University of South Florida-Main Campus Top Questions

If I could go back to senior year of highschool, I would definately tell myself to only apply to in-state schools and to not worry about picking out a major and a specific career path yet. Choosing USF was the greatest decision and definately the best fit for me, and I changed my major 3 times before deciding on the major I am now, all of the major-specific classes I took freshman year are useless to my degree now, and while I enjoyed the classes they definately a waste of time and money. I would also tell myself to not worry about losing my high school friends, it happens to everyone when they graduate highschool, and I have made better friends in college anyway. I would also suggest signing up for advanced placement language arts classes, Composition 1 and 2 were horrible to take in college and I wish I would have taken them in highschool. The final bit I would say is to not worry about what others think of the career path you choose, its your life and you need to follow your passion and do what makes you happy.

"Snap out of it, Caylie. These people are just like you." Sometimes I wish I really could go back in time, slap myself, and say those words to my own face. I have always dealt with some social anxiety, and reaching out to people can be hard for me. But if I could do it over again, I'd step out of my comfort zone more. Friends are such an important part of life, that sometimes you can't get through struggles without them. To have a friend, you must be one! The friends you make in college and the real, true relationships you develop along the journey are of absolute importance. We have all been blessed with the ability to help each other through hard things, and having people to encourage you throughout your daily life is so very important. If I could go back, I'd tell myself to jump out of that little safety circle I'd etched around my feet and enjoy the ride with other people, because sometimes we just can't do things on our own.

I would tell myself not to worry. I took four years off between high school and college to travel, work, and volunteer. They were the most incredible four years of my life, but every year I'd come to a point where I'd sit at a computer and contemplate applying for college. I'd worry about not getting in, or not remembering how to study, or choosing the wrong degree even after all this time gaining work experience. I'd postpone my application for yet another year. Eventually, I applied. It's taken me three universities to find the right one. From private college, to community college, to large public university -- the last environment I thought I'd want -- and now I couldn't be happier. I enjoy my classes, I've met great people, I volunteer around my community, and I'm being mentored by a wonderful researcher. I would tell my high school self to not worry so much and to just follow her heart. Eventually, I would find myself in the place I was meant to be.

If i could go back and talk to myself, I would tell me to get into school earlier then I did and not drink alcohol. I wanted to be an engineer since I was in high school. I tried to join the army so I could become a civil engineer, but because I broke my arm when I was two they could not except me. I gave up at the time and became a carpenter instead. I decided in 2008 to go after my dream of becoming an egineer. My dream is coming true, but I have ran out of federal student loan money. My only hope is that I am able to get scholarship to continual my dream.

I know you... stubborn... never take advice well. So let me appeal to your wit and sarcasm with some tried-and-true tips for your next four years of academic debt accrual, which you’ll be paying off until you write your epitaph. Start by selecting the college as far as possible from mom and dad to lock in that inflated out-of-state tuition. Rarely call home. (You must ease your parents into “Empty Nest Syndrome.”) After purchasing that graduation Lexus (you deserved it), it’s time to talk finances. Accept the maximum amount of loans offered to you. Never, ever pay off your credit card(s), and sign up for as many as possible. Max out half, and lend the others to your boyfriend to support your dating fund. Don’t hesitate to date your high school sweetheart from across the country; long distance in college is totally fun! Failing out of your first semester to attend every party on Frat Row is the key to success. Don’t waste time on exercise or the salad bar; the corner bar is far more exhilarating. Lastly, don’t bother applying for scholarships... the odds are never in your favor!

The hardest thing for me about transitioning to college was adjusting to not living at home. Although I was ready to leave home and start the next phase in my life I was totally nervous about living away from home. Everything was different once I got to college! Classes were different, friends were different and professors were different. Attending college was a great but tuff challenge for me. I don't think I was that prepared for college as I thought I was while in high school. The advice I would have gave my high school self was to not rely on my mother for as much as I did. I would call on my mother for everything. Everytime I needed something or wanted to know something I called my mother and she would give it to me. But now that I'm entering my sophomore year of college, I know not to call on my mother for so much.

It's okay if you don't finish in four years. It's better to take your time and get the most out of your education and college life. It's also totally okay if you change your major a few times. You don't have to know with 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} certainty what you want to do with your life when you enter college. Yes, college is there for your education and training in the career force, but it is also there as a buffer; you are allowed to change your mind about what you want to do with your life. Also, get involved as much as possible in campus life. You will meet ife long friends this way. Remember, you will never have such few responsibilites in life again - take advantage of it. This is the time to make mistakes. So go out, date a little, get involved, and have the time of your life. College is a once in a lifetime experience.

I would highly recommend that you apply to more colleges and keep trying to learn new things. This may seem counterintuitive, as I am aware that at this point in your life you are concerned with the possibility of being a "Jack of all trades, master of none," but the reason this appears to be a pattern is that you have not yet found something that you believe you could stick with for the rest of your life. Trust me, that something exists. Keep experimenting. Keep finding things that seem just a little bit interesting to you, latch onto them and keep learning them until you know whether or not it will appeal to you down the road. At some point you will stumble upon something that you know you can stick with. It may take an uncountable number of failures, but it will be worth it. You may need to pick up your life and bring it in a whole new direction, but it will be worth it. I speak from experience.

I would tell myself that you are going to be doing this for your future and for your families future and so that you can make sure that you will be able to take care of you family. I would also tell myself that you can get into a career that you will love and enjoy and will want to work in and work hard at. I would also say that this is your future and to try your hardest at it, because it will be worth it in the end, you will be securing your happiness for years to come.

None - I did great!

I would tell myself to keep up with your GPA from the beginning. While people say that freshman year is a transition period, it is actually the period where your GPA can hurt you or help you in the future. Be sure to pick your perfect major and do research on the job outlook. This will allow you to know where you will stand when you graduate from college. Stay focused on your dreams.

Looking back at my younger, more naive self in high shool, there is a ton of information that i wish I could share with him. For example, I would tell myself not to feel so nervous about trying to meet people because the chances are that they feeling just as anxious. The most important thing that I would tell myself however, is to get involved in as many on campus activities early on as possible. Clubs and activites allow for students to meet other individuals with similar interests and, in my case give you the chance to meet that special someone. On a less serious note, a few other helpful hints to myself might include, do not date anyone in your dorm on your floor, relax and don't be uptight about everything, and maintain a safe but strong spirit of adventure because these are the times that you will remember forever.

Finish college the first time! It is much harder when you are older. Concepts are more difficult to understand, materials take longer to figure out. Just finish while you are young.

"Dear Margely, Remember to calm down; failing a test does not mean that the world will end and that your dreams of becoming a doctor will never be realized. Despite what the overachivers say, it is ok to take a class on Shakespeare even if it has nothing to do with your major. Never compare yourself to anyone else and don't change your major a million times just because you suddenly question yourself; it is normal to do that. Embrace change and accept a challenge even if it means putting in the extra work. If you are not organized you won't find your calculator for the final exam because it has drowned at the bottom of your backpack. Always keep a spare umbrella in your bag and never miss a trip to study abroad."

To my high school self, Stay strong and focused. There are going to be moments when it feels like there is noone to help, but that's not true. Embrace the ROTC lifestyle and get to know the other cadets as soon as possible because they're amazing inviduals and they become you new family. The ROTC class itself won't cause you too much stress, but trying to pass the physical test is going to be a struggle. Just take it one day at a time and focus on becoming better and stronger. Get ready to focus more on your classes because you need to build those study skills. You've always known the day would come where you couldn't finish a lab report an hour before going to bed or the work for all your other classes during lunch. The next couple semesters aren't hard, so find time to sit down and learn some study methods that work for you. It's easy to waste a lot of time doing nothing, and you'll get bored. Trust me. Remember your goals and dreams and let them inspire you when times get tough. You've got this.

Apply to Georgia Tech and do not worry so much about money, live on campus and always be professional and curteous

I would tell myself to start saving before college. I think the reason why I struggled so much is because I did not have comprehension of finances. I would start learning how to make credit cards work for me instead of the other way around. I would tell myself to look for scholarships through the alumni center, because it is one of the most untapped resources available at any school.

Going back in time to myself as a high school senior first I would tell myself to get involved on campus by joining clubs or a sorority and attend campus events because you are introduced to many people that can help you succeed during your academic and career goals. I would have also told myself to live with my parents so I wouldn’t have to work full time. Working part time I would have extra hours that can be used for volunteering, getting involved on campus or just studying. I would also mention to have fun because college is the best years of your life so don’t over study but then again don’t under study and meet new people along the way.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior the first thing I would say is, "Follow your dreams and don't let fear of failure or other's opnions hold you back." I wish I would've started college sooner but I allowed others to shape my future by their negative words. I feel that making the transition into college life is somewhat easier now as an older adult because I know who I am in life and I know what my career goals are. I would tell any high school senior who is enrolling in collge to GO FOR IT! Pursue your dreams, work hard, believe in yourself and you will achieve much in life!

If I could go back in time and advise myself about the future hardships of college I would say many things. One of the items on the agenda would be to advise on the amount of responsibilitythat will be placed on my shoulders. Many of the intructors are only there to go over the material. One soon realizes that they must go to the tutoring centers on campus andseek more information on the subject in order to get a better understanding of the course material. I would also advise myself about the importance of making friends on campus. Especially friends that are in your desired major. It will become very helpful to not just yourself but to others when you need help on some homework or on a class project. Having friends will ultimately benefit your future as it may provide references to powerful individuals who can vouch for you in a job hunt.