Florida State University Top Questions

If I could go back to senior year, I would congratulate myself on how well I’d done preparing to attend university. My entire life, I had thought no matter how hard I tried, it wasn’t going to be good enough to get into college or find a career. However, all of my hard work paid off. I graduated from high school with a 4.2 weighted GPA and am flourishing in college. I’ve gotten involved in the on-campus feminist group, joined an intramural soccer team, and made Dean’s List last semester with a 3.56 GPA. Many students move on to college and their grades plummet and they figure out they’re average instead of top students. My high school work ethic was so incredible and I was able to prepare and transition smoothly. Many people would warn their high school selves about rough times ahead, drinking, and difficult classes. I, however, would tell myself to relax and enjoy senior year, because Florida State is everything I’ve ever wanted.

During high school, I thought that I had to be the best at everything so that I would strive in college. Now that I am experiencing it first hand, the students, nor the professors, have zero expectations other than for me to do my best. I would tell myself that my efforts are good enough and that there is no reason to push myself past my limits. I would also be sure to tell myself that college is an amazing and rewarding experience, not a punishment or a dreaded hassle. I remember thinking that the idea of attending a university was something awful that the economy was making me do but now I wouldn't want to be doing anything else at this point in my life. I would make it clear that I am trying my best and my best will surely bring me places.

In retrospect I would certainly do many more extra-curricular activities and push myself to know what I want to do as a career as early as possible. I would have told my high school self to already begin looking at small internships where I could at least be in the environment of a possible career choice, rather than working a minimum wage job and hanging out. As far as extra-curricular activities goes I would have joined more clubs and actually taken a leadership position in them. This way I could have already gained some experience with managing a group of people and delegating tasks. This would have made transitioning into college extra-curriculars easier and it could have been something I keep on my resume until I had something stronger. Back in High School I thought everything would work out and most of the heavy-lifting would be done by the institution, but I now realize that to be false. I would go back in time and tell myself that it's all up to me to make things happen in life. That would be the best advice I could ever give myself.

I would encourage myself to explore all of my opportunities for my future career. Something that I am faced with is that I have taken many of my required general education classes, but I am still faced with uncertainty about the field I would like to study. Once I finish my general education classes I will need to choose my major. If I could have explored my options in high school more than I did then I might have more of an idea of what I would like to study. I do not want to have to force myself into some major that I am unsure of. I would like my future career to be something that I know I will love doing for the rest of my life.

I would tell myself to work harder for a higher gpa in highschool because that's really what matters when it comes to getting into the school you want and getting scholarships to help pay for your college of choice.

Though moving from high school to college is very different and something you just have to get used to, I think I was pretty well prepared for the transition. For the most part, the changes were not much different from what I had expected as a senior in high school. I think the most important thing I would have told my high school self would be to apply for more scholarships ahead of time. No matter how much money I thought I needed, it never hurts to have extra because you never know when something unexpected will come up. My first semester in college there was a $200 expense I had to pay out of my savings because I had not fully prepared for unknown expenses. Other than that, I think my preparations were adequate.

i would tell the young childeren not to give up in live time because there are alot of things they are missing we are just starting life but if u drop out now from high school you are missing all posibilities of becoming who u want to become when you go to school i mean college u can be come who ever you want all you have to do is study hard but if u drop up now there is nothing you going to become because i have seen it in my life i have families for example my mam and dad never went to school and they are have a hard time to find a job because no one will hire them the problem is they cant speak english and they cant communicate but if they did had the chance to go to school like you guys today they woudnt have any problem for them to find a job so this your time and used it wisely other wise you will regret

I would tell my-self, not to get distracted. Being involved on campus is great, but I would press the issue of studying more, and not to get carried away by the extracurricular side of things. I'd also tell myself to enjoy my classes, they are for a purpose but it's material you love and to stay focused.

"Apply yourself!", that is what I would tell myself, if I were given the chance. A year ago, when I was going through the application process I was content to live with just what was easy to achieve. I got into the University I wanted, and I recieved a couple of very good scholarships. However, if I had the experience I have now I would have known that college is a very trying endeavour and that I needed to push myself harder. I wish I would have had the foresight to raise more funds for myself, as I find that I am now having financial trouble beyond anything I expected. It is hard for me to put food on my table, and the job markets around Universities are ridiculously worse than most places in the country, and most places are already pretty bad. I know I have the talent, scores, and GPA to do more than I did, and I am now having to play catch up to afford finishing school. If I could go back, I would apply for more scholarships, I would save more money, and I would work even harder to prepare for what lies ahead.

I would tell myself to definately have joined more clubs and done more leadership rolls. I did a few but I believe that the more activities you do outside of school, not only "look good" but actually help you with the transition between high school and college. I would also advise myself to do more advanced placement and college credits. They mentally prepare you for college level work and save you so much money. Thanks to the credits I took before I arrived to college, I saved more than $2,000.