University of Florida Top Questions

College is completely different from high school! You have to be focused in college because no one is going to remind you of your responsibilities. You are basically depending on yourself. Only you and you alone can hold yourself back. There are plenty of distractions to break your focus. Some happen to include partying , dating and your social life. Just remember if you aren't going to do anything else, you are going to complete your academic requirements. Campus organizations are essential to college life. In organizations, you can meet new friends and potential study partners. Networking is a great way to expand your variety of friends and to share common interest with others. There are plenty of different organizations on campus for just about every interest. Don't be afraid to get off your butt and meet new people! Remember to financially savvy. Very very very crucial. You do not want to waste money on things you don't really need. College is expensive and every dime counts. College students don't complain about being broke for no reason. There's nothing wrong with rewarding yourself but be smart about it. College teaches you be to responsible for yourself.

I struggled in high school to fit in with my peers. I saw myself as an advanced student who took their studies seriously, something that was non-existent in a high school like mine. At one point in my life (dead center of my high school life), I suffered grave depression due to a friendless existence. If I could return to the past and speak with myself, my high school self, I would tell him to calm down, relax your studies, and stop being so intolerant. I was very close-minded. I did not know this at the time, obviously, for I would have corrected this and made another attempt to create lasting friendships. I was also obsessive compulsive about my studies; I have never received a "C" in my life, and I got straight "A's" from 6th grade till high school graduation. Basically, I would tell my former self to ease up. Life isn't about one grade on one test. Life is about working on yourself, to love yourself, and to become a better person so that one day you will be able to help others. I learned this at the University of Florida.

Don't rush into college, take your time to come into your own. You will know when you're ready to make the leap. The college experience will be one the greatest times of your life and you will meet people that you never thought you would associate with. College will change your perception on reality for the better. Stay focused when you get there, and don't get too involved with the social life so much that it degrades your academic performance. There is always a time and place to have fun, and while college is a great time for that, you have to keep your eye on the goal of graduating.

Hey, little senior! I know you think you know everything, but you don't. STOP. Take a deep breath and figure out why you're choosing college. This is a huge transition for you. Your parents want the best for you, so make yourself a priority. Be selfish because for the next 4 years, there will be many distractions. Friends and family, extra curriculars and having a social life will all fit into the mix, but you MUST do your SCHOOL WORK. It's so essential. The pain of discipline weighs less on the heart than the pain of regret. Times will be so tough that at some point, you'll cry while standing in line for salad. Girl, when you're knocked down to your knees, remember that you're in the perfect position to PRAY. The will of God will never take you where His grace can't protect you. Always stay optimistic and if you find yourself at crossroads listen to your heart and the advice of elders. College is the transition into your future, so laugh with until you cry, fall in love with the right person and live every day to prepare for tomorrow.

College will be all about your education but while getting it you will have the best time of your life.

Academic exploits are well and good, but there are other aspects of the college experience that you should try to explore. Getting involved in school organizations are not only fulfilling experiences but amount to great additions to resumes for prospective job and internship opportunities. Doing well in school will open the door to financial aid opportunities, but it is also important to search them out and actively apply in order to provide for college expenses. If you play your cards properly, you can get away with little to no cost to go to school. At the same time, keep up with your work and studies and make sure that you get the most out of your education. It is only in balancing both the fulfillment of extracirricular activities and the seemingly incessant amount of schoolwork that you can mature and make something out of yourself. Most importantly, do not ever give up, go after what you enjoy and eventually you can make it happen. Do not get dissauaded by feeling lost or not knowing your way, just work hard and stay active in the community, everything will unfold as it should. Good luck!

I would tell myself to not be afraid to get involved early, and not to spend all of my time thinking about what I could be doing. Talk to classmates, professors, and grad students and learn about what you think you might want to do before deciding your major. Each day is a new day, don't let less-than-perfect grades or a bad professor get in the way of getting the best education the school has to offer you. Read into things before jumping into them, and make sure you're completely happy with everyone involved and can see yourself enjoying all that a certain organization may have to offer you. Grades are important, but they aren't everything. Keep up with everything and don't let yourself fall behind.

As I sat in my high school desk my senior year I constantly constiplated on what it would be like when I got into college. Not listening to what the teacher is saying at all, I would find myself in a daze. It's funny how life works because as I sat in a Anthropology class of 650 people I was knocked into a daze again, this time I am thinking about how much of a difference it would have made if I actually listened to my teachers in high school and pushed myself more. I was so focused on getting into college I didn't think about what it took to stay in college. Stay dedicated Janine, push yourself to read those chapters, stay awake, and put effort in your papers are statements I sometimes wish I could tell myself in high school, but it's pointless to dread about should've and could'ves, there's only time to prepare for the future which is what I have learned to do now. I look at it as a life learned experience and I preach to my 9th grade sister so that she doesnt make the same mistakes.

As I look back on myself as a high school senior, I remember everyone knew which college they were going to. They were so excited to become a Gator or Seminole and finally being free from their parents and their rules. When I was a senior, I just moved to Florida and I had no idea what I wanted to study, where I wanted to go to college, and I was not ready to leave the nest just yet. Back then, my future was a blur and it frustrated me so much because I like to know where my future was heading. Knowing what I know, such as still maintaining high grades and becoming a Florida Gator, I would tell my senior self "If you don't know, that is okay. The unexpected is sometimes more sweeter than the unexpected. You are an awesome student who tries harder than most others. People will see your achievements and reward you. You are and still going to be special and proud in your future. Don't worry. You are going to be fine." These past years, I have done just that and I am more than fine. I am special and proud.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would advise myself to try a bit harder then I did. At the end of high school, I felt sick and tired of the routine task of going to school and getting good grades while trying to study for SAT and ACT exams and apply for colleges. I felt that the stress was too much and, because I kept hearing the same thing from guidance counselors and teachers and parents, I started getting irritated with the phrase "Keep it up, you are almost done". However, in hindsight, I realize how true these words were. Now that I am in college, my schedule is way less crowded then it was in high school. I still did okay in high school, and even though I didn't do as well as I may have been able to, I still reaped plenty of benefits. I got a total of 24 credits out of my high school experience. Maybe if I had tried a bit harder, I would have gotten even more credits or scholarships and such. I would defeinately advise myself to push try my hardest.

I know that it has been hard getting through IB these past four years, all the classes and work load that teachers have given you when you could have just flew through school if you had taken regular classes. Good job!! You got into a great college and you can finally relax! NOT. I know that you've had tons of pressure on you these years and it's always been work work work so you can get into college. Well now it's work work work so you can find a great career! I know this is daunting and a little disappointing. But the best thing I can tell you is that the friends you will make in college will be the ones that last forever, some may even be from high school. Whenever you are feeling down, think about all the other people who couldn't afford college and get into a good college and look where you are. Most of all, even if it feels like you will be working for the rest of your life...never stop studying and learning about the world, it will come in handy. Work towards something you love, and never quit.

I would advise myself to take high school seriously right from the start. I would also advise myself to take lots of AP courses to start with more credits under my belt. Finally I would advise myself to save all the money from my summer jobs instead of needlessly spending the money on Chik-Fil-E, when I will need it for college!

Knowing what I know now bout college, I would be more motivated to enter more scholarships considering the great expense associated with college. I would also take more community level classes that would lay an additional foundation to prepare me for classes taken at a university level.

[Speaking in second-person p.o.v.] Life can present itself in many forms. Depending on how you adapt is what will determine your success at UF. The classes that you are currently taking are beneficial to you because of your desired major: Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering. Make sure that, in the event, you decide to transition to a new major, that new major is akin to your interests and, somewhat, your skillset. You would not want to take more classes than required or become burdened financially because of those excess classes. Speaking of your financial situation, take into consideration the amount of money the school is allotting you and the amount of scholarships you are receiving because there will come a time where you may need to designate that money for an emergency. Refrain from joining a fraternity too early in your college career because you are trying to make a simple transition into UF and the financial stipulation requires money that you just don't have at the moment. Look to join one or two clubs/sports either now or in the future to simply become involved around campus. The more people you know, the easier the transition.

In high school, I felt socially unacceptable not because I didn't wan to make friends, but because I was not confident with my physical appearance. I was very conscious of my food intake and participated in a plethora of sports from cross country to water polo. Depression came over me my senior year of high school, which is supposed to be an exciting time for a young adult. Unfortunately, it wasn't for me. Looking back, I would tell myself to take it easy and that there is more to life than just physical appearance. Having a slim body doesn't get you the career you want and it certainly doesn't get you accepted to the University of Florida. Balancing your education and social life are essentials to leading a healthy and happy life, and not counting calories. Fortunately, with the help of my family, I overcame my eating disorder and am now I am a healthy Sophomore at the University of Florida. I am more appreciative of my education and am better aware of the important things in life, such as volunteering at my local hospital and American Cancer Society house. I LOVE LIFE!

Have a plan set up now. Learn every single pre req for medical and nursing school and take a max of 2 summer classes per A or B. Also, unless you dont mind little to non existent privacy space, go straight to Lakeside housing where you get your own tiny (prison cell) room, but at least its your own single room.

No one can underestimate the importance of self-confidence. Not only concerning your esteem but in your morals and decisions. I had a strong understanding of my identity during my last year of high school. It's scary how college can force you into cracking that seemingly unshakable faith you had in yourself. So many temptations and hurdles are thrown at you during your first year in college: academically, emotionally, socially. Every aspect of your life has been uprooted and made portable. It's a completely new environment. You don't have your community at your beck and call; you don't have your parents to orchestrate what you should do. I would have told myself not to doubt my ability. I feel that I have lost so much valuable time due to worrying that assuring my younger self of my dedication to achievement would have been so helpful. I would have said, "Focus on what you know is right, and your heart will lead you to your goals, even if you don't know what they are." It's astounding how a strong person can crumble under the pressures of college life, but it won't happen to me.

I would tell myself to "finnish High School" and not get a ged. I would want that because it would have given me the skills I needed to succede in College that I am trying to learn now.

I would tell myself to take a few college level classes over the summer at the community college. The adjustment from high school to college was pretty difficult especially with having a summer off. I would also tell myself to learn the proper way to focus on school work and to relax when necessary. I also would tell myself to try harder in dance and to keep up with it through school. And most importantly I would tell myself to never change my plans for a boyfriend and definitely not let myself be tied down when I wasn't happy. I would also make sure to stay in touch with people who meant alot to me in high school and not let myself drift away from good friends just because I wasn't physically close to them.

Lightning crashed and lit up the room, as the recent high school graduate began packing her belongings. Suddenly, she heard a rumbling coming from outside her window. It grew so loud the room began shaking when an old beat up Delorean crashed through her room wall. The door fell upon, "Jamie, I'm you, four years into the future! There's no time for questions....I've come to tell you how to make the most of your college career. Explore! Channel your inner Louis and Clark and fearlessly navigate the adventure ahead! College is whatever you make of it and there are endless amounts of opportunities to discover. Say hi to everyone you meet; you never know what they may teach you. Speak up in class; you learn by making mistakes. And do everything with gusto! I must leave you but remember these words as you drive tomorrow to the University of Florida. Go Gators!" The young graduate sat stunned on her bed. She whispered to herself, "Go Gators." And with that she went to bed ready to begin her adventure into the new world.