University of Florida Top Questions

Knowing what I know now, I would have two pieces of advice for my high school-self; Stay focused and always keep a positive mind-set. If you do not follow those two pieces of advice, college can easily become overwhelming. When I first realized how expensive college really is, I felt really demoralized and even had doubts about my decision to go to a four year university. Thankfully, my parents and I were able to figure out a way to make things work. In reality, there was no reason to freak out in the first place. By keeping a calm mind and focusing on the issue, we had taken care of the issue. Having a negative outlook on things can make issues so much worse than they really are. Keeping a positive outlook on things and focusing on challenges in your life can help you discover plenty of solutions to whatever you may be faced with. Had I known this in my senior year of high school, I probably would have enjoyed my senior year more and have an easier, less-stressful transition into college.

Dear Nichole, I know you dont realize this yet, but it is the best thing you can do with your life. Please hang in there, it is for your future. College is great it has transformed me as a person. It has given me an oppurtunity to become more, to challenge myself. I took leaps to get here and i will never go back.Working this hard day and day, it has never felt so good. Someday Nichole you will stand on your own two feet, face life in the eyes and you will take it on. You will succeed Nichole, you have the power within, use it wisely.Today is the day, go after it for all you have. Good luck!

I would tell myself to always put school first, no matter what. Having fun is an important part of growing up, and I will always have some time to have fun, but school comes first and it is my number one priority.

Don't let senioritis get to you, it'll all be worth it in the end.

Truthfully, I wouldn't advice my high school self anything. I believe that part of the college experience is the surprise and shocking things that my high school self will learn when she goes to college. The experience that I learned helped me grow and mature and I think my highschool self need to experience it. The transition from highschool to college is a large part of the experience that's why I don't want to advice my high school self anything. The reason is because my high school self will need to learn by herself, make mistake and learn from her mistakes, just like what happened to me. I wouldn't change anything that I've experienced during college and I don't want my advice to change any experiences that my highschool self will miss out on even if they are horrible. College is all about finding oneself and I believe that my high school self will find herself her own way even without advice.

Assuming I could go back into the 2007-2008 year, when I was a high school senior, I would offer myself some tips for college success. I would tell Dennis to strive only for excellence in college. He needs to know that the best way to like college is to get really good grades, so I would tell him to be the best student possible. Also, it might help Dennis to hear that the transition from high school to college is exciting, fulfilling, and worth the change. I would tell Dennis that he should not feel embarrassed because he is going to be a poor college student. I would tell him that it is very possible to change his income level with a good education. I would tell him to believe in himself, especially when it seems that no one else does. And it might help him to understand that he will not get every thing he wants, nor will he be entitled to good things in life without working hard. Thinking back to high school reminds me of how fast those days went, and it reminds me of the many times I longed to go back but cannot.

Luisa, if I knew what I know now you will be in the very peak of the mountain. Being involved in more extra-curricular activities, being a bit more outstanding throughout the school years would have been a great opportunity to meet more intellectual individuals. If you would not have been involved in a romantic relationship that deviated you a bit from some more important things, you could have been at the very top. You could have accomplished much more if you would have enrolled as a dual enrolled student much earlier. Your career will be finished in shorter time than expected. Although, after being in the United States for four years, with no English language background, or any high school or college career orientation for the future you did not do bad at all. I am proud, but I am also glad I can get to tell you what you should have done in order to be successful in life. Do me a favor, do not get off track until a concrete part of your life has been established, make us all prouder, and keep in mind a clear reason and a purpose for your near future.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to keep working hard; graduating high school is the door opening for better things to come. I would tell myself to continue to be creative and assure myself that everything will be okay. I would tell myself to stop worrying about finding someone to love me and instead focus on finding the courage to love myself. I would also tell myself that transferring to a new place will allow me to meet more people who will help me find my true self. Along with this, I would tell myself to take self-defense classes so I would gain the confidence to protect myself. Lastly, I would tell myself to never be afraid of taking risks in showing people who I really am, think about the decisions I am making, and keep thinking about how all the hard work I'm doing in school will make my future that much brighter; that as long as I keep working hard and never give up, all my dreams will come true.

As a high school senior, I was terrified at the idea of college. I got into the best school in the state, but it also happened to be two and a half hours away from home. Without a car, it seemed like I'd be stranded in a place where I knew not a single person among nearly 50,000. There was a part of me so afraid to go that I almost settled for going to a school much closer to home. If I were to go back and talk to that terrified person, I'd let her know that she made the best decision of her life! Upon getting to college and realizing that the whole community was there to welcome me with open arms, I realized that I would not have wanted to be anywhere else. I've met some of the most interesting people through joining groups like the speech and debate team as well as mentoring 8th graders at a local middle school. I'm able to manage interesting, challenging classwork, while still managing to have a great time meeting new people and expanding my horizons. Embrass college, do not be afraid of it!

I'd tell myself that although it is school, I shouldn't try to take as many credits as possible so I can "knock" certain courses/credits out of the way, becasue college not only is supposed to be a learning experience, but also a growing experience, and full of fun and learning how to take care of myself and be independent. It also is a teacher of how to manage time. Also, I would tell myself that if I want ot do something, I need to be assertive and proactive, therefore if I can't find it while just standing, I need to go look for it. For meeting people, I'd tell myself, to welcome all new people with open arms and an open mind, because everyone has different opinions and different beliefs, but they also share the same interest in finding companionship that can last for a lifetime.