Florida Gulf Coast University Top Questions

I would say, "Well Petra, you are about to embark on a long journey to doctor hood. I know 12 years is a lot and it is easy to just want to get through everything as quickly as possible. It is easy to lose sight of what the full college experience is supposed to bring. While the primary goal of college is to get an education, it is also a time to explore who you and the world at large. You need to go out and meet new people and do things to test yourself. You need to get out of your comfort zone. You are a known introvert and to be successful in social environments you need to learn how to talk to people. It is okay to put yourself out there a little. Just do not lose who you are in the people you meet. Stay strong in what you believe in and surround yourself with people who will respect your beliefs.”

Many of us wish we could see in the future and learn lessons before we experience them. As an undergraduate in college now, there's plenty of things I would say to myself as a high school senior. When it comes to making a decision about college, you must always follow your heart. Don't go somewhere because your bestfriend is, or your boyfriend/girlfriend is, go somewhere because it will make you the happiest you that you could ever be, and it's a decision you will feel most comfortable with. College life is very nerve wracking at first, but the best way to get through the first week or so, is it put yourself out there. Try new things, talk to everyone you come across, and be yourself. Everyone is in the same boat you are, trying to adjust to a new place and new people. I promise that they want to meet you and make friends as much as you want to meet them. So don't pass up on the opportunities to experience life and most importantly have the time of your life with people who might possibly be your bestfriends forever.

I would strongly recomend that I actually studied and tried in highschool. It would have made the transition to college much easier. I would also recomend taking AP cources for the college credit.

If I could go back and talk to my high school senior self, I would advice her to apply for more scholarships. Since I pay for college completely out of pocket with no assistance from my family I can truly speak of the struggle to afford college. I would advice her to pick up extra night shifts during the week as well, because every cent I have learned counts. Also to pick up extra shifts and doubles during summer so that she would not have to work as hard to balance work and school during college her freshman year. Since I am taking calculus for the first time, I would advice senior me to take AP Calculus her senior year like she is supposed to do instead of playing it safe with an easier math class because although it may have hurt my gpa in high school, I would be better prepared for my heavy workload as an engineer major. And finally, I would advise her to relax. Even though school and life are completely stressful and overwhelming, I would tell her enjoy her time because she will never have these moments back.

Dearest Porter, as you will come to call yourself. I know you're anxious to find a place in the world that draws your eyes down from the stars. I know you're searching for a home that doesn't make you wish for somewhere else. The world is stressful, it is hard to get out of bed. This is the worst your depression has been in a while, I know that, I was there. You will get out of this, Porter. You will find friends in college who accept you, all of you. They will use your preferred pronouns. They won't call you a faggot or a tranny. They will love you. You wouldn't believe how much better things get. If there's one thing I can tell you, it's to get out of bed. Go and face the day. There will be rain, there will be storms, but you are a child of the universe and you deserve to be here. Smile all you can. Get out of bed. Don't worry about what you think you can or can't achieve, just do what feels right. Look forward to tomorrow. Be safe. Be happy.

LISTEN TO MY PARENTS! For the past two years before graduating from high school, my parents gave it their all in attempting to educate me about the importance of obtaining scholarships to avoid student loan debit. Now here I am struggling to afford college and just finished applying for student loan! My parents were right, especially my mom! I truly thought that I'd make enough money in the summer to afford everything and all my savings are now drained and I work part-time on top of a full-time course load. The stress of a loan is uncessary!

Knowing what I know now about college life and making the transition, I would tell myself to relax and not to worry about leaving home. College life is not as complicated as it seems. Yes, there are more factors at play, like relying on yourself to do your work versus a parent, but managing going to class, homework and a social life is not as hard as one would think. Your daily routine will change, but it is fairly easy to get right back into a new one. Your major doesn't have to be decided before you even move in to your dorm. There's plenty of time to explore different career paths. Keep the friends who support you with your decisions close by and forget the ones who don't. These people will help shape you into who you truly are and push you to your full potential. You will make many more friends and even if your "best friend" isn't going to the same school, you can still keep in touch with visits and talking all the time. It's a big change but don’t be afraid to start the best years of your life.

If I could go back in time, I would have listen to my mother more and take the information she provided and use it to my advantage. My mother was a guidance counselor and provided me everything I needed to aid in my college experience, but I decided to listen to only some of the information. I would have applied for more scholarships and be more alert to deadlines. I would have taken some additional courses, such as dual enrollment, more exposure to the college experience. Overall, my senior year was great and memorable, but I could have enhance it in some ways to get me better prepared for my college life.

During my senior year, I didn't think ahead very much besides the upcoming weekend. I wish I would have been more proactive in applying to scholarships as I now see how expensive college really is as a freshman. I wasn't lazy, I just didn't put as much effort as I should have. If I could go back and talk to my high school self, I would tell him to be proactive and deliberate with doing everything possible to ensure the best future.

im in middle school

Sometimes you won't get your first choice. Sometimes you will get your first choice but life will get in the way. If a class is frustrating, get help! Have friends tutor you, seek out help on campus, don't just give up on the class. Get involved immediately! Spend your first semester trying out as many clubs as possibly so that by the time you are a sophomore you can narrow it down to 1-3 clubs you will fully dedicate yourself to. Enjoy yourself and make new friends. Don't fall back on high school friends for everything. They'll change, you'll change, your situation will change. Especially make friends in the field you plan on entering. Don't stress out if you decide to change your major 3 times. Don't worry about what anyone thinks or has to say about your major. It is YOUR college education and YOUR life. If deep in your heart that is what you want to do, do it! Consider all the options and details, salary, employment rate, but most importantly how much YOU enjoy it. It's not the wrong choice if you are enjoying yourself.

If I were presented the opportunity to travel back in time and speak with myself while I was a high school senior, I would have many words of encouragement to share. I would advise myself to relish in the school and life events of senior year because those fun times would soon be fond memories. I would encourage my younger self to devote my time whole-heartedly to my passions and pursue a degree in which I would be academically challenged, emotionally driven, and motivated to push through every obstacle I might face. Above all, I would remind myself that college is another stepping stone in the path of life, an opportunity to grow and develop into the person I want my future children to admire.

The main peiece of advice I would give myself is to get involved as possible. At the time, I preferred to stay in the background and got involved with the wrong people and made high school much less enjoyable.

If I were to be able to go back into time to tell my senior self in high school I would change a lot about myself. I would focus better in school and go to all of my classes. Go to all the events at school, since college doesn’t really have that many. I would make my teachers be a little tougher on me, preparing myself for stricter professors. I would be more involved with school and make more friends. I would have applied at a 4 year university instead of going to a 2 year. I also wish I would’ve just enjoyed my time having more fun in school instead of being stressed about my classes now.

I took some College courses while in my senior year of high school. I studied hard but if I would have put more emphasis in sciences, it would have helped me a great deal now. I am in the health field, and if I studied Biology or Chemistry then, my understanding of these subjects, would be better now. These classes are difficult, and I would have had a better background and more knowledge of what I need to know now. It would have provided me with a wider base and helped me retain what I need to memorize and learn. It is never too late, but I feel these sciences were lacking in my education while in high school. I wish I would have learnt some of the basics, so that, my understnding of this material, would come easier. I'm afraid that by taking easier subjects in my senior year of high school, just hurt me instead of helped me now. Oh well, I guess everything just happens the way it's supposed to! I'll have to study harder, yet not punish myself for doing things differently. I will get through this subjects reguardless.

Dear Lauren of Fall 2009, Congratulations on your hard work so far! You have just decided to pursue the study of medicine; however I would advise you to set small weekly goals so not to lose sight of personal growth opportunities as you pursue your long term dreams. Do not rush through school but rather enjoy the journey! Weigh your decision to set aside music for an accelerated curriculum. Though grades and finances are a priority, strive to find balance in your day and schedule a few minutes to relax! It seems intimidating to adjust to campus and dorm. Step out of your comfort zone and SMILE! The other college freshmen are equally nervous! Lastly Lauren, as you make the transition into college I would advise you to find balance in your schedule. As you transition to more difficult and demanding courses, do not be ashamed to ask for help! As you prepare to embark on a new and exciting chapter in your life, I encourage you to enjoy and make the most of each day. College is a beautiful time of self discovery and growth! Best of luck on college applications! -Lauren of FGCU’s Fall 2013 graduating class

One of the advices that I would give myself as a high school senior is to look and apply for more scholarships. I am currently feeling the downside of not being able to pay for all of my college expenses. I truly believe that no one should have to go into debt to pay for college when there are so many scholarships and grants available. There were many scholarships that I knew about my senior year but I didn't apply for and now I'm stuck with having to take out loans to pay the rest of my college expenses. I would also tell myself to find help if I need it. I used to give up so quickly and this would hurt me mentally and academically but now I know that there is help out there, I just need to be the one to find it. Never be afraid to ask for help. I would say don't procrastinate and never give up because it does get better and things could be much worse. Don't forget to breathe and only take as much as you can handle. Be patient and take care of yourself!

To say the least, jumping from high school to college is huge milestone in one's life. If I were to be a senior in high school currently, I would advice myself to explore many different options. I would do a great amount of research on the internet involving many different career paths. This would include taking surveys, research majors of interest, and majors that will be in demand down the road. Along with this, I take many notes and ask myself questions such as: "What could I see myself doing for a living?", "Where could I see myself succeeding in college?", and "What are MY aspirations in life?". If I would have followed these important steps while attending high school, transitioning to college would be a lot less stressful and more solely based on my future aspirations in life.

Thinking back to who I used to be when I was a senior in high school, I see a girl looking to be better. If I could go back to that girl and talk to her about college life and the transition I would tell her not to worry about her that test she got a "b" on, and was only one point away from an "A". I would say just keep focusing on school and remember that every moment you are setting the future. I would say make your future bright and let failures become dim and that every day she will become more independent as she faces the challenges in college. I would tell her to set her standards high and her goals higher and be the best she can be; to go all in or not at all. Not to go in with a mind that the transition will be easy, but that it will totally be worth it. That when college life gets her down, to stand back up and remember tomorrow is not only a new day, but a day to learn from your mistakes and to enjoy not only college, but life itself.

I would tell myself that I need to study more and practice better study habits.