St. Mary’s University Top Questions

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high schol senior I would tell myself to relax and to smile more often. It’s a proven fact that smiling releases endorphins thus making you feel better. I would tell myself to never give up on love and to never give in to hate. I would tell myself that college isn't as hard as everyone makes it out to be and isn't as scary as I thought it would be. I would tell myself to take advantage of St. Mary's tiny teacher to student ratio, it's going to help you a lot in the future. I would tell myself to enjoy my freshman year a little bit more. The money will come, the grades will rise, and final week will eventually end. I would tell myself that I am awesome and I will blow college out of the water. It'll be over before I know it.

Apply for SCHOLARSHIPS!!! You are going to struggle with paying for school if you don't, Brandon. Do you really want to be working a full time job, going to school full time, and also have a work study position? I know you can do it, but still. That's taking a lot of time away from your studies. Your dad also has the Hazlewood act that can get you a lot of free classes. You may want to look into that and also you may want to think about attending a public school. It's cheaper. Other than that, you are going to love college! I also recommend living on campus. I regret driving 2 hours a day to and from school. You'll make a ton of new friends and learn a lot from them. 1. Start looking in to college now. 2. Apply for scholarships! 3. Have fun, enjoy life. You are going to do great. Good luck, you're going to make a great psychologist some day.

Much of high school was sitting across from one of my many professors, absorbing wisdom and insight that would carry me far. Although I gained much knowledge from my professors I entered college on rocky feet without an understanding as to what I wanted to do with my education. Currently, it is a life goal that inspires me to become an educator, an understanding counselor, and a motivator for all students; this could not be done without public speaking. If I had a chance to speak to my past, somewhat introspective teenage being I would offer myself advice concerning public speaking. In my two years at a community college I have learned speaking is one of the most efficient ways to earn the respect of a professor. To gather data on a given topic and to then educate an audience in a well-organized speech with said information is one of the most difficult but rewarding things a student can achieve. After all, public speaking is the threshold to becoming a successful person and educator. As Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “Speech is power: power is to persuade, to convert, to compel.”

Stephanie, You and I need to have a talk and you need to listen. You think that school is so boring and you just can't wait until you can graduate. You keep saying that you can't wait to get out into the real world and start working. I am here to tell you to enjoy your senior year. You have so many things to learn. The real world is not an easy place if you don't have a good education. You really must think about going to college. It's not like high school. It is so much better. You get to choose what you want to do with your life and select the classes to go to. Sometimes you can get your classes scheduled so that you only have to go 3 or 4 days a week. That means long weekends! Anyways, you have to get a college education. How do you think you are going to make any money. Mom and dad keep telling you this, but you are not listening. I am hear to tell you, just do it. I promise you that it will all work out. Older and Wiser Stephanie

I would definatley tell my self to plan my time out more, and be more organized. Everything in College becomes easier if one plans out everything you do so everthing will get done. It will also allow to have a better blanced college experience.

I would first tell myself to relax, all students are going through the same thing as you, but do not get caught up in being an adult and thinking you know the world through and through. Being a college athlete, do not assume you have certain priveledges, and realize that classwork comes first and not your extracurricular activities. Just because i am in lecture for 3 hours a day does not mean i can get in the mode of doing nothing outside of class, i need to put a huge emphasis on doing my own work and studying more on my own time. It took me a year or so to realize everything and get all my goals in order and on track, and if i was able to do that from the start, college life in all aspects would have been a lot smoother. My biggest advice is that remember you are in college, its a time to get your life where you want it, but you need to enjoy as many moments as possible because what is the point in killing yourself in a major you dont like, do what makes you happy.

Senior year of high school was an exciting and terrifying point in my life. I recieved great advise from teachers, family and peers to help me make my decision on what to do after graduation. However the reality was in the end it was my decision and no one elses. It would be really helpful to go back in time and give my own advise to myself, knowing what I know now. The first thing I would tell myself is, "Don't be scared to leave home, your making the right decision." I am very family oriented, and leaving them was one of the hardest, scariest things I have had to do up to this point of my life. However, deep inside in my heart I felt leaving home to get the full college experience was essential for me to grow up and learn how to be independent. I love my family and I do get home sick, but discovering who I am as an individual is worth it. The good thing about time travel not being possible is that not knowing what the future holds is the most valuable part of the learning process.

Don't be afraid to attend outside colleges and universities. Go explore what is best fit for you, study hard and accomplish your dreams. Don't be influence by what people tell you; research and inform yourself. Apply to all the scholarships out there!

In knowing the transition into college, i would let myself know that creating a network of people comes would help me reach my long-term goals. I would also tell myself to apply for financial aid as soon as possible and create connections to the people there who can help you afford college. Also, having a mentor who is an upperclassman can be an advantage when it comes to scheduling for classes and knowing what professors to choose according to their style of teaching.

Knowing what I now know the first thing I would tell myself is to apply for every scholarship possible. College is a big expense, but it is until now that I really understand how hard it is to manage a certain amount of money every year. So I would say to go find websites, ask counselors, even pay attention to the radio and the television. It doesn’t matter how small the scholarship is worth, every little thing counts. I would also tell myself to think over major, future career, and the life I want to have; to make sure that the career goals are compatible with life goals. When I have thought it over and gone through some possibilities, then I can get advising to have a better understand of my plans. Lastly I would advise myself to learn to budget and save money. You can get financial aid and scholarships, but you can’t just live off that. You have to prioritize what you really need from what you only want. So creating a budget will help you live better in college. You can’t depend on your parents either.

I would tell myself as a senior to get more involved with community service because I did go volunteer in my community but I could have made a better effort. If I was more involved it would have gave me a better edge when I was applying for scholarships. I would have also made more of an effort to apply to more scholarships than I did. In addition, I would have told myself not to put so much stress but enjoy my senior year with friends and have fun in the many activities instead of stressing from organization them. In my decision to work mid high school year to start saving money for college, I would have told myself to start since the summer of junior and it would have been possible for me to manage with all my activities and school work. Perhaps, if I knew this information I could have helped myself out more in preparing for college.

I wish that I could of continued with my nursing career, because now i would be married with 2 kids and having a stable life. I still have no kids but im 30yrs. old and healthy and almost married. My job is a medical assistant for right now but i waited awhile before i went back to school. I'm in school to become an Ultrasound tech, i work during the day so i can only go at night and i do not receive financial aid, so everything is coming out off pocket and it is not easy at all. I justhope and pray someday i will be able tp get some financial help or win money some how. But my life would have totally been different if i had continue with nursing school but i was only 18 when i went to a nursing not even college, it was to become an LPN, so it was a quicker way to become a nurse and the first few month of this class was extremely hard. So i just wish i woul have went to a real college and took it one day at a time.

SAVE! Save some spending money. You can’t bring everything to college. I moved out of state; when I moved to Texas I had to consolidate everything several times. So don't waste your money on things you don't need. In addition to saving ENJOY it! When I was in high school I couldn’t wait to go to college, move out, and become a legacy by pledging a sorority. Live any enjoy your senior year, enjoy the time you have at your home in your bed, because time will go by ridiculously fast. Not only should you save and enjoy your senior year, you should also GIVE BACK! You have so many opportunities in high school and throughout college to participate in service learning or community service. Take advantage of those opportunities it will help you build your character and give you some real life experience! Remember to save, enjoy, give back, and lastly RESEACRH! Research is vital research colleges, majors, scholarships, and professors. If you do your research properly you will love the college you attend, your major will be something you are passionate about, you will make tuition more affordable, and you will enjoy your professors.

I would never have started my first job during the school year. It made me tired and I found out the hard way just how valuable sleep can be. Time management wasn't such a big deal during high school but upon entering college it was the only way to survive a day.

The advice I would give myself is not to empty out your closet at home because you don't even use all of the clothes!

As a first generation college student is very difficult to get any good advice regarding college. We enter into the college world with limited knowledge about our surrounding, as well as, little or no support from our families. Our families with no experience have no knowledge of the work college requires. If I had the ability of going back in time I would suggest to myself to quit the part time job I held during my senior year. I would tell myself to not be embarass to ask for guidance and help towards the correct path. use the resources school offers. Maintain a balance between school, family and social life its very important to have a schedule. Live my life in a slow pace there will be plenty of time to do what your heart desires. Perseverance, and hard work will keep you in the rigth path.

If I could go back in time and tell myself some good advice about college life I would definitely say I would need to understand the value of a dollar. In high school that first job was great for me. My pay checks was just an additional income to my parent’s allowance I was receiving. On the weekends, I will blow all my money on miscellaneous things. By the time Mondays came around it was a cycle all over again. College was a big welcome mat for me to reality. No more parents, no more money, and no more relax days. McChickens at McDonalds started appearing expensive and my bank statements remained the same number 0. Car pooling here and there were the price of a half of tank of gas, while school itself was still costly. Tuition, books, housing, and school fees was like signing a contract to be in permanent debt for life. Especially if you were like me, someone who always stayed broke. I would of definitely encourage myself to start saving money from a freshman to a senior. Seriously! Five dollars here and ten dollars there every pay check definitely adds up.

The first thing to do when arriving and recieving the schedule for classes is to organize all the information in the proper manner. I need to have a set plan in order to attack each day with the best of my abilities. My priorities need to be set straight and goals need to be layed out. This way I know what I need to do for each day and I do not have to worry about missing an assignment or meeting that I was supposed to attend. I would also tell myself that studying everyday is more helpful than cramming the night before. I now study for about 4 hours each day in the library rather than studing all night before a test. Parties come and go, but the future starts today. That is why everyday counts. What you do or dont accomplish using your time wiely can affect you later. That being said I still have to have my fun. Playing soccer is always the best way to relieve stress and take my mind of doing work when I feel overworked.

Knowing what I know now, I would try more things that the campus has to offer. College is such a big change from high school and keeping busy helps you manage your time. Deadlines are everywhere, and they're no joke. When you are invoved in various organizations is really the best thing to help you get your priorities straight, set aside times for fun and times for study, and get things done. I would also say that things don't come as easy as they were in high school. Yes, you will lose sleep some nights and no, you might not do as well on a test as you want, but hard work is the best feeling in the world. Don't get discouraged because it takes a try or two to get into the swing of things, but it will happen. Lastly, enjoy your time here because I can honestly say it is the best time of your life.

I would tell high school seniors to pay attention in class and try there best now, so when college comes around it will be alot easier. I would also adviced them to prepare for the SAT's on time. Most importantly let them know that college is a life changing experience and brings out the best of you and it allows your to express your self to levels you didn't know you had.

Dear Mighty Maya,Wow! Can you believe that college is just a page turn away? To assuage your worries let me assure you this is the best chapter yet! Promise me that you will do the following when you head off to St. Mary's. Be Bold, stay true to your convictions. Anticipate a myriad of situations that will test your values. Continue being a social butterfly, but do not allow people to take advantage of your kindness. Do not study in your dorm because you will choose to take a nap over studying. The best place to study is the law library; dead silence will give you the focus to be unstoppable! When it comes to College Algebra do not be too proud to go tutoring you will be pleasantly surprised. Find something you are passionate about in each class. Lastly, when creating a goal poster put “ Think Dean’s List,” you will make it a reality. Sincerely, A wiser version of yourselfP.S. Do not let your roommate teach you how to long board. If you do, ask about using the janitor’s elevator to go to class instead of crutching up two flights of stairs

I would say, Yohvani prepare yourself because you are about to make disasterous choices, that is until you listen to me now. When you accept living with an international student make sure to meet her first and her friends and all her clothes. When you attend orientation, make sure to ask what the entrance exam is about and don't think that its a survey. When you are taking the Biology and Chemistry courses remember to make time for both classes and don't try to figure them out at the same time. Make sure to attend tutoring sessions for each and to carry an individual spiral for each. It's best to have a spiral for in class lecture notes and a spiral for when you read alone and take notes for yourself. Make sure to keep your classes balanced by making yourself an agenda for each week, believe me this helped me most in the Spring. When you get invited to Frat parties, make sure you have all your work completed because you are probably not going to get back till 6 or 7 in the morning. Lastly, make sure to have all your notes for Finals week.

Knowing what I know about college life and making the transition from home / high school to college, I would advise myself to practice socializing and learning how to meet new people. It was difficult for me to make new friends my first year of college because I was painfully shy. I would encourage myself to join more organizations that first year of college so that I did not feel so lonely, homesick and out of place with my peers. Looking back now, I realize that I caused myself unnecessary hardship, pain and stress because of that shyness and inability to put myself out there. Had I had the courage to push myself to go outside of my comfort zone and become more involved in the campus community or organizations, I would had a more positive first year; I would not have been so unhappy as to contemplate quiting school and going back home. Thankfully, I was finally able to find the courage to participate in oranziations, meet some fantastic people and form friendships that will last a lifetime. Knowing this, I would not of hesitated in joining those organizations and started forming those friendships much sooner.

As a high school student I had a hard time figuring out what I wanted to become in the future. But after a little while of high school, things became much easier to me. I say that because I first was planning to become a teacher. I chose a teacher because teachers must know all of the answers to every question asked. I said that because once you become a professor, you must always know the answer to a question asked. After a little while, I decided to become a construction worker. I chose that one because over the passed years of life, I've been doing construction work on the outside of homes. the type of work that I did was siding, roofing, paneling, carpeting, etc... My final major that I chose and will stay with is called an Interior Designer. I chose that career because for the pass seven years, I've learned so much in those classes. I also chosh to become an Interior Designer because I'm a great designing student. So that's the reasons why I chose to become an Interior Designer. I think that becoming a great Interior Designer is right for me.

I would tell myself that school isn't a joke like I thought it was at the time. The more work you do now, and the effort you put in could definitely save you later in the end. Instead of goofing off and spending time with friends, buckle down and save your self from having to do more work in the end. It is easier and cheaper now then it will be in college.

Dear Rebecca, Congratulations for being accepted to Grand Valley State University. DON’T GO! I see that you are shocked and a bit dismayed. Let me explain why you should wait. You are not mature enough for the journey. Here is a list of tasks that you need to accomplish before you attend a university. First you need to grow up. The world does not revolve around you, so get over yourself. Second it wouldn’t hurt to take a full time job in layaway at Wal-Mart while you volunteer part time at church teaching Sunday school or helping the homebound elderly. Next, you need to get your finances in order. Part of what you do over the next year might be to save up some money, study up on how best to invest your savings, and research all of the scholarships that you could earn money from by simply writing out a few breathtaking essays. The last thing that you need to know is that you might want to start at a community college. You can attend half time for four years, save up for the four year university, and not go into debt. Good Luck! Sincerely, You.

School is in the morning so you need to stop staying up most of the night, otherwise you'll feel like falling asleep through class. You don't learn anything from class if your not awake for it or if your too busy trying to stay awake to pay attention.

The advice I would give myself would be to study, and to advantage of the help the school is willing to give you, and also be smart with your time managment.

I would definitely tell High School Senior (HSS) self about the importance of AP and Dual-Credit classes. I can save time and money each semester if I get a head start on classes in high school that I will need in college. Most of the basic courses do not directly apply to my Psychology major, so I could focus more on my Psychology curriculum if I get a majority of other credits completed in high school.

Hello 17 year-old Helga, How are you? You are most likely sitting in first period history class wondering what time you are going to skip out of school. You do have that math test 4th period, and you haven't really been doing so hot in that area so you might want to go but what the heck what does it matter it's senior year anyway and it's not like you have put in your full effort anyway since the end of freshman year...why start now? Because you should! STOP BEING SO INTROVERTED, STOP HATING HIGH SCHOOL, OPEN YOUR MIND AND REALIZE THAT IT ISN'T ABOUT THE PEOPLE AROUND YOU IT IS ABOUT YOU!!! Think about the bigger picture what you truly want from life. In a few years you will be on a path that your probably never thought you would end up in, your a senior in high school after this YOU are going to have to determine your path. Why not start now? Why not begin setting stage now? You are reflection of your work, your going to class shows reliability and dedication. So skipping out, no longer an option.

I would go back and tell myself that it is important to take college seriously and to choose wisely. I tell myself that it is okay to not know at first what you want to do and that it is okay to change your mind. I would tell myself that it is okay to take it slow and not to overload myself with work, to give myself time to live life and enjoy my time. I would say how important studying is and how it is even more important to attend class if I want to do well. I would inform myself that if I get lost or if the program or school is not fitting my personal needs it is okay to take some time off and find the correct path to success. Most of all I would tell my high school self that it is about learning and doing what you are passionate about and love. If those aspects are there nothing will stop you from becoming everything you dream of.

When going to college you need to know that it is not all about having friends and going out. You need to focus on your school work and study as much as possible. In highschool there was really no need to go to tutoring but in college if you do not understand a subject I suggest you really do make the time to go to tutoring. You do need some time to relax and have fun but it will be best to finish your work before going out with friends. Become friends with those who will not bring you down and don't be afraid to ask for help.

I would tell myself to listen during orientation because though it may be a lot of information it is all important once the school year starts. I would tell my self to study for and really figure out what studying technique worked for me in order to be as successful as possible. I would tell myself to continue to be involved and help out around campus but make my school work my number one priority. I would make sure i knew just what i could do to get help in my classes as well as get to know me teachers and go to them during their office hours for help with what ever was a problem for me at the time. I would for study groups with those in my classes to help before tests and most of all i would want to know who to talk to when i had a problem with my school account and not be afraid or nervous to go to them with questions or concerns. I would want to know that they are there to help me be successful and there is nothing to be embarrassed or ashamed of.

I would tell myself to try getting into the Honors Program and taking all and any help that I can get in order to get a lot of financial aid from the school and outside parties. But the most important thing would be to concentrate on my studies and to not miss any of my classes in order to get a high GPA. A higher GPA brings more opportunities and pride in one self. I have realized that I have been stopped from pursuing several opportunities because of my GPA. Also, it is hard to maintain a good relationship with professors when you are missing their class or not turning in their assisgnments and this is not good since they are sometimes the person that may help you find a summer job, internship or a job after graduating.

You really should have applied to more schools. You also should not have picked the school that offered you that much money. They just ended up taking it away anyway. While it was awesome getting an athletic offer, it was a lot more than you bargained for. You're worn down and out of your prime. The thought of running now aggravates you. There is absolutely nothing wrong with your major, it's actually the best decision you could have made. Where you studied it, however, that was the worst decision you could have made.

I would tell my high school self that you cannot party and still make good enough grades to pass your classes and keep your gpa up. I would also tell my self that you have to keep you scholarships becuase if you lose your scholarships your going to have to pay that money back and that can increase your debt even more, especially if you have student loans your first year in college. As fun as they make college look on tv and in the movies, it's not like that at all! College is hard work and dedication, not so you can get a degree in whatever you want to study, but so you can get a job with the degree you recieve.

I would tell myself to hit the ground running and work really hard my first semester because if your grades are really low in the first semester it is hard to bring them back up in the following semesters. I would also tell myself to try and get involved in on campus activities more instead of sticking to yourself and the people that you already know.

Transferring Wisdom Soren Kierkegaard once said, “Life must be lived forward, but can only be understood backwards.” Experience serves to teach valuable lessons as we pursue a goal, such as college. Instead of learning from our decisions as we have done, I believe college students would rather transfer their wisdom unto themselves as high school seniors just as I do. If a student desires to undergo the journey of the college successfully, he or she must master the characteristic of maturity. I would tell myself to take deadlines seriously and not procrastinate because regret may follow. Therefore, I would emphasize to myself the importance of planning and prioritizing school tasks as well with those outside of school. Furthermore, every college student should become acquainted with the resources their institution offers whether they are needed or not. I would encourage myself to become informed of the available services to utilize when needed. There is nothing wrong with asking for assistance when it pertains to a student’s educational success. As any college student knows, there is more to this journey than maturity and knowledge of services. I, however, consider this important and worth sharing with myself as a high school senior.

If I had known then what I know now, I believe the message I would tell my past self is “don’t give up, you can do it, and don’t let them tell you that you can’t achieve the best”. That might sound like a cliché, but when I was in high school I felt I was anything but smart. I am a student with Epilepsy, with daily petit mal and occasional grand mal seizures. In high school I saw my peers succeed, while I struggled. My motivation took time, but with faith, perseverance, and determination, I did a 180 degree turnaround. I attended Northwest Vista Community College and took a proactive approach towards my education. I accepted and took control over my illness. I asked questions, got involved in class, and became a better student. Later, I transferred to St. Mary’s University with an Honor scholarship and, after my first semester, earned a 3.60 GPA. Now and then I remember the lost girl who almost gave up on her education. I tell myself, “Don’t give up, you can do it, and don’t let them tell you that you can’t achieve the best”.

I would tell myself to seek advice and mentoring so that you can have a clearer vision of where you want to start your career in. Be flexible with yourself. Not everyone knows exactly what they want to be when they are 18. Take different courses in college and let yourself change majors, change colleges, and take longer to graduate if you need to. Get a degree you want, not one you don’t just because you want to make lots of money or finish in 4 years. Take the opportunity to study abroad and have the opportunity to broaden your cultural palette and develop the confidence to survive out in the real world. Learn as much of personal finance and start saving as soon as you start working.

Knowing what I know about college life and the transition, I would give my high school senior self the advice to be proactive in all I did. I would have applied to colleges immediately so that the stress and pressure would have been dealt with and resolved quicker. I would also have continued to work hard in my studies from the first day of school so that my grades and grade point average could have been the best I could achieve. I would have also found better habits with studying, finance, and communication. Perfecting these would have made my transition smoother and more manageable. I have found that there is a lot more reading in college that I was not use to in high school. Similarly, being self-sufficient has made me be extremely conscious of what I am doing and spending my money on. I wish I would have started better habits sooner. Lastly, I would have practiced better communication with everyone. It is viable that I have a relationship with my professors, friends, and roommate. Communicating impeccably would have given me a jump-start to what I would come across in college.

If I have the change to go back I will teach my self about efective tools to plan my career life. I noticed how thousands of students are strugling in order to pay for their classes without knowing that there are thousands of companies and organization that help the students to succes in campus. In addition another important advice that I will consider is the fact of what kind of institution I'm looking for, because there are my college in our country. However, each college has their specialization in a specific topic. Attending to the right college might be they key fact to sucess in life after college. Also I will motivate myself each year to improve my grades and do my homework in the most efficient way to increase my possibility of winning scholarships which will help me a lot to afford college tuition and help my parents with the college expense. Finally I will do the best that I can to succes and enjoy my high school experiences and I will try to get the most accurate information to get in to my major.

The advice I would give myself would be to take more advantage of exploring and researching scholarships before entering college. I had no idea how many scholarships were available to high school seniors that can be renewed throughout your college career. I would also suggest that I make more time for engaging in on campus activities rather than focusing on work. Interacting with your fellow classmates is part of the learning process and can lead to great networking opportunities. It is important to note that college is similar to high school in that your instructors treat you as an adult and somewhat of an employee. Treat your school work as it is your job and keep that in mind when you prioritize. The most important advice I would give would be to pick the classes that interest you the most and will contribute to your career! Don't just go for the ones that fit best in your schedule or the ones your friends are taking or just because you heard a professor were easy. Receiving a college education is a privilege not a right and should be treated as such.

If I could go back in time and talk to my high school self, there are two things I would advise: to apply for more scholarships, and to end the relationship I was in. Applying for more scholarships would have been a lot of work, but I would rather have done that then than rely heavily on loans to fund my undergraduate education. Although I was awarded a significant amount of financial aid through the school, including scholarships, grants and work-study, I still needed assistance for tuition and other fees. If I had had a better understanding of these financial circumstances as a high school student, I would have devoted more time and energy to looking for and applying to scholarships. Thus, the advice I would give my high school self would be to seek help in finding scholarships. Although this would have been a struggle, because even to this day I have trouble asking for help, it would have been worth it. I would have also advised myself to end the relationship I was in earlier. Looking back now, had I ended the relationship earlier, I would have saved myself a great deal of emotional stress.

College should not intimidate you. It is a special opportunity to expand your horizons and discover new things about yourself. Jumping into a whole new world, it may seem difficult to adjust, but the more you push yourself to become involved, the more friends you will make and the more enjoyable it will become. It is also important to remember that in college, you are considered an adult and bear the responsibility of more than making good grades. As a full time college student, it is your job to manage your time and money. College is a learning experience, and a necessary stepping stone to maturity. The stress and struggle now will pay off in the long run, making you a responsible and dependable adult.

The first thing I would say to myself would be, push yourself and do not let things get you off track with your classes because at the time high school courses seem like "whatever" but it gets harder and when you are not prepared you will start to slack off just the way you did in high school. Always be on time with turning in work also arriving on time to class, little things such as being late sort of creates a chain reaction because you start to think "I am only a little late to class" but it turns out you missed the most important part of that class, also "This paper is only a day late" and you recieve a B when you could have easily earned an A if you had been on time. Lastly, in high school there are many opportunities to do well and maintain a high GPA, and earn great scholarships for college so, try your best to stay on track and stay focused because high school is where it all starts for you.

I wished I know how hard college would be. I would tell myself that I dont need to do everything at once. God will only give you what you can handle. The most important thing i would tell myself is that YOU need to study a lot more and to ask for help when you need it. Dont wait until mid semester to get help. Also just relax a little while.

I have had the opportunity to reach our in the community and help people in ways I never thought was possible. I am learning the responsibily of caring for yourself. College has been a great experience so far. I look forward to my next years in college and everything I am sure to learn and all the opportunities God will place before me.

St. Mary's small classes have helped me do better than what I thought I would do. The professors are willing to always listen and help in whatever is needed. The campus itself is a beautiful place filled with green trees everywhere. Being eight hours away, St. Mary's makes it so much easier for me to adjust and not be as homesick.

My college experience has been one that has developed me mentally, physically and emotionally. Mentally, I have seen myself grow from a child into an adult. I learned to take responsibility for my actions and that ultimately my life is what I decide to make it and I'm working as hard as possible to make it right for myself. Emotionally I have learned to love and to appreciate and to experience the moments I will never get back. I have recognized that my childhood is fleeting and while I feel I am growing into a strong and independent person, I have learned to take in my life one day at a time and be grateful. Physically, I have learned that the health of my body is essential to my success in the world and have begun to ensure my success by leading a healthy life style. My college experience has changed me in ways I would never have imagined. I wouldn't say that it has defined me, but rather that it has helped me to define myself.