University of St Thomas-Saint Paul Top Questions

Remember that there is a big transition. You will be studying more, you will be working harder, and you will need to prioritize your activities. Try to be involved in as much as possible. Also, you must remember to stay calm and ask for help when you need it. Professors are there to teach and help, not just teach.

I will tell myself to try harder and use my time wisely during my first semester of college. I will tell myself to find a better study habit so that our second chance will be a success. I will thrive in college instead of finding way to just pass the course or class. Really all I would tell myself is to be the best I can be and ask question when in doubts and spend even more time with my professors.

When you go off to college, be completely open to new experiences and new people. Don't be shy and don't hold back. Try to be yourself even though you are in a completely new environment. Classes are going to be much more difficult and require more dedication than in high school, but if you work hard and stay focused on your school work, you can do it! You need to study a lot, but remember to take time and relax to clear your mind.

Realize that transitioning to college life is a once in a lifetime experience. Know that even though you are away from your parents and guardians, it is now your own responsibility to do things for yourself. This is the time to manage your life the way you want it to be. Plan to live on campus (or at least near campus) the first year for the smoothest transition to becoming a college student. That closeness to the campus will help in connecting with others as well as building a community among your peers. Some phone numbers to put into your cell phone are the emergency line at school, public service, the tech desk/office, and your parents. You'll never know when those phone numbers will come in handy. Also, make sure to go to college with an open mind, to enhance the learning experience ahead. Learn to ask questions (even stupid ones) to let others know that you're interested. Make sure to visit your professor's office hours to create a well balanced student-teacher connection. Lastly, enjoy these years ahead, because they will probably be the best 4 (or more) years of your adult life.

Make sure you have a good feel for the school you are considering. If you're not excited about going to the school you are considering, then there is no point in going. Know that the university you choose will have fields that you are interested in majoring in. Visit the school overnight if you have a chance to see what life is like in the dorms.

I would tell myself to apply to more colleges, think about what I wanted to do for a living and what would I be happy doing as a career. I would also tell myself to keep in touch with close friends and cherish not having to do so much. Also, to be more involved in trying to get internships, networking, etc.

Choosing a college is a difficult decision: take it seriously! You don't need to know exactly what you want to do for the rest of your life, but make sure that you know that the college you decide on has strong programs in the general areas of study that you want to pursue. In order to get a better feel for things, try to contact friends you know that have gone to the college, ask to meet with student workers when you take a tour of campus, and make sure to talk to at least one professor in your area of interest before deciding where you want to go. It is also helpful to do some research! Look up the professors at the college and see what they have done. Most importantly: are they published? Are they widely respected in their fields of study? Do you think you could aspire to work with them on projects throughout the time you spend in college? Answers to these questions are what will ensure academic success. Remember, don't let the pressures of college build up--just take steps to make sure that you can enter college confident of future success!

If I could go back in time I would do PSEO, which is when high school seniors can go to a community college and take classes for free and get a jump start on college. Not only is it free for the students, the students can earn college credit and end up being ahead of most college freshman when going into their freshman year of college. I also would discipline myself on being better with procrastination. In college things tend to build up fast if you wait for the last minute to do assignments. Reading is also a big difference in college, in every class their is reading to do and if you don't do it you are behind because there is usually a discussion or quiz that comes along with it. Looking at the big picture, I feel I did a good job by preparing myself for college. I wasn't one of those high school seniors that slacked off their last year. College is tough but if a student stays on top of things and commit themselves, they will find success.

Don't worry so much about choosing a degree before you attend college. You will have the opportunity to speak with academic advisors about what is best for you. Find ways to improve my note taking skills. Become familiar with the library, because you will spend a great deal of time there. Practice reading skills, as well as understanding what you have read. Apply for more financial aid than you really need. Odds are you will not receive all that you apply for, so the more the better.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would say, "Get ready for a wonderful experience and education ahead of you!" I would say; study hard, get involved in an extra-curricular activity or activities that interest(s) you, don't just go to class but engage with other students and your professor and ask questions, be prepared to be challenged. Constantly seek the truth in your classrooms, and listen to other's opinions and seek the truth together. I would not say much more than that, because I think college is an adventure, where one has to grow, learn and be challenged. It is where you learn who you are, and a place where you have the opportunity to be a part of a rich community. The people of this community become your friends and challenge you to become a better person. But, if I said much more, than I would know everything that was going to happen in college. I would simply say as a wonderful person that I look up to, Pope John Paul II, once said, "Be not afraid" of the adventure that awaits you!

I would have signed up for more accelerated math courses, and in all classes I would reccommend reading straight out of the book much more often.

Go out and meet more people, join clubs and get involved right away. There are many ways to have fun and meet people other than parties. Party less and focus on school more. Spend more time in the library and study rooms. Dont waste time at parties or playing video games. Do not procrastinate and work ahead.

I think I would tell myself to try and be really open to the college experience and try to get involved as much as possible. I'm a very quiet person, so I didn't really speak up much when I started college and didn't do many extra-curricular activities. So I would tell myself that it would be good to start getting involved and meeting as many new people as possible during that first year. I would also tell myself to continue to work hard and take more initiative for learning in classes. College has been much tougher than high school, but there is also more time to study and work through problems on my own. I sometimes may need to visit a professor in order to fully understand some material. In college, it is up to you to take this initiative, so I would let myself know this. Finally, I'd advise myself to really get to know the people in my major so that I can ask them questions and work together with them. It also makes classes and studying a lot more fun and productive.

Assuming time travel was possible, I would warn myself that I really need to study calculus a lot more than I did. I will need that knowledge to be almost common sense by the time I take calculus 2 in the fall. In addition, I would tell myself to fill out as many scholarships as possible because I will end up poorer than I thought after buying books and supplies. In addition to academic life, I would tell myself about social life in college. I would tell myself not to be so nervous because St. Thomas is full of friendly people and fun events. I would also mention that within the first week, I will realize that everyone else is in the same boat as I am and that I should be open and socially active as soon as I get to college.

Knowing what I know now, as far as the expectations people have for college students, I would tell my high school senior-self to make clear-cut and concise goals for myself. It's one thing to know you "want" success, but to actually list what you will do in order to attain it, makes the journey a lot less complicated. I would also tell myself to start out strong, so it makes it a lot bearable to finish the academic journey strong. Lastly, I would tell myself to be involved in a variety of activities, versus joining the same types of groups (ie. joining all sports groups, or all minority-themed organizations) so that I can be exposed to different people, ideas and ways of life.

Joining many clubs and organizations is a really great way to get to know people. Since you can join clubs with people who have common intrests, it's a great way to find more people to hang out with. I would also tell myself that studying more is worth it. Having a social life is not nearly as important as putting forth the effort to get good grades. I would also say that I should be open minded and not let people's expectations of me define how I act, nor should I judge other people in the same way.

College is a blast. Stay on task with your studies and get a good night's rest.

I would tell myself to work hard to make friends. To put myself out there and try to meet new people. Other students in your classes and who live around you are great people to make friends with. Every freshman is in the same position as you. They are trying to make friends, and by you making the first move, you can come accross as very friendly. I would also tell myself to take advantage of all the activites the school has to offer. They plan events on the weekends and offer discount tickets to events in the area. I would tell myself to explor and have more fun outside of the school setting.

If I could go back to high school and talk to myself as a senior, some things I would discuss are dorm life, academic work load and independence. I feel that these things are a big part that should be known to transition into college life. When I arrived at the Univeristy of St. Thomas, dorm life was something so different to me. I felt at first lonely, and uncomfortable and was unhappy with not having privacy to myself. But, I later figured out how to manage school work to have my alone time. Also, I looked at dorm life positively and by talking to people, getting to know them, they immediately became my new family. Another factor that is pretty major is the academic part. I must say it is no longer high school. The thinking level is so much higher and each student is solely responsible for their work and the professors take no slack or excuses. Managing your time to study and get help is a big part and it affects free time and personal health as well. Lastly, independence here in college is amazing because it lets you learn on your own and discover new things.

I would say go to a college that you know fits your personality. If you are very independent and don't get homesick often, then going far from home would be a good option. If you like special attention and get lot of help from teachers, then a smaller school may be best. PIck a school tht best fits you and your major, and don't go to a school based on any other person. Start applying for scholarship right away, and don't let lack of money stop you form going to your dream school, becuase there ar so many ways to get help and the college experience is worth every dollar.

Making the life transition from high school to college can be a difficult one, and is different for each person. You could go near or far from home, big or small school, public or private, but no matter where you go, you will need to be prepared. If I were to give myself advice before I came to college I would tell myself to BE PREPARED. Be prepared for lots of hard work, tests, finals, and stress. I would try to teach myself better study skills and ways to help me better focus. Without my parents there telling me to get to work and finish my homework, with the pull of friends, facebook, and other distractors, it is much hard to get things accomplished. Time management is key when you are preparing for college. One other piece of advice that I would give myself in highschool was to work hard and make money. Being a college student it is hard to find a job and life away from home can get expensive!

I would first reassure myself that everything would be ok and I would be able to adjust just fine. Believe it or not, living on your own isn't as difficult as you might have imagined. Just remember to focus during class, and keep yourself organized. Also, be open to meeting people-all different people, even ones you wouldn't have hung out with in high school. Those may be the ones you become closest with. There's a whole new world waiting for you at college, don't be afraid-go forward with confidence and excitement.

I would tell myself to always go the extra mile in all I do. It gets noticed by everyone when you show up every day for an 8am class when most drop it within the first week. Would also say that while hanging out with friends is really important, you need to remember to study for finals. On that note, study for my math exams.....it will make it easier when you have to take a math course and you already know the basic material.

I would adivse myself to have a better time mangement because in college you really need to know how to mange your time well because you have so much free time and no one to tell you when to do your homework that you can get quickly caught up doing something unproductive and then cause yourself to stress out and stay up late to catch up. This is the biggest problem that I have right now, although it's not that bad for me, I still believe I could do better with the time that I have.

I would tell myself not to go to go to a large state university first, as I did, and then transfer to St. Thomas. You must go directly to St. Thomas. Stay on campus in a dorm, because as terrible as it sounds it is a great way to connect with other students. If you don't stay on campus for at least two years you will regret it. Don't worry about not having a car the first year. It may seem as if you're stranded but you're not! There are so many places within walking distance that a car isn't even necessary. Also the school hosts different activities that will provide a bus - take advantage of these! Get involved in a sport right away and stay commited to it. You made it through six years of swimming in high school, you can make it in college too! It is yet another way to connect with more friends and grow within the St. Thomas community. And lastly, take pride in your school and show it off!!

The biggest thing I would tell myself was the fact that I had a plethora of options when choosing a college. When I first looked at colleges I only looked at the ones in Minnesota. The reason I did this was because I believed that financially staying in state would be a cheaper option. However, I never considered that college is also supposed to be an experience. It means I could have looked at colleges all over the country and opened myself up to new experiences. I would have a different kind of perspective than I gained from my time at Saint Thomas. I would have met more people from many other states. While I do not regret my decision to attend Saint Thomas, I think that college should be about taking risks. Risks that lead to truth, friendship and pave a path for my future.

I would say that I should keep working hard and learn as much as possible. I should be prepared to workhard and studying a couple hours a day. Have as much fun now because college life is a lot of responsiblities and is a totally different experience than college. I believe high school has prepared you for college academics and the ability to succeeed. It's not all fun and exciting but stressful and disappointing at times. Do your best and everything should workout well.

I would tell myself not to worry so much. During my senior year in high school I was extremely worried about choosing a college. I fell in love with my current school when I visited it, but I wasn?t sure how I would pay for it and how I would fit in after I had heard certain rumors about the type of students that went to this school. Now that I am at the school, I know that the rumors I heard were not true, and that money is not more important that getting a quality education at a place that feels right. Looking back, I am so glad that I chose to come to my current school despite all of the worries I had, it was the best decision I have ever made.

First of all, everything is going to be okay. There is no need to fear change and the uncertainty of what lies ahead. Enjoy your final year in high school because you will never have an experience like it again. Always remember where you came from. Don't dwell on the accomplishments you've had but continue to set new goals for yourself. Work hard and always have an open mind. Don't forget the people that helped you get to where you are now and most importantly, take some time every single day to simply enjoy life!

Be paitient. Be willing to learn. Be friendly. Be involved... The rest will come naturally...

I would tell myself to take school more seriously during the rest of my senior year and try my hardest to get into a 4 year university as fast as I could. I would also tell myself to look forward to college because it is amazing. It's seriously the experience of a lifetime, I never thought I would love school and getting an education as much as I do.

I would make myself take harder classes and make sure that I look at all possabilities of schools and where the best education is but for a more reasonable price.

If I could go back in time to talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to be patient. Making the transition to college, I was very impatient with everything from submitting the applications, finding my financial aid, and just moving away from my small town home. Looking back, I would tell myself to cherish the time in high school and with friends. I know I'll always have my friends, but going back home is never the same after leaving. Getting to college, I was eager to make friends and tried to hurry relationships and and force friendships. While I did make some friends right away, I made truer friends from just relaxing and letting things happen naturally. Overall, letting events run their course and enjoying the ride is the biggest lesson I've learned from the transition to college.

I would tell myself that I should go to whichever college fits me best, as in the one where I can see myself going to school and meeting people. Although the cost of tuition, room, board, and everything else can be intimidating, debt is all relative. It is better to go to the school that fits best than to listen to the money and where your finances are telling you to attend. I would also say that school is important, but so it a social life. My high school self needed to hear that academics are just as important spending time with friends, especially since the next year everyone goes separate ways.

I would tell myself to RELAX. I was very nervous about the transition from high school to college, and I had no idea what to expect. All college students have experienced this. Meeting new friends is never a problem, adjusting to a new environment will happen over time, and homesickness will disappear before you know it. I would tell myself to prepare for added responsibility and better time management. You have a lot of free time on your hands at college, and it is up to you to make your activities worthwhile. I would tell myself to enjoy it while it lasts. Your college years will fly by so fast you won't believe it happened.

Mike, The best preparation you can make for college is this: Remain flexible and vigilant in class. Keep an open mind in your studies; sometimes even "boring" general classes can be engaging and enlightening. Don't take for granted the fact that you have the opportunity to gain an education, and pursue your dreams to the fullest. Maintain a positive attitude when you are faced with a challenging or uninteresting class. Take pride in your work. Your professors will appreciate it and you will have a strong sense of confidence and happiness with your academic pursuits. Look for interesting opportunities to socialize with your peers: college is about more than academics, it is about becoming a personable citizen.

I would tell myself not to be nervous because college work is not that different than high school work. My high school prepared me really well. I would tell myself to not let procrastination get the better of me and use good time management skills. I'd tell myself not to be so nervous about meeting new people and to go out on the weekends and introduce myself instead of sticking with the people that I already knew all the time. Most importantly, I would tell myself not to let everything stress me out and just be happy with what I have going for me.

I actually have thought about this after my first year of college, and I came up with some things i would have liked to change. I would tell myself not to room with my best friends from high school. Not because we didnt get along but because i should have stepped more out of my comfort zone and roomed with someone else. I should have taken the whole college experience on and roomed with someone i didnt know and had a chance to meet a group whole new people.

I would tell myself to imagine walking through each and every campus on a daily basis and ask myself "Do I feel comfortable here?" "Can I see myself succeeding in this environment?" I failed to ask myself these questions before I actually moved into my dorm room. Luckily, I made the correct choice in picking a college whereas my high school friends did not. They based their choice right upon the cheapest they could get. Yes, the college I am attending is a bit pricey, but I know this is exactly where I want to be. I love everything about this campus. I love the fact there are always activities and clubs going on and their is never a moment to be bored here. I would have told myself to visit the campus more than just once to get the feel for being there. You can't get an idea of being there unless you experience the campus first hand. I fortunately made the right choice but I feel anywhere else I would not be as happy.

It's hard to find words that would encompass all the things that I've learned about life through college experience, but perhaps that is because there is so much left to learn. As a high school student I, as many do, had a personal idea of what college would be. You do you're best to prepare yourself for that particular idea, but when you get to the real deal it turns out to be completely different. That being said, I would tell myself things like "get organized and stay organized", "always work hard and to high standards", and "never back off what you believe." I think points like these are things teachers, parents, and mentors have always tried to hit home. Because when its said and done, nobody can prepare you for your specific college experience, all they can do is prepare you in how to handle experiences and react to situations that are thrown at you. Which may be one of the best life lessons of all.

Its hard work.

The advice that I would give myself as a second year college student, having experienced the college life, is to get involved. All throughout high school I was so focused on grades and studying. Coming to college, I now know how important it is to put yourself out there. I am not by any means saying studying isn't important, because after all, it is why you enter into college, but the friends that you make and relationships you form have the potential to be lifelong. Achieveing academic goals have always been and still should be the number one priority! In the same respect, I now realize just how much I gained from joining a club and going to on-campus events. You are now not in college to just gain factual knowledge, but to get to know who you are as a person. Campus life is an unforgetable experience and it would be unfortunate to spend all your time in a book when there is a whole wonderful sea of people to get to know. College is one of the best experiences and it should never go to waste, I am so lucky and grateful to have the opportunity.

Looking back at my college career, I realize that things are not always as they seem. Things that I thought were important at the time are not as important now that I look again. With that said, I think I would tell myself now that while you're in the moment, be cautious of the future. Look at your future and make sure that the decisions you're making now are going to make a positive influence in your future. Work hard so that the people who get to make the decisions about your future easier. While working hard in the classroom, make sure to allow yourself to have fun with those who you surround yourself with. I promise the more fun you have with friends, will make your entire college experience better. The better your experience, the more you will enjoy your classes. Some of the biggest stressors in college are the ones you make youself. You're (usually) only in college once, don't fill it with regret.

Trust your instincts, you've taken the time to visit and evaluate the colleges your deciding from. When you get to school take time to get to know the other people on your floor, there's a good chance some of them will become your best friends. Take time to get to know your roomate before move-in in the fall, it's nice to know at least one person when you arrive on campus. Be open to new things! You never know what you might try doing and fall in love with that activity. Take time to get to know your professors every semester, this way when you're in a bind there's someone to help you out. Have a social life, but don't let your social life affect your schoolwork. Last have fun! Take time to stop and smell the roses once and awhile because the time goes fast!

I would tell myself to get into better study habits. I realized that allthough I did study in high school. I did not study to my full potential and I did not get into habits of studying. I would also tell myself to treasure the days that I had with my friends as we all split up to go to college and we all have different experiences and change. Even the friend who came to the same college and I ahve changed in different ways.

C, You may not feel it but love high school while you?re there. Study for the ACT and take it a second time. A smile makes all the difference when presenting yourself- enjoy those friendships that it makes. Rowing gets easier, so put in the hard work now and your perfomance will amaze you. Your life gets more confident but more complicated. Be happy in the ease of day to day things such as homecooked meals, car rides from parents and school events. You are beautiful and the people who are always there are the Family. Spend time with them now. God is good. Volunteer. -Clare

Get involved! Get to know people besides your roommates! You are going to meet your best friends in these clubs! Don't forget to take deep breaths and LIVE!

To look at colleges early and not to think about where your friends are going but what fits best for you!

If I was able to go back in time I would tell myself the following: College is a big transition from highschool, to prepare for the workload of college it is important to start reading the textbook material along with lectures, even if not assigned. This simple trick will help you get into the habit of reading every day. Another hint is to choose your first semester classes with knowledge of what you are signing up for, so if you have any questions make sure to request someone to sit down and talk with you about your options. Switching from the academic aspect to the social aspect of college I would suggest that you remain at college for the first few months without going home. This will allow you to get out and make new friends and become involved with the St.Thomas community. You will have fun, college is a great balance between learning and experiencing new things.

I would tell myself to take school more seriously. The transition to college would have been easier if I had a more positive attitude towards school and had a heavier workload during my senior year.