University of Florida Top Questions

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, there would be 3 main actions I would do. I'd first shake myself while saying "snap out of it" and realize that I should've taken advantage of my senior year by applying to more scholarships and in a timely manner, I'd tell myself the cliche saying "college is a whole different ball game/league", which I have come to find is true, and lastly I would tell myself that in college I have to dedicate a lot more time for doing homework because if I just stick with the homework routines in highschool, I would only pass my classes with a C, if Im lucky.

If I could go back and talk to myself as a High School Senior, I would warn myself to not expect so much of people. Life is what you make of it, not where you are or whom you are with. Just because you find yourself in college doesn?t mean you are going to find yourself in this sophisticated, goal-oriented atmosphere surrounded by educated elite. I was so insistent that people in college would be different; that they would care more about actually learning and volunteering than just the grades or which party they would go to that night. People don?t grow up because they get older; they grow up because they figure out how to enjoy dealing with everything that life throws at them. Unfortunately, I know this is not something the High School me would want to hear. So I would let myself down softly, explaining that college doesn?t mean instantly finding people you like. College means taking responsibility and surrounding yourself with people who impassion you. College means working for what you want, despite nobody else caring. College is what you make it; you are the only one who can make it amazing.

I think about this scenario almost everyday of my life, and there are so many things I wish I had known way back when. If I could go back in time, I would tell myself to take my AP exams seriously. If I had known that they would have saved me time and money when college rolled around, I would have most definitely tried to pass the exams! I would also tell myself to go with the school that offers the most awards. I chose my school based on merits, and gave up $5000 per semester in awards from another institution! Since attending UF, I've been financially struggling between paying tuition, books, housing, food, and all sorts of other fees. Some days I go without good food or some months without rent money. Furthermore, I would tell myself to focus on school and be careful about who I befriend. I started off making straight A's, but then partying and the wrong crowd came along. These two experiences have taught me much about life and the people that surround me, and how neither are healthy for my well being.

College really is the best time of your life. I know that everyone says this but sincerely the hard work and difficult application process are totally worth this experience. My advice regarding applications is try not to write what you think they want but really tell them what they need to know about you. My application essay was about experiences I was looking forward to because I felt those would be more defining than anything I had already done. Once you're in college don't procrastinate. The first few weeks aren't very challenging because regristration still isn't totally settled, but manage your time and get work done early. It seems really easy in hte beginning because teachers start slow but read and study the material they give you when they give it to you, it'll save you many headaches in the future. Everyone said this and I tried to take them seriously, but I still fell behind and was under a lot of stress late in the semester. Also get enough sleep cause you're immune system really struggles with only a few hours of sleep and the worse thing is to get sick during finals.

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself not to worry so much about college. The transition was hard at first because I had more responsibilities, I missed my friends and family, and there was a lot more school work. However, after the initial shock wore off, it wasn't as scary as I thought it was. Everything has changed, but for the most part, they were good changes. Having more responsibility is an empowering thing. It has given me the opportunity to act like an adult. It's been preparing me for the real world when I enter the job force. Being apart from family and friends is hard too, but I think of it as starting a new chapter in my life. There is a million different, easy ways to meet people at college, and for the most part, everyone has been friendly and helpful. Also, the work isn't extremely difficult or boring or anything else I once thought. It is hard work, but challenges are a good thing. Plus, things are much more interesting to me now that I get to study what I want!

College isn't all about memorization. In life you start out as an social and academic catepillar. Don't stay closed up in a cucoon because thats what other believe you should be. Soar and become the butterfly you were meant to. When trapped in a room all alone you will learn that you are the one that makes your mistakes and failures, so don't let other people steal you choice away from you.You can only suceed if you focus on the yellow brick road ahead of you.. Life is a mountain you have to climb. It;s hard but when you look down on what you've accomplished and overcame you'll be proud of you.

If I were to go back to give myself advice as a senior in high school, I would tell myself to have more of a social life, because I spent most of my time studying for classes in the International Baccalaureate program. After graduation, I realized that in order to be a well-rounded student and get the fullest high school experience, I should have a balanced schedule of study time and outside interaction. I studied often, and was prepared for any exam, but I missed out on the inside jokes and fun trips that my friends went on together. I also would tell myself to participate in more in high school sports and extracurricular activities. I only spent two years on the school soccer team (grades 10 and 11), but I now wish I had been more outgoing during my last year. Overall, I am grateful for the high school experience that I created for myself, and am content in reaching out to more experiences in college that I missed in high school.

One should experience college to its fullest because you get out only as much as you put in. While this seems obviously true in regard to one's course work, it is equally true in one's social life, and getting the most of your experience means achieving a balance between study and life. One's college years are a time of great growth, a maturation of not only one's intellect but one's personality as well, and it?s important to culture the development of both in order to achieve one's full potential.

Live life with no hesistations, don't get caught up in the details and there's no time for regrets. Do what you want to do and what's right for you, and you'll know what to do. One last thing that I like to live by, summerized quote by Thoreau- Life is like walking on the beach, going as close to the edge as possible.

I would advise myself to pursue every option. Every event that I would be invited to, I should go. Every Bible study, every sports club, every volunteer event: everything. And when my past self would question "Why future Bryan, why attend all of these outings?" I would answer back "Past Bryan, college is not only a time of psychological growth, but you need to grow socially into the person you will become for the rest of your life. To truly become this person, you must experience as much as the world as you can, and by meeting someone new every day, by taking a part in something differant constantly, you will be chipping away at the marble that is your role confusion and be sculpted into a statue of your true self. " As far as the transition goes, I would advise staying in contact with high school friends and family as a form of a support/advise system, but to also attempt to form a new group of friends in the college town Maintaining past friendships is just as important as discovering new ones, and the people who stay closest will be a good representation of who you will become.