAU and I definately wised up to the idea of not missing class on a regular basis. My education will determine my future, and after all is said and done, I want that future to be bright and prosperous!

If I could go back in time I would tell the past me to definately be more prepared and organized. College throws a lot at you and if you don't have some method of organizing it all than you will be swamped by it. From test dates and finals, to advisor meetings and practice it all starts to mix together if you aren't careful. Also I would tell myself to do those last twenty community service hours to obtain Bright Futures because college life is very expensive. I would also mention to handle my college funds more responsiably and budget what little money I have to work with. Those main points would have greatly benifitted me had I known a head of time.

I would go back in time and tell myself not to leave work for the last minute. In high school that was ok because there was not that much work to be done. I would tell my self to also to study hard for each test that I have. I would also tell myself to go to sleep early so that I would be able to wake up in the morning. Lastly I would tell my self that college is not like highschool. It is harder and requires you to study twice as hard and not the night before for a test.