University of St Thomas-Saint Paul Top Questions

I would give myself so much advice. First, I would apply for more scholarships and then apply to more schools and compare financial aid. I am kicking myself now for not doing that! I would try to look at more schools and see what their graduation requirements and core class requirements were; I might not have to take philosophy or other required classes like at UST. I wish I had visited more schools to get a better picture of what it's like on campus. I would have gone to more overnight visits on campuses to get a feel for what it's like to actually live there. I'm happy here, but I feel like I should have started earlier and should have done more when I was shopping for schools to make sure I was getting the best deal and would be in the best place for me.

I would tell myself to really review my choices. As a high school student I listened to the admissions recruiters word for word. This often lead me to apply to the schools with the best admissions presentations. Over the time I have spent in college, I realized that these recruiters are no different than any other sales representative. It's my responsiblity to really check out what life is like at each school. Although I am happy with my college, I believe that if I had understood better what life was like at each university I may have made a different choice.

I would tell myself to take more college level courses and get as many credits as possible. I would also tell myself to apply apply apply for scholarships. I would also tell myself to take my time in choosing a college, because it's very important that I know where I want to go for sure.

Increase study habits

Be sure to pick a college that fits you. It's not a problem if you choose the wrong place right away because you can always transfer. People transfer everyday and they often find themselves in a much better and happier place. A very important thing to do in college is not be afraid to reach out to people and make new friends. College is a great opportunity to develop new friendships with people from different backgrounds than you. Who knows, some of these friendships could become lifelong. Another important piece of advice would be to challenge yourself to be the best person you can be. It's ok if you make mistakes but learning from them will make you stronger in the future. A final thing to remember is to have fun and enjoy the ride because college goes by so fast. Always give yourself time just enjoy living, learning and being youself because this is one of the most amazing opportunies you will ever have and many people in the world never get the chance to earn a world-class education.

As a high school senior knowing what I know now I would have applied myself more. Through applying myself more I would have taken more A.P. classes ; as well as, working harder to obtain better grades. This woluld have given me a better option for class availability and given me less college debt in the long term. A considerable amount of high school seniors decide to take the easy road by taking the classes that are the least amount of work. If I would have taken and worked harder on more A.P. courses I would have set myself up for better success. Also knowing what I know now I would have worked harder on my ACT. With a higher ACT score I could have bypassed certain classes and been given a bigger grant at St.Thomas. All these previous actions are ones I would apply as a high school senior knowing what I know now.

College is an overwhelming and scary thing to think about. I know you don’t want to choose the “wrong” school. Pray about it. God has a perfect plan for your life. Trust that you’ll end up where you are supposed to be. I know one of the things you’re looking forward to most in this next chapter of your life is meeting tons of really dreamy college boys. Trust me. You’ll meet plenty. Always remember that no relationship is worth sacrificing your dignity and self-respect over. You’re going to be faced with some difficult decisions. Stay true to yourself. Go with your gut. It’s always right. Time goes by so fast. Live in the moment. Next thing you know, you’ll be looking for internships and thinking about leasing a house. Enjoy every minute of high school. Yes, even those extra killers you have to run at volleyball practice and that nasty "pizza" that you have almost every day for lunch. Believe it or not, you're going to miss all of this someday!

The first thing I would tell myself is to learn to take better notes. Just because I didn't need to take detailed notes in high school, doesn't mean I would not need to in college, and I will make it easier on myself if I learn the skill sooner rather than later. I would then prompt myself to, as soon as I find out my roommate assignment, contact her and form the basis of a friendship. I would then remind myself that just because we would live together, my roommate and I don't need to be best friends; you need to get along, and communication is important, as well as being comfortable with the other person's friends being in the room. Also, to lay ground rules which we can both agree to, and to stick to them. I would then say that it's ok to be homesick, and my parents miss me too, and that it's important to keeps lines of communication open with them also. And that pain in the butt sister? You'll miss her. Give her a call every once in a while, and check in.

Knowing what I now know about life in college and making the transition I would tell myself that it's not going to be easy. I imagined that life on my own would be great and I would be care free. Now that I've been in college for a whole semester I know that it's not easy and that a lot of the time college is hard. It's hard to be away from my family, and it's hard to be thrown into a new way of living. It takes time to adjust. Now, I know more of what to expect and I know that this next semester is going to be easier.

I would tell myself to do harder research for scholarships so I would not have to pay so much. Also I would go back and tell myself to take some AP classes so I could try to get credit for college in high school so I have a head start when I get to college. I would also challenge myself with harder classes in high school to prepare mysef for the college work load. Finally I would tell myself I love going to St. Thomas so just apply there and choose to go there so that I could relax and work on finding scholarships for my school.

The class times in college classes are a lot short but the work is much more extensive. I would also like to say that the best resources in college are the proffesors. Talk to them after class or set up appointments with them if you fall behind.

Maximize the time you have now and for the rest of your life because time flies and soon enough you will be heading beyond college to the business world. This is not to say that you should not enjoy the time that is available to you, but rather avoid moping about in boredom. The college life is one of ecstasy, friendship, responsibility, hard work, and (yes again) responsibility. No one is going to get you up for class in the morning so appreciate the people you have around you now. Appreciate all the little things that Mom and Dad do for you because those are the things you will miss the most when they drop you off at the dorms. Be open to change and unafraid to be yourself because although it seems like conformity may be the best route, the people you want as your closest friends will accept you as you are. Do not look at college as a party or a burden, but as an opportunity to discover who you are and what you want to do with your life. That is the purpose of everyone's life really: to make the potential realized.

I would say that while visiting schools, don't buy memorabilia. It ends up a waste of money because you or your family don't wear what you purchased if you don't go to that school. You will have plenty of time to buy stuff after you committ to a school. Next, seriously try to get every scholarship that you can, it is worth the extra effort and time. Every little bit of money helps. It isn't as tough as expected. Put in the time and effort, do your homework and when you feel comfortable with the material there is no need to continue studying.

Dear Me, I would love to advise you in many things; to start off with the Justice and Peace major and save yourself the frustration of switching majors countless times, sometimes let yourself live outside of the library - you're a smart cookie, or to call home a little more often once you choose to go away. But for the longest time you have looked at college as an opportunity to recreate yourself, and that's where I'm going to tell you what's what. Yes, going to a school where no one knows you may allow you to become someone new, but that's not who you are. You don't need to change yourself to make friends in a new place. Just be the photography-loving, coffee-drinking, Minnesotan enthusiast you are, and you will find yourself loving the people around you much sooner than when you try to create a "new you." Use college not as an opportunity to change yourself, but as an opportunity to cultivate who you are already are into an even more outstanding young lady. Don't be afraid to let people know who you are. Much Love, Nicole

As a high schooler, I had it pretty easy. I was always an excellent student and did well in all of my classes without trying very hard. The one thing I wish I would have taken more seriously is studying. I never really had to study in high school because everything came easily. But in college, all I seem to do is study, and it is very hard to learn how to study having gone so many years just glancing at my notes before an exam and getting an A or a B. College is hard work, and not everyone is cut out for it. You really have to be focused and driven to survive in college - something I learned the hard way my freshman year at St. Thomas. The new lifestyle of college was easy to adapt to; I was ready for that part. I was not ready for the hard work I suddenly realized came with college. As a sophomore, I am still learning to study, and I work much harder than last year, but teaching myself how to study in high school would have helped me reach my full potential in college right away.

Enjoy college! Be pro-active; participate in the different activities that the school offers. Socialize with different groups of people. Work hard to keep a good GPA because it will payback when you go out to look for a job.

If I could go back in time and give my high school self advice, I would tell myself to relax. Everything will work out. If you don't get a 4.0, it won't be the end of the world. College is more challenging, but you can handle it. Go look at some schools you don't think you want to go to, because you may actually be meant to go there, and it may be cheaper there. Have fun for the rest of your time at home. Enjoy time spent with your teachers and sports teams to the fullest. Take in time with your family as much as you can, because they are the ones who will be with you all throughout life. When you get to college, be more open minded. Talk to people you may not be comfortable talking with. Put yourself out there; it will be rewarding. Appreciate the love and support from your family. Start working out right away. Invite people to do things with you; it may seem like they have a life and you don't, but really you both don't, so you should start one together. Have fun and relax!

My advice to myself would be to listen to your gut feeling. Fall 2011, i attended The College of St.Scholastica, but i was not happy there, so now i am transfering to St.Thomas. However, during the summer before college, i was already having second thoughts on my decision to go to St.Scholastica and every time we visited, i always wanted to leave as soon as possible. Your gut feelings/ instinct is usually spot on and one should never ignore theses feelings. You know what is right for you and don't let anyone else influence what you should do or where you should go. It is your future; what you do with it is up to you. I would also tell myself to put myslef out there more often. I went to functions and joined clubs and had friends, but i could have done more. Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and show people the real you. You find the people you are supposed to be with, the ones that will be your lifelong friends, when you are being you and having fun.

If I could go back to talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to take as many Advanced Placement and College-In-School courses that are available to me. Not only do colleges look highly upon it, but it saves a lot of time and money in the future. One of my College-In-Schools credits transferred to St. Thomas, allowing me to fulfill in advance one of my general elective requirements. At the University of St. Thomas, that saves me four thousand dollars. If I could go back and take more classes like this that were offered, I would. In fact, it would be unwise not to! My Advanced Placement courses did not transfer over since I got a three on most of my AP tests, so I would remind myself to study harder and longer because it will save me a lot of money and time in the near future.

I would tell myself to look into more schools and professions. I didn't know what the course work or required classes for graduation were at St. Thomas and that may have influenced my decision. St. Thomas is one of two schools that require three theology and two philosophy courses to graduate and doesn't give many human side science courses when many of the students are pre-health care orientated. I would make sure to look for more scholarships and tell myself the work in high school really is worth it. Overall, I would just make sure that I know more about the school I decide to go to. I love St. Thomas and am very happy I chose this school but more information would have made the transition easier.

I would say to apply to more schools. Take more challenging classes and try to get a leg up on the competition. Just give more than i did, When it comes down to it how well you do in college is based off how you perform in highschool, your study habits and personal behavior you learn in highschool also translate to how you will you do in the future. At the time i didnt think highschool was that importnat but now looking back at it, i wish i did more.

Be open to every opportunity, be ready to push yourself academically and physically more than you have in the past and be ready to meet some great people who will shape you into the person you are today.

Myself now: "Hey, younger me!" Myself as a high school senior: "Hey, older me!" "You know what you should really think about before you go off to college?" "Ummm...money?" "Well, that too. But what I had in mind was... What are you REALLY interested in? What's the best thing you could be studying right now?" "Well, I really want to do engineering. I think that would be best!" "I remember thinking that too. But don't do any specialization just yet. Do something that you'll really enjoy... something you'll get a lot out of, too!" "What do you mean, older me?" "I mean take time to study the liberal arts, to delve into the classics, to really cultivate your mind. Study the humanities, man!" "Really? Well, if you say so. I mean, you're the older me, right? So what should I major in?" "Don't worry about that just yet. You'll have plenty of time to decide before you make the decision. Eventually you'll be a philosophy major, but focus on taking classes that really grab your interest for now." "Alright, will do. Thanks, older me! I'll see you in the mirror."

College is not like high school so, it is very important to extinguish any of those thoughts. You may have a lot more free time with your class schedule, but that time isn't "free" time, that is the time that you must use to study. Do NOT let yourself get behind, because keeping up can be hard enough. Make sure you have a good balance between school and social life, or you can find yourself getting stressed out and going into a downward spiral. Do not buy books from the book store if at all possible, because it is a huge waste of money. Do not think that you can spend money like you did in high school, save it. A lot of people go to college and have to false idea that they can go out to eat and drink all the time, but when it comes to paying the bills they find themselves in trouble.

After my junior year of college in 2006, I transferred schools. I had two years left in an Art degree. When I moved I started working at a bike shop which opened me up to bike racing, and for the last five years I have competed in 35-45 races per year. Through bike racing, I developed an interest in sports nutrition but since I was already so far along in school, I didn’t want to change my degree to something so different from art which would probably have required at least a few more years of school. If I could go back to talk to my high school self, I would advise myself to either transfer schools earlier, or look for a job at a bike shop sooner. If I would have gotten into cycling even one year earlier, I believe that I would have changed my degree to Exercise Physiology/Kinesiology instead of settling on an Art Degree. This I believe would have fast tracked the route I am following right now; I would probably be working on a Masters degree by now instead of just getting started on a second undergraduate degree.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would inform myself of how much I really will enjoy being a student at the University of Saint Thomas. However, I would give myself the advice that I should work even harder to get more money to pay for my education at the University of Saint Thomas for in the future I would have to pay for my education out of my own pocket, for my family cannot support me and I am at risk of only attending the University of Saint Thomas for one year. I will also make sure to point out the importance of making sure that all the college credit that I will receive through the Post-Secondary Enrollment Option at Anoka-Ramsey Community College will transfer to the University of Saint Thomas in addition to still obtaining my Associate’s Degree before I graduate high school. I would also inform myself that I will eventually come to realize how enthusiastic I am about learning and teaching others and to keep my same motivated and optimistic attitude for, my seven younger siblings look up to me.

If I could talk to the slacking senior Dan McQuillan right now, I would tell him to stop slacking and finsih strong. I would also tell him to take as many math,science and english/literature/writing courses as possible in highschool so that you can get some college credit or at the very least be prepared for the amount of work in those fields to come in college. I would also remind him that talking to alumni of colleges is actually a great way to find out which schools suit your personality, even if it does seem lame or like a waste of time. Also I would say play sports as long as you can if you still love them, especially at a school that supports athletics it is a great way to meet people and stay motivated. That is just about everything I would tell myself, and since I can't go back I will use my own advice to tell other highschool students I know about what I just wrote. Thanks for the opportunity to take this survey!

The advice I would give myself as a high school senior is to relax and enjoy the experience, but at the same time work hard because it is hard to get your GPA up once it is really low. The first year, living in the dorms, is a big change, but it's the best experience you could have. College is stressful, but very exciting, so don't rush the 4 years because they already go by really fast. Also, studying in college is not like studying in high school, so learn good techniques that will get you through each exam. Lastly, get to know the library, it's where the cool college students hang out.

If i could go back in time, i would tell myself to stay focused. Destractions are there to test how strong your will power is to stay intuned to the presented work. I would just tell myself how important a good education is.

If I were to go back I would make sure to just be myself and try to be outgoing to meet new people early on. I would also give the advice on how to make the most of my financial aid. The first year of school I took a considerably larger loan than the next two years. I have learned to stretch my dollars further and I am even studying abroad in spain this coming semester and it is even costing less than it would for a regular semester at school here. It is important to know what you are getting into when you sign your loans, make sure that you feel comfortable paying that amount of money back after graduation.

Appreciate living at home while you can. You'll miss your family even if it does seem hard to live with them right now. Don't forget how much they matter and how much they care.

I would get involved sooner with volunteerism and be more out-going from the start. I would also study more right from the beginning, and ask more questions.

If I could go back and talk with myself I would say two things. The first and most important thing I would tell myself is that in college it is the responsibility of the student to learn the material. Unlike it was in highschool, college professors will provide you with the information but they will not collect homework and make sure that you are learning it. Every class will have suggested homework to help you understand the material but you must force yourself to actually do it. The student must seek help for themselves if they are struggling no one will help you if you don't ask. The second thing I would say to myself is to not waste time. there is much more freetime in college when compared to highschool. You are incharge of what you do for the first time in your life and procrastination is very tempting. It is important to use this freetime to finish homework and get enough sleep. Try to do something productive before having fun with friends or just relaxing. Teach yourself to be studious by using fun activities as a reward.

I would ask myself why someone would go to school to learn how to succeed in an unjust world, rather than go to school to receive the skills needed to transform the world into a more just place. This is the most important lesson I have learned in college. To analyze the lives of those who are content, and those who live a life full of anxiousness and worry, only leads one to see that only those who’s goals transcend themselves are truly happy. It does not matter the costs involved, it does not matter the mountains before you, and it certainly doesn’t matter what others think, because if every day you are making the world a tangibly better place what regrets could you possibly have?

I think I would give my high school self and any high school senior the advice to get involved right away when they go to college. Getting involved was the best way for me to make new friends, stay busy while doing positive things, and to forget about being homesick. It is a great way to transition into living away from home and to meet new people. I would also give the advice to try new things! Going to college is a time when you can reinvent yourself and trying new things is a great way to discover new passions. College is such an exciting time when you are introduced to endless opportunities. It is up to you what you make of it, so take chances, work hard and seize life with a positive attitude!

If I could go back and tell myself anything, it would be to continue working hard all the way through senior year. College is a lot tougher and more demanding than high school ever was, so it does not follow that we should slack off at the end of our senior year and forget what it's like to really work once college comes around. It's important to study hard and finish strong so that we might start college on the right foot and continue to be successful in our undergraduate work.

The thing I would like to change most about my high school career would be to try harder. The more work that is done in high school, the easier college is going to be.

Try to visit all of your college options. If possible, spend the night with a current student. Do not be afraid to ask the tough questions, about admissions, financial aid, and campus life. If you have a field that interests you, try to set up a meeting with a professor to discuss the program. Once you arrive at college, take advantage of all of the opportunities. Meet new people, join clubs that sound interesting, and find at least one extra-curricular activity to join. Don't be afraid to ask your professors for extra help outside of class, and ask questions during class. Study hard, but have fun!

If I could go back in time and give my high-school-senior-self any advice about college, it would have to be to just relax; try not to worry about making friends, because everywhere you go, there will be people you can connect with. I would tell myself to embrace the time I had left in high school and try not to be sad about leaving, but feel blessed to have such a wonderful opportunity, and realize that it is one that, worldwide, hardly anyone recieves. I would tell myself to thank my parents, teachers, and anyone else who supported me and who got me to where I was: about to graduate and off to school in the fall. Overall, I would just tell myself to embrace the present and look forward to the future...everything is going to be fine.

This is the time of your life! Spend it wisley!

Looking back and talking to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself to be prepared. Not just in the material sense but in a mental, emotionals sense. Leaving home and going far away is hard and try not to expect anything because everything might get tipped upside down. It's okay to feel lost and lonely. It's okay to cry for mom and then be mad when she calls every 36 hours to check on you. It's okay to miss your friends back home. But it's also better if you make a life for yourself at your school. No matter where you go you need to find where you belong, find the people you want to surround yourself with. Those people will have a greatest effect on you. Also, form good habits, the first six weeks are the most telling. What you do then is the most important. Love your family, love your school, love your life.

College is a different animal than highschool. It's a time for you to grow up on your own with out your parents holding you accountable to every little thing. When you get to college make friends with as many people as you can but surround yourself with good peers who will influence you to study, go to class, and make good life decisions. Because you are in controle of your life now, you will get to reap the benefits of you success but also you will pay for you mistakes. You will make wrong decisions but learn from those now so you dont make the same mistake. Next, dont be affraid to ask for help beacause the faculty really want you to succeed that's why they have their job. Don't procrastinate just because you have more free time and make sure you read and do your homework. Finally, make friends with the "nerds" because chances are they will be your boss in the future and just maybe you will meet some really cool friends.

Looking back on my transition from high school to college life, I would tell myself to think about all of my positive involvement in my community and remember to continue those activities as I move into college. All of the freetime of college is so exciting at first, but bad habits form fast. Filling time immediately with great activities that I have always enjoyed such as volunteer work, mission trips, and club sports is something I would do anything to go back and start my freshman year. Not only would these things keep me productive and continue the great feeling I get after volunteering or playing in a sport for fun with friends, but they would also improve my resume for the future, which is invaluable.

When I first started college I did take a little bit of time to make the transition. But then I was used to going to school and what was expected of me. It's not something I had trouble with. The one thing I would tell myself when I was a senior is to be more serious about appling for scholarships. I must have thought that my bank account would never run out. But I was wrong because everything in this world is about money. Everything has a price. And now that tuition is going up its been harder to figure out how to pay off my student loans. I set a goal to graduate with no or as little debt as possible and I now have about four months to achieve that goal.

If I could go back and talk to my high school self I would let them know that college will not be as nerve-racking or scary as it may seem. I will tell them to relax and breath and live in the moments now as they will never be able to be returned to. I will also tell myself to come into college with an open mind and to know that by being myself is who everyone will enjoy to be around. Over the summer enjoy spending time with the people you may never see again because you will all make new friends soon and things will never be the same.

I would tell myself to fully embrace the college lifestyle! I think I was overwhelmed with the transition into the college lifestyle and I missed out on opportunities to join new clubs, go to events, and meet new people all because I was so focused on trying to fit in with one particular group. I would say to myself that I now know that some of my closest friends and most fun and rewarding experiences have been when I've put myself in a new situation, so I must embrace any and every opportunity that I possibly can!

My biggest advice would be: don't worry! I was so anxious about leaving home, hard classes, and making friends. Living on campus and away from your family is scary at first, but now has been one of my best experiences so far. I've gained a sense of freedom and responsibility that I didn't have before. Yes, classes are more challangeing, but if you learn to manage your time well, you will be fine. My biggest worry was if I would make friends or not. Everyone is in the same boat and worrying, too. I've made several friends who I have become very close with and I am not a very outgoing person. I would have to tell myself to trust that everything will be okay and to just enjoy the rest of my senior year and summer; it goes by too fast!

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself to live each day as if it were my last. To seize every opportunity with zeal and passion. To always remember that life is as good as you think it is. To learn to be thankful for the good times but also appreciate the bad times as they too help to mold you into the person that you are. I would tell myself to stick with the education that I desire, as that it the foundation that allows you the freedom to stand up and be independant. At 18 I had no idea how important every decision was and that the choices I made at that age absolutely impacted my future. My advice would also be to stand up for myself and remember that I am an important person. To protect that vision of myself and to not listen to others who whould try to tear it down. Above all else I would stress to myself that truth and honesty are the pillars on which a happy and successful life is built.

Work harder in classes to get A's. Look at schools and not just at playing football.

If I were given the chance to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior. I would tell myself to change my study habits because once I did the transition to college; I was a disaster in organizing myself and focusing on my priorites. I would also tell myself to take more advance classes like AP classes which would have prepared me more for college; the problem was that I was very lazy in high school and I did not want to challenge myself in that way. Which narrowed my college options very much which forced me to stay home instead of being able to leave home for college which has always been my dream. Now that I am reflecting on my pass I realized I wasted alot of my time on useless thing like watch tv and socializing on the web; when I should have invested my time in studying more than what I was asked to do. All I can do is learn from my mistakes and not make those same mistakes as an adult; I can see now the consequence of my actions and how much they have affected me in now.