Florida State University Top Questions

"Gaetscha, you are a smart girl. Take advantage! I know you want to help your family by working as much as possible, but don't let it conflict with your schooling (and especially not with band practice). Scholarships will help your parents, brother, and sister better than you can. Just think about how much your dad brags about you to everyone here and in Haiti. You are the image of what our family wanted: a Marcelin-family college student! I know your the baby of the family and you feel like you have everyone's burdens on your shoulders, but don't let that bring you down. Rid of your pride and ask for help when you need it. And most importantly, do as your mother says and pray. God is the way; don't take too long to figure that out like I did. By the way, you have two nephews coming soon. Be aware of your actions because they will love you and look up to you by exposing those toothless smiles as you walk through that door. Stay focused and at peace! Everyone is counting on you and most importantly they are supporting you one-hundred percent!"

Oh boy, I would definitely have a lot to say to my high school self. I would tell my senior self to buckle up because transitioning into college life is quite a ride. I would tell her that no matter how lazy I get or no matter how bleak everything seems, that it is all worth it, trust me. I was at a point in high school where college didn't really seem like an option due to my family's money issues. However, I'll tell her not to worry so much because there are people out there who help and although times are difficult, keep your head up because Florida State is waiting and you're going to shine.

Never thought it would take this long to get grounded. It has been a year since you have graduated and college has yet to be our experience. But the right is in Chicago and we are moving there in October. So pace yourself and be prepared.

Money is so much more important than you think. Apply for scholarships and do not get discouraged when things do not go your way as quickly as you would like. I went to school in state, but out of my city. Being away from home can be difficult but there are always people you can reach out to for assitance with just about anything. Keep an eye out for opportunities and snatch them up, even if you think your chances are slim.

As a Seminole, it's easy to get overwhelmed by the large campus and massive lecture halls, but take it all in like a sponge and enjoy every minute of it. Don't assume you don't like something just because it is different or you have never heard of it--embrace differences, celebrate them! Take random classes that are out of your comfort zone because, honestly, those are the classes you will appreciate the most. They might ding your GPA and stress you out during finals week, but in the end you will be a more well-rounded student and deeper, more knowledgeable (or culturally aware) person in general. Ride your bike around campus and the surrounding areas! It's fine if you get lost; like your college experience in general, it's an adventure. Locate different restaurants, stores and buildings--make a mental note of these locations because you never know when you'll need them in the future. Also, don't be afraid to change your major. I know you want to be an Athletic Trainer now, but after the introductory course and clinical rotations you may change your mind. Keep your options open and explore!

Learn time management. Get organized. Get involved in as many clubs as possible. Get out and make friends, socialize outside of school. The more involved in academics, extracurricular activities, and a social life you are, and the better you can handle all of it, the better you will be able to handle the workload of college. Stay as involved in college, enjoy every aspect of it. DOUBLE MAJOR!

I would have to tell myself to overcome "senioritis." This is a common mindset many seniors fall into after being accepted into college. Seniors, including myself, think that they no longer need to care about their grades while the year goes on. If i would have kept my original "work hard" mindset that got me through the first three years of highschool I think I would have been offered more scholarship opportunities. Also it would have been better for me to never let myself give excuses to stop studying because that is definately not a possibility in college. When you go to your freshmen orientation you get to pick your classes. A full-time student is one who takes at least four classes translating into 12 credit-hours. My freshmen year I did not have school on mondays or fridays which i saw as more time to relax, but I was wrong. Even though you might be spending a considerably less time inside a classroom that just means that there has to be more work done on your part to get that "A" mosts students strive for.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior , I would have said go to college and don't wait. I think going back to college right after high school would be a good investment in your future. If you wait to go to college, a person may lose interest, and may lose the knowlege if you dont use it. I also would have told myself is to take college courses to prepare you for college, as well as getting some extra credits when you do go to college. Another thing I would have said, is to pay attention in class and do the assisgmnents required to pass the course. These are just some of the things that I would of said. There are many more things I could have said or done to better prepare myself for college, but the most important thing in my life now, is I'm taking that step to go back to school and become a product citizen.

I would tell myself to study and try hader during your first year. It is nothing like high school and you really do have to study! I would tell myself that it's okay to go home when your home sickness gets bad, and to go to as many sporting events as possible, you will miss them when they're gone. Once you get to know the area make a list of places/things you want to see or do before graduation and do it! I still have a list of places I wanted to go to but never got around to it!

I was prepared for college on an academic level; my struggle was the part about being on my own and setting my own schedule and not having too much responsibility. I was accountable for myself and I had to make sure that I woke up for classes and created my schedule along with the financial responsibilities that come with being independent. I would have told that seventeen year-old senior to LISTEN TO YOUR PARENTS! Yes, they were annoying at the time but they knew what they were talking about and they wanted to prepare me. The social and personal responsibilities that come along with being a college student is something that high school doesn't prepare you for and those lessons are some of the most important of all.