University of Notre Dame Top Questions

I wish I would have known the amount of drinking that occurred on weekends.

Before coming here, I would have liked to been exposed more to the concept of undergraduate research. Upon arriving and as a biology major, the importance of getting into research was constantly mentioned, but I wasn't familiar with how research worked, what research was being referred to, or how to get involved. Additionally, I wish I had known more of the history of the school and the many traditions that exist here, as Notre Dame is incredibly rich in both categories.

you need to get involved right away

The food is incredible and there is great tradition here that cannot be surpassed by any other school in the nation.

I wish I had known what a phenomenal experience I would have at Notre Dame, diminishing any doubts I may have had about attending the University. The classes and academic schedule is difficult and challenging, but so rewarding in so many ways. My experience with the staff members has been extraordinary, getting to know most of them on a one to one basis. Additionally, each and every student I have come in contact with have been by far the greatest and most well rounded group of people I have ever met.

Just how awesome it was.

Some classes are far away and having a bike comes in handy.

One of the things I wish I had known before coming to Notre Dame is proper time management. In high school, time management was important but generally, one can still accomplish what he or she needs to do before the end of the day, with significant time lapses. In college, however, time management is key to being successful. Between balancing classes, homework, study periods, personal care, meals, exercise, dorm care and sleep, a schedule needs to be written down daily and completed without procrastination.

I wish I had known that it snows so much. It also would have been nice to know that you pretty much need a 3.0 GPA to have any opportunities, so don't slack off freshman year.

How cold it gets during the winter.

I wish that I had known that sports were so important, even at the intramural level. I wish I had known how important it is to the administration to maintain and image of Notre Dame, regardless of the changes that students and faculty desire.

I wish I had known to get involved in more of the many opportunities available.

The sun is hidden for most of the year and therefore keeps a lot of people inside so that during the winter months it makes it more difficult to get to know people.

Parietals.

I wish I had realized that South Bend is not a very pedestrian-friendly city. I expected more off-campus activities. Don't get me wrong, there's alot to do on campus, but you pretty much need a car if you ever want to go off-campus.

I wish I knew about parietals.

How difficult it would be.

I wish I knew the rules of football before I came here.

I wish I had known what an amazing school it is; this would have made my decision even easier!

Students, administration, and professors are very very conservative.

That most grad schools want to see at least a 3.0 GPA. That the living situation makes it harder to have platonic friends of the opposite sex. That college is the time to go on road trips - and that not every weekend needs to be spent at off campus parties. That there is a lot of money that is up for grabs in the way of grants and study abroad projects. That talking online does not constitute a relationship! That just showing up to class is a big part of getting good grades.

I wish I had known how much aid I would actually be getting and how hard it would be to find a job on campus that would pay enough to actually help with the cost of enrollment. The university is one of the wealthiest schools in the country with an alumni network that will do anything for it. With the support from alumni, the university could afford to give more aid to students or at least, lower the tuition cost. Unfortunately, aid here is not very much, and student employment is limited.

the single-sex dorm is a very difficult environment to meet guys and there is a huge lack of dating on campus

I knew that Notre Dame was a Catholic school, but I didn't realize that it was VERY Catholic. I'm not Catholic myself and I grew up in a fairly liberal environment, so there are definitely occasions where I feel on the outside, or like a minority. I think I still would have come here, but I would have liked to be more prepared to know that the school is very conservative and Catholic-oriented.

how to get involved with things on campus sooner

I wish that before I attended Notre Dame I had a better idea of what I wanted out of the school. I wish that I had taken advantage of all of the opportunities available to me when I first arrived. Perhaps a better knowledge of what I wanted to gain and what I wanted to be involved in would have prompted me to get involved sooner. I also wish that I had known just how hard college was going to be before I arrived.

The school isn't full of nerds and how you live your life is your business. No one expects you to go to mass everyday and spend everynight in the library. Kids here are smart and work hard, but we have fun too.

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