through flash cards, create online quizlets or ask a family member to test you until you recall the information with ease and without any uncertainty. 2. Stay organized. While this isn’t directly related to gaining or retaining knowledge, it will ease your mind and relieve stress to help you accomplish more. 3. Stay motivated. I found a “rewards system” to be my best way of staying motivated. For every 30 minutes of studying, I’d give myself a 10-minute break. Food always worked as great motivation for
me, too. I was almost always eating while studying. It kept me alert and energized.
HOW DO YOU STAY MOTIVATED TO STUDY AND DO ASSIGNMENTS? I try to focus on the feeling of relief and freedom that hits once an assignment is completed and how that feeling is multiplied when it’s completed to the best of my ability.
WHICH BOOK SHOULD EVERY STUDENT READ IN HIGH SCHOOL AND WHY? The Giver by Lois Lowry. It’s not only a well-written, wonderful work of fiction, but it’s loaded with important morals and lessons. It’s the type of book that’ll make you want to go write a book.
WHAT’S SOMETHING NEW YOU WANT TO TRY IN COLLEGE? I would love to learn an instrument or another foreign language in addition to Spanish.
ERIK
HIGGINBOTHAM ST. JOHN LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL GPA: 4.83 UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA MAJORING IN ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
to me, I tried to because I knew that is what I am called to do.
WHAT DO YOU DO IF YOU’RE NERVOUS BEFORE A TEST? Pray, and remember that all the studying is over and all I can do is my best.
HOW DID YOU DECIDE ON YOUR MAJOR AND WHERE TO GO TO SCHOOL? One of the hardest decisions I have had was choosing where to go to college. I really tried to seek what God’s will was for this part of my life. There were months and months of looking into each school, but after much praying, thinking and deliberating, I have decided to attend the University of Florida. I would like to become a registered nurse and work in the delivery room or the emergency room. I have even thought about being a helicopter nurse. I may also want to go further than nursing, but for right now, just nursing is the plan.
WHY ARE ACADEMICS IMPORTANT TO YOU? Academics are important to me because they help me achieve my goals. Everyone desires to be successful at some level, but not everyone is willing to put in the work. Through academics, I can be successful and be someone I’m proud of.
WHICH BOOK SHOULD EVERY STUDENT READ IN HIGH SCHOOL AND WHY? Every student should read Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. This novel shows the importance of education and original thought in life.
WHAT’S ONE THING YOU WISH YOU HAD DONE IN HIGH SCHOOL? I wish I would have been more involved in school sports. The sports I did play connected me with people I never thought I would be friends with and taught me invaluable leadership skills.
WHAT’S SOMETHING NEW YOU WANT TO TRY IN COLLEGE? Getting involved in student government. There was not a big program at my high school, and I have always wanted to get involved that way.
WHO WAS YOUR FAVORITE TEACHER AND WHY? My favorite teacher was Mr. Paul Heath. Although he did not teach one of my favorite subjects (AP literature), he made the class enjoyable and taught me that gaining valuable wisdom through life experiences is just as important as being successful.
HOW DID YOU DECIDE ON YOUR SCHOOL AND MAJOR? My decision was a no-brainer. The University of Florida is one of, if not the best, school in Florida. I have always been a Gator and having alumni parents encouraged me to carry on the legacy. I decided on electrical engineering because the field is vast and growing continuously. Problem solving has always been a skill of mine, and I aspire to use that skill to solve some of the world’s puzzles.
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