{"id":6664,"date":"2013-03-15T13:28:32","date_gmt":"2013-03-15T17:28:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/news.cos.ucf.edu\/?p=6664"},"modified":"2013-03-15T13:28:32","modified_gmt":"2013-03-15T17:28:32","slug":"i-wish-someone-had-given-me-this-advice-sooner-about-college","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/news\/i-wish-someone-had-given-me-this-advice-sooner-about-college\/","title":{"rendered":"Advice About College From Alumnus"},"content":{"rendered":"

This is a guest post from\u00a0Heather Waymouth, UCF Today.<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

As a senior graduating from UCF in May, I recently have spent a lot of time reflecting on my college experience \u2013 and boy, I wish people had told me a lot of things sooner about college!\u00a0\"1326285_97973871\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Other than the expected advice of \u201cDon\u2019t party too hard\u201d and \u201cStick to the books\u201d \u2013 which certainly are good things to remember \u2013 there are plenty of tips I wish someone would have shared with me four years ago.<\/p>\n

So here are a few things I\u2019d like to pass along that may help other students in their early years of college:<\/p>\n

Keep in touch with friends and mentors<\/strong><\/p>\n

Freshman year is generally the time for meeting new faces and having fewer responsibilities compared to senior year. Every year will become busier and harder academically and extracurricularly. Make sure to keep in touch and make time for your friends and those who inspire you along the way.<\/p>\n

Just because you choose a major doesn\u2019t mean you\u2019re locked in to it<\/strong><\/p>\n

I\u2019m not talking about the fact that students can switch their major at any time. I am talking about afterwards when getting out into the real world, and realizing that career is not what you want to do. Never feel like you might choose the wrong path. I know professionals who studied performing arts and eventually found their way to physical therapy graduate school. It\u2019s never too late in life to make a switch. And it\u2019s not impossible. So, as a freshman or sophomore, try not to freak out about finding the perfect study, because it probably doesn\u2019t exist. Plus, how are you supposed to decide what you want to do with the rest of your life at 19 years old? Just try to focus on your interests and see where they lead you.<\/p>\n

Ask for help and build strong relationships with professors and advisors<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you are having a hard time in a course, instead of resenting the professor, visit him or her during office hours and ask for help. I\u2019m sure you\u2019d be surprised at how willing they are to sit down with you. On another note, getting to know your professors and advisors in your major will help you stay on top of course material, stay connected to academic affairs, and open doors to opportunities. Sometimes the best way to build a relationship with faculty members is to join a club they advise, too.<\/p>\n

Get involved. At the same time, don\u2019t get too involved<\/strong><\/p>\n

Joining an organization is an easy way to meet new friends, give back to the community and feel a part of something extraordinary. I recommend getting involved in two organizations at a time, and do them well. Maybe choose one related to your studies and one related to a campus organization. If you are someone who tends to overwhelm yourself \u2014 don\u2019t push your limits. Try to only take on as much that won\u2019t spread you thin. Find only a few leadership positions and put 100 percent effort into them. Mental breakdowns are not worth the stress.<\/p>\n

Apply for scholarships each semester<\/strong><\/p>\n

There are many scholarship opportunities just waiting for students to claim. And I\u2019m just talking about the ones offered by individual universities \u2014 not even those offered by other organizations on a national level. I suggest keeping a list handy of scholarships available and their deadlines. Even if you don\u2019t have time to apply to all, make it a goal to apply to at least one scholarship each month. I wish I had started trying to find as many scholarships as I could earlier on.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t stress over that one bad grade<\/strong><\/p>\n

You are either the student who obsesses over grades or doesn\u2019t care at all. I\u2019m sure if you are part of the \u201cdon\u2019t care\u201d group, you probably wouldn\u2019t even stumble upon this article in the first place. So for the ones who are perfectionists when it comes to schoolwork, if you are worried about an upcoming test and feel like the world is going to end, just remember that in a year, you won\u2019t even remember stressing over that midterm. Take a deep breath, study hard and try your best. I promise you will still be breathing in a week.<\/p>\n

I don\u2019t expect my advice to apply to every college student, but I hope there is a message to guide at least someone.<\/p>\n

And just remember: We\u2019re all at school to learn, whether it\u2019s academically or personally.<\/p>\n

Now if only someone would tell me how to survive after graduation in a few months!<\/p>\n

UCF Forum columnist Heather Waymouth is a University of Central Florida senior majoring in advertising\/public relations and English writing, and can be reached at\u00a0<\/em>hwaymouth@knights.ucf.edu<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n

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This is a guest post from\u00a0Heather Waymouth, UCF Today. 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