University of Central Florida Top Questions

all of the extra activities are not important! focus on the classes more than the clubs and sports. apply for college early. start thinking about college early.

Study!!! Focus on your academics and not on your friends. Friends will always be there but the numerous opportunities you recieve right out of high school won't always be. Work hard!!! , then harder!!!

Listen, college is about learning to adapt to different environments, adjusting to a routine that works best for you, learning to become independent, and of all realizing that life is not perfect, you make mistakes and your learn from them in order to grow as a person and become stronger. While the first year involves the process of learning about yourself as an independent student the following years are the most important because they will determine the future of your academia. Become active with your school through community service, academic clubs in your department of interest and most importantly develop professional and scholarly relationships with your professors because it will help you in the long run.

If I were able to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, knowing what I know now about college life and making the transition I would advise myself to prepare early. In preparing early, I would suggest scholarship searching and applying, because college costs are difficult to cover. As a senior, I would advise completion of Advanced Placement and Dual Enrollment courses as these courses would?ve better prepared me academically at the college level, not to mention its advantageous price as well as credit earned. I would advise that as a graduating senior do not procrastinate in applying, and establishing all aspects of college life including housing arrangements, student records, major/ course selection and financial aid. These things are imperative to a successful college life and I would advise against procrastinating which leads to a destructive path in which to avoid. Starting early and preparing ahead of time would be the best advice I could give, as it is the most useful.

I would advice myself to take a heavier course load during my first year in college. During my first year in college I took only 12 credit hours and did not attend during the summer semester. Had I pushed myself that extra mile and taken on a heavier course load, I would be graduating sooner.

If I were able to return and advise my high school self, I would warn myself about the amount of work college truly is. When the semester started, I was overwhelmed by my classes and friends wanting to hang out with me. I was surprised by how much is really expected of students. I would tell my former self to hit the books head-on and not waste time. Studying is important and essential to get a passing grade. I feel as though my transition would have been easier if I had started earlier. Also, I would have told myself to frequent the internet less often as that proved to be a distraction. Much stress could have been avoided had I focused my attention more to books rather than the internet. I plan on entering the spring semester with confidence that I've learned how to manage my time wisely, but I wish I would have been able to have known before.

If I could go back in time and give myself advice it would be to work hard. Never lose sight of what is important in like and don't take myself too seriously. Always remember that I could have it harder and that I am lucky to have such amazing people in my life.

Everyone always emphasizes on the fact that you need to get involved around campus and get yourself out there. I agree that this is critical but I believe that time management is key to success in college. You are on your own, meaning you are your own alarm clock and you?re the voice of reason. Invest in a good planner- allowing you ample space to write down when assignments are due, events on campus, work schedule, free time, work out time; designate a time for everything. The best thing to do with assignments is to write down when they are due and give yourself ?, ?, ? marks to show progress and allow yourself to keep motivation. I would also recommend taking a class like UCF offers for first year students; Strategies for Success (SLS). A class like that allows students to learn about the university?s resources, resumes, study strategies, beating off procrastination, proper ways to take notes, interview techniques and much more. Learn about the university in which you go to- learn the traditions and why the university has them. Through immersing yourself in the university- you earn friends and make stronger connections with professors.

Being involved, and staying involved in campus activities is just as important, if not more important in college as it is in High School. Research different student organizations and clubs at your college/university of interest, and even go as far as contacting a representative of the organization or club to find out and recieve more information about it and how to become involved. Doing this will make getting involved in the college life, and festivities much more easier. It is also a good way to make friends, and especially when coming in as a freshman, a good way to meet people who may give you advice that may help with the college transition.

Get involved as soon as possible. It may take you a little while to find the perfect combination of involvement but when you find it your life will never be the same. Also, don't be afraid to talk to people you dont know. Eventually you'll find some people that will affect your life, and you theirs, in unimaginable ways. They will help you get thruogh the hard times :)

If I could go back to high school knowing what I know today, I would tell myself just to take it all in and enjoy the experience. I think sometimes we tend to get caught up to the pressures of going to college. All I ever heard in high school since junior year is, take the SAT and ACT and make sure you get a good score. Apply for many schools and scholarships as possible. Pick a major, pick a major! Once you get in, you?re already stressed before you get there. I think if your priorities are right and you have some idea of what you want to do in life, then go into to college and look at it as a journey and not a task. You should be focused on a goal of getting a degree in something you want to do but also take in the experience. I put so much on myself coming out of high school that I went into college with the same attitude. All I can say is enjoy it. Stay focused on the degree and finding who you are but enjoy the ride as well.

I wish I would have worked harder to attain better grades in my dual enrollment classes, because my GPA now as a sophomore in college is being brought down because of them. Learning good study habits starting in high school is also very vital!

If I could go back in time to talk to myself, I would tell myself that the transition is much harder than i thought it was. There is much more time that needs to be dedicated to academia than there is in high school. It is easier to start out studying with less social time, than to be overly social an try to catch up later.

The best advice I would give myself is that even though college can be one of the toughest part of your lives, learn to have a fun at the same time because this time won't come back. Learn the art of time management in order for this to occur. You will interact with many personalities and some individuals will try to break you while others will build you, but always stay with the people that are positive . College will be an experience that will strengthen your personality and it is what is going to direct you in your goals of life. It is like a roller coaster, full of twists and turns but at the end you will be satisfied if you keep your priorities in order.

You have a few friendly relationships right now. But you need to widen your horizens and be a friend to those who are the most different from you! You will learn such a great deal about them, and yourself. There is so much to learn from other people and cultures. Money is not as much of an issue as you think. Trust God in your decision of where you will go to school. Just because a school seems more expensive does not mean that you will not receive a sufficient amount of financial aid to help you pay for all you need. Your deas will be challenged when you arrive at school. It is wonderful to learn about other belief systems and cultures, but you need to be grounded in your beliefs so you can teach others about who you are. Do not fully rely on others, but try to be a learning experience for them as well. You need a lot of outside support while you are in college; family may not be there whenever you need them. Be the one who your friends can count on, and you will be able to count on them.

I would tell myself to not be afraid to take chances, stay focused, keep in touch with those who are close to you, and keep an optomistic mind!

If I could go back in time i would slap myself and say " get your butt in gear!! you have no idea whats ahead of you, you need to work harder!." I would tell myself to be more focused on my studies to get more A's so instead or being a point away from having college paid for I would have college paid for. "The work your doing now is nothing compared to the future so there is no excuse!" "You need to volunteer more, it opens doors you never expected ."

Self-confidence is the key to success. You?ve done excellent in high school to prepare for college. You know how to study, how to make excellent grades, and you?ve grown as much as your hometown will allow. It?s time to move into a bigger arena, filled with challenges and excitement. Be prepared for the transition, and acknowledge that at times it will be fearful and frustrating. Still, know that you are making an investment in your future, one that will make you a better person that can contribute to the world.

Don't be affraid. The next four years will teach you so much, not only about academics but also about yourself. You'll find more self confidence and strength. You will finally receive recognition for your hard work and diligence, and thing will finally start to make sense. It will be stressful and will require lots of work, but every moment of hardship and strife will be worth it all. Keep pushing yourself. You will succeed. Your choices have been good ones, and UCF will be another fantastic choice.

If I could go back to my high school senior year I would have done a lot more to get me ready for college life, such as being involved in pre-college programs such as the MAGNET engineering program, SHPE Jr. and dual enrollment; these programs offers opportunities to grow as leaders and encourage students pursue a higher level education. In addion, making a transition to college had a economical impact in my family, the big question was how to afford four years in college?. My advice will be to apply to all kinds of scholarships to alleviate the finacial impact in the familly. These advices can make a difference for current high school seniors and their families when making a transition to college.