University of Central Florida Top Questions

Talking to the past me would have surely helped me transition easier into college life. I would tell myself to stay true to who I am and never change for anyone or anything. Stay focused and always keep my eye on the prize and don't be afraid to ask for help if need be. Don't spend money on things that are not needed; have fun but be safe as well. Choose your friends wisely. Make time for yourself and don't work until you?re exhausted but still know how to have fun. I you want to do something do it, don?t wait for anybody else to tell you and don?t get discouraged if your friends don?t believe in you. Stay in touch with those that were there before college. My last words of advice would be to not be so hard on myself, stay calm, don?t rush, have fun, and enjoy the ride!

I would advise myself to create a plan and do some research on colleges. I went to high school in Jamaica and as soon as I graduated I came to the states I entered a two year college. I did not know what to expect so I just learned as I went along by asking questions, making friends, and just learning from others experiences. Also, I would tell myself about the huge class sizes and how lectures operate. I would explain the cultural diversity that is prevalent through most campuses. I would also tell myself about the wide range of choices I have in terms of majors and career paths. I would explain how you get to pick the days and times you want to go to classes and that you can choose to go to school for a full day. I would explain about student housing, roomates, and on campus involvement. Last but not least I would explain the man opportunites for funding education eg. scholarships, and grants. I would just tell myself to prepared and make the best out of every opportunity.

First: don't freak out. College is not as scary as it seems when you start and syllabuses always look worse than they really are. Second: treat the professors with respect and like they are human -- it goes a long way. Seriously if you just say hi and ask how they are doing when you see them their a lot more likely to take time and help you out when you need it or forgive an absense. Third: ALWAYS show up to class unless something major comes up -- you never know what your going to miss or how it will effect your grade. Fourth: double check all your paperwork, make sure you've recieved confirmation that they got it, and check fincial aid accounts. Mistakes happen especially during the busy part of the year and a missing peice of paper work can really mess up a semester. Fifth: Help out the other kids in your class. Whether it is letting them make a copy of your syllabus or tutoring them it all helps out -- they'll help you if you miss something and tutoring helps you remember the information when you get to the test.

Knowing what I know now, I would urge myself to apply for more scholarships before the school year began in order to be able to afford it better. Also, I would tell myself to be open and friendly. Never discount somone as a friend just because they don't fit your previous friend "design". I would advise myself to save my money and be efficent with spending. I would tell myself that it's not as stressful and scary as it seems, for once you move into your space, you feel at home. It's a good feeling to be independent. I would also start focusing on having strong willpower. One needs to be able to prioritize properly in order to keep one's head above water. College is about making friends and transitioning to independence, but also academics.

A perennial honor roll student who graduated in the top 3{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of my class, sadly the sum of my highschool experience was classroom, homework and grades; a singular focus that allowed me the luxury of a personal universe which provided sufficient distraction and refuge from the many scary things which make up teen life. When not focused on school, I was captive to my trepidation, held hostage by my discomfort of things unfamiliar and different; so I didn?t join any clubs; play any sports; or make many friends. If I could give myself advice, it would simply be this: More than our families, friends or careers, our willingness to explore and face our fears is what defines you. Success in college, like life, is calculated by our willingness to engage uncomfortable ideals and unfamiliar peoples and places. It?s okay to feel awkward but not to allow that feeling to keep you from reaching out and connecting with people. Okay to fail but not to let the fear of failure deny you your greatest opportunities for personal evolution. The value of the Colligate experience is as much about the opportunities for personal exploration as it is about a degree.

If it were possible to go back in time, knowing what I know now, I would tell myself to not to stress out over transitioning on to college life and the new environment. Amidst every guidance councelor warning that it would be one of the most difficult steps in life; had I known the process was not so difficult, I would not have lost endless nights of sleep over it. I would advice myself that the one thing to cherish while it was available is the time being away from my family. Being hours away from home was the most difficult part about the transition, and I would advice myself to enjoy that precious time while I took it most for granted.

If i could go back in time and talk to myself as a highschool senior and advise myself about the transition of college life i would say; manage your time wisely and find more efficient study habits. I would tell myself not to lose my way to my career after college. most college students tend to lose thier way, and fail out of the university they're attending. I myself had lost my way, and allowed the college life sway me away from my goals, but with a harsh taste of reality I had found the tenasity to push forward.

I would advise me to prioritize homework assignments above all other activities, including sports and social events. I would advise me to tell my friends that my focus is upon succeeding in life by excelling in my studies. I would make sure my friends knew that this means that I do not value them any less, I just value a productive education and career more. My time would be prioritized such that time spent in sports or social events would be a reward to myself for accomplishing first things first, ie. my homework. I would recognize the short term nature of high school and college compared to the length of my life and future. While focussing on a productive education and career I would be careful to not focus so much on me that I miss the opportunities to contribute to others and my community. Only through a balanced lifestyle can I be truly fulfilled and happy. I would try to be more of a leader for my friends and take a stand for whats right instead of just going along with the crowd.

This is a very good question, because I have wondered myself if I could go back in time to high school would I change anything. During my high school days I was not a very motivated person, and really had no goals other then just being successful but I had no idea on how to accomplish that feat. I had no mentors, no positive role models, and no inner drive pushing me in a direction to make the best out of highschool and come out on top and go to college. So if I were to go back in time I would try and advise my past self as a mentor and would motivate myself in a positive direction so I would not be lost when I make the transition from high school to college which is a whole lot different because everyday you have choices to make. When your parent less and on your own in college from, what to eat, where to go, should I even go to class?, should I even study or drink all night with my buddies? I would just simply advise myself to stay true, befriend positive people, and follow my moral compass.

If I was able to go back to high school and talk about my transition to college, I would say to myself, "Continue with your plans on joining the Marine Corps, it will be the best decsion you have made in your life so far. When you choose to move on from the Marine Corps, you will be in much better shape to start and finish college. Keep working hard and you will be able to accomplish what ever it is that you want to do."

The advice that I would give myself is to not be afraid. I would tell myself that as long as you apply yourself, you will succeed. I would, also, tell myself to stop being shy and to break out of my shell early on. Get involved immediately and meet new people.

I would say to be well educated about your decision and have fun with it. College is where you will become an adult and learn to be on your own. I chose a school with a great college town feel and great academics. The diverse school along with the great programs set up for studens is what made me feel welcome and at home. I would tell myself to visit every school campus until I had the gut feeling of where I should go. I knew instantly that UCF was for me and from there I had fun with it. As a senior I would not stress so much. This transition is meant to shape the person you will become. I got into all the clubs that interested me and had fun with the new friends I met. I learned that if I don't do the dishes, my mom won't be here to do them for me. College life is totally different and it's amazing. Advice to senior me? Calm down! Research the colleges! Have fun and be excited for one of the biggest hurdles of my adult life!

If i could go back in time and talk to my self. I would say "self". Self say "hmmm". "Make sure you put in-state on your application because out of state is expensive and you will have enough money for books and supplies. Make sure you call every one who can help you financially and don't hesitate. That's what they are there for to help. Do not get the impression that they will yell at you for asking help. Also take the right classes for your major and ask questions about it. That way you won't have to change majors and result to panicking because you didn't know what questions to ask to get the right answer.

As a high school senior, my plans to become a "new me", to engage in a ridiculous number of social activities, and to finally be friends with "those girls" that everyone wanted to be involved with swirled around my mind constantly. By attending the Univeristy of Central Florida, I was able to discover the person I hid from in high school. It's not "uncool" to say no because I have to study and it's okay that I workout everyday. I'm not ridiculed as a "perfectionist", daily excercise doesn't mean I have some sort of disorder, and being ahead on my homework doesn't make me a nerd. It makes me, ME. If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I'd tell myself all of this. I'd tell myself that college isn't like what anyone has ever told you. It's way better. I'd tell myself to be myself now, that I never had to wait until I was out of my "boring small town" of Fernandina to unleash the real me on the world. I'd tell myself that I am ready for this.

If I could travel back in time to see the very nervous high school senior version of myself, I would tell her to trust her instincts at all times. Back when I was a senior in high school nearly all the people I talked to, including friends, family, and faculty, had strong opinions on where I should go to college. I had so many different opinions being thrown at me that it made the extremely important decision even harder. While nearly everyone wanted me to experience university life right after high school, I was interested in enrolling in the community college that was just ten minutes from my house. I was very unsure whether I was making the right decision at the time, but I inevitably accepted a full academic scholarship to that same community college and I never regretted the education or experiences I gained there. Trusting one's instincts is not only beneficial for academic choices, it is also invaluable when dealing with social situations and making friendships. Now that I am about to graduate from UCF and thus facing the decision to apply to graduate school, I need to trust my instincts now more than ever.

I did not go to high school. My family was very poor and I dropped out in the 8th grade to get a job, and much later got a GED so that I could attend college. If I could go back, I would tell myself to stay in school, although it was difficult because there are a lot of opportunities you can only get by going to high school.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself I would tell myself to be prepared and have fun. College is a time for discovering who you truly are and to make lifetime connections, and I want to take advantage of that. I woulda also tell myself to be self motivated because in college you are on your own. You make your decisions and suffer the consequences for them. Last but not least I would tell myself to never settle for less when you're capable of being the best. College is very competitive and doing the bare minimum is no longer acceptable.

Never wait untill the night before exams to start studying for the exams and I will pay more attention in class.

I would advice myself to socialize more. As a college student, I see that networking is essential especially for post graduate employment searches. I would advice myself to began making connections as a high school senior and work harder to get more connections as a freshmen in college

My senior year of high school was quite devastating to me. My mom was deported back to Haiti, so I was forced to raise myself so thinking about going to college was the last thing on my mind. If I could go back I would have gone straight to college because had I done so I would have my masters degree by now and would be more stable than I am now.