University of St Thomas-Saint Paul Top Questions

Since I have attended college I have experienced a sense of accomplishment that I haven't felt from anything else that I have done. This semester I tested out of one of English classes and my writing professor put in a request for me to be in the honor programs. This has helped me believe in myself and makes me realize that I can do anything as long as I put my full effort into it. I believe that the reason I have done so well is because I attended all my classes everyday and did not miss one class. Attending classes is so important. Attending classes is the most efficient and fastest way to acquire expertise from your professors. This semester I have seen friends that have decided not to go to class, and their grades have slipped. Also my friends that dont go to class depend on others to copy homework and notes from that day, but if you dont do it yourself in the first place then you will not learn anything.

Out of my college experience here at St. Thomas, I have learned to be my own individual. Back home, I counted on my parents to help me a lot, but here I've learned how to live on my own and become my own person. I have become more independent and that is good because I can't rely on others forever. Going to St. Thomas has made me value my education more, especially since it is not cheap at all to attend. I make sure I am in every class and are keeping up with my school work since I do not want to be wasting money. I am glad I choose to attend this school over one back in Iowa because I feel the workforce up her has much more variety and I know St. Thomas has good career placement. I think after my four years at St. Thomas I won't regret it.

college has been a great experience. So far i have been at a 2 year community college but will be at a 4 year college in the fall and i have learned a lot. i'm learning things about my major and what i can do with it when i graduate but college has also been important in my growth has a human. I am learning how to be in the real world without completely being on my own yet, it has been great practice. I have mature a lot and have realized just how important getting a college degree really is, without it i would not have nearly the job opporunites i will have. college has been great i have learned tons about myself like what i am capable of doing and lots to help with my future amazing job i plan on having.

My college experience has given me the tools needed to suceed as a individual in the competitive business world after graduation. The education I have acquired, the professors that taught my classes, and the overall mission of the school has lead to this experience. I believe the education that I acquired from the University of St Thomas is an education that is top notch due the experiences in the classroom. The professors that teach these classes give to this experience due to their knowledge and expertise on the subject. What they demand from the students is nothing else but challenging. This coupled with the ethical standards that the catholic mission statement has incorporated leads to an experience that will last a lifetime. This experience is valuable because not only do I believe that only St Thomas can offer this type of experience, but is a unique one that has been acquried by me.

I have always had a belief in furthering my education. I believe that you can better your life if you educate yourself. I started college right after the first summer after graduating High School. I graduated High School with honors and I wanted to try and keep that going throughout college. College for me was an experience that I won't ever forget. I liked learning more in depth about subjects that they only touch on in High School and also having the opportunity to learn things that was not available in High School. I tried to take advantage of study groups for the extra study but also get to know more people from all over. I also took advantage of the extra groups and activities that they had available for us. Again the experience they offered for me helped me to be able to conquer what I will face in the world today. I am looking forward to expanding my knowledge more, to go back to school again.

The thing that I have noticed about myself during my short experience with college so far is how much I have grown up. In high school we all were very immature and dependent on our parents for everything. But here at college I have learned how to make it on my own with my friends and not as much my family. Even though I still love acting immature and childish at times, I have learned when and where it is appropriate to act that way.

Don't worry about school being so much harder than high school. It is very stressful at times, but all the fun times and opportunities are totally worth the work!

I was home schooled through high school and so had a lot of private teaching time. I was very worried about going to college and being on my own. What I discovered was that the professors at my college are concerned about my success and willing to help. So I would advise high school students to be dilligent in their selection process, then stop worrying about it. You will find good people to hang with and professors who care.

Take a deep breath. Then, let it all out. Alright, now we can talk about college. The most important thing is that you feel comfortable. School should be a second home to you, and that is your responsibility. Be yourself, always. People will accept you for who you are, not for who you pretend to be. During the first month, attend every event you can, do not be afraid to introduce yourself to someone, try new things, and make sure you attend class. Believe it or not, Dad is right; work when you have to, play when you can. It's a great philosophy. You will have a lot of freetime, but keeping up with classes is hard work. You will find a balance. Your friends from high school are in the same boat as you, so keep them close because they will always be there for you. Stay in touch with your family. Get involved in a little bit of everything. Explore the area, you will feel safer. Walk to each class before your first day. That way, you will not get lost. I promise it is not as scary as it seems. Good luck. You'll do great!

I would tell myself, "You found your passion with your faith a long time ago learn to realize that it is truly your passion and seek it full out! Look for ways you can provide yourself a more useful way of finding scholarships and ways to continue the education that I am getting now. Open your heart to what you love and never stop looking for it because one day when your alot older you will look back at this time and know, you sought after all that you desired to do and you did all that you could to gain it. Never stop striving for the top because you will achieve it one way or another. Have the burning fire that your faith provides you and use it to strive for perfection. Take what comes out you, bad or good, and use it to make it an amazing experience in your life that others can use as well as yourself. You can do it, strive for what you love to do and never look back but always look forward."

I would tell myself to learn how to budget money. There was a satisfaction that came with paying a big chunk of my tuition bill out of my own pocket, and by paying for it I felt more inspired to work harder. Don't feel intimidated from what you have heard about college being difficult. It is a lot of work but you can handle it and professors are usually willing to help. Take advantage of office hours and getting to know professors! Don't assume you won't be friends with your roommate just because you might not have been friends in high school, you'll be surprised at the people you become friends with! Take advantage of free stuff the college offers---you are paying for it! Sometimes a good workout can really clear your head and help you study. Cram for finals, but don't kill yourself, in fact, try to review the information periodically throughout the semester so you don't have as much work to do finals week. Study with friends, it's not as dreadful.

I would assure myself that sweating the small things is not worth it. I should not assume that everyone already knows what they want to be at 18 years of age. That classes are meant to be taken to figure out what I do and don't like. Never say no to a school beacuse of what MTV says or what a friend of a friend has said about it. Just listen to my gut. I need to be comfortable about myself before I can about a school. I should not worry about what the kids at school look or dress like, and worry more about the classes and tests. Another thing I would stress would be to not worry about what other kids are doing on Friday nights. I have 4 more years of college to go out and party, I should make the most of my classes by studying and putting forth my best efforts. The first 6 weeks of studying in college defines my study habits for rest of the year, so I would make sure I'd tell myself to keep a schedual and stick to it. And lastly, that college gets easier over time. Promise.

I would give myself the following three tips: First, take school seriously. Public high school is free and it is easy to slack off, but college, especially a private college, is very expensive. Also, you are setting up your future, so put some thought into your decisions. You have to think about how much money you want to spend on school, where you want to go and what school can set you up best for the future you want. Lastly, don't get caught up in the "college" life. The idea that partying and going out all the time is what college is about is a lie. If you really care about your future, you need to know how to have a good time, but how to do it wisely and safely and how to manage your pleasure with your business, or school. Your future is not something you want to gamble on, so don't take unnecessary risks like civil involvements and things. Focus on school, that is the real reason you are going there: to get a degree.

The cost of my college education has drastically changed my perception of how to choose and attend a college. As a first generation college student, my family and I were ill-prepared to handle the hidden costs that attending college include. Although I do recieve some financial aid, with every passing year, particularly in this recession, the ability to afford my education has drained resources from my family and I. While at school, I work two on-campus jobs to help pay for my day to day costs of living at such an expensive school. If I were to talk to my high school senior self, I would stress the importance of searching for scholarships outside of those offered at the school I choose and to consider the cost of attendance more than the location and type of school. I can get an education anywhere, but paying for it is a completely different, and stressful matter.

During high school, my responsibilities were to get good grades so I could get into a good college and to practice hard at my sport (figure skating). I lived in the same town for fourteen years, had most of the same friends all throughout high school, maintained a very good relationship with my parents, and I learned to really love the life I created for myself. Once I moved into my dorm room with three strangers, I knew I would be living without guidelines from my parents and I felt prepared to face challenges without them. Little did I know, I often thought about my hometown. For the first month I constantly wished to be back to my same old life that I spent so long creating in Coon Rapids. This caused me to miss out on some college activities. If I were to go back in time, I would tell myself to not be scared and to take risks, welcome adventure, and be fearless. If I want to be a journalist, this is something I have to learn. Now that I know this, I will approach life with a more open mind and welcome change.

If I could go back in time and speak to myself as a high-school senior regarding the transition into college there would be a lot of insightful advice that I could give myself. The most helpful advice that I could give myself is to explain the importance of a balanced lifestyle in college. In order to succeed in college there are many needs that have to be balanced, all of which are vital to living a successful, happy, and healthy life on your own. This ranges from coursework, on-campus involvement, social life, sleep, exercise, nutrition, creativity, and an occupation. College life is a balancing act that can become lopsided if not intently focused on. In order to perform well in school, the mind and body need to be healthy and well rested to reach your full potential. College is a new and exciting experience where a student begins the adventure of complete independence for the first time in their life. This newly acquired independence comes with new responsibilities and challenges. Every experience in college is a learning experience inside and outside of the classroom that helps each individual learn to balance each component of life.

Good advice for myself would be... always be willing to jump outside of your comfort zone and meet new people. The more you explore the campus, the more you will grow to love it and all the people. Also, never procrastinate; high school procrastination is not as painful as it is in college, because you are not paying for high school. On the note of paying, look for scholarships as much as possible, even if you do not think you will receive it, apply to it. Having free money handed to you feels wonderful and keeps you out of horrible debt. Lastly, don't play hooky to get out of work; your job is your life line and allows you to pay for things you will want and need.

One of the first things that I would tell myself was that I needed to learn how to study. I didn't know how to do that effectively until I was thrown into it headfirst in my first semester of college. I learned to focus , and this semester will be even better on that front. I have learned that I need to study, yes, but also take time for myself and do the things that I want to do. There are always so many activities going on around campus, and so many opportunities for students to take advantage of, and missing out on all of them to study is not a good excuse. I would also tell myself that, although you may think it is really important to get a job right away, it may be smarter to take a little time to get used to your schedule and to your surroundings. Maybe instead of going out and getting a job, divide the time you would spend working into extra study time and time to apply for more scholarships.

The hardest part of college is finding the right study habits for you, the sooner you find wat works for you the sooner you will succeed.

I would advise myself to take everything more seriously. The opportunities that I did not take could effect me the rest of my life. Take advantage of every possible opportunity, whether it be joining a club or applying for a scholarship. The one thing I regret is procrastinating. I have missed many opportunities to better my life, to make new friends, and to be the person I truly can be. Unfortunately, my procrastination has spilled over into my college experience, and it has already impacted my grades, my job, and my friends. Had I been more proactive, I could have saved up more money for tuition, gotten more scholarships, and kept up much better on my schoolwork. I guess the saying "Don't put off til tomorrow, what you can do today" really applies to my life, and the advice that I would give to myself if I were given the chance.

When I first thought about college, it seemed like such a big step that I didn't want to take. I procrastinated on finding the right place and on looking for scholarships and applications. It was the winter of my senior year of high school when I finally decided where I wanted to go. I had only visited the two colleges I applied to. For me, it was one of the biggest transitions of my life because I had never switched schools before. The best advice I could give to a high school senior would be to start early. Look at a lot of college options. Narrow down your options to what you want. Make sure you visit the place and consider your finances. Apply for as many scholarships as possible. Once you've decided on a college, make peace with yourself. Don't worry. If you have enough money, try to live on campus. Get involved right away in activities that interest you so that you can meet new people who share your beliefs. Don't forget to study but have some fun also. That way you can call this place not only your school, but your home.

When I was a senior in high school, I did not think much of college. To me, college was a distant event. I postponed examining what I wanted in my future because I fooled myself into believing that no decisions were needed just yet. Because of this, I missed some big opportunities. The greatest advice that I could give my high school senior self would be to decide exactly what I want out of college and stick to it. Two thirds of the colleges that I applied to were big name universities: giant, city-wide schools with sprawling maps and large buildings. However, I did not tour a single one of them until spring break of my senior year, which is a pretty late time to realize that I loathe large schools. It was lucky for me that I had applied to one other small, private school that suited me more. If I had only realized my feelings sooner, I could have had a much greater variety of schools to choose from and would have saved myself the application fees.

I believe, if I could talk to myself prior to attending college, I would have a number of things to bring up. First, I would tell myself to get the most out of my college experience as I can. Although four years might seem like a long time, I can attest through my own experience that time moves much faster than you would expect. My first three years at the University of St. Thomas flew by, and now, with only one semester left, I am startled at this loss of time. I would also tell myself to prepare financially for college. Sure, it seems nice to think that you can simply pull out a loan and all of your troubles will go away. In reality, however, four years worth of loans will really add up once you've finished college. I'm still worried about having to pay off these educational expenses starting next year. Finally, I would tell myself not to worry too hard about making friends. I feel, in a community like St. Thomas, it is very easy to meet new people, and not worth fretting over. I believe that having this advice would be very helpful.

Nicole- You deserve to be happy and healthy. Right now, going to college in Kansas is not right for you. I know all of your friends will be there, but dont go because of them. Take a break, get healthy, find the real you and then reapply to colleges when you are ready. Taking a break will not make you a failure. It does not mean you are stupid. I promise, getting healthy now and seperating yourself from your high school friends will save you years and years and years of suffering. College will always be there. I love you- Nicole from your future P.S. Dump Tim now and be true to yourself. Come out, get healthy and start dating!!!!!!!!

A few words that my mother wrote in my graduation card come to mind as I read this question, "stick to who you are, but be open and ready to try new things". This was inspirational at first but I look back at the letter now and can really understand the major truth behind it. My first semester has been a fact finding mission of tearing throw novels and research papers but look around and see the great talent you are working with and embrace it. I have found many great friends and even characters and now I am ready to go back to school with a little experience and hope to prosper even more.

I know you think college is going to be this great opportunity for you to start over, and it is, but make good decisions with this new beginning. Be yourself! Not everyone has matured since graduation. There are people who act like they're still in the hallways of their high school, but those aren't the people you should feel like you need to impress. In fact, you shouldn't feel like you need to impress anyone. You are a shining star. People will like you for you. Just be yourself. Shine with your heart and break through the clouds your past has donned on you. Take a minute to reflect on the people from high school who truly cared about you: stay in touch with them and forget the rest of them. College will give you that new beginning you've been hoping for. Embrace it! And when you make new friends, hang onto them. They'll love you through it all, terrible pasts and promising futures. But above all else, remember to love yourself.

If I had the chance to go back in time and give myself advice as a high school senior the first thing I?d say is take PSEO. PSEO stands for Post-Secondary Enrollment Option this a good way to get a jump start on college credits and a way to save some money. Having a jump start in college also helps with obtaining a college degree in four years easier and less stressful. I would also stress to my senior self that the ACT is nothing to take lightly. I took the ACT not as serious as I should have. My score was subpar, enough to get me into college, but with minor consequences. I would also tell myself that high school is no joke and it does set you up for college even though at the time it does not seem like it does. College is a big deal, something that shouldn?t be taken for granted. College costs a lot and is worth the money; the education you receive not only in college but high school as well sets you up for your future in any field you desire to be in.

If I could go back in time and speak to myself as a high school student I would tell myself how much life and school is going to change. I would challenge myself to pursue my high school education to its fullest to te very last day. I would remind myself that although college is just around the corner, my last year of high school will prepare me to be ready for the more challenging studies that were to come. I would also give myself a bit of prewarning that being at college there will always be a lot of distractions from studies, but if you study hard and don't let outside influence effect your education, you'll make it just fine and actually succeed with flying colors. I would tell myself that with a little bit of courage, a whole lot of determination and dedication, you can fully harness everything that gettin a college education has to offer.

Take all the challenging classes that you can because it will help you in the long run and it will prepare you as well for college. As you can see, college is tough and moves at a faster pace than that of highschool. Start to use your time outside of school more wisely and doing so will better your time management skills. Sooner or later, you'll find out time is expensive once you've entered the college life. Apply to as many scholarships as you can no matter how little the amount is. They can add up to a huge amount and help you pay off your books tremendously. No senior slide. Finish your last year strong! Your gpa that you end up with will determine your final acceptance to the schools. Look good on your resume by volunteering. That's part of helping the community and that's what today's societies appresciates; being part and giving back to the community. Study hard for your ACT and achieve high. Didn't do so well on your first, no problem. Go for a second. Always work hard in life no matter what position you're in.

Don't be afraid to look at a variety of schools and don't be afraid to follow the norm of what your friends are doing. There may be a reason that the masses are going to one school or another.

Don't wish your senior year away. Enjoy your time with your family. Your first year at college will come soon enough. Prepare yourself to feel many new feelings...happy, sad, homesick, and sometimes you don't even know what you are feeling. Take the time to get to know yourself and understand yourself. My biggest advise I could give someone is do not be AFRAID, we could all learn from that one. There is nothing to fear....take a chance say "yes" to something you might want to do but worried about what others think. If you BELIEVE in yourself, everything will fall into place, might not be in your timeframe, but it will. In the end it will be okay, and if its not, then its not the end.

to work hard, study hard so that i could receive better grades as the ones i am receiving now! i have learnt that it is through hard working and being focused and determined, i can achieve best result. also taking my time making a difference in my community. i t is something that i have learnt as i am nw volunteering at feed my starving to pack food so that they can be shipped to different underdeveloped countries.

I would tell my high school senior self to give a lot of thought towards coming up with a list of the three aspects of a college that are most important to me. Focus on schools that seem to emphasize these aspects on their website as well as through the individuals you talk to at the college. I would encourage myself to talk to the students that attend the university because they can describe the experience that you could potentially have at that school. Who better understands college life at the college than the students? Finally, I would reassure myself that, although this is the biggest decision you've made for yourself thus far, many of the schools you are looking at are terrific, filled with professors who want to help you and students that will want to be your friend. It is an important choice, but there is not only one school in the nation that is perfect for you. Listen to your head, but mostly your heart, and you cannot make a wrong choice because you will have done your best.

Recollections of my senior year are comprised by anxiously awaiting acceptance letters, competing against myself for the best possible GPA, while biting my fingernails trying to figure out how to pay for college. I went to a college preparatory school, founded on academic excellence and C.L.A.S.S. I recall getting annoyed after I got asked for the hundredth time, ?Where are you going to college, and what will you major in?? I did not come from a well off background. I had to work for everything I have, and money was a huge issue when deciding where to attend school. If I could talk to myself during the bitter sweet year of lasts, I would say, "prioritize; write out a list of YOUR needs and desires, nothing is permenant, you don't know what time will bring you." I would remind myself that I have slaved over my education, therefore I already ensured the money. Also I would say, "There will be times in your college freshman year, when you will want to give up, you will feel like you won't make it, but perservering will shape you into the best person you can possibly be."

I love college; however, the one thing I would tell me to make the transition is to enjoy what you have because when you have to pack up and go to school, things won't be there. I remember when I first left for school I thought it was gonna be very easy, but some parts were very hard. Certain things I took for granted. I missed having a refrigerator full of food, soft toliet paper, and my dog wagging his tail everytime I came home. I didn't really realize how much those simple things meant to me. I would tell myself that these things are a luxury and to have these things in the future, college is the time to work, so take the first few weeks serisouly, study and make a schedule. College is the start of your life so have fun, but take it serisouly.

Before I answer this question I would like to notify you that I have thought about this prompt and there is only one piece of advice I would give myself: be yourself. I realize how simple this statement is, but after completing my first semester I understand what it means. Statements like "be yourself" and "never give up" are far too often disregarded and overlooked. In my case, I entered college as vulnerable and ready for change. I even changed how I acted. I was very outgoing and quickly found that people liked me. I created a new persona. As time passed, I began disliking this new persona because it drained me. In other words, I knew the James that everyone knew was not me. An epiphany hit me, Why would I want to be someone that I did not like? What would they think about the old me? Do i care? Then I remembered "?Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.? Dr. Seuss quote reminded me the importance of identity. So I would say, just be yourself.

Mitch you have what it takes to be a good and successful person, make sure that you live up to that potential everyday. You also need to take advantage of every opportunity that high school offers. Mitch listen to your teachers, especially Mrs. Dimock, she knows a lot about life, she is a wonderful person, and she is trying to prepare you for college. Mitch don't be in such a hurry to graduate from high school as it has been a wonderful experience for you and has prepared you well for college. Breathe in every bit of knowledge that you can and live high school life to its fullest. Next year will be full of challenges and obstacles that you must solve on your own. Being independent is great but it does not come without its challenges. The transition to college life is very difficult and sometimes I wish I could go back to the simple life and let my parents take care of me. Growing up is hard, fun, rewarding, and exciting. Meeting new friends is great, but it takes time to bulid relationships. Take time to smell the roses!!! Live, laugh, and have fun!!

There are many similarities and differences between high school and college life. It is extremely important that high school students are given practical guidance for making intelligent and ethical decisions throughout their future college years. Having been a college student for several years I have a large reservoir of advice that would give to myself as a high school senior if I had the opportunity. One piece of advice I would give is to focus on meeting new people on campus. Any experience one might have is always enhanced by the presence of friends. Making connections with students and the faculty will be an important step in securing a prosperous future. Furthermore, one should keep an open mind about new ideas and beliefs. Universities expose students to new realms of intellectual endeavor. It is important that one must not block novel concepts encountered in the classroom. Thinking for oneself is essential for a flourishing and fully functional intellectual. Proper assistance allows for a smooth transition between these two crucial phases of a young adult's life. It is the responsibility of those who have had these experiences to help others create a substantial future for themselves and their peers.

The only piece of advice I would give myself is to not worry so much about it, everything will turn out fine because God doesn't make you go through something He won't help you out of.

Dear Lee, Don't worry about college; just get in and go from there. Don't live on campus - Mom is going to die of cancer; spend the time at home. Don't quit and take a break like you want. It's way harder to go back than it is to finish right away. Plus, if you go straight through, Mom will see you graduate before she dies. You'll regret it if you don't. Starting out is the easy part of the whole college thing (studying is the hard part!) so don't sweat it! Love, YourfutureSelf

Jillian, you need to slow down and take stock of who you are and who would want to become. Do not choose for the sake of making a choice, or present a facade of certainty. This decision need not be rushed, you see. Instead, listen to a confident voice that cries out to be heard! Listen to your inner woman that seeks a deeper purpose and truth. Hear her wisdom that doesn't mold to "acceptable" answers. She knows your generous spirit is well equipped to lift the burdens of those struggling for inner peace. She sees what you don't see! Let her guide you! Remove the pressure of others' expectations. Now is the time to examine your own expectations for the future. Sit with your soul and discuss what she knows. Your future path cannot be chosen by others. Let the clouds of others' noise part to let her timid voice through. Finally, young Jillian, don't be afraid. Mishaps will occur. Do not fear; you can persist. Do not hesitate to unleash the bold, determined woman you feel writhing within. She is ready to face the world with bravery. Follow her courageous lead!

If I had the omniscient power to talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself five things. First, engage others intellectually. Make an effort to develop concise arguments based on reason. Always remember to attack the idea, not the person. Second, ask yourself the tough questions. Develop your values, find out what is important to you, and realize your beliefs. Do these while understanding other person?s positions, all while not compromising your own. Third, diversify your collegiate experience. Join a club you would normally have no interest in, or go to an event you normally would not see yourself attending. You never know what you might find. Third, seek leadership positions and guide yourself and your peers. No better experience and confidence can come from executing your own strategic planning. Lastly, and most importantly, get off campus. There is a whole world outside the boundaries of your campus. Go seek out new places, cultures, and relationships. Understand the realities of the world, and how your studies apply to those facts. Never take yourself too seriously.

First of all, things will never go exactly as you anticipate. Go with the flow and trust that everything will be fine - because it will, even though it may not seem like it at the time. You might not get along with your randomly assigned roommate or you might have no idea how you will survive certain crazy semesters, but you will get through it. Be flexible, even though it's hard to give up control. Not only will your daily schedules often change at the last moment, but exciting opportunities you never expected will fall in your lap. Take advantage of the exciting adventures that come your way - because they will often pave the way for additional opportunities which may sometimes include payment! Be attentive in class and don't be afraid to study all you can, even if others tease you - this is the time for learning all you can! Then, when you are about to graduate, you will see with satisfaction that you have indeed learned quite a bit - even though it also seems like you have barely scratched the surface! Finally, don't forget to live life joyfully and see the beauty all around you!

I would tell myself to seek out the personal counselor and the career development centers earlier then I did because it has become a huge help. I would also tell myself to take care of all the financial aid documents much sooner because it is very hard to try and get them done right before school. Another thing I would try and tell myself is not to fall behind in my studies and make sure that I study for tests multiple nights ahead of the test because college tests are not like high school tests. Finally I would tell myself that I should make fewer shopping trips because I can use that money for better things like paying for college.

If I could go back in time, I would tell myself to relax and enjoy my senior year of high-school. I would tell myself that getting good grades is important for being admitted into college so I should keep up the good work. Next, I would tell myself that I should spend more time with my true friends from high-school because only the true friends will keep in contact with me for the rest of my life. Finally, I would tell myself to be more open-minded and outgoing because once I get to college, there will not be as many cliques or judgemental people around. Therefore, I should remember to always be myself because the people who matter won't mind my quirky traits, and the people who do mind my traits won't matter to me. That is what I would tell myself as a high-school senior.

Mahatma Gandhi once said ?Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes?. If you were to ask me knowing what I know now about college life and making the transition from high school to college, this is the advice I would give you. I look back on my transition from senior year of high school to college and there are multiple things that I would do differently but if I had not allowed myself to realize I made a mistake I wouldn?t be where I am right now. The best thing about college is that you can change your mind whether it is about your major or where you are attending school. I transferred to a new school after my first semester of college and had I not gone to school for that first semester I would never have found St. Thomas. So the biggest advice I can give is to don?t be afraid to make mistakes because it is from making those mistakes that you will learn the most.

I would tell myself that I should buckle down and develop some study skills because the bare minimum will not get me good grades in college like it did in high school. I would tell myself to develop the discipline to shut everyone and everything out and set aside time to study. I would also tell myself how to calculate how much financial aid funding and to find out my cost of attendance so that I would know that I could live on campus. I would say that living on campus is better because all of the resources are right there and it makes getting to them and using them much easier. I would also tell myself to develop a relationship with the professor so that they will be more familiar with me and able to help answer questions and better understand the class and material. Also they will be more willing and able to help if they know you well and a tough issue at home or outside of school in general.

Calm down. Take a deep breath. I know that your stress is reaching dangerous levels right now, but everything will work out I promise. I know I sound like every other adult that tells you things will be ok, but trust me your life will never be the same in a better way. Just take the time to find out what?s important to you, and let that be the guidance you need to get through this new time. What kind of people do you want to become friends with? What are the values that are important to you? How are you going to stay close to the ones that matter now? Knowing these things will make going to college an easier transition into a new life, and the old life you want to hold onto. Leaving home is scary, but remember that every person you?re meeting is going through the same inner turmoil you are. Keeping that in mind just be yourself. Yeah, it?s uncomfortable at first, but these are going to be the best years of your life and it?s what you make of it. This is going to be the step of a lifetime.

Start your own business!!!

If I could go back to last year and give myself advice based on what I have learned about the college experience, I would remind myself to be open and get involved. I would have like to have had the encouragement to put myself out there especially in the first few weeks of school and don't just stick to talking to the immediate bubble of people you meet off the bat. Get involved in the clubs and groups that really intrigue you because that is how you meet the people with whom you have common interests. Also, I would suggest to get into a routine and stick to it. Wake up at the same time every day and schedule a specific time for homework and excercise and relaxation. In order to have a successful transition into such a new and exciting time in our lives it is important to lead a balanced life between mind, body, and spirit. Take time each day to study, excercise, and relax/reflect. Enjoy your time because it flies by and embrace new people and new experiences each day.