Florida State University Top Questions

I would encourage myself to be more involved in activities. In highschool I was concerned about working my job. I wish I would have joined more clubs, and voluteered more. This way I could have gotten more scholarships for college.

High School is nowhere near the actaul intensity of the college environment. The amount of time you will focus on school work is easily five times more than usual. What you accomplish in these four undergraduate years will determine the path for the rest of your life, so if you choose to use these four years to "live the amazing college experience" you will pay for it by suffering the rest of your life. On the other hand, if you can balance your social life with the tremendous amount of hard work you need to succeed, then the rest of your life will thank you.

I would tell myself to take advantage of all the social opportunities presented and to get involved in as many clubs and organizations as I wanted to. I feel that I spent a surplus amount of time studying and in the library or in office hours with a teacher for extra help. High school should have been the time to spend with friends having fun on the weekend and taking advantage of all the free time I had. College has brought a lot of opportunity for socializing with more diverse people, but I would tell myself that the big party I envisioned college to be is actually spent exactly how I spend high school: buried in books with miniscule amounts of socialization. Go have fun!!

Every freshman should know not to immediately go out and buy all of the books for their classes. Often even if a text says required it may not be by the actual instructor. For example I bought a $200 book for college Algebra. I took it out of the wrapping and put it in a binder only to find out I didn't actually need to purchase the book since the instructor put all of the information on the course website. I was unable to return the book and only used it once the entire class.

I would tell myself not to stress out as much as I did, because the transition was nowhere near as bad as everyone made it out to be. College life is great because you get to work on your own schedule and you get to take classes that you want to take, not just classes that you have to take.

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would make sure I knew how important it was to stay on track and focused. While it is good to enjoy your senior year and everything that comes along with it, I would make sure that I knew to stay busy looking for scholarships so that I could pay for college and that I would get everything planned out and done in time. I would also tell myself to enjoy the time that I had at home. Although college is a great experience and it is wonderful to learn independance and freedom, don't rush it. Enjoy every second you have with your family and enjoy how easy it is to be in high school. I would make sure I knew that everything was going to change within the next year but not to worry about it because even thought things are going to change, they are all going to turn out all right. Just keep up the good work and don't get distracted by things that aren't important in the long run for your education and your future.

If I could tell my high school self anything I would say get involved, stay focused, ask questions, and don't give up until you get your answer. Something I've learned is that most of my time is geared towards asking questions to get involved in campus. I never used to go out of my way to learn more and be involved in student organizations. Also, going to the library is very beneficial to staying focused. If you email an advisor or staff on campus a question and they do not answer, don't stop there, make a phone call or better yet, go straight to their office. FInally, be willing to meet a diversity of people. It helps you get a broad perspective of what kind of person you will be in the world. Know what you believe, challenge others but be open to listening.

As a senior, I knew that getting into college wasn't the goal--but graduating from it was. I knew the importance of productivity in high school, and I also knew the importance of strong character. Professionalism was my constant goal, and integrity was, and still is, one of my favorite words. If I could go back in time and sit my high school senior-self down, I would ease my fears of having my character and morals compromised upon entering college. Secular state colleges are not places that suck in good students and reshape them into immoral party-goers with no sense of success, but far from it. I would tell myself that college would instead grow me and my appetite for morality, and that I will learn many exciting and strengthening lessons! I would ensure that my experience would be either positive or negative based on MY OWN decisions, and how hard I hold on to my faith. I'd tell myself not to worry.

As a high school senior, the only thing on my mind was going away for college. I imagined life after high school to be much easier and full of excitement. I spent all day in a daze, dreaming about the freedom I would have living on my own, and about how much less college proffessors cared about attendance and such. Little did I know, all this would only exist in my imagination. I wish I could go back in time and sit my high school senior self down and tell myself what to expect. I would say, "Dayana, snap out of it. Get your head out of the clouds. Life in college is not all fun and games. With freedom comes responsibility. Thank mom and dad every day for paying your bills, doing your laundry, buying your groceries, and cooking for you because you're going to do all this, and more. Also, use your money wisely. Classes are expensive and money doesnt grow on trees. Stay on top of your classes, that's why you're in college. Most importantly, be responsible. I know you're a big girl, but college is full of temptations. Take care of yourself."

When transitioning from high school to college, I learned to ask one question that changed the way I view every relationship with a light of respect: “Why do people do and believe the things they do?” We all start out as empty vessels and learn right from wrong as we grow, but people and events teach us those lessons. Understanding who and what did the teaching reveals much about a person. People are mirrors; we reflect what is around us and do the best we can. To understand anyone, one must become familiar with what is close enough to them to be reflected. After learning to ask this question, I made myself open to experiences and people that have enriched my life beyond anything I could have imagined and learned how to more critically examine actions and beliefs. I appreciate the lives I come in contact with and empathize with people like never before. The new openness acquired from asking one question has given me the ability to learn about and from everyone, and no longer an elect few. Acquiring the ability to learn from the hundreds of people one meets in college is the best advice I could give.