Florida State University Top Questions

On the Florida State University campus there is not a need to go back in time. Ever semester i am afforded the opportunity to recreate myself with new clubs, sports, sororities, or even just a new social group. But if I could go back to my first day of freshman year I would try everything i ever wanted with no inhibitions. I would finally audition for a school musical, play rugby, volunteer at the homeless shelter. I failed to realize that noone knew me in Tallahassee. The worst embarassment would pass in minutes because I might never see these people again. This was my last chance to try out my most outlandish dreams. And in the best scenario I could meet people outside of my usual social group and learn new things and experience another view on life. Essentially, my advice to myself would be live without inhibitions and fears, just jump because college is probably the last place where you could land safely and get back up and try something new without any real harm. "This is your last chance to be fearless, and try everything you ever wanted without judgment."

I always thought of myself as being a very mature person for my age. As a high school senior I felt ready for college in every way. Now that I'm in college, however, I can see that I wasn't as prepared as I should have been emotionally. Every other aspect was fine. I had a great education, great scholarships lined up, and I was so excited for a new adventure. I didn't realize, though, that college would be so emotionally draining for me. I moved from Arkansas to Florida for college. When I left, I left my best friends, my boyfriend, and my family behind. I had never felt that much pain from missing people before. I feel like I should have mentally prepared myself for that heartache. Now that the first semester is over, I have figured out how to deal with being away from the people I love. However, if I could go back and warn and prepare myself, I definitely would. I would take that opportunity in a second. Maybe then, I could have saved so many tears.

I would definitely push myself to apply for a scholarship every single day because I am reaping the consequences now. I probably would coach myself to be more social to avoid being a stranger to everyone and thus preventing a major case of nostalgia. Other than that I would not say much because the experience of transition was wonderful, in that, I learned a lot. So I guess I would say "Simone, keep your head up no matter what and look forward to an amazing change in your life".

I would say that take senior in a very special way, it is a time in which one is saying ?goodbye? to a phase and saying ?hello? to another one. In future times one will often remember senior years with nostalgia, remembering phenomenal times. But this closure of a term in life does not mean that one should take it irresponsibly, it is a time to prepare for ones own personal projects, no matter in which area of study one as an individual is interested in. In college life there are many alternatives to get involved in what one is interested in. Social work, clubs, Greek life, sports, magazines, culture, independence, are many great ways to make the college experience fun and permissible to accomplish those personal goals that in post-college will help one take the next step in life.

One of the main things I would tell myself is to not stress my self out by taking Advanced Placement classes, and to take dual-enrollment. Not only did the AP classes stress me out in high school, but in college you sign up for classes based on credit hours. If you come in with more credit hours than other Freshman, then you have a better chance at getting the classes you need and want. Another thing I would tell myself is to enjoy my time in high school and love it up because I miss the easy classes, the friends, the teachers, but now I feel like I let them pass by. But I am throughly enjoying my time in college.

The saying ?If I knew then what I know now? is an accurate statement as to how I feel about my transition into college. If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would give myself advice on how to transition properly.First I would tell myself to be very open-minded, don?t go into college expecting it to be a certain way. Everybody has a different outlook on college and you will find yours once you are here. Next, I would tell myself to be outgoing. Don't stick to your same old high school friends. While it is great to hangout with them and remain friends with them, try to make new friends as well. The friends you meet in college will be lifelong friends. You can meet friends by getting involved. A good way to get involved is to play intramurals, join clubs and hold study groups. Last, I would tell myself to stay ahead on my schoolwork. Read all your assigned chapters when they are assigned and do not procrastinate. Staying on top of your schoolwork is key to great grades and a great time in college.

I would emphasize how important it is to go out and meet people and make connections. I would tell myself to write out a schedule every day to practice managing time. My two-year-younger self would argue with me, saying that I am already good at managing time, but I would prove him wrong by showing him how I had spent so many days sleeping into three o'clock and spending the rest of the day eating. Of course, I would also tell him how I constructed the time machine. My high school self would sell the time machine design and not have to worry at all about paying for college.

As I look back upon my senior year self, I wondered how difficult the transition would be going to Florida State University, a school that is 1000 miles away from where I had been born and raised my entire life?Chicago. I was worried about staying close with my friends. But, moreover, I was concerned how I would perform academically. I mean, these are college classes we are talking about! Being a pretty personable person, I found that making friends was not a problem for me; however staying in contact with friends from high school was becoming quite a task. I decided halfway through first semester that I had to decide who I really wanted to stay in my life and who I wanted to simply drift away from as I lived so far away from home. As for dealing with the looming objective of performing well academically, I was extremely paranoid about my first essay, exam, and even quiz. But, I learned that if I over prepared for each task and took them one at a time, that I would be fine. And it turned out that most exams were even easier than ones I had in high school.

Really, it's not worth getting worried about. Going into the college experience with an open mind and a happy attitude are key to making it worthwhile. It really isn't about what school you go to, as long as you go somewhere where you can find a place to plug in and be a part of something larger than yourself. On that note, it's also about being involved. Those things you loved in high school will probably show up again, so don't worry about losing them. Your friends, however, are a different story. You may run into some of them from time to time, but there will probably only be a few that you really keep in touch with. Don't worry about it. Making new friends is a good thing. As for home, you may not miss it much, but you sure will appreciate it when you go back. Appreciating it now might make things a little easier during the first few days. Mom and Dad do know what they're talking about. They may not always understand you or your choices, but respect what they have to say anyway. It may be of use someday.

In my high school years, I was one of those students who would study too much and stress about every deadline. Naturally, hearing the term "college life" would evoke many negative images in my head. I would picture myself slaving away in a dark corner of a library, with books and papers piled high beside me. I thought my college life would be an experience much like high school, only harder and less interesting. However, within a semester of my enrollment I quickly discovered that college was so much more than academics. I got involved in the college music program, practicing jazz piano and volunteering to lead a praise band for the Baptist Campus Ministries. I learned to speak Spanish at an advanced competency level, and I met all kinds of diverse and incredible people through intramural sports and other extracurriculars. All in all, I found out that college was much more than academics. Therefore, I would advise my high school self to "slow down" and just enjoy the ride. Studying hard is important, but even academics have their place in this world. The college life has to be just that: a "life," not just one perpetual study session.