University of St Thomas-Saint Paul Top Questions

The advice I would give myself is to put myself out there and to relax. When I arrived at my first day of college, I was so nervous because I was in a competely different place whose surroudings I wasn't used to. There were also a lot of people I didn't know at all. I was scared, wondering if I would ever be able to find my way around campus or if anyone would even like me. What I needed to remember was that I was not the only one is this position. Many of the people around me were going through the exact same thing; they were just as nervous as I was. However, if I had reached out and started up a conversation with someone I didn't know, I could have made a new friend. What I know now, but didn't then was that the transition would have been easier if I had just been myself and relaxed, and have had enough confidence in myself to know that I would make friends easily.

Spend lesss time worry about your social life, take more PSEO classes, and save money for college because once you get to college, you meet new people, take classes that are harder then you can ever imagine, and go through money like no other.

Try to pick a college that fits your beliefs, not only your major because there are a lot of colleges with specific majors or are about to come out with majors and if you are at a school that fits your beliefs you will feel more comfortable. Beliefs dont just mean religious and political, they could be about the environment or if you want more diversity or if you love art (even if you aren't going to major in it). You will be more comfortable because you will find people that have at least some of the same beliefs or values you have.

Dear 'Young' Kristen, I know that you are excited about you quest for college next fall, but I would like to give you some advice to keep in mind as you pursue this journey. Playing a varsity sport is challenging. You learn that you will not be the best to start with, but with hard work and determination, you will rise above your competitors. Do not give up and give yourself a chance. Through team bonding you will learn to love every minute of practices and games. Secondly, do not worry about the academics. Yes, St. Thomas is a very challenging school but you care about your grades. You will put in your time and blossom intellectualy. Your love for your studies will make you very successful. Lastly, be open to all kinds of people. You may be surprised at who your best friends become. College will bring many struggles, but your friends and family will be a strong support system. Your parents love you and will be there to help you out whenever you need it, so call home every now and then! College is the most memorable four years of your life. Be excited! Sincerely, 'Old' Kristen.

I would tell myself that you need to work much harder if you want to succed in life. Listen to your teachers they want to help you. Don't sweat the small stuff its not important in the end. Stay focused on the task at hand. Don't wait to the last minute to get things done. Find time to relax and enjoy your life. Be open to new ideas. Always do your best.

I would tell myself to make sure to be outgoing and get involved in a lot of on-campus activities. It's really different being around people my age 24/7, and a big part of the college experience is getting to know people and spending quality time with friends.

The miles will make you stronger. Your friends will make you a better person. You will learn to love to learn. You will never have to succumb to peer pressure. Do everything for you. Although the years may not feel like the best of your life, remember that someday you will miss this. Don't forget to take care of yourself. Don't stress about a simple grade, its what you learned in the process that matters most. The best moments are the unplanned ones in the middle of the night with your friends...but make sure you still go to class in the morning. Overall, you will begin to become the person you have been looking to be. And remember to always thank God for how blessed you are to have a roof over you head and the chance to receive such an amazing education.

College will be one of the greatest experiences of your life. People in college are very welcoming and nonjudgemental. Be sure to take advantage of all the amazing oportunities that will be presented to you. Don't take your college experience for granted. The social life will be enjoyable, but remember that acedemics come first. Plus staying on top of your studies and receiving acedemic excellence will make your life less stressful and make your social life more enjoyable. Participate in various clubs and activities, you will meet great people and attain memorable experiences doing so. Above all make the best of your time in college and make smart decisions, college will form the person you will be for the rest of your life.

I would in all seriousness tell myself to study and learn to study because in the next year in college you will have to actually work for the grades. That is a huge jump because of the pace of the classes is so accelerated as compared to high school and the work load is definately more intense than before.

I would tell myself that eveything was going to be alright and that it was going to a a tough yet wonderful experience. PSEO had prepared me for attending a university and no matter where i was to get accepted to everything would turn out alright. The people would be fun and friendly and the atmoshpere would be exciting. I would also tell myself that i was ready for whatever college could throw my way and that nothing would be too difficult because i want to succeed that badly. Overall, i would tell myself to dive right into the college life and get involved as much as possible because the opportunity only comes around once.

First off, I would advise myself to keep taking challenging courses. AP, accelerated, and advanced courses have paid off in college. The hard-work early on will definitely pay off and put yourself ahead of most students in college. Be yourself. It's easy to fit into friend groups in high school, but in college you discover everyone is not exactly like you. In the upcoming years, you will meet people that challenge your way of thinking and disagree with your view points. Don't be afraid to get involved. It's easy to sit back and do nothing, but becoming involved will help you meet a lot of great people and accelerate your college experience. If you think procrastination is a bad habit in high school, it is only going to become a hundred times more stressful in college, so try to avoid it. Stick to varsity sports. You are only able to play for so many years in your life, if you have the talent, take advantage of it and play or you will regret it.

I would advide myself to think as far into the future as possible. I would suggest writting out the pros and cons of choosing which university to attend. I would have told myself that doing adequate research into choosing a school is also absolutly necessary. Money is obviously a consideration when looking at a school such as St. Thomas, but knowing what I know now, I believe you get what you pay for in the educational realm. I also thought having a vehicle my freshman year living in the dorms was simply a bad idea, it took something away from the whole experiance. Another thing I would tell myself is to meet as many people as possible and get involved in the school in one way or another immediately.

Things may be tough now and perhaps through your college years but stay strong, do well in your classes and it will pay off in the end. :)

Make sure to take care of the little things. Don't get so focused on the "important" classes that the generals start to take a hit (albiet a small one, but all the little pieces start to add up) However, more importantly, don't lose sight of the big picture. It's far worse to get bogged down in the details and miss the point- in school and in life.

Looking back in time, I wouldn't have changed a whole lot. I feel like I made a lot of good decisions on my life and future. One thing I could have done better is prepare myself financially. I have always been good at saving my money, but I thought that would be enough. Now I am three years in, working 25 hours a week, while in school full time, in order to pay my bills. If I would have taken more time to apply for different scholarships and grants, I would be sitting a lot more comfortably. Even if I would have worked a better job throughout high school, I could have had a lot more money saved up. The only thing about this is, if money is only concer, or thing to change, I feel very good with how things are going.

If I had to start college all over again and still had the knowledge I have now, I would tell myself three important things; one, all the other freshman are in the same boat as me, two, don't be afraid to ask for help, and three, do your best. If I received these advices before my college experience, I would have had a jump start in transition from high school to college. The new freshman coming to college are experience similar feelings as I am, they want to make new friends as much as I do. Be open to new experiences and make the most of your college experience. If you?re struggling, it is okay to ask for help. The professors, faculty, residence advisors all want to help you succeed, don't be afraid to ask for help. Lastly, remember to always do your best. This may be a simple advice, but it goes a long way. You?re going to get overwhelmed and feel new emotions and struggle a lot, but just remember to do your very best and be happy with the results if you did all you could.

I had always regreted my years in high school, because I was never a commited student. As I grew matured and started my own family had I realized what I had missed out on the opportunies of post secondary education and the relationships I could of had with my teachers in high school, especially my senior teachers. Most importantly, life involves how much you make so therefore you can take care of your family. As well as what interest you to learn are the two facts I should have known before entering college. The transition was tough, but if you knew those two answers than you should be good. The teachers in your senior year are the most important tools, because they will answer all your questions and will be very great references for colleges. Knowing what you want to become and knowing all the answers to finishing college as fast as possible can save you money. Volunteering will look great in resumes as well as joining groups and after school activites. These are what I should have asked myself in my senior year to be a completely satisfied current student.

As a student, you want a school that has your major, that has a great financial aid, a school that has a good social atmosphere. Also you want to attend a school that has small classes, good proffessor with flexible office hour. A school in dense populated area is also great because it offers a lot of off campus housing and Off campus jobs.

I would advise myself to not date anyone right away while I first started college because it prevented me from being able to meet more people than I did. When you are a freshman, you shouldn't have to answer to anyone but yourself. This allows you to become the complete individual while in school.

College will be different from high school in many ways. Sometimes the habits and attitudes that worked in high school will not necessarily work at college. Having trouble is nothing to be ashamed of. There are numerous support systems available to you at college -- all you need to do is ask. Please take advantage of all the support you can find.

Knowing what I know now as a college student, I wish I would have been more involved in extra curricular activities and volunteer ing right as I started college.

I would tell myself that college really is hard like people say. I had always been a smart kid that never had to try hard to succeed and I think it hindered my ability to work really hard now. I would have made my schedule harder to challenge myelf to get ready for college. This way I would have created good study skills and I would have been more prepared for the workload associated with college.

If I could go back and talk to myself as a highschool senior and give myself advice about college life, now that I know, I would. I would tell myself to take every moment in high school seriously and to always pay attention. I would tell myself to create a proper studying routine because in college you will need to utilize a steady schedule for studying. Also I would tell myself to get involved because in college it is beneficial to get involved. You can meet a lot of great friends as well as learn when getting involved. I would tell myself to volunteer and get involved with the community. Not only does it look good on your r?sum? but volunteering is also fun. When you volunteer for an organization, you can make connections and use them later during your college career by being an intern for example. Also it is such a wonderful feeling when you get the chance to volunteer with people who need help, and you get to see the look of joy on their faces as you help them. Lastly, I would tell myself to never give up and stay focused on your goals.

I would tell myself to take a deep breathe and that it will get easier. I hated college my first semester and cried the entire way back second semester, but then something clicked. Sudenly everything was okay. It is normal to feel sad, lonely and out of place. Today my firends and I joke about how awkward we were as freshmen just tring to find a group to fit in. It definately took sometime, but now I found my niche. I thought about transfering, and I am so glad I didn't. I would tell myself to be patient. It takes a lot of adjustment and getting used to going from friends you have had for the last 18 years of your life to not knowing one person. I think being more patient and remaining positive were to things I could have done better. Finally, I would tell myself to just sit back and enjoy the time I have in college. Four years will fly by and I want to have the best time I can.

I would say that the decision of the which college to go I made a good choice but to take on less of a course load.

If I were able to go back in time and give myself advice, I would encourage myself to be as open as possible. Moving away from home and learning to take care of yourself is a challenge that takes up a lot of your time and energy in your first year. Staying open is the way that you are able to create another family for yourself at school an embrace your new home and community. I have joined many clubs and organizations that represent my many different passions and it is at those meetings that I have met some of my best friends who have some of the same passions that I do. I would encourage myself to be an active member in the college community, and truly take it by storm as much as I can. Take advantage of every opportunity that is given to you, voice your opinions, and encourage others to do the same and take the same leap of faith. College is truly a unique experience, but one has to be willing to be open enough to receive it. If you do, you will not be disappointed in all that it has to offer.

College academic work is a big change from what school work was like in highschool. You should practice better study habits and keep up with your school work daily. One of the things I've learned is helpful in my college studies is to look back over your notes for each class throughout the week. This way when a test is coming up you wont have to cram for the test and it will be much easier to study. This will also take down your stress level when class work gets busy during finals and midterms. Get involved on campus and right when moving in you should go around to your neighbors and introduce yourself. Building a relationship with other kids on your floor or dorm will really help give you a more positive and enjoyable time in your college years. Although school work is important, its also important to stay connected with the campus and your friends.

Pick a 4 year college to start from and stick with it till you graduate. I'm a transfer student and transitioning into a 4-year college was not entirely easy, though i had enough help from the college staff and faculty.

I would give my past self the advice to always be an individual. No matter the pressure and opportunity there is available, always remember where you came from, and to always remember the values that have been engrained in your head. Family, friends, and your personal well being should always follow in that respective order on your priorities list. Altruism and selflessness are some of the most important things one can strive to fully have in their personality. Helping others to become the happiest they can be, will always put a smile on your face.

If I was about to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, there is so much I would want to say. First, I would want to make sure that I knew that high school is not the best part of life, it is only a fraction of life. I would also want to know that you can not change overnight. I grew up in a small town with a very tight community. That is something I should have been looking for in a college. I would also want to tell myself that it is okay to be homesick when you leave. It's normal. I still enjoy going home. However, coming back to school and being with my new 'family' is wonderful too!

First of all I would take every single class very seriously. And take more of the advanced classes such as the IB (International Baccalaureate) courses that my High School offers. I would have also made stronger relationships with my teachers such as I have been doing in college. Even though I was involved in helping the community by being in charge of the AVID reciclying team for High School and being the head organizer for the Cinco de Mayo Student Showcase for two consecutive years, I would have liked to have joined other programs and organizations to improve the community. I would have also prepared myself a lot more for the ACT test.

If I was given the chance to give advice for college to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to reach out for help and look at the way I study. Transitioning into a new environment with difficult classes and an untreated learning disability made it difficult for me to establish effective study habits. During my first year, I didn't figure out that college was a lot tougher than high school until it was too late. My first semester grades were so terrible, I'm surprised I wasn't put on academic probation. After having good grades in high school, I was incredibly ashamed when my academic advisor contacted me and asked if I needed help. I didn't realize until the end of second semester that I would have to change my study habits and receive help for my learning disability, if I wanted to do better in school. Since then, my grades have significantly improved but it's been difficult to obtain my desired GPA with my Freshman grades weighing everything else down. If I could go back, the one thing I would tell myself is to seek help in any way possible.

Apply to more colleges and scholarships. Don't be lazy. Get more involved in the college selection process because it WILL determine the rest of your life! Consider more out of state schools and study abroad.

Don't get discouraged, things get better!

Knowing what I know now both about college and life after college without a degree, I would tell myself to be more outgoing and talk to people. I only spent two years at the high school I graduated from and didn't know many people. I was not outgoing so I didn't talk to many people, I just kept to myself. When I went to college, I continued down that same path. I didn't know anyone that was going to the same college as I did so I didn't have many friends at school. Most of my friends were back home. Because of this, I didn't really want to be away at school; I wanted to be home. I let this and other outside factors affect my desire to be there and I ended up leaving school prior to completing my degree. Now, almost 20 years after graduating from high school, I would tell myself to get more involved in high school so I would have the experience and skills needed to make new friends. I think I might have stayed in college and finished my degree.

Put 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} effort into your classes from day one up to the final. Your hard work will pay off and save you a ton of stress in the end. Also any of your old high school ways where you just do enough to get by will not work at all. Studying the day before tests is awful. Also from what ive heard its a better idea to room with someone you know. Most people hate their random roommate. Also get involved with campus actitivities the first week of college and meet friends. Those first few days will make the difference in meeting friends and getting involved.

Do what you find interesting, not what is practical. It will work out better in the long run.

I would tell myself to allow yourself to have fun, but make a commitment to your education. By going to college you are not merely receiving an education from that institution, but you will also be experiencing many different situations that will help you grow into a mature and responible adult. In summary, make the most out of your whole college experience.

Take high school more seriously! Some of these teachers actually do know what they are talking about. It will be extremely beneficial if you go into college remembering some of the things that you learned in high school. Learn some good study skills, so you don't have to spend your first semester trying to figure out the best way to study. Make life-long connections with some of your high school teachers and do NOT burn bridges. While it is important to take academics and extra-curriculars seriously; have a little fun outside of school, go out with your friends and enjoy them. It won't be long before you are all in different cities making new friends. Live up your last year of high school and make memories that you can take with you to college. Finally, work hard when you get there. Study, meet new people and enjoy St. Thomas as much as I know you are going to!

Always Always always go to class!! Even if you aren't in the mood, you absorb information just by being there. You don't need to take all of your generals right away. Generals as a senior gives you a break from your concentration classes and can be a nice breather. Don't care about making friends with the 'popular' kids on campus. Find friends who are similar to you and appreciate you for who you are.. not what you have.

Simply be as open-minded as possible. There are so many varying points of view out there, you just have to get out of your bubble to discover them. While your ideas may be well formulated, and your ability to articulate them helps to confirm your own correctness, you must shy away from such a mindset. Every single person has something valuable to add to the equation, because no single human being approaches any situation the same. To fully expand knowledge, one must have empathy. All minds have a unique way of thinking that can in turn broaden your own mind. Don't let your ego ever get in the way of being open-minded. It is only a hinderance to true learning. Furthermore, taking people at face value is dangerous to say the least. It is so easy to judge those around us based on all sorts of superficial things that don't really matter, and that is exactly why the goal of open-mindedness is so difficult. Humans naturally pre-judge anyone they see. If you want to learn, learn to rise above this base nature of people.

Zach, You are right about college it's super fun. The parties are great and there are tons of girls, but be careful and be smart. When you find yourself binge drinking remember to never drive because some of your friends will and now there waiting for rides. The course work will be challenging, but don't worry when you apply yourself it isn't hard at all and eventually you will find something you enjoy. Just study hard and everything academically will work itself it out. Take advantage of the football games because tailgating is a blast. Finally make sure you take in every moment because eventually you'll need to get a job and it will come to an end. Zach

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself several things. In high school, I was a big time procrastinator. I would let myself know that procrastination gets you nowhere in college. You will be able to complete the assignment, but a good grade is not guaranteed. Get involved with school activities, meet new people, have fun, and most importantly go to class! In college, you are very independent and free to make your own choices, therefore some people don't always make the right ones but make sure you have a good head on your shoulders!

I would tell myself to take the college selection process more seriously. I should not have limited myself in my choices. I would make sure to consider numerous options and look at the important aspects such as offered majors, reputation of the school, class size, and rate of the graduates from that school having success in the job market. These things are much more pivotal in the rest of your life than whether or not the school has good sports teams, a crazy party scene, or even if it is located in a fun city. Yes these things make college more fun but one should not forget the ultimate objective is to receive and education that will prepare them for their future career. I would also tell myself to figure out who I am and what my beliefs are and stick to them. To get involved in causes you believe in and make life long friends.

Apply to as many possible schools. I would tell me to not worry because everything will work out. You'll end up where you are suppose to end up and if you don't like it you can transfer out

I would go back and tell myself to take all the AP classes that were aviable at school, and take the tests. I would also have made sure that I had taken the ACT and SAT more then once.

Take charge of your education now. Use whatever means possible to allow yourself to succeed in college. Take advantage of programs such as PSEO and AP courses to gain college credit now. College will be much more difficult than high school and you will have to work for your education; it will not just come naturally. And you will regret procrastination. Allow yourself to take courses you are truly interested in and gain a major you will continue to be interested in four years later. Your degree is for you and you need to be excited about what you are learning. It is not always smart to be practical; you must also be passionate about what you learn. Do not allow yourself to be overly stressed about the financial situations or any other situations you find yourself in. Things always have a way of working themselves out. Trust yourself and trust those around you who support your education. Put yourself out there and don't be afraid of uncomfortable situations. Others will never know how amazing you are if you don't allow them to. Lastly, see the grey areas in the world. It is not all black and white.

No matter where you end up attending, whether it's an ivy league university or a techical college, it doesn't matter. The name on your degree can only get you so far, worry more about what you are learning than where you are learning it. And make friends, both in and outside of your major. Have fun, because after this it's the real world, and spending a few months in another country won't seem as plausible.

If I had the chance to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, with the knowledge I have gained from my two and a half years of being in college, I would have advice for myself. One of the most important things that I would say would be to get involved. Being involved on campus really helps complete the circle of the college experience. By being involved it makes it easier to meet a variety of new people that you may have never run into otherwise. The second piece of advice I would give myself would be not to procrastinate or let anyone change the way you do work or yourself for that matter. I would make a point to exaggerate the importance of staying on top of what needs to get done for each class, in each semester. Last but not least, I would give the advice to be yourself. Let people accept you for who you really are. Don't be afraid to let who you are shine on through. Be yourself, trust yourself, and love yourself. This will allow you to let your life take shape, a beautiful one.

If I had a chance to go back in time to my senior year in high school to give myself advice about college life, I wouldn't give myself just one but many advices. First would be to explore possible jobs that I could see myself do so that I am able to study the appropriate subjects in college. As a sophomore, I am struggling to find courses that will allow me to graduate on time (in 2012) that are required for my major because I was uncertain of what it would be. Second, third, and forth would be to be involved in extra-curricular activities, take advantage of the opportunities and amenities that the university offers, and build relationships and connections with students, faculty, and staff members. Also if I knew what to study, I would be able to get involved in opportunities on campus of that focus and/or connect with person(s) of that field to help in the long-run. And my last advice would be to look into schools that are further away so that when coming home for the Holidays or for the weekends, the family would appreciate it more.