The University of Tampa Top Questions

Freshmen year of college has been a whirlwind of new experiences and growth. I would tell my high school self to always be aware of all the good that is around me, and to not rush through everything. One thing that I have learned about myself over this past semester is that I am always anxious to see what happens next. As a result, I am never content to where I am. I find myself saying, "I can't wait untill this happens!" I would tell myself to sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride of the college experience. I would also warn myself that I will not be prepared to be living away from home, because I was in shock at how different it is to live away from home. My final piece of advice would be to always bring trash bags on move-in day in case of a terenchal downpour that will soak all of my stuff.

I prepared myself for college life fairly well, not really the partying type because I'd much rather get the most from the education I pay for. I would tell myself to get internships in fields of study earlier than I did, that way I would have learned I wanted to become a cinematographer and go to the American Film Institute earlier in order to begin getting more experience in that field of work. Other than that, I would tell myself to continue to live a happy life and if I work hard enough I will one day be able to afford to support my mother and get her out of debt as well as the local community.

As and adult and a single mother of 4 small kids i have learned that the best years to get your life inorder is during High School and the frist year of college. If I had a chance to go back in time and speak to my younger self i would advice myself to focus on the future goal and concentrate on the rewards it will give me and my family. I would advice myself to enjoy life as a young adult but not to stray from responsibilties and ensure a successfull future. I would advise myself to slow down on the rushing to be on my own because once I am the sole person responsible for the household focusing on school become extremely difficult. I would advise myself that time fly by very fast and if i don't stay focus i would be stuggling for year to c.ome

Going back, I would remind myself to think about my university choices before choosing. I would convince myself to apply to more schools, then really weigh the pros and cons of all my possibilities. Even though I think I'd choose the same school, having more choices might make the transition easier, knowing I could've gone somewhere else. I'd also tell myself not to bring so much stuff to move in with and that if I felt I needed that stuff I could bring it back another time.

The most important thing to know for a smooth transition from high school to college life is to be open minded. For most people college is the first time they have truly had to make an entirely new group of friends. Everyone is just as nervous as you so don't hold back. Always think would you rather people like you for who you are or who you are pretending to be. So needless to say always be yourself. Be kind and understanding to those who are different from you because you don't know their background. Be open to making friends with people you wouldn't have talked to in highschool. Remember this isn't highschool; no one is here to wake you up to go to class or hold your hand along the way. Its up to you to make your college experience exactly what you want to be. Don't compromise your morals and who you are just to fit in. Last and but certainly not least have fun and enjoy the ride it only happens once in a life time.

If I could go back in time. I would tell myself to choose a school that not only satifies my educational goals, but also satifies my personal goals. I would tell myself to not just listen to what others say, but listen to what my heart says too. College is a big step in life, a step that a lot of people don't take. This is a special step in life and it should be what I want, not what others think I want. If I could go back in time, I would tell myself to not let destiny choose, I should choose.

Stop being lazy and get out there! Fill out as many scholarships and grants as you can. That way, later on down the line, instead of having to worry about paying back student loans, you'll be able to use the subjects that you learned in a career field that you will enjoy. Be yourself. Don't necessarily follow the crowd, but make friends that will be there to help you out when you need it. Having close friends while in college really helps, as moving from high school and the comfort of your home to your own apartment or dormitory can be really stressful. And that stress can sometimes put a strain on one's classwork which would eventually lead to lack of effort. Stay calm. Stressing out over the little things won't get you anywhere. It prevents you from concentrating on your goal ahead. Remember, college is supposed to be fun, and is there to prepare you for the future YOU want.

If I could go back in time, I would advise myself to be open-minded and more invovled in school. I would tell myself to ask questions about anything to any one you see or meet. Do not be afraid to meet new people or to speak your mind. Try new things and if it does not work out, do not stress out or worry yourself. Pick yourself up and try something else. Another thing I would say is to study, study, and STUDY some more! You can hang out with your friends another day. Stay positive and optimistic!

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself a few things. I would tell myself that there will be MANY distractions and temptations living on campus away from home for the first time. You need to have a strong will to succeed and never take your eye off your goals. One of the best things a college freshman can do is get involved in a group or club on campus, like the Sigma Chi Fraternity, and to find people like yourself that want to succeed in college and not just take up space and waste time. I would also tell myself to always speak your mind and to never falter from your values and morals. The time you spend in college will create your character and who you are for the rest of your life. I would tell myself to follow The Standard of Sigma Chi which includes being a man of good character, a student of fair ability, with ambitious purposes, a congenial disposition, possessed of good morals, having a high sense of honor and a deep sense of personal responsibility.

If I could go back in time and give myself some advice, it would consist of two things: Do not take Army ROTC and develop an effective study habit. I would advice my senior counterpart not to take Army ROTC because he would not be able to fully enjoy his college experience. Being in ROTC would make it mandatory for him to get up at 5:20 a.m. Monday through Thursday each week for physical training. Developing an effective study habit would make the transition between college and high school very smooth for him. There is so much free time that sometimes he may forget to study so once he developed the good habit of study at a specific time then he would avoid such things as bad exam grades and lack of needed sleep.

If I could go back in time to myself as a high school senior the first thing I would explain to myself was the fact that to receive a bachelor?s degree in biology (pre-dental) at the University of Tampa it would take approximately four and a half years. I would first try to convince myself to take summer courses to basically ?get ahead of the game?. Then I would go back to my high school and ask why the importance of Advanced Placement and Duel Enrollment weren?t explained to the high school students. I was only notified about AP classes when I was a junior in high school and eligible to take the AP course. This class I took lightly and I did not try to get into any more of these important classes. If I knew what I know now about those classes I could have been like many of my college friends having my bachelor?s degree before the four years. These classes are so important because they are free in high school and are accepted in colleges. This could have helped a person like me who does enough money for their schooling.

To my high school self, The most important advice I could give you would be DO NOT foolishly spend the money you earned in high school. College is more expensive than anyone expects and classes are time consuming, making it hard to have even a part-time job. Save as much as you can because you will appreciate it when you get to school. Also make sure you speak with the academic advisors at the 2 year college and the 4 year university about which courses are guaranteed to transfer and should be completed within the first two years. This will save you time and money, as well as some headaches, while trying to earn your degree. Most of all remember who you are as a person and your goals you wish to achieve. This will keep you focused when classes and college life seem overwhelming. Just as we have always said, focus on the moment in order to create your future. From your older and wiser self.

Although I recieved so much advice from teachers, counselors, friends and parents, I still wish someone would have advised me to look further into college costs. As a highschool senior, my ego got the best of me. I wanted to go to school somewhere warm, out of state, and by the beach! My dream was to get away and experience life on my own, and I would never regret doing so, but if someone would have explained to me all the little things that colleges can charge you for, I think I might have reconsidered going to school where it was a flight away. After dropping $550 on textbooks, $20,000 on tuition (and thats WITH an academic scholarship!) and $300 to visit my family for the holidays, I have definitly learned to monitor my spending. Lets just say that after undergraduate studies, I want to continue on to Medical School, and when applying tuition costs will be one of my main concerns!

College is more or less an adventure. The knowledge you learn is not just found in the class room but also from the new relationships and opportunities that are thrust upon you. The fear of the new classroom environment is not nearly as frightening at the actual new surroundings of the college itself. You must relearn to find where the good and bad spots are, where the good coffee and pizza places are on campus. My freshman year of college was full of excellent and not so excellent memories, but we live to learn. you will find a sense of independence and maturity that you did not know you possessed. You will realize that your life is now fully operated by you and you alone. You will find that the full under lined purpose of college may be understanding the information given to you, which may or may not be in the form of paper or on a computer, but really taking that information and making it your own. A college can become a second home if put in the right mind set. You will learn to love and love to learn at the University of Tampa!

The only advice I could possibly see giving myself would be to take more APP (advaced placement courses) in order to further prepare myself with college as well as opening my schedule now in work in order to provide myself with a stronger financial basis.

Looking back on my senior year of high school, I began to anticipate my future college life without really knowing what to expect. Unlike the majority of my classmates who would commute to a school just a city away, I was planning on transitioning to a completely new life by attending a school that would seperate me from my home by seventeen hours. After a successful first semester at the University of Tampa, it would be a great opportunity to be able to go back with advice for my nervous highschool self. I would advice the younger me to begin living independently. Living at home for seventeen years with the guarantee of my laundry being done, my food being cooked, and my alarm being reinforced, It was a shocking realization when these amenities were no longer available to me. I have realized that college is a gateway into complete independence and adulthood. Your choices, whether it be what to eat for breakfast or when to get some sleep, are completely left up to you. Although, I eventually adjusted to this new way of living, it would have been helpful to start even earlier as a highschool senior.

If I were able to retrace my steps to the past and make the choices I made differently, I think I would still make the same choice about school/college as I did then. I served in the US Marine Corps during and in Viet Nam. I did have the chance to take some classes during this time and did. The thing I would like to change about that time is, making the choice to persue the degree then and not waiting until this time. The outcomes may have been more benificial to Nursing then but now with the experience and determination I have to achieve my goals, health care will still come out a winner.

The advice that I would give myself is: I still think going to college right out of high school is a very good idea. You are still in the learning phase, and you haven't forgotten what you learned in high school. But still, their is nothing wrong with waiting for a while to go back to school. A college education gets your foot in the door of that favorite job you have been waiting for. College education will put you into a higher pay bracket than just a high school diploma. You are never to old to learn and now a days you can even go to college online.Online courses are good if you are a stay at home mom, work from your home, or just don't have the transportation to get to a campus. You can take your courses online and still have time for your family. So whatever your lot is in life, go get that college degree. If anything it will make you feel like you have accomplished something in your life that is worth while.

If I could go back in time and give myself advice for entering college I would give myself the following advice: Don't allow the wishes or desires of other people to influence your decisions in life. You must make your own future and way in this world, and no matter how much you care for someone, you must see to your success before you can attempt to see to theirs. When deciding which college to go to, make an informed decision. Know or have an idea of what you want to do with your life, and find the collge or university that best helps you to achieve that goal. Ask the advice of other people in addition to your family, for they will give you advice that is not based on emotion. Also, talk to people who are already in the profession you are studying to be in. They can give you advice and speak from personal experience, which will prove to be invaluable information when finalizing your career choice. In everything you do strive for excellance, for anything less will result in failure. Your future and your success is in your hands. What will you do with it?

Take some time off, let yourself grow and experience life. Try new things, experience things, don't be afraid to get hurt, if you fall get back up again. Life is far too short to stay in one place, travel, explore, and see the world. Don't be afraid to fail at something, because you can always try again. Volunteer, help others, look at the good things in life, and remember on bad days, someone?s day is sure to be worse than yours. Don't be afraid to ask for help, it's always there. Always take time for yourself, don?t let stress get the best of you, and don?t be your own worst enemy- remember to smile every day, hold your head high; you can do whatever you put your mind to, you have control over your own success and destiny.