University of Central Florida Top Questions

Forget any preconceived notions that you may have about college. Think of it as a story and you are the author. The experience is what you make it. The story becomes better with the more research you put into it. Always remember that your work is your own and it is not meant to be shared. While you might have been able to copy off someone else in high school that will not work in college. There are severe consquences for plagiarism, so trust in your own ability. College is basically the same as high school, but on a larger scale. The teachers and fellow students are still the same. One advantage that college has is that you get to pick your teachers, what classes you wish to take, and when you wish to take them. You can make your schedule fit your life. Just do not take on too much in the beginning. I would recommend a smaller class load the first semester, so that you allow yourself time to adjust to college life. I have seen many try to juggle 4+ classes and a job, but in the end they were exhausted and overwhelmed. Keep it simple.

Going to college is a big step, and going to a school out of state is an even bigger and scarier step, but it's an adventure that everyone should have the opportunity to do if they want it. If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to definitely attend the University of Central Florida because I would love every minute of it. I would also advise my past-self to fill out as many scholarships as possible because college is expensive and there are many scholarships available, you just have too look for them. You should get involved in everything and use the all the resources that UCF has to offer because they are very helpful, especially their academic advisors. The last and final piece of advice I would give myself is cherish every moment and every friend I make because they are in the same situation you are with their school work, and together, you can all help eachother out in some way.

Dear High School Jamie, Having now experienced a year of college I have some advice for you. When coming to college you think that its going to be a fun adventure with parties and extra-curricular activities and you don't really think about the actual classes until you show up on the first day. My advice to you is to focus on classes. Get it in your head now that that is what you are coming to college for. If that is your first priority then you will flourish. Always know that you can do what you put your mind to. It is important to believe in yourself and have confidence. You can do anything. Best of Luck, College Jamie

If I could go back in time, I would tell myself to stop spending money on stuff and start saving. This would have helped me put a higher down payment on my car. Also, I would not have to worry about tuition because I would be able to pay for everything myself. I hate relying on my parents for anything. They have their own financial setbacks. If I had known to save money I would not have such high credit card debt. The bottom line is if you have money reserved for education, you can focus on your education. This is important because working full time and going to school is not easy. Hopefully someone reads this advice and takes it to heart.

Do not settle in any of your decisions. Go out and visit different colleges, and get advice about choosing a major. It is a bad idea to enter in to college without a general idea of what you want to major in. You do not need to know exactly what you want to do, but figure out a broad idea. You will waste so much time and money taking the random general education courses that do not apply to you. Do not put off asking for help with that! Set yourself up for success, and do what scares you. You have to take risks in life, so don't be afraid to take different opportunities. You never know where they might lead.

If I were to go back in time i would tell myself multiple things. The first is to apply for as many scholarships and grants as possible. I underestimated the overall cost of college and did not realize how much books, meal plan, and basic living costs. Second I would say to be ready to change. Going to college and living on your own definatly is wonderful and has it's perks, but it causes you to grow up very fast. Just from the first 2 weeks of my fall semester I was an extremely better person inside and out. Living on your own and not having anybody tell you what can and can't be done really tests your morals and self restriction. So if your not sure who you are or want to be, you will find out very quickly from experience. The last piece of advice i would give is to learn some time management skills. It is the single most important thing in becoming successful t the next level. You hve so much free time in college that if you, don't manage your time you will find yourself doing a whole lot of nothing!!!

I would tell myself a few things to try to make the transition easier. The most important one being - take advantage of every possible oppurtonity to further your education while your in high school with out so many responsiblties. It makes it much easier when you get to college to have cleps or college credits already

The first advice I would provide about college life and making the transition easier is to do research early. Before transferring to the University of Central Florida (UCF), I attended Brevard Community College were I received my A.A. degree in Spring 2008. I primarily focused on courses and did not participate in on-campus activities. I should have researched which clubs were offered at the UCF so I would be able to join those clubs at the community college in order to network at an earlier stage. By joining similar clubs offered at various campuses, it provides students the necessary resources for them to be successful in their educational career. Campus clubs are a vital part in making the most out of a students time in college because it exposes them to the community and allows opportunities for the students to network with potential employers. Researching early is key to make the college years the best memories of a person's life and to help create the solid foundation for the future. It is through our interactions with others that allow us to have a better understanding of what we would like to do in our professional careers.

If I could go back in time and have a conversation with the younger, na?ve version of myself, I would have so much to say. I would say, commit to your passion, and don?t give up so easily. Keep your eyes on your goal, and even when things are tough, seek out resources, and help, rather than letting things slip by the wayside. Find a professor who is willing to be a mentor, which is something I never did the first the first time I was in school. Get involved in volunteer activities, because not only is it a good way to meet friends, but it gives you a chance to give back to the community and discover passions that you did not even know existed. And last, find time for fun, because four years will be over before you know it, but don?t forget why you are there, for an education. Be diligent in studying, and learn everything you can, so that you are a well rounded and prepared adult, when you walk across that stage and accept your degree.

Always speak to your professors and develop a good relationship with them. Always take advantage of all campus event and help centers. Read everything multiple times to understand concepts. Don't ever be discouraged.

I wish I could build a time machine and go back in time to my senior year of high school. There is so much I could have learned and been prepared to do before I started my college life. I would tell myself to calm down and relax, not everyone in college is the typical fraternity boy you see on movies. I would tell myself to join a club my first semester and participate in extracurricular activities. I would also participate in more volunteer activities. The more I go through college the more I learn that if you help others; others will help you. I would tell myself to not only make time for studying and making good grades, but to make time for friends and meeting people. My last advice would be to just be myself and not to forget about the things that matter most.

I would give myself the warning that college is not as easy as everyone makes it our to be. Yes, it does depend on the major you choose, but you do have to work to get good grades. i would also give myself the advice to look into volunteering more and be involved in my community more in highschool, so that it would be easier to do in college.

Never forget who you are and what you want out of life. It's so easy to be consumed by what other students or professors think is the right path for you, but only you know what makes you happiest. The allure of a major that earns you the most money or status isn't worth it if isn't what makes you want to spend every day in class learning about it or the rest of your life working within it. Take college life in stride and with confidence. It's easy to become scared of integrating yourself into a community that seems intimidating, but it is full of so many wonderful opportunities! Talk to your professors, ask questions, open up pathways for yourself to help you evolve and grow in your identity. Don't be afraid of changing opinions, ideas, or interests; it's all part of making you the person you are supposed to become. Never give up. Leaving an old stage of your life for a new one can be terrifying and confusing, but perseverance is key. And most importantly, enjoy every second of your college experience. It?s over before you know it.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, the important thing I would tell myself is to not stress out. Yes, classes are going to be hard, and going into being a Forensic Science major I knew that. But specifically telling myself not to stress out about fincancial crises because not only does it take a toll on the body, but also the mind; and it contributes to not being as focused as I could have been. Worrying about issues that are beyond my control are not worth my time, and I am in college for one reason and one reason only: to recieve a higer education and to succeed in life with a degree in something I have a passion for. I would also tell myself to "test the waters" and not stay in attached to one specifc thing. College is about experiencing the new and unknown, whether it be changing majors to Criminal Justice or joining a club that seems interesting. It's amazing how much someone could miss out on while in college, and I want to be as well rounded as possible when I exit my undergraduate career.

I would go back in time and advise myself to go to a different university. UCF is a great school and I love it, but due to budget cuts UCF cut my major and I now am forced to transfer schools. Transferring is going to cost a lot of money and set me farther back on my course work then I should be. I will also have to leave all the friends and clubs that I have joined and start new at a different school.

Study hard, do homework, and apply for the Honor's College.

If I could speak to myself as a high school senior, I would reassure myself that all my worries were for naught. I would take myself by the hand and promise that I would find a great place to live and a great place to learn, as well as a great opportunity to experience all the potential for life before me. I would pledge that I would still have plenty of opportunities to laugh and love as I made my way through the world while I bettered myself through my studies and higher capabilities to understand the world around me. As a final statement, I would simply say that I will make it through, that God always provides, and that life is a ride of joys, thrills, tears, and laughs to experience to the fullest extreme, especially on the road to self-discovery that is every day of college.

Enjoy life. Stop focusing so much on the future, on planning, on living up to everyone's expectations. Love yourself, love the people around you, and love life where you are right now. Know that not all of your most ideal plans will come true just as you thought, and that's ok! No, that's good. Because as those plans change and life takes you in a direction you didn't expect, you find yourself, you find your passion, you find your peace and your piece of happiness. Don't get me wrong, pursue your dreams and don't give up as soon as things get rough. But don't be afraid of change. Enjoy it. Find something to be happy about in everything, in each course assignment and readings, in each job, in every organization, in every person you meet. I promise it will make your future brighter.

If I had a second chance as a senior in high school there are a few words of advice I would give myself. First and foremost do not procrastinate-ever! Procrastinating causes an immense amount of unnessessary stress that is easily avoided if work is completed when assigned. If two weeks are given to write a paper, why wait until the night before to complete it when there were originally fourteen days to complete it? Another piece of advice I would give myself is to study, study, study. From my personal experience with exams in college, I have found that they are cumulative, so subjects learned in the first few weeks of class seem to pop up again in final exams. With proper studying, cramming does not occur and information is remembered much easier and A's are always earned. If someone offered this advice to me as a senior in high school, my first semester of college would have been more of a success.

When I was a Senior in High School, I had no idea what I wanted to do. The idea of more school was scary, and I felt like college was only something that I had to get done because my parents wanted me to. I never considered going for myself, which I think is what a lot of young students don?t realize. If I could go back, I would tell myself that college is more than just school, it?s an opportunity. It will give you the opportunity to discover yourself, to find out who you are and where you want to go. College will push you to be more independent, and allow you to make decisions based on what you really want. You?ll make new friends, and learn about things you never knew existed. I would tell myself not to be scared of the unknown, but to embrace it.