Saint Mary’s College Top Questions

I would tell myself to focus on academics a lot more than I did during my freshman year. I would also say to be more outgoing and make a lot of friends and go out with them to parties to meet people, especially boys, because it limits me now. I would say to move rooms because I had a horrible roommate freshman year and it made me miserable, I was considering transferring for a little bit. I would tell myself to stick with my school and not hate it so much because of certain circumstances, but just get through the first year and it will all get a lot better, because it did. I would also say be more forceful in choosing classes because I have fallen behind in major classes because I was not able to take them freshman and sophomore year. I would also have told myself to not apply to as many colleges as I did because I applied to a lot of reach schools and spent a lot of money on application fees that ended up being easy rejections for the schools in which I applied.

My days as a senior high school student were very tough. My mother passed away from an illness while i was going on my second month of my senior year. If i could talk to myself i would tell myself that I need to trust the people around me and believe i could make it past this bump in the road. I would encourage myself to do my best in high school and to keep my spirit up! With many scholorships i could go to a really good school, despite my lack of money, and loss of my supportive parent. I would remind myself of how great of family and friends i had that would support me through my struggle and help me to make my dream come true of going to college! With the thought of my wonderful mother being proud of me, i made it through my senior year and now i am almost through my freshman year at St Marys! One other thing I would say is college life is great but its not easy; you must stay focussed on your grades and prepare for the finicial part!!

It may take time to find the right friends, but don't let that stop you from looking! Make faith and strong friendships a priority in addition to your school work, but don't let your social life be a distraction to your education. Time managment skills are important skills to acquire, though it may be a difficult process of trial and error at times. DON'T COMPROMISE OR LOWER YOUR STANDARDS! Be smart--don't do things you know you will regret. Give praise and thanksgiving to Jesus Christ in the bad times and the good times, because everything is a gift and an opportunity.

If i could go back and talk to myself as a senior in high school, I would tell myself to choose the college best for me. Not the college that is closest to my friends or the college all my friends are going to. Think about what is best for myself and where I can be the most successful upon graduation. I would tell myself to pick the college that will make me the best person I can be. Choose the college that you I can see myself calling home. Choose the college that you cannot wait to go back to after being away. Make your college decision based you you and your future that you have ahead of you. College is the time of your life and where you grow as an individual, pick the college that will have a positive impact in your life and in your future. Be proud of your future home.

I would tell myself to go to college with an open mind. Not to judge people or walk into a class thinking "this is going to be too hard". I would tell myself not to be afraid to ask questions. Half the people around me are new as well and there are about 10 other people who have the same question. I would also tell myself that talking to the professors would be the best thing to do. Making a relationship with the professor is the best thing to do. The professors are here to help the studends, not to scare them. I would tell myself that studying comes first. As tempting as going out would be fininshing your studies is the most important part.

Advice for high school seniors planning to attend college: 1. Be grateful everyday for all the things your Mom does that you never even knew existed - you will be doing them for yourself next year. 2. Take only necessary belongings and only a reasonable amount of clothing. No matter how large the grandest dorm room is , it is still a small dorm room. 3. Learn how to study and manage your time, that is unless you want to return home second semester. 4. Don't let high school teachers scare you; college professors are nice people. 5. Practice getting along with you siblings, unless blessed, roommates are only worse. 6. Live and love each day; you don't have to completely grow up until you graduate.

If I could go back and speak with my high school self I would have advised myself to be more social. Academics are important and living by the light of faith, but people are very important aspects of your life. Don't worry what they think, you are an amazing young woman who has accomplished a lot at a young age. Be secure in yourself and be the out-going, funny, intellegent girl that you are. In college it is easy to be focused on academics and conforming yourself to the ideals of those around you, but that is what makes college so great, you can be you and be a part of everything else that is going on. Be yourself an orignal is better than a copy.

I would confidently tell myself to keep my mind completely open to diverse opportunities and options as I consider colleges and majors. One must make no assumptions and one must be prepared to work harder than they did in high school. This is the beginning of a new chapter in your life that will lead to a lifetime of possibilities. The road will be filled with challenges and set backs, but you will emerge as a competent citizen of the world. As you enter the college scene be prepared to socialize and make life-long friends. Meeting new people is a key part to your personal and academic success. Most importantly, the purpose of college is to mold a type of person that is able to take control of their destiny and reach their personal dreams. Although the journey may be difficult, the pursuit is worth the effort as Rudy Ruettiger (ND) echos that one must never give up because "Having Dreams is what makes life tolerable."

When considering colleges for your childrens future, be sure to consider your childrens wants and needs before your own. Many parents tend to push a child toward a college that they themselves have an emotional attachment to, even if that school may not be a right fit for their child. When deciding on a school, allow both the future student and parent to make a list of qualities they want in a college. When finished, combine the list and use it as a reference guide while visiting campuses, checking off what each campus offers compared to the other. This will make the decision much easier because instead of focusing on if your child/you are qualified enough for the school, your focus will be turned more toward if the school is qualified enough for your child/you. Once you have made the decision of which college to attend, go to the college's website and begin researching club/volunteer options. Joining a club or volunteering right away at a new school will open up a doorway to the social realm of college giving you the opportunity to make new friends and thrive in your new environment!

Parents and students, research the schools on your list to find the one that's right for you. It is important to visit the school together as a parent/child team, and I think students really get a feel for each school's unique campus life by staying for a day or night at the college. In this way they can come to see if the college is compatible to the prospective student. As a second semester sophomore I am beginning to see how fast the time flies, and how short the college experience really is. Before I know it I will be thrust into the real world of careers, bills, and responsibilities, and now is my time to both relish my fun, carefree youth and prepare myself for the tasks that lay ahead. I was able to find a school that fits my social needs and integral educational needs, so that once I do graduate from college, I will be ready for the next bend in the road.

Even if you "know" where you want to go, make sure to visit a variety of schools. You learn a lot by being exposed to schools of different size, location, religion, etc. Financial aid is also extremely important. Many people shy away from private schools because of the cost, but if you are a good student and can demonstrate financial need, they are often a better value. As far as the experience, make sure to become involved on campus. Even if you are just a little bit interested in something, check it out. You may find a passion, new friends, or even a new career direction.

I would definitely suggest visiting the colleges being looked at. I have lived ten minutes away from Saint Mary's my whole life and I absolutely did not want to go there for college. I am so happy that my brother's girlfriend attented the College and I went to visit her. I have never felt so at home in a place in my life. I would strongly suggest visiting as many campuses as possilbe, even the ones you wouldn't think you'd like because you very well may be pleasently surprised, I know I was.

As a student make sure that YOU like the school that you are going to attend. Make a weekend trip to the school, attend classes in the major you are interested and and stay with a student on campus who is interested in the same things as you are. If you like to go to parties, do NOT stay with someone who doesnt go out. If you prefer to stay in on the weekends and relax, do NOT stay with someone who is going to take you out to the bar. Apply to a lot of different places, you never know which one you will end up liking the most once you visit them all. Study hard, but make sure to enjoy yourself, this is college and you only get to experience it once. Live it with no regrets but be safe and smart when going out. Have fun and make a lot of friends while finding out who you are and what you want to be.

Make sure you choose a school that you are comfortable with. Always consider location, academics, social life, extracurricular activities, etc. The right school truly depends on you and what you are comfortable with and like. Also. always remember if it does not work out you are not commited to a school. You can transfer. Good luck with your search =)

Visit more than once if possible. Stay overnight and attend classes with a current student to see what life at that school is really like. Don't pick a school based on one program - most students change majors at least twice.

My words of advice to parents and students is to get involved. I believe that joining clubs or finding something that you are really passionate about is a way to help further your college education, but to also make the most of your college experience.

To find the right college, one should visit as many colleges as one is interested in. It is necessary to find out everything possible about the schools that one is considering. If you choose a school and think that you don't like it as much as you thought you would, give it some time. It would be a tough start at any school. Once you find the right people to associate with, everything gets better.

Take your time and start visiting campuses early. Colleges love applicants that are eager to receive information from their college, and show early interest. Take advantage of the opportunities provided by the colleges to visit with students. Take advantage of the opportunities to spend the night with a student to get a true feel for how life really goes.

The advice that I would give to future students looking for their perfect school, is that first and foremost they do what they feel is right. There will be many influences from the significant people in their lives, but they need to make their college decision on their own terms. I would strongly urge students not to choose a school solely because all of their friends, their boyfriend/girlfriend, or best friend is going to that school. They need to pick a school based on their needs and wants. I can almost garuntee that with the right disposition they will gain plenty new, meaningful friendships. I would also suggest, that even though it may be hard to actually leave home and move far from your home, they should not rule out a school because it is "too far from home". If they find a school that feels right and seems to fit them, but is too far away, they should consider it and know that "home is where your heart is" and will not be as hard as they believe. It may take time to adjust but in time they will most likely enjoy their independence and freedom.

Senior year is when the mailbox overflows with information about colleges all over the country. One thing to do as you receive letters is to have a pocket folder: one side for maybes and the other for yeses. For those schools that are not on the maybe list or the yes list, keep them in a separate folder, just in case you change your mind. Another thing that can be helpful is a visit to the college campus. This is what sealed the deal for me. Shadowing a student at a college to see what a normal class day was like and seeing how a student handles day-to-day activities can be helpful when trying to decide what you wanted from your college experience. This is something that needs to be decided before choosing a final college. By knowing what you want from a college, you can formulate questions to ask during a campus visit. One final suggestion is to apply to several colleges. If you know someone who attended a college you are looking at, ask them for an alumni application. Doing this, you can get a discount on the application fee or even have the fee waived.

To the student: chose a college/university that will make you truely happy! College is tough. You must, must find a balance between study time and play time. Also, remember who you are and who you want to become and never forget it. You can do anything you set your mind to. To the parents: be supportive of the students decisions. Although, you still must be the adult and the parent. College is stressful and the student needs someone to confide in.

VISIT VISIT VISIT!!! Get a feel for the campus, sit in on classes and have candid discussions with current students. Make sure the campus is the right fit for you. Afterall, it'll be "home" for the next four years!

Do what feels right. Go where you love and major in what you love. You will be happier for it. Jobs will follow. Trust your instincts and take risks and you will be a better, happier person.

Don't go to what you think is your first choice! Imagine a place that you think might be just as good, and you'll really surprise yourself. Don't forget to have fun and make friends. It's the most important thing you can do in college. Without friends, college wouldn't be what it is. Friends make the whole experience. Oh, and don't give up after your first semester even if you think you'd be happier somewhere else. Sometimes it takes a whole year to fall in love with a campus, sometimes it happens the first second you drive on campus.

To the parents: It will probably cost even more than that, but will be the best investment you could make. To the students: It goes by way too fast; enjoy it.

you should find a school that has the major you want as well as a warm and comforting environment. the school should be friendly and have people who smile at you. you need to feel welcome. do your work and get good friends. go out on the weekends and take some time away from schoolwork. you need to have fun or u will get burnt out. just remember these years go by so fast and you want to memories to last.

Choosing the right college is a difficult decision. When you select a college, the choice may seem like a life-and-death situation. However, if you do not like a college, you can always transfer. Think to yourself, "When I picture myself at a school do I want to sit in a lecture hall with a few hundred people or would I be better off with a smaller, more personal classroom?" If you feel that you are motivated to attend a school where your professors don't always know your name, then I say do what makes you happy. However, if you'd like a more personal relationship with your professors, attend a smaller school. Where do you picture yourself? A warm climate, the snowy mountains, or someplace in the middle? Do you want a school with a lot of spirit? Ask yourself a lot of questions! But in the end, follow your gut feeling. When you arrive at the college, meet as many people as you can. Know that everyone is in the same position as you-- although it might not seem like it, everyone is nervous about the upcoming year. Keep an open mind. Be optomistic...have fun!

Make sure it is the college the students want becasue if it is what the parents want, you are going ot have an unhappy student that has to live with it

Make sure you visit it with an open mind. The one you fall in love with is the one for you.

Find a place where you get the "home" vibe and you will like it. If you're not comfortable in the environment you will not be comfortable in the classroom. Try an overnight stay if you're still not sure. Talk to a few professors on a college visit.

I went on 12 college visits my senior year of high school, and Saint Mary's College was the last college I visited. The first 11 college visits just didn't ignite any sparks. But, when I visited Saint Mary's, I knew that this was the atmosphere I wanted to be a part; especially being very close to the University of Notre Dame. I love having a place where I can act like myself, not feel ashamed by my background, and NOT being pressured into something I do not want to do. Finding a college is a very hard decision to make; but, once you know, you know! :)

To parents of a highschool student who is looking at colleges I would say to trust your student, he/she knows what will be best for themselves. It is a difficult time in both you and your student's lives, so try to be understanding and do not put too much stress on this decision because if you do then they might make the wrong choice. Things for you to look for in a college are a college's security and acedmics departments, since these are the two main areas of worry that you will face once your student leaves for college. To the student looking for that perfect school. Make sure you stay opened minded and consider all your options before dismissing a school off your list. Do not just worry about the type of social/night life the college has but also consider housing, academics, and athletic facilities. To make the most out of your college experience be yourself, strive to do your best in your classes, and make friends. To ensure that you keep academics and your social life balenced just remember to study hard and party harder.

Find a place that fits you best

First off: plan ahead. There are a lot of things that are going to be new for you and your family when going to college. It may or may not be your first time without them and it can be hard to adjust. Don't give up. It will get better. Second: Only you can decide what is right for you. Everyone else can offer opinions and advice but only you can make the final decision. So do what is right for you. It's your education. Third: To get the most out of college, be yourself! You'll be surprised to find out how many people share your same favorite movies, tv shows, etc. Next thing you know, you have a whole group of new best friends! Don't be afraid to try new things and don't be too quick to judge others. Try to keep an open mind and open heart and you will be able to take full advantage of everything college life has to offer.

make sure you pick the right school for you and not the right school for your parents or friends and make sure you do a lot of research about the school so you know everything about it and there will be no surprises

Talk with the professors! If the professors care about the students and have a passion for their field, they will inspire that in your student and your student will in turn at least enjoy the class.