University of South Florida-Main Campus Top Questions

Knowing what I know now, I would make sure that my high school self was aware of and prepared for the challenges to come. I would let myself know that life will be full of unexpected surprises and pitfalls, but that they can all be overcome with enough dedication and perseverance. While things will not go to plan, I will be stronger than I think. Most importantly, I would prepare my high school self for how much dedication, time management, and adjustments life will require as there were many times knowing those skills ahead of time would have proven quite useful.

If I could go back in time, to a senior me, I would grab myself by the shoulders and scream three very important words: "SCHOLARSHIPS, SCHOLARSHIPS, SCHOLARSHIPS!" In all reality I would most likely use more elegant words but that would be a majority of the message I would want to send. I didn't take college seriously and I figured that if it was meant to be, it would work out. That thought turned out to be the farthest from the truth. This week, actually, came crashing down financially and emotionally, as I found myself with only one friend, my boyfriend, and crying in public for the first time since pre-school. Most of my days are spent in bed, thinking about how I can get out of this hole. If I could go back, almost two years now, I would do it all differently. I would find friends, be involved, and make an effort to be happier overall.

I would tell myself to put myself out there more. University of South Florida really encouraged extra carricular activities and I was more worried about having a job to pay for myself than exposing myself to opportunities. I would also tell myself to apply to every internship I can. I never knew how helpful it could have been until I was looking for a job post graduation and had a very hard time finding one.

Caine Now: Hey, You, Kid with the social anxiety who isn't completly sure on what he wants to do with life, let alone what kind of person he wants to be. Caine Past: Are you talking to me? Guy that looks oddly like my father... Caine Now: Yes, I am. Im you from the future, I actually come from about 3 years into the future... I just wanted to give you a little bit of advice to help you along your path Caine Past: My path... Caine Now: Yes, your on a good path, like, to being what you see now. But you could be better, you could spend more time applying for schlorships, doing volunteer work, and just studying more because you are going to need it! College is a chance for you to really find yourself. Honestly, you wouldn't even know your lost. Just putting in the extra effort will take you farther then you could ever imagine. Caine Past: Well, alright then...Yeah you sound alot like my dad too. Well either way, I really appriciate the words of advice. Maybe ill work on the whole extra effort thing.

Don't be afraid to go up to someone and talk, they are just afraid as you are. Go to all the awkward campus freshman events, it will help you break out of your shell. The people you are going to live with are some of the greatest people you will ever meet, cherish every moment with them. Leaving home is the hardest thing to do but its time, you wanted this. Don't compare schools for anything except academics, each school has their thing it just takes a while to find it. Invite yourself places if you see a group of people you know, they don't know you well enough to invite you so see if you can go anyway. Feeling alone is okay. Your friends in high school are going to be different the next time you see them, keep a couple of them in your life and don't compare your beginning experiences, every school is different. As much as you wanted to leave Pennsylvania, the grass is always greener somewhere else and you will miss home no matter how much you convinced yourself you wouldn't.

I would tell myself to get leadership positions whenever, and wherever I could get them. It's hard to get ahead with no leadership experience. If you want to do something, do it! The worst thing is wondering what would have happened if you did the thing you wanted to do. Utilize tutoring, don't wait until you know absolutely nothing that is going on in class. Attend club meetings, better chances to make friends and get involved.

If I could go back and talk to myself as a senior in high school, I would stress the importance of taking the Advanced Placement classes and exams seriously. Now that I realize the importance of college credits, and how expensive it is for each individual class, I would have told myself to study harder and aim to pass the AP exams. I tended to deem them unimportant and did not strive to achieve very high scores. AP exams are essentially college classes that you can pass free of charge if you put the time into your schoolwork. I could have had so many more credits under my name coming into college if I would have known what I know now. But ,I can not go back and change my history so now I just emphasize the importance of the AP classes to students who are still in high school so that they may be successful and get ahead of the game in terms of their college credits.

I would tell myself that college is fun but you have to be responsible about how you spend your time. I know that in high school I was some what of a lazy student. I would tell myself that College is a lot different than high school and you are on your own now, mom and dad arent going to be there to ask you every night wether you have homework or projects to work on. Staying on top of deadlines and developing good study habits are the key to having a successful experience in college. You may want to go out and party and experience the things you see college students do in movies but keep focused on your goals and you will succeed. You are an intellegent young woman and anything you put your mind to you can achieve.

I would tell myself not to worry or stress as much as I did but to also keep up the good work that I've already done. College's look for hard work all the way till the end. I would tell myself not to be so proud sometimes and ask for help when I need it because its okay not to know all of the answers all the time. What matters however is being able to figure out where the mistakes were made so that in the future those tough questions can be answered. I would also advise myself to get a job so that I could have some extra money for college just in case you start to get tired of the dining hall food and need a real meal. Because before you know it you start to spend lots of money on food and you bank account starts to slowly disappear. It is also important to remember who you are as a person and not to get caught up in any kinds of drama or in any groups that try and change you or your beliefs. Just be the best possible person you can be.

Apply to more colleges and explore your options. Find a group of friends who have plans for higher education. Apply to more scholarships, it's free money!

I would go back and tell my past self that "You need to fill out more scholarships and join more clubs". Although I got into the school that I wanted, I feel like I would've been better off if I did more and prepared more for college. I woud've told myself to focus more on my grades rather than my sports or at least find a happy medium.

If I were to go back in time and inform myself about college, I would start off by explaining the importance of a sleep schedule. Staying up late could lead you to sleeping in when there is classes. I would then tell myself about the amount of work I will be having in college and the importance of integral time management. Getting into college, there will be much more assignments to complete. Since I will be living on campus, the only one in charge of my schedule will be myself, and no matter how much I might not want to do an assignment, if it is mandatory, then I must complete it. One of the of the most crucial things I would tell myself is to stay calm and not worry about living away from home, getting here into college I will adjust quickly and make many loyal friends as well. Knowing this information would have surely saved me a few weeks of sleep when I was a high school senior.

It's funny because I was just thinking about this the other day. Usually I would tell myself that "I wish I did better". You know, like to have focused more, studied more for the SAT/ACT, but now I would tell myself to "just live". Don't take any time for granted because time waits for no one. Instead of always worrying about what happened yesterday and what's going to happen tomorrow, just live now. Take every second one at a time. Enjoy the time you have now. Use it wisely. College is not hard, you just have to put in the work and manage your time. If you keep worrying about what happened on yesterday's test or tomorrow's exam then you're never going to get anything done. Just relax and focus on what you need to do now, at this moment.

High school was a series of mistakes one after the other. Although I emerged an intelligent and respectable woman, I can not fail to look back with disappointment. I could have been better and done better because I knew better. I would tell my high school self to stop procrastinating, and complete all my assignments without complaints. I would tell my high school self that cheating myself will only lead to shortcomings in the future. And some of the most important words I would utter is “save every penny you come in contact with.” During high school, we all like to have fun and make memorable moments, and try to be daring people, but sometimes it’s not worth it. We have to come to the point where we start making executive decisions in our lives whether the choices are painful or not. So knowing now what I know because I’ve experienced the college life I would say “it will be hard at times, but stay strong. Do what you have to do, because if you don’t, it will only be unnecessarily harder.” That’s the message of my advice to high school me.

Visit the schools you apply to! Don't just speak to a tour guide or administration, speak to the students. See what activities are going on on campus. Go to the library, the book store and the recreation center. Taste the food. Find out what classes are mandatory for your major, then look up the professors that teach these classes on RateMyProfessor. Could you picture yourself living here?

Dear senior wake up , take off your hoodie and pay attention in stat and atleat attempt to Pass that exam . Okay , your getting there- just stay out of trouble to avoid low standards and do not engage in inadequate behavior . Hey heres an inhaler , you'll need it to catch your breath for the fall as you apply for collge and scholarships - which you'll need to get on that now not later . Take you SAT and your ACT more than once , it'll help extravagantly . Pass those AP courses at least with a three , it'll save you money , honey . Speak up , walk faster , do more , meet a staranger , join a club , try a langauge , attemp a sport - be you .

If I could talk to my high school senior self I would scream "SLOW DOWN!" It is okay if you do not know what you want to do right now for the rest of your life, trust me you will figure it out. Although I now will be gradutaing soon, I still do not know what I want to do until I retire. Did I mention that is okay? So many things are about to change, and you have to make it what you want it to be. You are in control of your present life. Learn to live in the present now, because if you live in the past you will worsen your depression and if you live for your future your anxiety is going to go through the roof. Appreciate the hard times, the good times, and the depressing times. Learn to appreciate the darkness because without the darkness how would you know what true light is? Life does not stop for you, it does not pause to comfort your bad days, and it does not sympathize; But people do. Hold on to the people in your life that make it worth living.

Despite how off-putting and frightening living on campus might seem, it is highly convenient and recommended. Living on campus will save you a lot of time commuting on the highway in bumper-to-bumper traffic. Furthermore, you will thank yourself later, when you realize that your resume will be more hearty because of it. Living on campus will allow for easy access to all the amenities the university provides, plus joining clubs and/or organizations will be much easier. Also, listen to your teachers and others when they say you will need to study. Getting behind in your understanding can be a serious detriment to your progress and future success. Try not to procrastinate; do your work before it is due so you don't have so much to stress about. Do things at your own pace and don't compare your successes to others'. Finally, it will all work out in the end, one bad test grade doesn't translate to a bad grade for that class.

Dear High School Me, What are you thinking? Why is Call of Duty on your TV screen while your scholarship essays get brutally neglected day in and day out? You believe that your college self is such a long time away and you will have the time to finish it all later? Well: here I am. Please, for the love of financial well being, finish these scholarships! I am going crazy over here trying to poke my head above the sea of student debt I am seemingly drowning in, and my first year is not even over with. College is going to be very important, especially with the upcoming epiphany and sudden passion about education you will be getting. Education is important, and financial resources are necessary for education, therefore, financial resources are necessary. You, my friend, are lacking in this area, and we need some help fast. Apply to as many scholarships as possible, and mention your insane passion for computer programming, changing the world, and traveling, as well as your copious volunteer hours and great test scores (31 on ACT). I heard the folks over at Campus Discovery are nice people, give them a shot.

Hey, you there! Yes, you! Don't be afraid. I am your more mature and now enlightened college student self. Remember when you mom told you to apply for as many scholarships as possible and you ignored her. Well, that was the wrong thing to do. It's not too early! Financial help will make your life a lot easier. And remember when our guidance counselor Miss Grady suggested technical school instead of college because we weren't sure what we wanted to do then? Well, she was wrong. You don't have to know what you want to study in college! At least, not for the first year. I figured out what I wanted to do while I was taking the basic requirements (foreign languages, freshman math, humanities courses) and conversing with others that have like minds! A lot of students change their majors because it ends up being not for them. Don't be afraid to just jump into college to explore. Sure, you get a little homesick, but after a while college becomes your home. Oh, read and write! The more you do, the better you'll do. And learn to cook at least three balanced meals.