Florida International University Top Questions

If I could go back in time, I would tell myself not to expect my roommates to become my best friends. Going into college, I had naïvely dreamed of becoming best friends with my roommates due to the idealistic situations presented in popular movies and shows. I learned the hard way that I wouldn't get along with every roommate I lived with, but that I would find people that would become a major part of my life. If I went back to the past, I would say to myself: "Movies lie. Very few people become best friends with their roommates. However, it will be okay. Living with other people create situations that give you new perspectives on how to deal with other people. And although you won't neccessarily know anyone when you arrive, many people start off lonely and confused when they get to college... just like you!"

Looking back on my school experience I would give my senior self a lot of advice. First I would tell myself to get in the habit of studying for hours at a time. Studying is a key asset in college. Next I’d bring up the issue of procrastination. I like most seniors procrastinated. This will cause many future problems. As far as people, be as friendly as possible. Most of the other students are as new as you are and as confused. Do not over whelm yourself with your new life; stay focused on school and the future goal. The overall goal is to pursue your education and better your future.

If I could talk to myself in high school, I would tell myself that the future is fast approaching and its never too early to make plans for it. I would persuade my younger self to talk to guidance counselors, apply for scholarships, and do volunteer work so that I could make a smooth transition to a university istead of a community college. In high school, I didn't know how important I would later find continuing my education to be. I spent an excess amount of time hanging out with friends and having fun and not nearly enough time planning my future. I would make sure that my high school self knew that in two years time I would want nothing more than to be studying communications and journalism at NYU, and if I could've only seen that the future wasn't as distant as believed it to be, I could be there now. I would tell my former self that everything I believed to be important back in high school, such as shopping and attending social events, turned out to be rather insignificant in the future, especially because focusing on them meant postponing my dreams.

I would not go back in time and talk to myself. I feel that the gitters that are experienced in high school about what college or university you will attend and not knowing what will happen is part of the growing process, it is part of the experience. I did just fine and I had a great time growing and learning.

If I could go back and to talk to my senior self I would advice her to study harder for the SAT's to get better grades, and to study hard to ace every class and pass all of the AP tests that I took that year. Also I would have strongly recommended to apply for the Brightfutures Schorlaship, and apply for the FAFSA properly as well as other schorlaships. I would have strongly recommended to go to Miami-Dade for the first two years and then complete the last two at FIU to complete the upper division classes and graduate in four years like I had planned. Finally I would advise her to save up all her money and to join Karate as it has been extremely helpful for my focus and get a part-time job.

Younger me, you should know a couple of thing now that you are going to become a freshman at college. First of all, explore yourself; in this way, you will get the best possible major for you. Try to get a balance between what you like to do and what you are good. Remember that you will spend the greater part of your time in life doing that. Now, once you are in college, your best ally will be organization and a good time management. You got to learn how to make your priority list and how to manage your time, so you can excel in every class, but also have fun, this are magical years that you will always yearn. As a college student you will get freedom in what classes you take or in the order you take them. You could fell lost at the beginning, but information and a close relationship with an advisor will help. This will also require you make your own plan and goals in time; but leave time for some work experience related to your major. Having a work-study strategy will be very fruitful, but study should always be in your priority.

Katelyn, It is going to be tough leaving high school and all of the things you used to be involved in. Take the passion that you had in athletics and put it towards your education. God is going to open up so many doors for you this year and do not take advantage of them. Try and save as much money as possible and call mom and dad more often, they miss you. Do not let others make your decisions for you, this is your life! Take advantage of every opportunity that Cowley offers you, talk to the girl named Erin sitting next to you in accounting, she turns out to be the best friend you ever have. Do not let your pride get in the way of seeing your flaws. Most importantly continue being kind to others, keep smiling, laughing and enjoying your life. The two years you spend at Cowley are going to go by a lot faster than you think, so cherish it, love it and embrace all of it.

If I was to have the pleasure in going back in time I would definitely keep everything the same. The reason for that is that even though it was a struggle in the transformation from high school to college I am greatly thankful that I attended and continued to proceed in college and it turned out great.

How to pick suitable classes. How to not be shy. How to learn how to get involved. How to get popular. How to manage their time.

Approaching my senior year of high school, I knew that, despite my good grades, because of my family's unstable financial situation, I would be attending a nearby Community College to save money. Two years later, I am getting ready to begin life at a four year University and I could not be more excited. Knowing what I know today, I would encourage my high school self to take a closer look into University's and not just automatically assume Community College would be a better place for me right out of high school. I would tell myself that four year schools may be more expensive, but there are many scholarship opportunities available, as well a social life that one cannot get at a two year school. I would inform myself that maybe getting that 'college experience' is worth spending that extra money on a higher tuition and that the transition into college life may be easier coming in as a freshman with thousands of other freshmen rather than coming in as a lonely transfer. But the most important thing I'd tell my high school self is to not rush through my college years, and enjoy it.