University of South Florida-Main Campus Top Questions

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.