Florida State University Top Questions

What I have gotten most out of my college experience is understanding more about myself as a person. Attending Florida State University has opened my eyes to what I want out of life and how I want to live that life. I realized that money is not everything, but it is important in today?s world. Most importantly I have to reach for a career that I have a passion for that sparks my interest and causes me to look deeper into that domain. If there is passion in what you research are more likely to look deeper and discover something great. My experience also made me realize that my job has to tie in with my lifestyle choice, thus I must research where my job will take me. Along with this I came to the conclusion that life is short, and there are many things out there for me to discover, thus I must be open to any cultural differences, so I can experience the worlds for what it is. By doing this I will gain knowledge not only in my field, but about the world and its people.

I recently found myself unemployed for the first time in 30 years. After graduating from High School, I chose to attend a Vocatonal College instead of a college offereing a degree program. My thought was that it would take less time to complete and make it possible to land a job much quicker. I know now that was a huge mistake! I would have never imagined that the diploma I received so many years ago and provided me such a sense of pride, would be considered useless by today's employers. So, here I am, a grandmother and a college freshman! This time I intend to do it the right way and will not be content until I recieve my associate's degree. I am currently in my first semester and loving every minute! Sure, it's a challenge but one that is well worth it. I would encourage anyone to pursue a degree, no matter how old they may be. I'm very thankful that I have been given a second chance for a college degree. I now have pride in knowing that I am making a difference for my life and for my future.

College has been a time for me to rediscover who I am. Although I had a plan in high school mapped out, I quickly realized it doesn't always work out that way. I found out my first week of college that I had a heart condition that would change my entire college plans from my degree to my ability to play college sports and everything that fell inbetween. I had to move home my first semester due to my health but it gave me a chance to stop and reflect about what college really meant to me. I'm excited about what the future holds and looking forward to graduating with a degree one day that I know will mean more to me now having a season to get it all back in perspective.

I was able to leave home and become an independent college student, taking on many responsibilities. I am able to myself in different situations and learn from there the hard w2ay because my parents are not physically here to help me get out. I get to do my own mistakes and learn from them rather than just hear my parents version on how they dealt with it. Its a more hands-on experience and living the college life outside the home. I love FSU because it gives me everything I wanted out a a college experience including the education and the outside sources for when I graduate.

College is a nonstop trial-and-error process of pursuing interests and cutting out things that don't contribute to my overall wellbeing. I came into this university with many aspirations of who I ultimately wanted to be. While retaining my core values, I've evolved into an icon of those ambitions. If I had then seen myself now, I?d have been blown away. I?ve learned from others in their pursuits as well. Some of my friends stuck to their core group and didn?t do much outside of eachother. They haven?t changed since high school. Others are very involved in activites and organizations. They are wholesome people with good attitudes and productive lifestyles. I am very active with four jobs: Lifeguard at FSU Reservation, intern at Tallahassee Democrat, handyman for local FSU Professor Emeritus, and the development of an online business. I attend City Chamber Leads group meetings every week and network with dozens of local business owners. I also serve with the FSU Foundation. America needs strong leaders and innovative business strategies. It needs more integrity, character and a reminder of values. College has provided the backbone for me to implement these ideals into reality.

A campus that allows a person to find himself, one that avails every ability to turn a person into whatever they want to be: this is what I have found in Florida State University. I have grown so quickly- morally, passionately, socially - and found in myself the person I will one day become. Florida State has allowed me to meet the people and the resources I needed to do this, and I am sure that this trend will not be brief. Before coming here, I was essentially lost, a boy swimming in an endless, blank ocean, and now I have become things I never thought could be possible. I write stories, poetry, music. I study subjects that evoke in me not boredom, but thrill. I have opportunities at my fingertips that some men and women in their 30s and 40s only dream of, and what is best is that I know where all of this incredible fortune has come from. The environment around me, and the people therein, are the only thing that allow me to be able to say that I truly, finally LIVE! This IS the college experience.

Looking back on the past two years I have spent as a student at Florida State University, I realize how much I have matured from the timid and giddy highschool girl I was when I first pulled up alongside Wescott Fountain into the strong and confident young woman that I am now. Not only have I grown academically, I have also truly learned more about myself as a person. I am no longer anxious about what my future has in store for me, but I realize that as long as I continue learning and maintaining the same high Seminole standards, that I alone have control over my destiny. I have learned that with hard work comes a strong sense of pride. I also learned the hard way that cutting corners will only deter you from your ultimate goals. The lessons that I have learned already allow me to look forward to my future with a newfound sense of security and independence that I believe I would not have found had I elected not to attend FSU. I honestly believe that I will always carry these lessons with me and I will always and forever be a proud Seminole.

In my college experience so far I have learned to open out of my shell and meet many new wonderful people. With every new class that I walk into I love looking forward to who I may meet or what new things I may learn from another person. College has been such a valuable aspect in my life because I now completely ignore someones "book cover" and see who they are on the inide, I always find that every single person in this world is worth talking to no matter how they look because you never know that they may change your day or you could change theirs. Before college I did not have many friends, nowadays my phone is full of contacts and I never go a friday night bored or without someone to hang out with. Unlike highschool I attend study groups with friends and I learn in a more fun and efficient way than ever before. All in all I love what college has taught me in the fact that with every person I run into I have no fear to start a conversation and possibly make a new friend to learn and share wonderful experiences with.

If I had the opportunity to travel back in time and talk to myself as a senior in high school, the most important thing I would tell me about college life is to be more open to experiencing what college is all about. Upon entering college, I was nervous and unsure of myself so I tended to shy away from any experiences that came my way. Unfortunately now, as come to the close of my college career there is so much I wish I would have done. If I could, I would prevent myself from missing out on personality shaping experiences. I would tell my senior self that others are just as nervous as me, even if they don't seem it. I would tell myself that no matter how hard of a day I have in college, it will all pay off and play a vital role in shaping my future. Take everything in stride and always be optimistic. To never sell myself short and to stop constantly comparing myself to others. Everybody has their own special qualities and college is where I will find mine, I just have to be open to experiencing college life.

I would tell myself to start studying harder and to get into the habit of calling my mother everybody. I would also tell myself to get used to having a professor with an accent and wearing shoes in the shower. Pack light and keep my room clean. Ask for gift cards and money on birthdays and Christmas (I'm going to need it.)