Saint Joseph’s University Top Questions

What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

Ryan

College differs from high school not because it takes up all your time but the opposite because you have so much free time. College courses are of course a bit more difficult but then again you’re smarter than you were high school. The real difference is the responsibility to manage your time, complete your work, and go to class. No one’s going to ring a bell and tell you it’s time to move to your next class, no one’s going to shame you into completing all your work or even make you attend class, it’s all up to you. That’s not to say college is hard but it is very different and it takes getting used to. Stay positive, plan ahead, set time aside for having fun and making friends.

Emily

If I could give my high school senior advice, I'd first tell myself to motivate myself more and manage my time better. Getting a head start on managing time would be beneficial in transitioning into college. I'd also tell myself to choose a different college as the price is too much to be honest. I never divulged too much into college searching so I'd be sure to tell my past self to really search more and to not stop at the first decent place. Another thing I'd tell me is to not be worried so much. Finally, I'd tell my senior self to just get my license already and to stop wasting time as now I'm gonna have to take the permit test again (going out-of-state definitely did not help the license situation). Overall, I'd tell myself to prepare more and to somehow motivate myself!

Neanta

The advice I would give my senior high school self would be to accumulate as many assets and awards as possible. For example, one thing I regret was not taking both the SAT and ACT examination. Instead, I took the SAT examination and two subject tests. I have learned that, taking both the standard college examinations would have given me more financial aid from my university. In addition ,I would advise myself to accumulate as many scholarships as I could during the summer break before college. During the summer, I remember attempting to apply for scholarships and becoming disheartened when I did not win some scholarships. From what I have learned now, it is important to obtain to work hard on the scholarships when you have the time and to make someone examine your work before submitting the scholarships. Finally, the last piece of advice I would give myself would be to allow good people to come to you instead of blindly looking for friends. Allowing people to come to you allows you to analyse each person to see if they are a good influence on you. I have made college friends that have come to me through academic activities.

Sarah

The piece of advice I wish I could have given myself prior to starting college is that it is okay to ask for help. There are many programs out there to help you succeed, but only if you personally take advantage of them. My first semester, in Calculus II I was challenged by infinite sequences but reluctant to get help. I felt like not understanding a concept in a lower-level course (relative to a math major) undermined my entire future plan, which was a bit of an overreaction to say the least. In the end, I went to see a student tutor, and it was incredibly helpful. Furthermore, the professors at Saint Joe’s really want to not only help you in their subject but get to know you as well. I wish I could have told myself not to be afraid to use office hours. I’ve benefitted in more ways than just gaining a better understanding of class materials. Whether it was a discussion about planning a double major, advice about opportunities to study abroad, or a walking away with a book to borrow, they are an invaluable resource, and truly want to see you succeed.

Abigail

Live in every moment and look for the good in everyone and everything. College is tough, it is easy to judge people off the bat and is easy to get down on yourself. Before every new situation, take a deep breathe, and hope for the best even when you are the most skeptical. If you keep a negative outlook and assume the worst on your expeirences in college it will in the end hinder the moment when looking back on it. Everyone is afraid to try new things, but going into it with a smile and positive attitude can cause you to enjoy the stressful and challenging parts of college. Lastly, you will are ever evolving and learning about yourself, do things you would never do in high school, challenge yourself, continue to surprise yourself by doing things completely outside of your comfort zone.

Emma

Dear Emma,As you decorated your freshman dorm room with pictures of your high school friends, posters, and quotes, hang up one more thing – a piece of paper that says, “Everything happens for a reason”. As cliché as that may sound, those words will guide you the next four years. Whatever happens, trust that something greater will come of it. It will be a journey filled with highs and lows, but as you know from running, the exhilarating downhills cannot exit without the challenging uphills. The lessons gained from the battles you will fight will show you your strength and build you into a woman fueled by passion and determination. Most lessons you have to experience to truly learn, but so you have faith in this sign on your wall, I will give you this. At cross-country training camp, you will develop a femoral stress fracture and will not run cross-country. Although you will worry that your coach will regret recruiting you, it is at this low point that your relentless cross training will become a story of triumph. This unfortunately will not be your only injury, but like I said, everything happens for a reason – just believe.

Nick

The very first thing I would tell my past self about the college process is to listen to everything the people around you are suggesting to you, but do not forget what is important to you. The decision is such an important one and it is a decision you are making for yourself and your future, so listen to what everyone has to say but stay true to what you believe in and what you want. Additionally, I would tell myself that once you get to college, before anything else make sure you be yourself. Meeting new people is inevitable at college and the best way to do so is by simply being yourself. Likewise, I would also recommend being friendly to others. Making connections at school can be much more than a social activity, it can also be extremely beneficial, when it comes to quesitons about class, getting notes, or having classmates to just get lunch with establishing good relationships is key. Having good people around you can help the transition from living at home and going to high school to living away at your university much less stressful. Lastly, I would suggest getting involved in activities of interest.

Amy

Do not be afraid to ask a billion questions about colleges when visiting. Realize that college is the first step to your future, not just another phase in your life that you HAVE to go through, so make sure you want to go where it is you choose to go, and that you are willing to pay back all that you will owe. Don't be afraid to be different, because often times the most diverse people are the most fun and interesting. Don't be shy, and don't care about what others may think. Realize that person in your life that will always be there for you, and never forget that they are there to catch you. Do not tie yourself down to one group of friends. Put your school work ahead of your social life, at least once in a while, because you are paying for the education more so than the memories and the friends. Try new things, and don't be afriad to go to bed early! College is exciting and offers so much freedom, so make sure to take in all the experiences while maintaining responsibility for yourself.

betsy

first friends are not only friends

Brendan

Be your self. Work hard. It's not the smartest person that always does the best, but the person who works the hardest. Hard work pays off. Trust yourself and stay true to your beliefs. Stand up for what you think is right. Have fun and be loyal to your friends and family. These are the people who will have your back and will be there for you. Be thankful for what you have in your life. Live the Magis!

Lucinda

My advice for my self as a senior in high school would be, trust in your self. I think the hardest thing i have delt with was to take the first step in obtaining my college degree in Nursing. I was afraid and did not feel I had what it takes to be a college student. To compound to my fear, I had four children and a fulltime job. I see how important it is to have a college degree and if I was single and had no children, I would finish school quicker and have less stress. life is only as complicate as we make it. The less responsibilities you have the easy it is to accomplish your goals. Also, do not regret the choices you make and never settle for less.

Clarke

Dear Senior Clarke, I know you're going through alot right now, but you need to keep your head in the game. With Mom gone, you have every more reason to push hard and set a good example for the little girls. Dont slack off anymore, follow your dreams and push yourself so you dont end up in classes with no rellevance to you. Take is seriously, you wont get these days back and they're the ones that determine where you'll be next year. Keep your grades up in school so you can keep those schools that are looking at you, train your butt off in track so you can accept one of those offers coming twoards you. Dont listen to what anyone else is saying, Mom would want you to graduate and finish strong.

Matthew

If I could go back in time and give myself any piece of advice as a senior in high school relating to the transition to college life, I would tell myself to listen and learn from the experience of all the people around me who had recently made the transition into college life. Specifically, my older brother, who at the time was a senior in college, would have been able to provide great examples of situations that I would soon find myself in. For example, a roommate conflict may have been much simpler to resolve and less intense had I genuinely listened to the things my brother told me before I entered college. So, if I had to do it all again, I would ask my brother for any interesting and possibly negative situations he found himself in and how he was able to grind through them so easily.

Julie

Hello Self. First off, pay attention in Honors Calculus. I realize it's second semester of your Senior Year and you already are in National Honors Society and on the executive board of a host of other programs. Yet, you'll need this basic understanding to help you in college calculus, which is a lot harder. That brings me to my main point. Don't slack off. Again, I realize that sounds like a corny cliche that is way overused by your mother, but you're going to need to learn good study habits now. Because not only is college life unbelievably more difficult on the academic level, you also have to deal with not being home to take care of everything all the time and no time alone to do homework like at home. There will constantly be people to distract you and home to worry about, taking away from work. Without learning efficient study habits now, you will do very poorly. Being away from home is more problamatic then you would imagine. You can't be spending time that you could be studying on worrying about the health and care of your parents. Be motivated now. Love, Self.

Chudney

Going to college was always a must as far as my parents were concerned so I thought my college experience would be strictly about learning and taking classes; however, once I began to attend my university I learned more outside the classsroom than in the classroom. I learned ultimately how to be a responsible young adult who can take care of business and accomplish thier goals. At St. Joesph's Univeristy, I have to balance classes, homework, campus activities, volunteeering, and personal affairs. This is extrememly important in building a prosperous future.

Rebecca

Attending Saint Joseph's University has been an extremely rewarding experience. As a psychology major I have taken many classes which have challenged me and furthered my love for psychology. Saint Joe's also requires students to take courses in philsophy and theology, which has been a great oppurtunity. I have been able to take a pottery class in order to fulfill an art/ literature requirement, which was a great experience. Being at Saint Joseph's has taught me what I am capable of. I now know that I can stay up for a trememndous amount of hours studying and ace an exam which I thought would be the death of me. I also can now make a plate which is perfectly centered (almost) thanks to my four credits in pottery. I know that I have so much ahead of me and so many things to look forward to. I am excited for the two years that I have left at Saint Joe's and plan to take advantage of all of the oppurtinuties I have there!

Theresa

Through my college experience, I have developed mental toughness. I came into college expecting to work hard and party hard; I thought I would be happy because St. Joe's was my top choice school. After the first week of classes, I began to feel like I did not belong at St. Joe's- I had no friends and I was simply unhappy. I constantly thought about transferring. After several months internal conflict, I came to a realization that I am at St. Joe's because it has a strong business program and I feel the academic setting is beneficial to my future. My education is my top priority and I am willing to sacrifice temporary happiness for a brighter career path. My classes have been great; I have learned many things and have been introduced to different subject areas. I have learned not only in the classroom, but also through community service. One of Saint Joseph's taglines is "Not for Spectators." Saint Joe's students are very involved in reaching out to the community and sharing what we have with the world. Through service, I have learned about how others live in the Philadelphia area.

Frances

I absolutely love where I go to school. I enjoy my classes and teachers. Like everyone else, classes are not easy but they are managable.

Kelley

College has given me the ability to gain a sense of independence. I would say that I have learned the majority of this outside of the classroom. Having played Varsity Women's Lacrosse for three years I found that I could not attend a job interview and speak about much else besides lacrosse. Although I learned several life skills including leadership, teamwork and dedication I knew there were other things on campus I wanted to become a part of. That is why I made the decision to leave the team senior year so that I could pursue an internship (which my campus does a fairly good job hosting networking events and career fairs) so that I could better prepare myself for life after college. Attending college changes you as an individual so that you begin to recognize what your true interests in life are. It is a complete growing experience and one which I know has helped me become better in tune with myself. From classroom work to group projects to clubs and activities I have been exposed to new friends, a new sense of motivation and a drive to succeed in all future endeavors.

Youlita

When I was a little Uzbeki girl my mother sold all of her jewelry to send my older sister to college, so I thought that attending college would never be possible for me, and it became an unreacheble dream. I worked hard day and night to save up money to come to America and go to school to achieve my dream of becoming a psychologist. I met my husband here... he told me about community college, and that it was affordable. Attending community college wasn't the prestigious experience I had in mind, but when FAFSA supplied me with money to cover my full tuition and I finally completed my first semester of classes, I felt a sense of accomplishment and confidence that I never imagined possible. The teachers were actually fantastic and the classrooms were lovely and high-tech. After just a few semesters of study I have become a part of the Phi Theta Kappa Honers society - an incredible reward for all of my hard work. I have now taken many fascinating psychology classes, and have even begun doing community service through the honors society, my life and self-perception is forever changed!

traci

So far, I have gotten a strong feeling of my school. The way people feel and react when they hear sju, is just a warm and good feeling.

Kelly

Always be prepared for class by reading ahead. When the syllabus sayings the professor will be going over chapter one on Monday, read the chapter and take notes before so you understand and you can engage in class. Try to get every point possible for the class, because every little point counts as well. I would tell myself be happy in highschool, because my senior year I just wanted to get to college. It is not the best thing in world, because although you are free from your parents, the responsibility level is unbelieveable. The work load is very hard so make sure you set aside enough time in the day for that. Be very outgoing and optimistic about meeting new people. Do not judge someone just because of what they look like, because you have no idea what they are really like. Be open to trying new things and do not hold back at all. If you want to do something go for it.

Cara

If I could go back in time. Wow, that is a question I have thought about many times throughout my year and a half at Saint Joseph's University. At the time of applying for colleges my senior year of high school, I was rebelling against my parents' choice of Rutgers University. Although, it would ease my financial struggle, I knew in the long run I would not be able to fit in and it did not offer anything extraordinary for my major. When I stumbled across Saint Joseph's, it contained everything I was looking for, small classes, field experience in elementary and special educations classrooms, and a plethora of activities. Now, going into my second semester, I feel the financial burden. There in tension in my household and it's hard to get across to my parents how much this school means to me. If i could change time and go back to my senior year, I would be more considerate of scholarship awards and other opportunities I could of received that could of helped my financial status at SJU. However, I would not change the choice of school, SJU is a perfect fit for me.

Julie

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would try to reiterate the risk a student takes when applying to a school which requires that student to use private student loans. I chose Saint Joseph?s University based on the business courses and degree it had to offer me, but I wish I would have explored more options because of the financial burden which it has caused me in a terrible economy. As far as college life goes, I would advise a high school senior to be prepared for a heavier workload which requires class attendance and participation. You are choosing to attend college to further and enrich your education through the classroom and life experiences. The transition can be difficult, but if you take college seriously then you can succeed. It is 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} possible to have fun and still do well in school! As long as you are responsible with schoolwork and manage your time correctly, you will be able to find some ?play? time. Counselors and other resources are available at many colleges to help a new student understand time management, so be sure to use them!

Taryn

Dear Taryn, I know going to college will be a tremendous growing experience for you, not only academically, but in all aspects of your life as well. Work hard, play hard, and sieze every moment. This is such a small window of time in your life, where you can be exactly who you want to be - so don't blink! The best advice I can give to you is to get involved on campus. Becoming involved makes the transition process much easier . It introduces you to great people, teaches you what you like and dislike, and allows you to become a well-rounded individual. So, don't be afraid to try new things - you may discover that you want to be a ballerina instead of an astrophysicist. Do what you are capable of - if you can't join five extracurricular activities, at least join one or two. This unique experience is all about finding out who you are, what you are good at, and what you truly love to do, all the while making lifetime friends. These next four years prepare you for a lifetime of discovery and fulfillment, so take chances, be courageous, and enjoy the ride! Sincerely, Taryn

Carl

If I went back in time and decided to talk to myself about the future, I would tell him that he was not prepared for college. I would tell him this because he didn't take his education seriously. He went through high school without studying any longer than hour week. Despite this, he still managed to get good grades which made him cocky when thinking about the workload of college. In college, you can't expect to do well in any class unless you put in the effort. More than one hour of studying a week is definitely needed. For me, the transition from not studying at all to studying frequently was very diffiicult, which is why I would tell him to start immediately. I would also tell him to not be afraid about going into a new school without his friends. I would tell him that as soon as classes start, he will meet people who will become some of the best friends he will ever have. Hopefully, my advice to my younger self will make him prepared for the workload and less nervous about going to Saint Joseph's.

Nicole

I would give myself the advice of Dr. Richard Carlson, ?Don?t sweat the small stuff? and it?s all small stuff.? While college seems like a big deal, it really is not worth worrying about as much as I did. For example, I worried about getting into my first choice school, but I did not need to worry. Most colleges are looking for well-rounded individuals, who have decent grades, are involved in clubs, and participate in volunteer work. Basically, I had already done everything I needed to do to get into a respectable school. I have learned that it is futile to worry about things that I have no control over. Stressing over something will not change the outcome. I worried that my essay was not good enough or my SAT scores were not high enough, but worrying could not change them. For the things I could control, fretting should have only motivated me to take action. While worrying about the cost of college will not change the price, it has pressured me to find scholarship opportunities. Generally, I wish I had spent less time worrying about my future and more time enjoying the excitement of senior year.

Rebecca

BE YOURSELF! When I first got to college I thought that because I was striaght-edge (a term that means you don't drink, smoke or do drugs) I wouldn't make any friends. The friends I made all like to drink socially and instead of finding fun things to do on the weekends they would just drink. I was too afraid of not having friends to tell them my beleifs about drinking and drugs, so I just went along with them to parties and sat there, unhappily. One day I was talking to a girl in my theology class and I could tell she and I had the same sense of humor. I assumed that she, like the other girls I was friends with, drank so I invited her to a party that we were going to that night. She then told me that she was going to go to a film festival and that I am welcome to come but there would be no drinking. She explained that her and her friends didn't drink or do drugs, so they try and find fun alternatives to drinking every weekend. She and I have been friends ever since!

Nicole

First and foremost, I would tell myself to cherish the time I have with my family and friends from home. I learned that it is easy to take these special people for granted because you see them every day. But at school (for me, four hours away), it is easy to lose yourself. In highschool, I was very focused on my schoolwork. Of course this is a good thing, but I did not spend time looking around me to see who and what I would miss. When I moved in, I got very busy and started to see that some of the relationships with people that I love from home were deteriorating before my eyes. Knowing what I know now about college life, I would tell myself to slow down and look around. I would take the time to be with my family and friends before leaving for school. And when I got to school, I would make a bigger effort to keep in touch with the people at home that I hold close to my heart.

Karen

As a senior, I thought I was really set in everything. I knew where I was going to college and I had no worries about school. But looking back, I would have told myself to be a little more stressed about it, as funny as that might sound. I would tell myself to apply for loads and loads more scholarships and loans and grants. I would also join more activities once I started at school, which would have made it easier to make friends. My high school self should have been more preparted for starting school, especially being away from home. But I think that I've made it alright as it was, except for the financial aid thing, but I think every college student has that problem.

Briana

Always do the work on time and/or ahead of time. No procrastination.

Qianhui

College life is exploring yourself and going beyond limits.

Ryan

Selecting a college is a tricky thing. The ultimate goal is to be successful in your classes, graduate and find a great career that you will love. On the other hand, there are the college experiences outside the classroom that are just as important. The trick is to find the balance of the academic and social aspects of a perspective college that best fit you. The one thing you do not want to do is select a college just because your friends are going there. Selecting a college should be a personal choice in which you think it will produce the best results in both the academic and social areas. Do not worry about the money situation too much. Whether it is community college or an Ivy League university, the end results are primarily the same. The key is to apply for anything and everything possible to help you achieve your goal such as academic scholarships, sport scholarships, grants, and loans. Where there is a will there is a way.

Micaela

You really need to look for the right fit for you according to what you like to do in your spare time, what kinds of values you have, and where you would like to see yourself in the future. Finding the right school takes time, and sometimes it helps to look for schools outside of your comfort zone, like schools in other states or schools that have larger price tags. You should apply to the schools that call your attention regardless of wether or not you think they are out of your league or out of your price range. The important thing is to get accepted to the schools that call your attention and then take it from there. Talk to your parents, counselors, and of course the school's representatives. Visit the school. If you can envision yourself walking through the campus for the next four years of your life then you have found the right one.

Megan

Focus on finding a school that feels like home that has a lot of options. Do not go solely to a school because it has the best program for your field because you may change your mind once you get there.

Kevin

As a rising-senior in my undergraduate career looking ahead to further studies, I have begun reflecting upon the process of applying to college and the ensuing choices that result from college experience. The best advice I could give would be to focus on the institution?s size location, and community. Size is important in terms of student-professor ratios along with overall student population. The location is vital in terms of both geographical and sociological terms. This draws into question matching the student?s personality with the personality of the institution/surrounding community. Additionally, the makeup of the school?s student population is important. Both the majority population and the minority populations should be noted. The experience of college will be different for each individual. From personal experiences I have found that many of the most involved individuals I know gave themselves some time to adjust to their surroundings before becoming involved. This time frame depends again on the individual, but I would suggest at least one semester of simply discovering what is offered by an institution before committing to specific organizations. Overall, a student must realize that periods of adjustments will govern most of their college existence.

Francis

Finding the right college does not have to involve balancing tuition costs or measuring distance from home; instead, it should involve the impressions one gets from campus visits and interraction with current students. Once attending the college where hopefully one felt most comfortable, becoming a representative of your school becomes of utmost importance, from academic efforts, to performance at part-time jobs, and dedication to extra-curricular activities.

Jasmine

Find a school that is an economic and academic possibilty and never underestimate the power of a tour or overnight visit. Ask planty of questions, better to know ssooner than later. COllege is what you make it, go some place that offers an abundance of the things you like to do and the rest will fall into place. Depite what people say, may think, one's social life is a huge part of college seeing as though we dont spend that much time in the classroom relative to outside of the classroom. Go somewhere that fits in with you, as opposed to trying to fit it with it.

Shannon

visit as many schools as possible. and when the student finds a college where they feel like they belong, parents should try their best to have their child end up at that school.

Matthew

I would advise people applying to college and trying to figure out which is the best choice for them to stay over at the school. You may have a great experiance and "feel" for the school just by visiting during the day for a tour. When you walk around and ask your tour guide questions, everything may seem wonderful, from what the school offers, academics, campus life, etc. Do not base your decision solely on this. If you think a particular college is the right choice, stay over a night at the school and get a real idea of how the social aspect of the school is. The most important thing in college is to be happy, and even if everything else is going great, having a good social life and feeling accepted is the most important.

Andy

You need to be comfortable on campus and with your friends, but dont choose a school based on a purely social decison. You are there for a reason.

Rob

Be open to the people you meet and the surroundings you encounter. Be careful about the friends you meet but also be open to accepting new friends and trying new things. Have fun and study hard. Try to stay focus and work on time management.

Eric

Choosing the right college is not just about academics. Social life is important for stress relief, and to make life-long friends. Balancing academics and your social life is the tricky part but, without both of these things, the college experience is not what it could be. If you need to, take time off from school after high school to rest yourself. There is no point in rushing into a situation where your maturity level will interfere with your ability to concentrate on work . Good luck!

Alexis

Visit the campus beforehand and try to get in touch with current students or alumni. Pay special attention to your major's department - these are the people you'll be interacting with most. Most college rating websites allow you to email people who have posted - email them and ask informed, detailed questions about both academics and social life. Make the most of external resources about your college. The most important part is knowing what YOU want from a college experience, which may be difficult because you are navigating new territory. Be honest with yourself and look at your study/play habits during highschool, as well activities in which you participate or would like to participate. College is hard - this, above all, needs to be understood, and it's a four-year investment. Be prepared!

Brendan

Don't worry so much about the students that attend the school because everyone makes friends. Pick a school that sets you up with what you want to do and stay involved with your classes and teachers. The hardest part of college is making sure you wake up for class.

Paul

Prior to making a final decision in selecting a school, be sure to visit the school first and get a taste of all the aspects of the college life.

Sam

My advice is to be as open minded and positive as possible. College is supposed to be one of the greatest experiences of your life and that depends on how you approach it. Take the time to visit many schools, and never count out a school before learning about it. While in school, always be open to new experiences. Take pride in doing your schoolwork as best you can. Don't ever hesitate to ask faculty for help. Outside the classroom, be willing to explore everything that is around you. College is much more than the books.

charles

Find a college most suitable to your kids academic and social levels. Meaning if your interested in business and you love college football. Look for schools with a big college football team and a business school that will allow them to grow in the future. I also think it is crucial to look at the scope of kids that enter that school. It seems to me that races stick together in college and clicks form. So look at schools with kids that have your interests, styles and social events. It is necessary to fit in on your college campus if you don't play a varsity sport or are not involved in a fraternity or sorority. It is hard to make freinds if you are not plugged into those social pipelines, therefore look at schools with your common interests.

Joseph

Pick something that will allow you to gain a sense of independence but also allow you to greow spirtually and intellectually.

Helen

College is a time for growing and learning about yourself. Find a campus that fits your needs, both with education and community. Finding a college that has the student population that makes you the most comfortable, and that really commits itself to the programs and extracurriculars you are interested in is important. The surrounding area should be suiting to you also; it is the area you will live in for at least 4 years, so make sure you like the area. An academically challenging college that helps you to grow to your educational potential, as well as providing adequate support services is also important.