University of St Thomas-Saint Paul Top Questions

What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

Penelope

I would advise against taking a break from school especially if you are going to seek employment until you go back to school. My reason being that outside influences and the ability to make some sort of money especially if you are from a low income household may make earning a degree at that particular stage in your life meaningless. However, since no job is a guarantee and this present economy can attest to that, it is better in the long run to have a degree when you find yourself looking for employment again than to not have it. I would tell myself that earning a degree takes finances and time management; therefore, start searching out and applying for scholarships during your junior year of high school to eliminate as much burden as possible on both yourself and family. Lastly, ask for help! If you are not sure, there is always someone willing and capable of helping you decide on a career path e.g. guidance counselors, principals and/or church clergy.

Zach

Just get yourself out there and try to know as many people as you can. Stay stong to your beliefs and don't let others around you change that. Get school work done earlier in the week so the weekends you can relax and have fun doing other activites around campus.

Lisa

I would tell myself not to worry. I didn't get accepted at the school I wanted to go to, so I chose St. Thomas only because it was my "back up" school. I was so sad and disappointed at the time, but I now realize that I was supposed to be at St. Thomas all along. I worried for so long about coming here, and about having to settle for my second choice. But being here has opened up a world of opportunities for me. I would also tell myself planning. I had planned so long where I wanted to go to school, what I wanted to major in, and where I would want to work. But it wasn't until I stopped trying so hard that everything fell into place on it's own. Careful preparation is important, but if you make too many plans you might overlook many amazing opportunities.

Jenna

To decorate my room more. Be in more clubs and organizations. Get a job off campus and not waste my time applying on campus. Be more outgoing with the people on my floor and less attached to high school friends.

Sophia

First of all, keep working hard, I promise it pays off. And those scholarships you think are a pain to apply for, APPLY ANYWAY. Seriously, you're going to need them. Besides all that, don't worry so much about where you're going to end up. When you go visit St. Thomas, you'll have no doubt in mind that it's where you want to be. I know you're really excited to get out of the house, but try to stay humble for awhile. Appreciate that you get to see Mom every day and Dad is making you dinner every night. You'll miss Keith too. He's just your little twerp brother right now, but you're going to wish you could see him starting high school. Turns out he does pretty well even without you there, and you're going to be more proud of him than you ever have before when you see what he accomplishes. Here's the most important thing, listen up. Make every effort to break out of that shell, and experience as much as you can. St. Thomas has SO much to offer you, you just have to find it.

Alexandra

Enjoy high school because once you graduate, time goes by way too quickly. Don't be afraid to do things and meet people and make mistakes. College is not going to be perfect so don't have that expectation. You don't have to be friends with everyone. Being friends with just a few people is ok as long as they are true friends. Major in something that you like, not something that will make you a lot of money. Learn because it will make you a well-rounded person and not just to get through classes. Don't be afraid to make mistakes, but learn from them.

Jennifer

The advice I would give myself is to research careers that you would like to do so you know exactly what major would best suit you. I would also tell myself to make sure to be organized and very school oriented when coming to college as the curiculum is much harder than at high school. Also to stay open minded as you end up learning alot about the world and humanity.

Kirsten

I would tell myself to take the most advanced classes possible and work as hard as I could at everything I did. I would've also gotten as involved in everything as much as I could and relaxed with my friends more.

Alyssa

Save your money. Sacrifice some of the going out to eat nights and just save your money. College is so incredibly expensive. Even books are expensive, and it is really inconvenient to have to take out a loan to buy books. Not to mention, every amount you take out you have to eventually pay back. Also, apply for scholarships. Yes, they are extremely time consuming and seem to not always pay off, but literally every little bit helps. Finally, I would say, talk to your financial aid officer early. I was stressed about the entire college process because nobody in my family has really gone through that before, but the financial aid officers are there to help you learn about how this whole financing your education thing works.

nicole

Pick your college for your own reasons and know that nothing is written in stone so relax. The less you procrastinate the easier it will be and the less time it will take in the long run. Teachers are on your side, really. And they like to get to know their students and help you if you are willing to take the first step and ask for it. Get involved right from the begining. Live on campus atleast your first two years. Say Hi to people, it's a good icebreaker. An education is not about memorizing terms for the test it is about understanding the concepts at hand, if you understand it and can explain it then it will stick with you longer and be more helpful later in life.

Kacie

I would tell myself not to worry about what I want to do with my life because college is the place to figure that out and they will guide you through the process. It is not something you have to go at by yourself.

Katherine

The most important thing about college is accepting change. The work you must put in is comparable although the classes are harder, but the social aspect is different. One of the most difficult transitions is going from a place where you know everyone to having to make new friends. It is hard, but very worth the effort, to put in the effort to stay in touch with old friends as well as accept new ones. Make sure that you get involved in a variety of activies to expand your knowledge and friends groups. It pays off to be nice to everyone. Leaving home can be extemely hard, especially away from family, but it is a great opportunity to discover who you really are. Explore new things, get involved and make friends. College is about learning about yourself just as much as it is about learning school smarts.

Taylor

Really take the advantage of getting to know people and just become friends with everyone you can. It can never hurt you to have too many friends and then there are always people to help you out when you need it. They are there to help you study, meet new people, and get you involved in more activities on campus, which makes it a lot more fun.

eric

i would give the advice to find as many scholarships are you can and apply for all the fincial aid. once you are at school it is easy to make friends in the dorms and around campus so don't worry about your social life. once you get to school keep up with all the readings a day in advice is best. get help from tutors and the professors.

Stephen

I would remind myself to pursure what I really want to do instead of only being concerned with what is practical. I would ask my 17-year-old self, "what do you want to do with your life?" and tell myself to get involved with something bigger than myself. I wanted to change the world when I was 17, but I let that fire and pasison die because It wasn't practical. If I could go back, I would absolutely tell myself to go to St. Thomas, pursue real academic excellence, make lifelong friends, and then live out my dreams. I'm sure I would also have some pointers for myself for college life; things that I had learned by trial and error. I would encourage myself to get better at letting go of the things I cannot change about my life, and to be more aware of the needs of the people around me. The bottom line is, if I could do it over, I would absolutely go to St. Thomas again, and I would set out to become a well-rounded person and to eventually change the world.

Kirsten

I would tell myself to start applying for scholarships early on! When in high school, it's easy just to assume that everything will work out for next year. It's also easy to misinterpret the actual cost of a higher education. Work as hard as you can to earn and save money, because about a month or two into your first semester, your money magically disappears. Apply to as many colleges as you feel necessary, because by the time it comes to enroll, you'll have changed your mind about 100 times already. I would also tell myself to listen to my parents. As smart as you might think you are, believe it or not, your parents are smarter. They've been through it all and know exactly what they're talking about. Finally, do whatever is going to make you happy. Your freshman year should be fun and exciting! Make sure to make a lot of friends, meet your teacher during office hours, and study like crazy.

Kiara

I would go back and tell myself to work harder at everything but at the same time take that last year to find what I like. It's a good time to find out what you really want to spend your life doing so then you can make the most out of your college education by perfecting it and focusing solely on your goal. The longer you wait to try different things out, the more you're delaying your future. That doesn't mean to lay back on what you don't like though, everything counts so be the best that you can be at everything that you do instead of trying to avoid it.

Jethro

If I could go back and start all over, I will manage my time more wisely because college is very easy if you learn how to prioritize your time. I will also learn to start on my homework and papers ahead of time insstead of waiting for the last minute before doing my paper. I mean college is all about being independant and learning how to manage your time but a lot of students tend to ignore and peverwhelmed themselve with a lot activities. You can still be in all your activities but make sure your education is first.

Jessica

Try to figure out what your major and minor will be so you can best prepare financially and time-wise. Learn how to do laundry. Focus on your studies. Don't drink or do drugs so you can remember your weekends. Find out the things that make you high that don't involve substance abuse. Go to concerts. Learn how to manage your time wisely. Spend time with your family. Make friends who are looking out for the best for you. Limit your Internet time. Get involved with things that you love doing. Pray. Go to church. Decide who you want to be and what you stand for and then hang out with people who are standing for the same thing. Don't spend money on useless things. Invest it. Get an internship. Get a job. Widen your perspective. Speak up in class. Give your opinion. Listen to others. Don't be afraid to use your professors' office hours. Serve. Volunteer. Find something you are passionate about and advocate strongly for it. Write your professors thank you cards at the end of each semester. Most of all, learn.

Matthew

To have more faith in myself and believe in my capabilities. The word is full of opportunity if only you find the opportunities and not to get discouraged by the current circumstances because they can always change. To follow my interests and to take up the challenge with subjects which do not interest me.

Rachel

Don't go home as much freshman year! Make as many friends as you can on campus because then you can see who you grow closest too and find true friends with the same values as you. Get involved right away, don't wait until second semester! Go to church and volenteer. Work out whenever you can. Call your parents, but not all the time. Don't text your high school friends all the time, give it time to miss them. Friends are the best part about college, so make sure you make many! And work really hard at your classes, because then you can get more scholarship money and a better job when you have a better GPA.

Lee

Be more decisive in your decision when choosing a college. I am currently at my third different college, and I fianlly found the fit for me. The reason I went with the first college is because I wanted to play Division II baseball. I ended up leaving because the coach and I did not see eye to eye. I had to transfer to a community college to be able to keep playing my sophomore year. Then transferred to St. Thomas, where all my credits didn't transfer to the correct place. So now I am 8 credits away from being a Junior, which in my eyes is a waste of money, and a waste of time. After this fall semester I will be considered a Junior. So all in all I could have saved myself a lot of time and this would have resulted in a lot less headaches! Now I have to make new friends for the third time, which is hard, because this is where you meet and hopefully stay connected with the people for the rest of your life.

Kevin

I would advise myself to be more proactive early on when meeting new people and getting involved with activities on campus. Throughout my years at college, it seems it gets more difficult to do these the older I get.

Katie

Choosing a loan takes just as much time and effort as choosing a college. Start early. Also, it's hard to build relationships as a commuter, so get involved in social activities. Make regular visits to career development and don't let the folks at registration call all the shots. They don't really know what they're doing, and this is your future we're talking about. Good luck.

Katie

The highschool that I went to is a Catholic school near by the University of St. Thomas, therefor we are a huge feeder school. Because so many people from my highchool usually come to St. THomas, students often do not want to look at it because they think it will be a second highschool. Therefor, I would emphasize that although it is close to home and there will be familiar faces, it is in no way a second Cretin-Derham Hall. You will not see or hangout with people that you previously knew, unless you do so by choice. You will not go home EVER unless you want to. If you liked how Cretin-Derham Hall was, as a school, you will love St. Thomas. These two schools share many of the same core values and principles. Overall I would stress that it is not necissary to travel far away or go to a huge university to "find yourself", rather it can often be easier to "find yourself" when you keep what is important to you, close.

Taylor

I would tell myself to look at as many schools as possible to really know what I want in a college, especially given that I'll spend the next 4 (or so) years of my life there. You want to feel comfortable in the environment first, then look for what the school has to offer compared to others, and finally think about logistics such as finances, distance from home, friends going there with you, etc. Thankfully I lucked out in my decision and don't regret it one bit. I would also say that you cannot get away with late night cramming like in high school and still get straight A's. You really get into a better habit of studying at least 3 days prior to exams so you know you mastered the material, since this is the information you'll be needing for your career after graduation. The first year of college is a tough transition, but don't get caught up in the social aspect too much and keep in mind that you are here for school before any other reason.

Krystal

I would tell myself to save my money, work on my organization, get a lot of sleep while I still could, don't have a child until after your education, and get prepared to work harder and harder every day. I would also tell myself that life gets stressful, but always remember "It is just a bad 5 minutes. Breathe and it will be ok." I would remind myself that you can never learn too much or keep expanding your education and it is okay to dream big, always smile, and no matter how negitive people are be kind anyways.

Taylor

Pick the college that you want to go to and don't worry so much about what other people think about it. Also take it nice and easy at first and don't overload yourself with work. Try new things and take chances whenever you can.

Liudmila

High education is very important part of your life. Also to choose right University is very important. You have to be prepared emotionally and physically for it. There have to be one thought in your mind, you are not doing it for your parents, for relatives, for friends. You are doing it for yourself only. College is your first and the most important investment in your life. Also education makes you respectable and clever person which will serve you the rest of your life. There are always two paths to choose from in life, they are good and bad. What would you wish for yourself? Of couse, good. So, therefore college, education, efforts are the right/good choise and investment in your life.

Nicole

If I were allowed to go back in time and talk to myself as a senior in high school, I would tell myself to really cherish my last moments in high school. I do not think that I enjoyed myself as much as I could have, and I took high school for granted. Senior year was the last time that I would see my friends on a daily basis. I would not get to interact with all the staff that I had developed close personal relationships with anymore. Although high school was enjoyable, my first year of college has been much more exciting. During the summer before college, I would tell myself not to worry about the future. The future can be scary, but it has so much to offer if you just take it one day at a time. The last thing I would tell myself is do not be afraid to put yourself out there. The worst you can do is fail, and that is not so bad because at least you attempted.

Lauren

Knowing what I know now about collefe life and making the transition, I would tell myself to be more open to meeting new people. Walk around your residence hall and meet your hall mates! Don't be afraid to meet new people, as you may meet your lifelong best friend! Also, I would tell myself to try my hardest from the first day of freshman year in college. College is your last chance at school to apply yourself in order to start your career. Every grade counts, so don't go out the night before a test, and don't start studying the day before your test! College is much different and harder than highscool. Try your best in your classes, meet new people, explore the community surrounding your university, and most importantly, have fun!

Austin

If I could go back and have a discussion with myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to learn better time management skills. College is all about organizing your time and knowing how to focus on many different things at once. This means that you must learn to be responsible and make the right choices to keep up in classes. With excess free time in college from a more spread out class schedule, you may think that you need to participate in other activities that will only hinder you in reaching your goals and school deadlines. These activities may create distractions, which could cause you to fall behind in class and have your grades suffer shortly after. You should learn to be devoted to the real reason you are attending college: for school. Although, you should not be so devoted to class work that you do not see the light of day. I would instead advise you to have a healthy balance of these fun yet distracting activities and your studies. This will be the only way you can truly experience college life AND do well in your studies as the same time.

Angela

If I were able to go back in time I would tell myself just to relax. Your previous teachers have prepared you well and classwork won't be much different from High School. Though you will be living off campus its not as big of a change as you think it will be. No everyone in college does not party. There are other people out there like you that like to watch movies on friday nights instead of going out to drink. College life will be what you make of it so relax now and worry about college when you get there. Make the most of the rest of your senior year and don't sweat the small stuff.

Cortney

I would tell myself I need to work on my time management skills. In college there is so much free time and you need to know how to manage school and a social life (and sleep). I would also tell myself to not be shy. There are so many new people in college and it will be a lot more enjoyable if you just put yourself out there and try to get to know a lot of people. Also, I would tell myself not to change who I am for anybody. It is very easy to get caught up in wanting to be liked where you change who you are to please other people. Do not do that. There are so many people you are bound to find people that like you for you.

charles

Make a scedule a stick to it. It is to hard to keep up with homework when you do different things all the time. Don't just do the work that is due for the next class. Work ahead so you dont get boged down when work piles up in all of your classes. get to know your teachers if they know who you are you will do better in the class. When you need help dont be afraid to ask.

Shane

If I could go back in time to talk to myself as a high school senoir I would have a vast amount of information to dispence. I would first tell myself that it is okay to be confused about college, that a lot of people are in the same situation that I am. When I was a senoir in high school I was very unaware as to what was to come. I was nervous and did not know anything about appplying for schools and scholarships. If I could, I would tell my past self that it is vital to get an early jump on things, including: finding a school that fits me and finding a major that suits me best. I would most importantly tell myself that I should be trying harder in high school becasue that is what represents you when you go to apply to other schools. Two years ago when I was a senoir I did not care about my grades as much as I do now. I still recived decent grades, but not as well as I have done in my first two years in college.

John

I think I would tell myself to focus more on honing my math skills because that is where I have showed a deficiency in the classroom. Also, I would say that even though college can be and is exactly like what is portrayed on television, it is just as easy to enjoy yourself responsibly. Also, I would recommend joining as many clubs/sports as possible because those are where I have met most of my friends. Essentially, I would tell myself to be open to new experiences but at the same time stay true to myself.

Olivia

If I could go back in time, and give myself advice about college life I would say alot of things. First try and meet people who go your your college before you move in. In helps when trying to make new friends. Also I would say when you are in high school, live up those last years. It will be the easiest, time of your life with some of your best friends. Lastly I would say be prepared for the work load the college classes give you. Do not "slack off" your senior year. Try your best, because the classes only get harder as you progress. College is an amazing experience, but it just takes time to transition. Once your comfortable it will be the best years of your life!

Kimngan

You should take time and effort into working with the professors at the school. There are a lot of places to go in order to get help. When you feel depressed and isolated, there are the psychological counseling departments and also your professors.

Carrie

Choosing a college is a life-changing decision, and to be honest, there is nothing anyone can say to make it easier. To choose a college you need to spend quality time debating elements you are looking for, and elements you wish to steer clear from. Every person is different, and luckily there are educational options for every person. My best advice is to visit any and every campus you have in mind. The feeling you get from the moment you step on to the campus is the most important indicator. It is important that you see yourself living, learning, and making memories at the school you choose to finish your academic career, and beginning your professional career with.

Elizabeth

You WILL get homesick, no matter how much you think you won't. That's ok, it's normal, just go find people (anybody, even high school friends) to do something with, even if it's just taking a walk to get out of the dorm. Sitting alone in a dorm always makes it worse.

Ryan

The biggest issue I would stress is to make sure you pick the right college. Choosing the place where you will spend the next two to four years of your future is quite a big deal. Make sure you and your bank account are happy with the dicision. Secondly, make sure you get started on the scholarships as early as possible. Instead of working for a whole summer to earn $3,000, you can earn a scholarship of the same amount just for spending time on an essay for a couple hours. The lower you can get the cost of your college to be, the less you will worry about whether you are making the right decision or not. Lastly, make sure you meet people and be friendly for the first month of college. Everyone else is nervous and scared too so they could also use a little comfort. In conclusion, make decisions that will bring comfort to your college experience, and share that comfort with others around you.

Jacob

I would tell myself to think about the cost and waht I think I would do for a major. Having a good idea of what you want to do is very help full in planing out your classes. I would also tell myself that even though you are taking four classes insteade of seven like in high school the work load in much more. Also to put your gard down and be open to meating new people and trying new things.

Ali

If I had a time machine, I would reiterate to myself how important it is to remain true to my uninfluenced values and priorities. It is very easy to get caught up in what others on one's campus find important, but the only way to truly be happy and find contentment through one's experiences is to focus on what you are passionate about. Getting to college, I knew I wanted to go into an area of environmental studies, but I originally came to St. Thomas looking at the volleyball team and due to the amount of financial aid I would be offered through tuition remission. Though I toured more environmentally focused colleges, I am somewhat glad on how disorganized I was in applying for schools and my ultimate destination at St. Thomas. Through bringing environmental and social justice issues into people's radar on my campus at times seems like a constant uphill battle, I think being surrounded by people who have different priorities and opinions has really enabled me to grow and solidify my beliefs, and also to gain insight and learn about others more as well. Diversity is key, and I'm stronger today for it.

Tristan

If I could go back in time and be a high school student applying for college over again I would tell myself many different things to help make the transition into college. First, I would tell myself to do PSEO where students take college course while they are still in high schools, because the school district pays for the cost of tuition. This would help, because it would be less money students would have to spend on tuition credits and it would allow me to get an understanding of college courses. Second, I would tell myself to apply for many different scholarships because there is a ton of money in scholarships that are not claimed every year. This would be helpful, because it would help lower the cost of tuition and would reduce the financial stress that students feel.

Michael

Dear High School Self, These last four years of our life have certainly been the most transformative we have seen thus far. I write to you to remind you of the values that we hold and what qualities to pursue to best manifest those values. First, find a school that educates the whole person. A liberal education may seem to detract from professional development but in essence it will give us a broader view of reality and give us the ability to engage others in an informed way. Secondly, an often forgotten aspect of ourselves which also needs formation is our soul. Therefore, find a faith filled community that will help you to find a peace that is lasting and can be shared with others. Finally, skill without virtue is useless. Take these next years of your life to grow good habits as well as train for your profession. A man without character (prudence, fortitude, temperance and justice) will only be a drain on his friends, employer and community. Growing in these habits takes time and like-valued friends, that is true friendship. College is a time to grow, but be sure to grow in the right direction. Best, Mike

Mackenzie

The number one thing I wish I could go back and tell my younger self is to relax. I spent a lot of time my senior year stressing about the move, how hard the classes were going to be, and if I was going to make any friends. When I got to school I realize that everyone is in the same situation, trying to adapt to a completely new lifestyle. After understanding that everyone was in the same boat everything became a lot less stressful. As long as you make an effort, the school makes it very easy to adapt, the teachers are always willing to help make the workload doable, and the students are always open to developing new relationships. So quit stressing out and just get excited instead!

Rebecca

When people talk about college, they either look at it one of two ways. The first is that when you go to college, you will finally be free. Free of your parents, free to party, free to do whatever you want. The second way people look at college is that when you go to college, your future is on the line. There is no time for mistakes or failures. In high school, I looked at college the second way. If I could go back and give myself advice, I would say that you need to find a balance in college. Yes, college is very important for your future. The work is harder, the grades matter more, and how you do there can determine the rest of your life. As important as this is, you truly need to find a balance between fun and work. If you stress yourself out too much, you will never make it. Get involved on campus, have fun with your friends, and call your parents. All these things are just as important as making the grade. Success isn't only about your schoolwork. It is about your entire life and keeping a blance between everything.

Nicolas

Start getting in the habit of studying right now! Sure high school is pretty easy to just "get by" and not study for tests. But these college courses are a matter of your future career. On top of that, you are paying quite a significant source of money in order to attend classes. Stay close to prayer and offer up any stuggle you have to the Lord. Without one's education, one cannot become in full, the entirety of what one is intended to become. An education is not something that one obtains or earns, rather, an education is who you are. The "Educational Tradition", as opposed to training, is to become someone. As far as high school, it was our parents job to get us here to college. Now you are responsible for your education as an adult. This is your task. Leave childhood behind, grasp adulthood, and rule yourself. Your education is yours.

Shelby

I would tell myself to really think about what I want out of college and where I want to be in four years. I would then take those answers and apply it to finding a college that best describes the answers I portrayed. I would also tell myself to take a deep breath and take this process step by step with open arms because it's not easy, but is well worth it in the end.