University of Central Florida Top Questions

Stay focused and if you know what you want to study or what area you want to go into start making contacts and talking to people that work in those fields to find out if its really what you want to do for the rest of your life. Another thing is to not get too carried away with partying, your in school for one main reason, to learn and become a better educated individual, not a party animal. Get involved with any sports or extra curricular activities but if it becomes to much, drop it and focus on your grades.

Overall I adjusted very well. However, I would have encouraged myself to begin working while I was still in high school. I did not work because my parents wanted me to focus on my school work, which is why I was able to obtain such a high GPA. However if I had started saving up then, I would now be able to help my parents financially - they pay for all of my college expenses but are now having financial difficulties due to the economy. Other than that, everything is going great for me. I have maintained a 4.0 GPA, I have already completed my first Internship and I have continued to have a great social life.

If I could give myself advice, it would be to figure out what I wanted to do with my college career in advance. The reason being that I should have taken advantage of all the career tests that could have been taken in high school and the beginning of college so that I could further know what classes to take.

If I had the ability to go back in time I would advise myself to go for my dreams even if no one close to me believed in me. At the beginning of 2009 I made the mistake of attending a University I didnt feel was right for me, but my parents wanted it so badly I finally gave in. Knowing what I know now I never would have made my choice. I am willing to work hard for my dream and working hard is something I will be doing for the next four years of my life. I would tell myself to believe in myself more, because now that I finally have that faith in myself I am making the right choices for what I want. I would tell myself not to take the easy way out, but to make the right choices from the beginning. Even though I did not follow this philosophy beforehand, I plan to follow it the rest of my college career. I am now financing college on my own and proud of it. Even though its not easy, I can pride myself in the accomplishments and changes I have made.

Make sure you plan out all your classes in advance, but mort of all part of college is finding yourself. Don't be upset if you don't settle on a major right away or change it more than once.

The greatest lesson to be learned at college deals with change. High school comes with changes every day; it will be nothing compared to college. It?s only preparation for it. Therefore when new students come to school with different backgrounds, lifestyles, or belief systems from you, embrace the change. Don?t avoid what?s new and different for what?s comfortable, familiar, and secure because in college almost every person you encounter will be different from who you are and from what you know. In college almost every experience is something you?ve never encountered but still must handle accordingly. Also, don?t be swayed by what looks like the carefree nature of college. There are many more freedoms than in high school. Yet, new freedoms come with more responsibilities. Learning how to handle freedom is integral to collegiate success. Sometimes a party isn?t worth not studying. Sometimes, saying ?no? to your friends is best. Plus every student has to use the freedom to move on once they make mistakes. College is a wonderful experience you?ll treasure, as long as you remember changes will come, and they?re not something to be afraid of when they arrive.

The advice I would give to myself is to take more advanced classes and participate in an IB program. Volunteer as much as you can, it can either be at a hospital or anywhere that interest you. It would also be beneficial to job shadow someone in the field that interest you. Get involved, don't just go to school only for the academics, but also have some fun. Join one or two clubs or activities that you are interested in on the campus. This will automatically gives you a group to join and enjoy. Try to enjoy your high school career. Study every day after class and read you?re noted daily. Also don t be afraid to ask for help that is the only way to grow as a student. Asking for help does not mean you are stupid. Do what you have to do and just be you.

I would tell myself to enjoy the easier coursework that one gets in high school. When I began college, I assumed the classes would be just as easy as high school, but I soon found out how wrong that assumption was. College courses are a lot more difficult than one might assume and I think that I would tell my high school senior self not to assume that I will breeze through college just as I did high school.

I would tell myself to focus on the main goal of going to college which is getting an education and not to focus on partying and having fun

The only advice I would give my self is to remain focused on the prize which is getting scholarships and applying to every school I know. Also i would remind myself that working is important but having fun is also needed and to trust always in God that he will lead you through all your trials. Another advice I would give my self would be in college never debend on advisers to enform you on your credits because you have to do that on your own. Become your own advisor, by constantly try to talk to professors and networking. This is what i would tell my self if I could go back into time.

If I could go back in time, the advice I would give myself would have to be: Figure out your true passion and hone in on which skill sets make you valuable to a company. I now know my true passion is Information Technology, but it took me 4 years to figure that out. I would also inform myself to find out who you can turn to your freshman year for academic advice. Being active with extra-curricular activities can only help you in the long run.

The best advice I could give to myself is not lose focus the last couple of years of High School. Taking the SAT's as many times necessary in order to get full bright futures or other scholarships. By having a full ride scholarship I could have worried less about supporting myself while I was in college. I could have also lived the life of a college student by living in campus and dedicating my free time to clubs, organizations, sports, etc.

I would tell myself to not stress and worry over college, becuase it will all be fine. Plus I would remind myself to keep up the hard work, becuase it will pay off in the end.

I definitely would not pass up the chance to talk to my past high school self. I would look myself caringly in the eye and tell myself that school is not as scary or as hard as I think it is. I would tell myself to focus on school work and graduating on time so as to be able to accomplish my goals and have an early start at the life I know I can have. Had I the chance to talk to my former self I would reiterate many of the words of wisdom my mother told me but I had taken too lightly, such as, appreciate the time you have now to study and be stress free. Be involved, try new things, explore what you normally would be too scared to try! I would tell myself all these things and more, but most importantly I would make sure that I understood that life is a one time deal, I have to take it the moment it presents itself to me. But since this is not possible, I'm applying all of these things now and hoping my choices are those that will lead me to success.

Take high school more serious. Listen to all the advice that your teachers give you because it's only going to help prepare you better for college. Actually go to school. Don't miss so many days of school because you just do not feel like going. Education is not free beyond high school so take advantage of it now before you get to college and waste your money. Save your money, also. You're really going to need all the money you can get while in college. Also, learn better study skills. You can't start studying the night before an exam in college. You are going to have to learn how to better prepare yourself. Last, but not least, have fun. College, just like high school, is a big deal and should be taken seriously but also have fun. Go out on the weekends and just reward yourself for all the hardwork you put in during the previous week. Just remember to finish all of your weekend assignments for school first.

Always choose a institution that fits your needs and can create a sense of academic challenge. UCF provides all of this and the many resources it provides to excel oneself.

I would take my course work more seriously and worry more about actually learning the material than keeping my GPA. I would also advise myself to not enter the IB program at my high school and take dual enrollment at a comunity college instead. I think dual enrollment would have prepared me more for college courses that I am taking rightr now.

I would tell myself to make sure to live on campus and try to be a part of any organization and participate in all the events and opportunties on campus because they are fun and help you succeed.

Make the effort to change. In high school you got into a rhythm of being able to not do anything and get away with good grades. It seems like it's the same in college at the beginning but it really isn't at all. Also really think about what direction you want to be headed in academically speaking. It's okay to not know what you're going to do for the rest of your life, just try to look into some things you may be interested in. It'll make things a lot easier down the road. Oh, and don't think that just because you were awesome friends and talked everyday in high school, that you'll keep in touch like you say you will. People get busy...it's okay.

In order to succeed in college, studying is not the only requirement. Fill out as many scholarships as possible to ensure the high costs will be covered. Having the necessary financial aid will allow you to completely focus on school and allow the option of joining organizations of your choice without the burden of working many hours to provide financially. Working may take the place of being a member of the great and various organizations. Networking is important. Network with many professors, advisors, guest speakers, and more. Gain the knowledge these people possess and utilize this beyond academics, use it in everyday life to improve you. Use it to grow professionally towards your potential career. Take major advantage of the career center in order to revise your resume, schedule mock interviews, apply for internships/externships, and ultimately assist you in your career development. Gain as much experience as time and classes will allow. This will definitely help in the long run. Set short term and long term personal and career goals for yourself. Work on achieving these goals daily. Last but not least, stay focused. Constantly remind yourself of why you're in college.