Saint Michael’s College Top Questions

Hey, girl. Stop writing angstfilled poems about your mother for a moment and listen up. I want to tell you what to bring to college this fall. I’ve been there. You will need to bring that smile, the one you flash your best friend to say hello, because your positive outlook is going to make the first week much easier. Bring a photo of your friends from home; you’ll want to remember where you've been, even though your past pales in comparison to your future. Pack tissues, because saying goodbye is hard, and saying that first hello is going to take even more strength. Don’t worry. You have it in you. Take with you an open mind and a burning curiosity- that is how you will learn. Carry all of your excitement and only a little bit of your fear. You will make friends, I promise. Bring a good bar of soap, because things will get messy, but every mess can be cleaned with some effort. Lastly, master a good joke. Your sense of humor will keep you laughing. Remember: college is the reward for surviving high school. You’re in for a lot of fun.

If given the chance to go back in time, I would look my chubby, high school-self in the eye and simply tell that frightened, self-conscious little girl that she didn’t have to be afraid, because her future was what she made of it, and it is bright. There is no advice I would give my high school-self because I know that I would have fallen the very same path I have already taken; the path I have chosen is the right one for me.

Smile. Things will get better. Stop worrying about how much college will cost and if you go into debt that is fine, just work hard d to pay it back. Don’t wait too long to apply and even if you don’t know what you want to go for start with your general courses. It is important to stay healthy and fit so don’t give up tennis. You will be so much happier when you are in college, do not worry. Knowledge is Power and you know that, your talent for mathematics will help you go far and get any job you want. Be happy and have fun with life!

Every freshman is in the same boat as you are, meeting new friends not knowing very many people. Use the beginning months to be as friendly as possible aquainting yourself with a big smile on your face.

College has allowed me to become independent and more mature, and has also brought me some life-long, incredible friends, but it has been so much more than that. College has shown me a different side of myself and of the world. A fantastic class sparked an interest in business that I never knew existed. An extracurricular club opened up an artistic side I never would have explored. A study abroad opportunity literally showed me the world. An internship brought me back to reality. Saint Michael's College has given me more than just some great memories. Saint Mike's has helped me prepare for the next phase of my life and has given me a glimpse of that future I dream of. Oh yeah, I also can make it down the advanced ski trails now in one piece! Thanks, Saint Mike's for everything.

Although I've only been attending college for about 3 months, I've highly enjoyed the experience and cherish every day here. I was nervous to start my first year at a new place. Living with new people in a new environment can be intimidating. However, after the first few weeks I found that I adapted quite well. I made friends, got emersed in my classes, involved myself in the school's community service program and am succeeding at the so called 'college experience'. I think so far the college experience has taught me to live on my own better, and to be responsible for myself, as well as to be aware of others around me. I also think it has presented me with many opportunities to help others around me, especially because my college is heavily influenced by community service. This week is hunger and homelessness awareness week and as of now I am 18.5 hours into my 24 hour fast, and currently sitting in a lean-to on the campus lawn to promote awarness about the severity of homelessness domestically as well as globally; college is teaching me to open my eyes to the world around me.

I have gained a lot of knowledge in my studies, classes and books and mostly I've about myself through experiences, I gained a life long freinds from social networking, college activities and buidling a future through oppertunities being presented to me.

Coming to college, I never expected to be dragged into the world of academia. However, the amazing professors I had and the wonderful time I spent abroad convinced me that I should spend my life pursuing the intellectual. I fell in love with Medieval History while attending St. Michael's, and I was greatly encouraged by all my professors. I delved into the study of it as much as I could, learning Latin and Italian so I could study primary source documents. I am even writing a senior thesis that uses Medieval Latin chronicles as the main source of research material. I applied for Graduate programs and was accepted by the University of Chicago, where my history idol, David Nirenberg, works. I want desperately to attend there and eventually matriculate into their doctoral program, but I only received one-third of the tuition as financial aid, leaving me to come up with $30,000. I am already in huge amounts of debt from my undergraduate career ($40,000) and my parents have been wiped clean by their mortgage, paying for college for my brother and I, and every day bills. This money would help me acheive my goal in life.

Dear 17 year old Lauren, When the tour guide mentioned it gets cold enough here that people wear ski goggles while walking to class, you should have ran for the hills!! Everyone thought you were crazy to consider a small liberal arts Catholic college in snow ridden Vermont. Instead you followed your instincts and made the best decision ever. Now you are the one shredding down the slopes at Smugglers Notch using the $30 ski pass available to SMC students. Can you believe that at Saint Michael?s College you have gone white-water rafting, tried sushi, designed your own t-shirt, learned how to develop film, and saw Jay-Z in Montreal! You have attended Broadway shows at the Flynn Center and made some amazing friends. Haha I know that it seems unbelievable, but it is true. You have discarded your inhibitions and tried new and sometimes scary things! Way to go! I am so proud of you for letting down the walls and being brave enough to be yourself, freckles and all. Sincerely, 19 year old Lauren (same you just better hair style)

I would say make your college decision based on what YOU feel. It is very easy to be swayed by the thoughts of your parents or by high school teachers or guidance counselors, but ultimately, you are the one who must live at the school, learn at the school, make the school your new home. It is very important to visit the school, talk to the students that go there, sit in on a class, anything that helps you to see yourself at the school and feel that it is a match. College is really the experience you make it. If you go into it thinking, "This is going to be horrible, I won't make any friends and i'm going to fail!" then you're not going to have the best experience. Be positive! Keep an upbeat attitude!! Join new clubs, meet new people, DON'T BE AFRAID TO EXPERIENCE NEW THINGS!

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to stop taking life so seriously. Although college life is stressful and it is important to work hard in order to maintain a decent GPA, it is also crucial to know when to take a deep breath and relax. Throughout high school, I was always a hardworking, determined student who took academics very seriously. Since transitioning to college life, I have learned the hard way that life can become overwhelming and difficult to manage if one lets himself/herself become too focused on always being perfect. To lead a successful life, one needs to learn how to maintain a balance between working hard and having fun.

I would tell myself to try out a few more organizations and different types of classes, because I might find something I love doing or studying in the most unexpected place. I would also tell myself to be more friendly and less reserved, because there was nothing to be afraid of at Saint Michael's; it is the most nonjudgemental community I have ever encountered. I would also tell myself to visit my professors more for help during the exhausting classes of Statistics and Computer Science, instead of struggling through them. Other than that, I believe that my experience at Saint Michael's has worked our pefectly and the way it is supposed to. I'm experiencing new things, expanding my knowledge, learning a lot of new material, and have found a potential in myself I didn't know was there before.

No matter how many times a person tells you about an experience such as the college, one will never truly understand until he/she has actually experienced the emotions, feelings, and sensory experiences that accompany that event. Therefore no matter what I had told myself, I never would have been 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} prepared for the jump from college to high school. However, when I was a senior in high school, I heard a college freshman saying, "I can't say whether I like college or high school better because they are completely different experiences." This is exactly what I found upon entering college. It is enjoyable in ways that high school could never be only because it is very different. If I had to pick one thing to tell myself i guess I would just say, "keep an open mind and take it all in because it goes by quicker than you expect." Other than that, you just have to jump off the cliff and hope that there will be a trampoline at the bottom to catch you. Don't leave home with any reservations and just have fun.

I would say that when you get to college. Remember that you do know who you are. Do not change for other people. Do not let others push you around. You are BEAUTIFUL! Try out for everything. You never know where it may take you. Watch who you trust with your heart. Its fragile. Be good to others and they will be good to you. and if they arnt. Leave them in the DUST! They arnt worth your time.

I think that within certain bounds, you can make any college "the right" college for you. It is all about expectations and adaptations. Put aside your expectations and allow your inner gut to guide you (this goes for students and parents!). Maybe your school is not the best in the field you plan to study or maybe most people have not heard of it-- don't worry! If it feels right, it probably is. Once you arrive at this school, sign up for a class you don't need or join a club you don't know anything about. You will meet different people who will challenge the way you view yourself and the world. This will make your college experience.

Finding the right college seems like the most daunting task of the last 2 years of high school to both students and parents. However, once you take a deep breath and really think about what you want out of your college experience, you will see that there are MORE than enough options out there for you. So to be short and sweet: Take a deep breath, think about your goals for college, then do some reasearch. The perfect college for you IS out there. I can PROMISE you that!

When deciding which school to attend it is helpful to research as you can about each school- you've already taken the first step by looking at this website. Do an overnight stay at schools you're interested in to get a feel for the atmosphere and ask everyone plenty of questions! The best way to find out about the school is from those who have personal experience attending it. You should have a general idea of what your preferences are in size, location, etc., but at the same time make sure those preferences don't dictate your choice. Your ideal college may turn out to be completely different from what you planned. Overall just go with your gut instinct about what is the best match for you, while staying within your financial limits. Look into scholarship applications and each school's financial aid guidelines to help you pay for the school. Once you get in; work hard, manage your time, keep an open mind, and an optimistic outlook on life. Everyone is nervous starting at a new school but if you are focused and genuine you will attract the right crowd and pave the way towards a bright future.

I thought I wanted to go to one school, and after getting deffered and then wait listed, I looked for other options and found my current school. I think the best advice is to go somewhere that wants you as much as you want to be there. If as school wants you as their student, it means you will fit in there and it's a perfect place for you. My school was so persistent in attracting my attention, and I'm a perfect fit there and absolutely love it. When you finally get to that perfect place, don't hesitate to do anything! Make friends, join sports and clubs, volunteer, try out for the play, whatever! If it's something you want to do, don't wait. The school wants you there and you should take advantage of what it has for you. And most importantly, be happy and have fun!

Make sure that you visit all of the colleges that interest you. Also, visit the schools when they are in session and ask the opinions of students who are not giving the tours. They tend to be the most honest. Also try to buy books from places like Amazon.com rather than the bookstores because you can often purchase them cheaper that way. Lastly don't forget to have some fun too. Social learning is just as important as the academic!

Many colleges and universities have excellent academic programs, beautiful campuses, and a list of other attractive amenities for students. This can make finding the right school a daunting task. However, my advice to students who are facing this challenge is to remember that, in the end, the college experience is what you make it. Wherever you choose to go to school, it is possible to have a great experience if you take advantage of everything your institution has to offer. Take classes that stretch and challenge you. Get involved on campus and in the surrounding community. And, find a balance between your academic and social life. Ultimately, these are the keys to making the most of your college experience.

Take your time and look at all aspects of the college you are looking at. You will be there for four years so make sure that you know what you want from a college.

Please seriously take into consideration the cost of higher education compared to how much you expect to be making... education is expensive! While you may not be able to put an exact price tag on the "private" school experience against a "public" school experience - the true cost differential really needs to be looked at closely for your own personal financial sake. Other than that, make sure you're in a field that you love, if not, get out.

My advice would be to not be afraid of going farther away from home. I originally chose a college that was very close to my home, and ended up transfering to another that was hours away from home. Even though the distance is sometimes hard, you really start to make your own family and home away from home, as cliche as it sounds. I think that when you are pushed outside of your comfort zone and away from your home, you are allowing yourself more opportunities to grow and experience life truly on your own. Afterall, college is the time in your life to try everything and meet your real friends for life.

You have to find the place you're most comfortable in order to be successful.

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Just pick the college that is right for you.

Be sure to find a school that you love with a program that you'll enjoy. It's a good idea to spend the night on a weekend night just to see what the true college life is like. Also, choose a school that you know will keep you busy whether it is with academics, volunteer work, sports or outdoor activities. You don't want to go to a school that forces you to be in your room all the time bored.

Listen to family and friends while always keeping an open mind. You never know what to expect from a college. I thought I found my dream school but ended up transfering to play baseball at another school. In the end I found my perfect match.

Ask current students what they like most and what they like least about their school, their professors, their majors. Get involved, but not so over-involved that you have no time to spend just hanging out with friends or time for yourself.

Pick a college which is a good fit for you, not just because of financial aid, friends or family influences. There's a college out there for everyone, and if you get denied for one- there's allways another which is a better fit!

I think the most important part about selecing the college approriate for your wants and needs is to make sure that you visit the college. Once you are able to see what the campus is like with students on it, and how you would fit in to the student body, you will be able to get a gut feeling as to whether or not you believe you will fit into the environment. While all schools can look good on paper, it isn't until you are actually on the campus that you will be able to truly discover what the school is about. To make the most of the college experience, involvement is key. Once you feel as if you have a purpose on the campus, and that you are an integral part of the community, your sense of being will increase, and you will feel as if you make a difference. Being involved also allows you to meet people who may live outside your dorm, and to get involved wtih different things you never thought possible. Get out there and discover what is available to learn what your likes truly are- that is truly the purpose of college.

Go to class, experience all college has to experience. Work hard because it pays off in the end, no matter how stressfull it gets! Make lots of friends and colleagues.

Find someplace where you feel at home, that you can imagine yourself going to.