University of St Thomas-Saint Paul Top Questions

If I were allowed to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to keep working hard. I would tell myself not to let the "senior slide" get a hold of me and to keep pushing through classes and learn as much as possible. I would also tell myself to take more Advanced Placement tests and College in the Schools courses so that I would have had credits transfer to my university. If I would have known this, I could have saved a lot of time trying to remember basic material for my general courses and I would have saved a lot of money if I would have had credits transfer.

Try your hardest, what you don't realize is that the amount of work you put in now will pay off in the future! It will save you so much money. Join more student groups, be more active. Give it your all. The world is yours. "Carpe Diem"

Given the chance to go back to give myself advice, my advice would definitely be to use time wisely and efficiently. It helps one become a more responsible person and it prevents procrastination, which is one of the deadliest dieseases in college life, I believe. Time is so precious during college life, and when it's used wisely and efficiently so many things can be accomplished. When so many things are accomplished, one can just relax and breathe. Being able to relax and just breathe is crucial to college life because it helps reduce or even prevent stress. All these can be obtained if one starts out by using time wisely and efficiently.

Looking back over the last three years of my college education and how I have evolved into who I am today, the best advice I could give myself as an incoming Freshman would be to not have a set plan going into college. Although I believe it is impoartant to have some kind of direction in life, I think it is even more important for incoming freshman especially to be open to the whole college experience as a time to truly change and grow into the person that you are truly meant to be. It is important to know that change isn't always a bad thing, and let's face it, college is the perfect opportunity to change. Learn who you are, be open to new challenges, experiences, and all walks of life, and embrace the idea that life will not always go according to plan. Remember always: "Trust in the Lord with all thy heart, and lean not into thy own understanding. In all ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy path." -Pslams. Trust that wherever this life leads you is EXACTLY where you are meant to be!

When I first arrived at my university, I had no idea what to expect in terms of campus involvement. I assumed that I would automatically involve myself in clubs and organizations that were similar to those I had participated in high school. I quickly discovered that this was not an easy task, and that becomming a serious member of groups such as the student government and the school newspaper required much more than it had in the past. In high school, I found myself on the top of these clubs due to my interest and enthusiasm alone; in college, I was certainly not the only one that had been on the top in high school. I had to pursue other interests and strive to reach a new set of goals. This included trying many new things, being assertive to meet new people and form bonds with new friends, and understanding that I was surrounded by a wide variety of very successful students from a multitude of backgrounds. This took me a long time to learn, and I would love to advise others to not be afraid to step out of their comfort zones immediately in college.

Advice is something one can always use more of. If I could provide valuable advice to myself as a high school senior I would explain how important it is to challenge oneself. One must challenge themselves at an early age, which may start with taking Advanced Placement classes or Post Secondary Education in the High School system. Those classes are free and any penny a student can save in college is extremely appreciated by the college students wallet. Not only are the classes free, but they provide somewhat of a guide as to what colleges are looking to expect out of their students. The classes then can help mold the high school student into a strong academic college student. Being prepared is key to having a successful transition to college from high school. If there are options for students to challenge themselves- DO IT! One can only be their best if they challenge themselves the best they can. Do not be afraid to be mature by preparing and challenging yourself in order to be comfortable with the life changing transition.

I would encourage myself to stick with it, and be prepared for a big transition. Between high school and college, many things change academically, socially, and in your lifestyle itself. Prepare to study and get a complete understanding of materials because they can be tricky, and understanding what you learn is the sole purpose of your education. Socially, people are willing to meet you, as long as you are willing to meet them. Make yourself approachable and be optimistic about everyone without judgements. And finally, you become more independent. What you do everyday has a consequence for the next. How much hard work you put into, determines how much you will get out of your experience in college.

Backing up to my senior year in high school I would first pat myself on the back for my maturity. I feel that key component to one's character and personality is more important to one's experiences than many give credit. Speaking face to face with myself now to then, I would start of by emphasizing the uselessness of comparing yourself to others simply by their physical appearance. St. Thomas holds a reputation for the "attractive" appearances of both the guys and gals on campus and knowing this ahead of time can be a little intimidating. Coming out of high school in a small town and heading as the new underclassman in a big city, I felt prepared for whatever was in store, as my self-confidence was strong and able. As much as I felt my maturity was advanced, I really think that it would have been beneficial to see beyond the superficial stereotypes prior to freshman year. As distracting as living up to a certain look can be, I know now that no matter what one's appearance may be, it's ultimately about the character and quality of values you possess that will lead to success.

I would tell myself that every grade you earn in high school matters towards college. Everything from your freshman courses to the end of your senior year goes on your final transcript. It is very important to try and get the best grade you can. Your GPA along with your ACT/SAT are the keys stats that colleges look at for acceptance and financial aid. With good numbers in those two areas, some extra curriculars and community service, getting into the college you want will be much easier.

I did not remain in college straight through for the four years. I had to take a few years off to help my dad with his business. Now I am attempting to pick up where I left off and I have had trouble with financing and financial aid. If I could go back to when I was a senior in high school, I would advise me to continue with my education and help my dad as much as I could. I know now that I would have been able to help him and at the same time finish my 4 year undergraduate degree, but at the time, I think, I could not have known that. The solution to this predicament is to realize that one cannot know what the future will bring, one can only do what he or she thinks is best at the time. I cannot take back what has occurred, but I can do my best to pick up where I have left off and finish my education.

I would tell myself to always strive for your goals and never let anyone tell you differently. I would get involved in the community more and study harder. You also need to put yourself out there. College students are thrown into classes where you may not know anyone. You need to have an open mind and an open heart. Lastly, keep in touch with those you love and who love you. They will help you find your confidence to continue on when you are having a rough day. Have fun!

In general, I would tell myself to not worry so much about the transition. Not that going away to college isn't a big deal, but it certainly wasn't as big of a transition as I had imagined.

I wouldn't change anything because I was already prepared.

One of the first things I would tell myself is that college is nothing like high school and that I would need to put in a lot more time and effort to continue to get good grades. I also would tell myself to use professors office hours to get help with questions and homework and also to get to know them better than just through lectures. I wish someone would have told me that college professors do not form personal relationships with students as readily as high school teachers; I would need to put in extra effort if I wanted my professors to know and care about me as my high school teachers did. In the selection process, I would tell myself to go to the school that I really wanted to go to rather than a school someone else wants me to go to. I would strongly emphasize that compromising on my dreams and goals to make others happy is going to upset me and possibly take away from my college career. Finally, I would have told myself to start researching financial aid and applying for scholarships much earlier in my college search process.

I would tell myself that it is important to look at more schools and apply to more places. And, it is important to visit the schools and not settle on a school but to push yourself to do the best you can.

If I were to go back in time, I would say to myself to not take anything for grantid. As I transitioned I thought making friends would be simple, but it was not. I found out it took about the whole semester to find my clique of friends that I knew would be a great influence. I would tell myself to also be more open and talk a lot to everyone. In addition I would reccomend to save more money for myself.

Make a lot of visits before your final decision. Stay overnight at each school you're considering and talk to students. It's nice to get the perspective of current students of any college you're considering. Try to talk to more than just the student tour guides as well; you'll get a better idea of what the school's really about from someone who isn't paid and trained to attract students. Also, look at schools you wouldn't normally consider. There are some really cool little known schools out there where you can get a great education and meet a huge variety of interesting people. Don't just stick to the typical college choices! Find the school that fits you perfectly, the school where you can see yourself for the next four years happily.

If I could speak to myself as a senior in high school I'd advise myself to be open to as many opportunities that come my way. College is completly different than high school and full of new experiences and new people. You can really make a difference during your college years I wish I could tell ever high schoolers that. I would also tell myself to live on campus as long as possible because living off campus is expensive and bills are never fun. I'd remind myself to be greatful for my parents because when you don't live with them you really start to miss them. Finally I'd tell myself to study extra hard, try to meet someone new everyday, get to know your teachers because their stories are really amazing, study abroad, take a chance, learn new concepts, stick to your morals and values, know you can change the world, and finally believe in yourself. During my three semesters at the University of St. Thomas I've learned all these things. It's made me a better student, worker, friend, and person.

I would tell myself to learn time management skills, because it is very important when you do not have parents guiding you and you are completely on your own. I would suggest getting a job on campus right away in order to get used to managing money and time. This way, I would get used to working and not feel like it is a burden. Getting involved in the clubs and activites that you will encourage your faith and be uplifting to you as a person is very important. You will meet people who are interested in the same things as you and you will be able to build Christian relationships. I would suggest not drinking or abusing drugs because they distract from academics, making good friendships, and creating a strong faith. Abstaining from drugs, alcohol, and drugs has been incredibly rewarding for me during my first semester. I suggest setting a specific limit per day for Internet usage because it can be such a waste of time and a huge distraction. I would suggest praying and reading the Bible everyday to have a centerpoint to come back to within the change and chaos that comes with college.

I would tell myself to relax and stop worrying. If only I knew that the next few years would be the best years of my life. I would say to me: in my freshman year, 'you will meet a ton of wonderful people; professors, students, co-workers etc.' I would say that I would meet the three girls that will end up being my best friends- my three freshman roomies. I would say try to live in the dorms as long as you can. I would say work hard your freshman year and get all As because that is the best thing you can do for your GPA. I would say savor every moment that you can because these are the best days of your life and pursue every option that offers itself. I would say get super involved and network early by meeting people in your specific field and to quit worrying because everything is going to work out in the end.

The harder you work in high school, the more enjoyable your experience WILL be in college. By studying hard for those good grades in high school you may become eligible for numerious scholarships that will not only make college more affordable, but also open possibilities of where you can go. Make use of any resources your high schools may have such as counselors, career centers, etc. They will help you greatly and give you practice with working with these kinds of people. Because you will be working with these same kinds of resources very frequently in college too. I'd also tell myself to to make use of PSEO/AP/etc. programs. There are many freshman here at St. Thomas who got to register earlier because they had more credits than me. This allowed them to get the classes they wanted at the time they preferred them, leaving me with what was "left over". And besides, they saved hundreds of dollars! Lastly, be a good person and meet new people especially the staff at your school. When it comes to letters of recommendations, you're gonna love yourself for being a kind person.

I would tell myself to do pseo. I would have saved myself $16000 and i would have been challenged. I would also have been more prepared for college classes. If i didn't do pseo i would tell myself to take harder classes and try to get a better gpa. If i would have gotten a higher gpa i could have gottan a bigger scholarship from the school. The last thing i would have told myself would have been use my free time to apply for as many scholarships as i could because college is really expensive.

Looking back, one of the biggest worries I had about college was whether or not I was making the right decision. I was so worried that if I made the wrong choice, whether it was which college I attended, or what major I chose, it would haunt me for the rest of my life. If I could go back, I would assure myself that I've got plenty of time to figure everything out. Not every decision is going to make or break my college experience. There's plenty of time to change my decisions, and plenty of other decisions to make. This is not to say I shouldn't fully research all the options before I make a decision. I should just know that whatever decision I make, I'll have to time live out my decision, decide whether it was right or not, and change it (or not) accordingly.

Get ready for the ride of your life! First of all, the University of St. Thomas is a beautiful campus where you'll feel so comfortable. You are going to meet the most incredible friends who will remain so for the rest of your life. Prepare to take a lot of notes, and study hard because you'll need to maintain good grades to hold onto your scholarships and to keep your GPA up. You may get stressed out and worry about exams, papers, or lack of sleep, but you can relieve some of that with exercise or a nap. Remember that you may not go home as often as you may like, but that's what cell phones are for! Don't get yourself so caught up with the stress of schoolwork that you forget to have fun and enjoy your college years. You are going to have an absolutely wonderful time at St. Thomas.!

You will embark on a journey that is going to challenge and require alot out of you. The best way to prepare is to work on your organizational skills, and setting a limit for yourself. For the first time in your life, you are an independent. With this title comes alot of responsibilities, and if not managed correctly can get you into some trouble. You have to learn how to say no. This is college-there will be a party every weekend. However most professors if not all will not allow you every weekend to finish your paper. In addition the peer pressure is just as much as high school if not more. You do not have to expirement in every endeavor especially those of alcohol and drugs. The great thing about college is the diverse minds of the many students that attend. There will be a right fit for you, so there is no need to pressure yourself into doing things just to fit in. The people you meet could be your life long friends so pick them carefully. Most of all be engaged, jump on opportunities, and learn for the sake of learning.

I would advise myself to take post secondary courses that would allow me to transfer into my desired college. Now that I know it is a common factor in college to be enrolled for 4+ years in order to obtain a degree. It is VERY difficult to obtain your desired degree in 4 years because there are many requirements here at St. Thomas that conficts with your major required courses. I would have also wanted to tell myself to save as much money as I could because St. Thomas is not cheap and the financial aid barely covers anything. I would have been able to save enough to pay for room and board, J-term, or something simple as a meal plan. i am currently in very high debt and would change that more than anything. The last thing I would change would be my outlook on life. Instead of being with my boyfriend all the time and hanging out with the same circle of people, I would have wanted to give back to the community and think of others in need.

The first thing I would tell myself if I were to visit my high school self, would be to take high school more seriously. Not only would this advice encourage me to prepare better for college classes, it would also allow me greater scholarships and ease up my payments on tuition in college. I would attempt to make myself take academics as seriously as I do now and to begin applying for scholarships such as these before getting to collage. Next I would remind myself to be open and flexible in meeting new people in college but at the same time to remember to be myself no matter what. I would encourage myself to keep confidence in myself and in my studies. I would also encourage myself to take more AP exams in an attempt to gain credit towards my general classes. This would save me time and money in the long run. Overall I would encourage myself to strive to do my best in my last year in high school and use the summer as time to relax. THen I would congradulate myself on getting this far in life.

If I was still in high school, I would want to hear that it will all be okay to the point of redundancy. I was told everything I found out after getting here, and the reassurance was nice, but if you make it past the first day, you can do anything. Move-in day is terrifying, but I wish I'd known how quickly it was going to go after that had passed. However, hearing any combination of truth and lies could not have taken the butterflies out of my stomach. You just have to do it and you'll be fine. The only thing that makes them go away is getting past the scary things, and they certainly pass quickly enough. No words can make you possibly understand until you've experienced it; after that, you'll never want to go back. That's what happened to me anyway, and since it's me giving myself advice from the future, obviously I've gotten through it, and that would make me feel invincible! :) I would also suggest that I not get too lazy over the summer and lose my high school study habits and motivation.

Be yourself. Don't waste your time trying so hard to be friends with people. Friendships come naturally and you shouldn't ever feel like you have to hide your true feelings to keep friends. You will make friends no matter what, sometimes it happens quickly and sometimes it takes time. You should always be the person you are/want to be, not the person you think people think you should be. It is better to have 3 good friends than 20 average friends.

If I were to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to certainly enjoy the high school years while you still have them. School only gets tougher and there are way more distractions at college. I would also tell myself to really get to know your roommate and set ground rules before coming on move in day so you know what to expect of them and what they expect of while, and you don't have that awkward conversation face to face.

I would tell myself to apply for more Scholarships, take more classes in High school that will transfer to college, not take a science class and a math class in the same semester.

I would tell myself not to worry so much and to not try to control the future. As a senior in a small high school in Mahtomedi I was so worried about how different college would be. I feared not knowing the personal history behind every face that I saw on campus, getting lost, having to ask for people's help, and the freedom I would be granted in starting over as a freshman. Being the oldest member of my family feuled my misconceptions about college life. I was marching into the unkown, with only the half-remembered experiences of relatives at my disposal. The anticipation of what college life would be like ate away at me until my first day arrived. At noon I went into room 106 of McNeely hall and sat at an empty desk. Not long after, I struck up a conversation with two other freshman beside me. After a few sentences were exchanged two things became clear to me. The first was that they were just as uncertain as I was, and the second was that I had just wasted my entire summer worrying about something that now I can't get enough of.

Don't ever slack off. There are always consequences and they are not fun. So focus, focus focus!

Be yourself and don't be afraid to step out of your shell when you go into college and meet new people. Its a time to grow, learn, and become the real you.

It is not what you expect. Just stay positive and it might be hard at times, but that truely is the key. It's a much larger transition than you ever imagined, but you'll learn a lot about yourself in the process. Some good things and some bad. But by experiencing these things you better prepare yourself for the future, so you don't make the same mistake twice. Half the battle is recgnizing the mistakes, the other half is taking the initiative to correct them. And above all don't be afraid to fail, because all those failures can lead to a great success!

Advice I would give to myself as a high school senior is to realize that things will never go as well as you plan. Things happen in life that we have no control over, and we just have to be tough and plow through. The transition will be difficult, but it is not impossible. As long as you stick to who you are and do not change yourself for others, it will be ok and soon you will forget that it was ever difficult. In regard to classes, know that it is ok if you do not do as well as you did in high school. Receiving a B in a class will not kill you, and do not stress yourself out because of it. No one is perfect, and no one expects you to be. Have fun, be responsible, and never forget to enjoy every moment because you never know when it could end.

Knowing what I know now about college, the single-most important bit of advice that I would give myself would be to take as many college level courses as possible. College is very expensive, and the more credits one comes into college with, the better. Coming in with credits, I would have more flexibility with class scheduling if I did not know my major right away, and I would also save significantly on classes. I would also give myself the advice of maintaining a balance with working hard, and giving myself time for fun and relaxation. College can be very taxing, and it is important to give yourself time for a nap, or movie night with the girls.

Knowing what I know now about college, there is really just one thing I would tell myself. I would tell myself to try to live on campus at least for freshman year. I know it's a pretty big added expense, but I think it would have been well worth it had I actually made that decision. Living on campus would have allowed me to make friends more easily and be more involved in campus life. Other than that, I have really enjoyed my time so far at St. Thomas and the decisions I've made and look forward to my remaining years.

Be prepared to be alone. Be more outgoing. Work harder now.

If I could go back in time I would tell myself to take more time during the decision process. I think I made the decision on what school I was to attend without doing enough research on it. Knowing what the classes were like, what the social scene was like, and knowing more about the campus would have helped a lot.

I would tell myself to never lose focus, and always to enjoy the little things in life. Don't be nervous about college, because you are going to meet some amazing people and experience amazing things that you would have never unless you go to the University of St. Thomas.

I would not change anything in my decision process, althought i would put more time into picking my classes more wisely, and i would make sure that they are spread out. It is a hassle to have them all bunched together. I would encourage myself to play football, because i was on the fence as to wether i should play or not. I ended up playing and it was the most fun i have ever had playing a sport.

I would tell myself that I should pick a college based on what I enjoy and based on what I would like to do in the future. I would tell myself that I should keep in mind the values that I developed through high school when picking a college or university. I would also advised myself to research several schools and what they have to offer. I would tell myself that there are going to be some times where things may be a little shaky or uncomfortable but not to be worried because it is all part of the transition. I would advise myself not to be as shy, and try to make more friends as soon as I got to school. I would also encourage myself to get involved with as many things as possible, becasue as I have learned, you get to know a lot of people by doing more activities. I would tell myself that, "this is college and you are suppose to have fun," but keep in mind the reason I am going to school, which is to further educate myself, in hopes to be successful and have a rewarding and enjoyable career.

The most important piece of advice I could give you is to be open and outgoing to new things. You will encounter people with different outlooks on life and you need to be able to see things from their perspective. Don't be afraid to put yourself out there. Everyone is in the same situation so you are all in it together. Establish a comfort zone and continue to push the limits on that zone. By getting involved in several different groups or activities, you will have plenty of chances to meet new people and make new friends. Remember that you are going to school to get an education. Making friends and experiencing new things are important, but your studies must come first. Don't be scared to ask questions and ask for help. Figure out a study schedule and stick to it so you can always get your homework done. Know that your years in college will influence the rest of your life so make good decisions. Your family will always be there whenever you need help but you need to learn to become an individual. After you graduate it's time for the real world, so enjoy yourself.

If I could go back in time and give myself advice, I would say, "Study harder, don't procrastinate, and quit slacking off. Those traits will become a habit that you will have you kicking yourself. You'll lose a lot of sleep from it, which is not something you can really afford to do. It will affect your learning thus affecting your grades. Take PSEO courses! It is a great program. It's free college classes that will prepare you for the college life. You gain credits towards your education while receiving a taste of what your responsibilities for next year. You'll get some experience, meet new people, and save an enormous amount of money at the same time. Speaking of saving money, work more and save more! Even with the scholarship money, college is still extremely expensive. Don't waste it on frivolous items that catch your fancy for a week only to have it sitting in the corner of your room as a shelf. Plan ahead and look to the future. Set goals and work hard to achieve them."

The advice I wish I could give to myself would be to allow my dreams and goals take me to where I want to be. It never occurred to me, during high school, that there is a world filled with various opportunities and different careers. All throughout high school, I had shunned all other options and limited myself to only one career path, leading to a horrid freshman year in college when I realized that the career path I thought I chose was not the path for me. Due to this crisis, I have learned much about keeping my options open, persevering to achieve my goals, and maintaining a good network of people to help me succeed. There is so much that knowledge and experience I have gained since the time when I was a senior in high school. I wish I could have known all of this back then.

The best advice that I could give myself would be to be open and outgoing. It is a difficult transition moving on from high school where you had a comfort zone with friends that you knew for most of your life. Moving on to college and separating from those friends can be tough. Being outgoing can help ease the transition to college. The first part of college can be difficult but with the help of new friends it makes the process easier. So for high school seniors, they should enjoy the time they have with their friends because once everyone goes off to college they will find new groups of friends and build a stronger bond than many high school friendships. Another word of advice would be to be smart/careful because most college freshman are so excited to be away from home that they make stupid mistakes. It is okay to have fun and party but remember that you are at college to learn and how you study at college is most likely going to affect you for the rest of your life.

If I were to go back in time, the only advise I would give myself is to not be afraid to try something new. I think I panicked and stayed in my comfort zone by going to the school I attend now.

I would tell myself to be open minded to new experiences. There is so much out there to learn that you should struggle to achieve as much of that as possible. I would also say to always remember to work hard and do your best. Do not be afraid to ask for help because that is what the resources are there for. Get out there and meet new people and learn from their individual experiences. Do not sell yourself short and use everything to your full potential. Work hard in classes yet still take time to have fun and enjoy life.

The advice I would give myself is choose the kind of school where you would feel comfortable academically and socially in. Don't think so much about the financial situation as much because it doesn't matter that much. Stepping in as a freshman in college, I was in the position with financial issues as a freshman in 2008-2009, it was really stressful, but the most important thing is whether you would feel comfortable in the state you will be in and whether the sources that you have will come to good use.