The University of Tampa Top Questions

As a senior, I chose to attend a large, state school so I could be with my friends. After attending that university for two semesters I decided to transfer to a small, private university because that was better suited for my needs. Now, after attending this university for a year I can say I am very glad I transfered. The advice I would give is follow your dreams and attend a school that fits you not what fits you and your friends. Everyone wants something different from their college experience. I wanted to learn as much as I could about film in a small environment with 10 students in a class, while my friends wanted to attend football games and lectures with 300 people. College is where you find yourself and what college you choose will affect your life now and in the future wether you realize it or not. After college, you are forced into the "real" world and are expected to use what you learned during your four years and if you just messed around that is going to come back at you. Follow your heart and everything else will fall right into place.

College is a huge life-changing milestone and achievement and transitioning can be quite hectic. Transitioning from a high school senior to a college student was a difficult process for me mentally because I was now stepping into what most people call it “The Real World”. I was no longer a teenager only concerned with graduation and prom, but I was now dealing with long nights of studying and research papers. Being a college student now, I would go back and tell myself as high school senior to enjoy the little breaks and moments of freedom. Also, make time for yourself because as college student you will be limited to the time you have to enjoy watching thirty minutes of television or going out to see a movie with a friend on the weekend after studying all day long. I would tell myself to continue to be organized and develop a time management technique because time seems to run away from you as a college student. Having a good group of people to study and hang out with who are trying to succeed like you is also another tip of advice I would give myself as a high school senior.

One thing that I am always doing throughout life is rushing it. In terms of coursework, assignements, relationships, etc. In high school I was trying to grow up too fast and I wasn't taking things as seriously as I am now. My dad passed away in the beginning of my freshman year and I guess that caused me to not do that well in high school and that has impacted a lot of things for me in my life. Fortunanately I have been able to reevaluate my life and take college seriously. I regret not making more friends in high school or getting to know everybody better and I regret being too oversensitive over trivial things. Knowing what I know now, I would basically tell myself to just let it go and to reassure myself that whatever happens, that it's not gonna matter in a couple years and to just make sure I'm enjoying every second instead of rushing to get out of there and overall education is the most important thing instead of trying to be friends with the most popular girl in school or making sure I'm being cool and not dorky.

I would tell myself to stay focused on the real reason that I attended school in the first place. Partying and drinking is cool but it does not take presidence over your main reason for attending which is to get a great education. Study hard now so that in four years from now you can party even harder!

If I could go back in time and talk to my high school senior self i would inform myself of the saltmoney.org website. I would inform myself of keeping better track of my finances and to not spend so much on fitting in with the crowds, but on making sure I can finish school and afford life. It's not the same as livinig under your parents roof as it is having your own apartment. I actually have to keep up with my own bills and not live off of my parents money. I would inform myself of all the temptations in college that tempt you to spend all your money, but to keep my head above the clouds and to save as much as I can. It's not about fitting in with the crowd and having the best things...it's all about making sure you get through school and pay off all your debt before it takes over your thoughts and stresses you out.

My senior year consisted on having a mentally that just helped me get through the final year. I didn't realize how many opportunies for scholarships I had as a high school senior. The University of Tampa was my dream school and one of the problems was that it was a private school. If I could've talked to myself as a high school senior I would've told myself to let go of my part time jobs and focus on getting a higher SAT/ACT score. I was one point away from recieving a 26 on the ACT and therefore I couldn't qualify for Bright Futures. Until this day, I regret not being able to get that extra point. My only goal now is to recieve more scholarships and focus on giving my absolute best in all my classes.

Apply to more scholarships and get as much of them as you can. Other than that just take things as they come.

Start looking for schools now and picture yourself of where you want to be. Study for your SAT and ACT. Do not think that everything will out itself out. Go out and see what campus you really like and feel most at home. Think of our dreams of being someone our parents will be proud of. Show them that you are the child they always wanted you to be when we were growing up. Do not be afraid of challenging yourself to do hard work. Get better at writing and speaking skills. Do NOT start school late, go ealry and see what a change it will make. Keep working hard to improve your grades do not stop at nothing. Keep fighting for what you want.

Make a schedule for everyday. Plan out assignments and leave specific time to do them. Don't wait til the last minute to do things like you did in high school. It doesn't work. Trust me you cannot crank out an eight page paper in one night, I tried. Study, it may be hard and you might feel you dont need it but you do, it helps. Try to get home more to spend time with family. Call home more to see how everythings going. Don't get worked up over little things. If you have problems with your room-mate man up and just say something. Find time to focus on yourself and do something that makes you feel good. Don't worry about what others think of you. In a few years you may not even know them anymore. Save your money and distinguish between needs and wants. The wants will can bring your financial downfall. Set goals. It may sound dumb but it will help you find success.

Note to self: Meghan, you need to try your best and not just slide by. try as hard as you can to get staright A's and study! It's much harder in college, harder than you can imagine. No matter the class, you'll have to study hard either way. Make lifelong friends now and keep them in college. Be as smart as you could ever be. Try to be in the top 10{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of your graduating class. Trust me, it'll pay off in college. Literally pay off. You'll be granted scholarships based on your grades now and they help a whole lot!! You need to start focusing on school and not on popularity. Believe in youself and succeed.