University of Florida Top Questions

I may not be in possession of the highest GPA or have the top score on my SAT. What I do possess is a unique personality with unsurpassed enthusiasm for pursuing my educational goals. Due to my unique growing potential, I decided instead of attending a traditional highschool, to be a pioneer and attend a brand new Early College High School where I would not only gain a High School Diploma but an Associates Degree as well. I was aware that I would have to make several sacrifices in order to enroll in this unique program. Being the first graduating class, we have truly paved the way for classes that follow. At the young age of 14, I was already attending college classes alongside those twice my age. The courses we were presented with were much more rigorous than a traditional high school. While my friends from the other high schools have been out enjoying themselves, I have found myself devoting numerous extra hours to my studies. No one prepared us for the arduous curriculum we would face in our college classes.

I have had a limited college experience but all in all, I have gained confidence in myself. I was very unsure of myself in high school. I felt like I didn't fit in. But in college, I feel like I'm part of something bigger, a collective body with a similar goal- to be the best. I love that feeling and I love what I see in my future thanks to the University of Florida.

My college experience has been great, the independence and freedom you get is great. But you also have to be very responsible for your grades and making time for studying. I learned alot my freshman year, I learned that you have to work hard and study harder if you want those good grades. You can't half step in college, you have to give all your effort . You can't give up when things get hard, you have to work harder. Alot of people have said that college can make or break you. I believe that it has made me because it has helped me to be more responsible, and manage my time better. This experience has been valuable because it has taught me that whatever dream you have, you can reach it if you work hard and do your best. Success doesn't happen overnight it takes time. College is the ultimate test of when the work becomes to much do you throw your hands up and say i give up. Or do you tackle every obstacle and keep your eye on the prize. My eye is on the prize and I wont stop until I get that prize.

People may look at my grades and think I am naturally, effortlessly smart. I look at my grades and remember cups of caffeinated coffee for when I spent 20 hours studying for one calculus test. I see the day I spent on my bed reading textbooks when it was my two year anniversary with my boyfriend. I remember the weekend I had to catch up on homework instead of going to Halloween Horror Nights with friends. I do not regret any of these days or events I missed, nor will I ever. My 4.0 GPA makes me and my parents proud of what I have achieved and that is enough for me. I can humbly admit I am no better, prettier, smarter, or richer than anyone else. In college, I have learned what distinguishes me from most others is my determination; my determination to prove to myself, not others, that I can achieve what I wish to achieve and in my college experience I have done this. Attending college is extremely hard work, but I now know that with all my days and nights of studying, working, and volunteering come great rewards, both now and in the future.

My experiences in college thus far have taught me valuable components of maturity. First, going to an out-of-state school forced me to be outgoing and innitiative in forming any relationships. I have learned that part of responsibility means choosing your friends wisely so that you can not only have a strong support system in any area of life (academics, emotionally, and socially), but so that you can also contribute back to those who have invested in you by helping others whenever they need someone to be there for them, regardless of how directly or immediately their need relates to you. College has also taught me that being fully industrious is the only way to reach the highest success. I live by the phrase "you can only get as much out of something as you put in," whether that relates to a single letter grade, a challenging course, a personal or professional relationship, or an entire extra-curricular activity. Finally, college has shown me just how little I know about the world, and I have come to realize that you can only truly help or contribute to others when you understand them well enough to identify their needs.

I've gained life experience and the ability to interact with people of all races, religions, and backgrounds. Attending such a large institution afforded me the opportunity to grow as a student, professional, and person. The size of UF allows all students to explore different career paths and academia. Knowledge gained from interacting with such a diverse group of people will help me invaluably as the business world continues to grow and thrive internationally.

I haven't started college yet, but I believe my college experience will allow me to become a well-rounded, mature person. With the hands-on teaching that my college uses for instruction, I can learn and develop skills which will help me in the workplace. My career is in Fashion Merchandising (Associate in Business Management). It is very hard to advance in our city without a college degree. This college experience and the resulting degree will allow me to reach the dreams I have for my life.

My college experience has given me an entirely new outlook on education. Prior to college I was not a very enthusiastic student, however the college environment has broken the mold formed by the high school environment I was previously in. Throughout my educational career I've felt as though school showed little to no respect or trust towards me. I felt as though I was being treated as a child. The college environment has given me an entirely new opinion however. It has showed me the educational system's abilty to respect my wishes of independence and allowed me to finally participate in my own way. I love having the ability to have self time management as opposed to having a teacher breathe down my neck up until the deadline. I find this really valuable because it allows for me to do things my own way and gives me a chance to enjoy the assignments. I feel more free to make my own decisions and it has shined a whole new light on education in my eyes. I started college with hesitation and now push forward eagerly awaiting the moment of academic achievement that is a college degree.

The ability to make myself independent and experience people and events that I wouln't have experience anywhere else. These people and experiences are ones that I will remember forever.

Out of my college experience at UF, I was exposed to many opportunites through the Univerisity's Career Resource Center where I got the chance to speak with representatives from numerous companies at the University's Career Showcase. Additionally, I am the head teaching assistant for one of the best teacher's at the University of Florida, Dr. Marcie LePine. As her head TA, I worked closely with her and have been influenced by her greatly. She has helped me establish my career paths and has offered me guidance throughout college. Also too, I am very blessed to have met advisors within my college that are truly passionate about helping me in my endeavors. I am well aware that due to the size of the University many students don't receive the same quality of help and care that I've received and for that I feel very fortunate. The care and guidance that I've received have lead me to graduate school and will lead me to an accelerated career in international business management. The unique experience that I received at the University of Florida is truly invaluable and has lead me to make sound career and life choices.