University of Central Florida Top Questions

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Advice I would give to my high school self is to not stress or worry. There was too many times in high school where I would stress myself over minor things, that I look back at now and just laugh. For example, social life. I maybe talk to one person from my high school now. But during high school, social life seems like the most important thing.

Looking back on my previous experiences, I would become more involoved in extracirricular activities as a high school student. Being able to balance academics, a job, and extracirricular activities helps students to learn how much they can handle at one time. This achievement is extremely influencial in understanding the possiblities of college. If I took on more activities as a high school student, I feel as though I could have impacted my college career in a more positive way. I feel that I might not have been as scared to try something new. Having the fear taken out of trying a new extracirricular activity would have been diminished if I only had been more involved in high school; thus, leading to a higher involvement in my undergraduate major.

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I would avoid taking out student loans(if possible), apply for scholarships, make and meet all kinds of people, and never stop learning. When I was a freshman in college my parents took out student loans with the expectation that they would pay them back. I attended an out of state college in Vermont. My father passed away during my sophmore year and he was our sole provider. My mom had to move so I decided to transfered to UCF but I could not afford out of state tutition, so I attended VCC to finish my AA. After finishing my AA at Valencia I transfered to UCF as an instate student. By this time I was completely on my own financially, I then applied for scholarships and grants- I finished the rest of my schooling for free. I graduated with my bachelor's degree thinking I had zerotolittle student debt. To my surprise my parents had taken out 40k in loans for my first two years of college. I decided if I owed that much then I should continue my education. I graduated with my masters in 2014 and now working towards my doctorate. It did make me work hard.

Oh how do I wish I could of given my high school senior self advice! I would tell myself that your journey is about to start and it's going to get very hard, but whatever you do, don't give up. Your struggles in life build character and make you appreciate what you earn and to not take anything for granted. Nothing will make you prouder than earning your own education. Study hard, take pride in your work and remember what you're in college for, to get an education and build a future. Yes, party's are fun but they won't be there for you in the future like a well paying career would. So don't do anything in excess, unless it will benefit you in the long run. Like studying or getting enough sleep! Yes, these two things can go hand in hand if you plan right. Use your planner to plan ahead and keep track of all your assignments. Nothing is worse than realizing you missed a deadline because of improper planning. Even though college will be stressful, remember, you are young and these will be some of the best years of your life!

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would try to prepare myself for all the responsibilities and work that will be ahead in the future. I would make myself understand the importance of saving for college and doing well in my classes. I would try to explain how difficult college really is and how I need to start taking things seriously if I want to succeed. I would warn myself not to get caught up in the partying and how it could potentially ruin your life and any future. Stay in school, never quit, and always stay positive.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would both critize and praise myself. I believe that I did a good job in making choices throughout high school. I made good choices about applying to multiple colleges. However, I would tell myself to not set my heart on one school. I had my heart set of FSU. I got accepted, but they didn't even have the programs I wanted. I should have done more research before I set my heart on one school. Thankfully, I didn't end up going to FSU, because then I wouldn't have come to UCF and fall in love with it. Going back in time, I would tell myself to think for myself and not my family, friends, or teachers. I would tell myself to follow my heart and do what makes me happy rather than worrying about what other people want from me.

Just so you know, you aren't going to keep the same friends that you always though you would because you'll all change, and that's okay. You will meet some of the best people of your life in college, but they won't always stick around and thats okay. See the people you will meet on your journey again through freshman to senior will mold you and shape you into the fun, exciting, and confident woman that you always wanted to be. The people who didn't stick disappeared for a reason and you will grow from that. The new relationships you form will be both negative and positive but I can promise you that you will get through those rare but occuring bad times. Don't be afraid to be selfish, take time to laugh, travel, and enjoy stopping to smell the flowers. You will find that the only person who controls your destiny is yourself.

The best thing I ever did was choose to go to a state college and recieve my associates degree before attending a regular university. While you do miss out on some things, the quality of the education I recieved from the state college made it worth it. The classes were smaller and more like high school classes than those at major university which helped with the transition also. State colleges are like a half way point between high school and college!

College life can be amazing and it is different from high school; it is real life. I would advice myself to save as much money as I can and to start filling out as many scholarship applications as I can, to feel more relaxed when the college life arrives.

First I would tell myself not to get senioritis. I didn't think senioritis was real until it hit. My GPA could have been so much better if I didn't mess around that last year. Senioritis messed up alot for me and some of my goals weren't met. Overall I was kinda dissapointed. Also, you should never give up and if you think you can do something then do it! You have to believe in yourself because, I believe in the you who is me! If you're offered a good opportunity then take it! Don't waste your life.

I would have given myself the advice to never give up and actually try. I did not take high school seriously and I regret not trying hard enough.

I would tell myself to forget about what you accomplished in high school, but particularly the way that you learned. College is a different place with a different way of learning. You must learn to manage your time above all, and then you can succeed. It will be a difficult transition, and at times, you will feel alone. Keep busy and focused and you will see that time will pass by quickly. Have faith and be patient, and continue to be positive and you will achieve all of your goals.

In high school, I didn't think much about who I wanted to be. I chose my college based on proximity to my boyfriend (eventual husband) who was in the military. I chose my major (hospitality) because it was practical and portable for military life. Graduate school was unthinkable because I would need to be stationed wherever my husband went. I never considered choosing a major based on just me- my goals, passions and vision for the future. Now ten years later, that relationship is gone and my life has transitioned. I've always loved animals, had a mind for science, and enjoy community involvement. I'm excitedly on the path to become what I could've been from the start- a veterinarian! I'm earning another degree (biology) with plans to go to vet school in two years. If I could go back to high school, I'd tell myself to explore who you are- and follow that- before following anyone else. Choose your major based on your own passions and abilities, and don't understimate yourself. Set professional goals, and choose a school that will be a stepping stone for accomplishing them. College is all about you!

In highschool I was almost entirely focused on academics and had a very limited social life because I was part of the IB program and although I graduated in the top 10 of my school while taking the most rigorous course work available I did not develop the social skills I feel I could have used when making the transition to university. So I would tell myself to make sure to develop some freindships and be more social because even though university is mostly about the academics its also very important to be social and have confidence or you will find yourself alienated and alone for no good reason. My first year I had a hard time making friends because I simply lacked the experience of dealing with large groups of people. Now I have the skills necessary but I could have developed them in highschool if I had only known how important they are in life.

"Take your time and be diligent in everything you do." That is the best thing I could say to high school me. In high school I was a procrastinator and waited until the last second, rushing through every bit of schoolwork just before, sometimes even after the due date. This was a huge transitional problem when I arrived at UCF. I couldn't straighten out my priorities when it came to fun and classwork. It might be sometime before I can fully figure it out but I've started straightening up. "Listen to your parents" That is the next best thing I could advise my youger self. I wasn't too rough on my parents but when I wouldn't listen, it always bit me in the backside. They are usually right and it kills me to say that, but if I would've listened more, I would've been much more prepared for managing college the right way. Even still I am told "If only you listened to us more." But hey, not listening is part of being a kid right?

Learn to live and let go. Not everything will come easy, but everything will be much easier to handle if you just let it happen and don't try to influence the events to benefit you. Making friends is not as hard or as scary as it can seem. Even though it's a big school and you might feel like just another student at times, remember that you matter, and you are important. Never lose sight of your goals, and never give up.

Dear Sinclaire, Are you listening? Nod once for yes, and twice for no, because I know that back in highschool, you were afraid to speak. I know that you hid yourself away, even from help, in order to protect yourself from criticism. You swallowed your words as if letting them escape would expose and destroy your soul; make you into a lamb among wolves. Here's some advice from someone who's been where you're going - Straighten your posture and say what you want to say, loudly and clearly. You will learn that in the future, 'communication can control cities'. When you speak, people listen because your words are constructive and persuasive, carefully chosen and carrying powerful, charming subtext. In a university as big as the one you're headed to, that skill is not only necessary, but uncommon and even coveted. You'll understand when you finish SPC1000 (speech) with the highest grade in the class in your spring sophmore semester. Though you may eventually discover what I'm telling you in time, I'd like to give you confidence now - know that your well-placed words can place you well on your path into success. Sincerely, Sinclaire

Hello Daniel, it's you from the future. Now look, there's something I need to say. I need you to listen to and follow each direction I give you to the word. You need to apply to those scholarships. Just because you don't technically qualify for them based on their criteria doesn't mean they won't give you the money if you apply. I'm telling you, you could seriously save us a lot of money. It is one of my biggest regrets right now and I need you to fix it. Also, stop slacking off in your classes and study for those AP exams. Again, it will save us money...and TIME! Just put in a little more effort. Life is okay, but it would be better if you try harder.