University of St Thomas-Saint Paul Top Questions

I would reccomed joining more clubs and organizations as a freshman. My school offers many of them, but I don't feel that I have taken advantage of them like I should have, they are a great way to meet lots of new and different people and are a great way to just relax and fun. I put a lot of emphasis on my studies, and am involved in some organizations, but I would have liked to join a few more to become more involved in my shcool. I would also reccomend trying to get to know professors well outside of class as well. They are very knowledgeable and are often experts in their field so they have lots of adivce to give about careers and life in general. Professors and advisors are generally willing to help and talk with you and do genuinely care. Creating relationships with them not only helps you with learning and better understanding your course work, but is also a great networking tool. If I were going to start over again as a freshman I definitely would take more advantage of all the resources offered to students to better my experience here.

If I could go back and tell myself as a senior anything, it would be to keep a open mind about everything as you transition in to college life. I would explain to myself how there are so many ups and downs at college and everything will in the end work itself out. Also I would tell myself a little bit about life in the dorms so I know what im getting into when I arrive at my room. But most of all i would tell myself to really look in to all my options and stick with the one I make. Be confident with the path you take and dont regret anything.

Expand your options, look to out-of-state schools, and make sure to consider study abroad programs. How many times in your life are these opportunities going to present themselves again??

Join as many clubs as you can fit in your schedule while still being able to get your homework completed. Be more outgoing and talk to people, most of them are very kind. Make sure to get outside of your dormroom often.

Having the opportunity to go back and give my own self advice as a high school senior is a very interesting thought. Would I tell myself the obvious things such as, "Don't wear your dorm keys as a necklace; it makes you look like a freshman"? Or would I go with the more sound advice of never forgetting to bring a towel to the showers? Every piece of advice from college students is just eaten up by high-schoolers because, as much as we hate to admit it, we have no clue what to expect in college. We see how it is portrayed on TV, but no one ever told me I would need a fan to keep my dorm room cool on the scorching hot move-in days. Advice is a great thing when you're entering college, but I don't know if I would necessarily want to go back and give myself more advice. College has been such a great learning and growing process thus far and I feel as though I've become a more assertive person with school and work because I've had to ask questions and find out things on my own.

The biggest part of college life is "initiative"; no one is going to hold your hand through it all, but go for it! Challenge yourself, work hard, dream big and learn from your mistakes.

It's a lot harder than you think. People warned me about the academic rigor, but no one warned me hoe emotionally tough college can be. I have gone through some of my biggest ups and downs in college, which would have been nice to know beforehand.

Take school seriously. I know every adult has told you to from the time you were in elementary school till now, but it really does matter. When you get to school ace all of your classes so you do not wind up realizing too late that your GPA is not where you would like it to be. This way an ad hoc effort to correct the problem will not be necessary. When you are not in school, save money and work hard. Choose your friends wisely, being around people who are academically focused will be better influences on you than those who are apathetic. Study, work hard and encourage others to do the same.

The best piece of advice I can think of would be to study as often as possible, for as long as possible. Aside from that, don't ever say "no" to any opportunity, especially freshman year, there are so many possiblities out there, and you just need to say "yes."

I would tell myself to study and work harder so that the chances to get a big time scholarship will increase. Having such financial difficulties in college life severely distracts me from reaching my full potential. Realizing that high school was about twenty times easier than college makes me wish I did work that much harder on homework and studied harder for tests. Having to bear a load much larger than I can bear on my own, forces a continuation on the work harder/study less cycle. If I had just studied and concentrated that much more on my course work, I realize now, my burden would be lighter and my grades might be stronger. Because they are not, I have to consider the chances that I may not get into the grad school that I want because of the mistakes I made years ago. If I could travel back in time to see my past self, I would slap myself across the head and shout, "get it together, man! Your future is riding on these crucial moments in high school."

Study hard for the AP tests which would save you time and money. Remember everything you learn since you'll end up using it all again.

I would tell myself to perservere in academics even when it seems dull because time goes fast and some opportunities can't be replaced. I would tell myself to not take things so seriously and have some fun. Be yourself, and let others know the real you. Don't be afraid to try new things and meet new people. Enjoy the single life while you can. Develop strong friendships with good people. Deepen your faith and prayer life.

I would want to immerse myself in my classes more. In High School I focused on getting a good grade and not the content I was actually learning. While in college, I have realized that there is more to education than just getting a good grade (however that is important too). The knowledge I have gained thus far in my college career is unbelievable. It is more fun to learn when obtaining a good grade is not your only focus.

The advice that I would give myself as a high school senior is to not hurry up and make a decision and to not base my decisions on those of others or their opinions. Apply to many schools and apple early because there is more time than you may think to make a decision.

Dear Shirly, you are an inspiration. Do not let life’s hardship stop you from pursuing your goal of becoming a physician. Although you live in an area known for being low-income and “ghetto”, you have so much determination in you to pursue a higher education. Do not let other people’s scrutiny about who you should be overwhelm you. You can succeed and you will! Keep in mind, though, that college is by no means easy. You’ll need to prioritize yourself and keep a calendar so that you can be on top of things. If you happen to get an unfavorable grade on a test, don’t fret. Believe in yourself! Also, involve yourself in college clubs and organizations that you find interesting and definitely find time to do the things that you love to do. Remember to stay strong, do your best and ask for help when you need it. Finally, let the dreams inside you keep burning. Never stop believing that you will become a physician who will one day come back to serve her community. It is this desire that will motivate you to wake up each day and engross yourself in your education.

Enjoy your senior year but still try hard in classes. If you have an opportunity, take as many AP tests as possible, the credits are good for more than just classes you don't have to take in college, but for having an easier time registering because of a higher status. When looking at colleges find somewhere that feels right. Notice how excepting people are and how well you think you fit in. Look at different types of colleges, small/big, liberal arts/state, division 1/2/3. Apply to as many as possibe and get on the campuses to get a feel for them. When choosing a college, eventually you will find a place that is just right. When it comes down to it, where ever you go, you will end up loving it. When choosing, you really can't go wrong. A college is like a second home.

Do more research on different colleges in the area and the different things they offer. Look into more loans, scholarships, and grants because you really cannot afford this school. Not choose the dorm I leave in because I hate public bathrooms, and don't really talk to the people on my floor. Also, study more for the A.P. exams to get more college credit. Don't shop as much in high school because I have no money for college now.

I would tell myself to save all my money, and not spend it on food or clothing. Also, I would tell myself not to live in the dorms I am living in now, and to live in the John Paul two dorms because living with just your sister is not very easy. Most importantly I would tell myself not to get my hopes up because college is a lot more difficult than it appears and not at all like it is in the movies.

I would tell myself to save money. Even with scholarships, paying a hefty college tuition is hard, and any extra funds help. While I was in high school, I had two jobs, but I didn't save as much as I should have, nor did I think extensively about saving for the future. I was also encourgae myself to take all the AP classes I could, so as to receive credits that would help me out when it came to taking general courses in college. St. Thomas is great about accepting these credits, and if I had come in with credits already completed, I could have saved a lot of money. Thirdly, I would tell myself to study harder. The habits I created in high school, both good and bad, have stayed with me thus far. Unfortunately, it has taken me until this semester to acquire certain study habits that I should have possed long ago.

Get involved sooner! Go out and meet a new people ever chance you get. Thats my biggest regret. There are plenty of opportunities to meet new people; plenty of events planned by UST students and staff. I would also tell myself to to join a club or two and get to know some different people outside of my usual friend group.

You need to take the AP and advanced classes. Right now you think that they are just a lot of work and that you do not really need them. When registering, the already recieved credits come in really handy. You will be able to register before others and it will make things a lot less stressful. Also, those classes will help you to keep up better with the pace of classes and the things that you need to know in class. You will not feel like you need to catch up with others if you already have many advanced courses under you belt.

College is a lot more work and a lot harder than highschool, so prepare to work hard and not have a lot of free time. Homework is a necessity at college, it an no longer be blown off or ignored if you want to do well still. Also, I would suggest living on campus for your freshman year, as the dorm experience for freshman here is very good, and it will allow you to make a lot more lasting friends. Moving on to campus sophomore year is difficult because most people already have groups of friends that you have to try to join. So living on campus as a freshman would most likely make your college experience a much more socially developing experience.

Be open to every new experience! Don't sit in your room and be afraid of what people think. Be adventerous! It's ok to call home, but don't use your family as a crutch. Be open to people's ideas and opinions. My biggest problem was choosing one club/team to be involved in and I spent so much time worrying about it and focusing on it that I was not able to have the typical 'freshman experiences' of meeting new people and going to the on campus events and sports games. I wish I had the ability to go back and try that again because there were a lot of great people I lost a chance at getting to know because I was too focused on a team that was not the right fit for me. Try new things!

If I could go back in time and talk to my high school self I would tell myself to save as much money as I could to put it towards college and to join at least 2 different clubs when I got to college. I would have had a more prominent social life if I would have joined more clubs at St Thomas instead of mainly focussing on course work. The most important advice that I could give my high school self would be to just let things go. I feel like I've spent too much time stressed out when I really didn't need to be as stressed. Planning for the future is important, but if you stress too much as the future plans you forget to live in the now.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, the advice I would give to myself would consist of three things. I would start off by saying, take as many pseo courses as you possibly can. Whether you believe it or not, your pseo credits will save you a lot of money. Secondly, begin applying to colleges and scholarships at the beginning of the school year. By applying to colleges early, you can decide which school you are most interested in. Then, you can submit your fafsa on time and have a better advantage at receiving a better financial aid package. Thirdly, do not limit yourself on a certain career due to the difficulty of a subject. Some subjects are harder than others, but there are plenty of resources and tutoring agencies that are willing to assist you in a subject which you are not competent in. With that said, college is more than just earning a degree. You learn so much about life, and most importantly, yourself. You learn how strong you are for your desire to reach your goals. Be passionate about what you want, so you can overcome your limitations.

I would tell myself to get more involved in school clubs and activities because my school has so many choices and clubs that fit anyone's interest. I would also tell myself to manage my time better, so I could good good grades as well as have time to interact and meet new people. Although academics are the reason to attend college, I think college is also a place for people to find themselves. The friends I have made at my school are going to be people I remain friends with for the rest of my life. In college, we have the chance to interact with great people, students and teachers alike, and create great relationships. If I could go back I would tell myself to take advantage of the chance to branch out and meet people completely different from myself and be involved with as many activities as possible (if they fit into your schedule of course).

Take a deep breath and relax. College is a completely new stage of life and change is inevitable. One of the quotes that I try to live my life by is, "We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us." I have always wanted to know exactly what is going on and what is going to happen. College life has taught me that often times that is an unrealistic expectation which can create a lot of unnecessary stress. If I could go back in time, I would tell my high school senior self to go into college without expectations and to just let things happen the way they are supposed to happen. I would tell myself to enjoy things the way they are, even if they do not go according to plan, and that change is okay.

College as a science major is not a joke like high school. Remember that you will never be able to have everyone like you but if you are just yourself you will find great friends! Also take any and every opprotunity you can, It will make you a wiser person. I have regreted much of the opprotunities that I have passed by because I was lazy. Work hard not just only in school but to find out what you want in life but also for who you want to be. Its not what you have done for yourself, but what you are remembered for by others.

I would inform my past self to be open for change. "College is not what you are expecting." I would tell myself that I need to be open to making new friends, new habits, and living in a whole new place. Everyone elses' lives do not revolve around mine so I should get out there and make new friends--do not judge anyone you do not know and remember that everyone is in the same position you are. Be friendly and outgoing and GET INVOLVED! It may feel lonely at first, but if you follow this advice, the homesickness will fade and friends will come your way with a smile.

I would take more college classes as a senior in highschool in order to get more credits to have to take the CPA exam when I graduate. I would also tell myself to just go right to St. Thomas and not have to worry about which school I was going to attend. I would tell myself to appreciate my teachers more beacuse they are a big part of what I have acomplished today and where I will be in 5 years from now. The last thing I would tell myself was to continue with my Spanish education, so that I remember it when I take classes in college.

If I could go back in time and give myself advice in high school it would be to research more on what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. Also I would tell myself to join more leadership positions on campus so that I could stay more involved.

I would give myself advice such as: Do the homework right a way so you do not get stressed when it comes down to the deadlines. You will not be able to just slide right through college like you did in high school, college is a lot tougher. You will have to do the complete homework, most of the material WILL not come to you, you will have to find the answer the traditional way. Take it one day at a time. You will be able to enjoy everyday much better because before you know it, it will be your junior or senior year and will wonder where did all the time go. Continue to be the person you are, people will enjoy that about you. Stay with the faith. Your faith is the basis of your life and it will continue to grow as you grow to be the man that God wants you to become. Lastly, go in for help. The professors really are there to help you know what you should learn. Do not think of it as they are out to get you or are scary because they encourage help.

I would tell my high school self that she should pray that God leads her to the school God wants her to be at, and to pursue the career field that he has planned for her. I would tell her that even though it is hard to be unaware of what the future brings, she shouldn't worry, because God has some great things in store for her. She only needs to be patient, walk through the doors that the Lord opens for her, and keep her eyes on him, because he will not lead her astray. I would tell her that she doesn't need to panic about her major, because God will make known his will for her in his time. I would tell her there will be struggles she will go through, but she'll make it out just fine. I would tell her that each year just keeps getting better, and to cherish each moment, because time goes by so fast.

If I could have given my high school self any advice, I would have said two things. First of all, I would tell myself that I shouldn't be so scared. I was so afraid that I would have no friends and that I would miss home so much. But I saw that if one tries, making friends is not so hard, and that as time goes on, you make new connections and reinforce the once that you started with until you build up some solid friendships. I also found myself hardly missing home at all; I was so busy in my new life with my new friends. Secondly, I would also try to prepare myself for how busy I would be. I have discovered that it is nearly impossibe to have a social life, keep up with school work, and get enough sleep. At the same time, I would tell myself that everyone else is in the same boat, and we help each other and keep each other going. I would have shown myself how my great friends would make my college experience amazing.

If I went back in time and talked to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself a few things. First, don't ever choose a college based on where your friends. It is never a smart choice to make decisions that affect your life based off of your friends. Second, you should live on campus. It is crucial to live on campus freshman year at least, so you get the chance to experience freedom and are able to branch out and meet new people. It will help the transition immensely. Third, in college people will always change and you'll meet people that seem different but branch out and get to know everyone, as well as try new things. You should join many clubs and take full advantage of the resources and activities the university provides. Lastly, be yourself and don't do things because it seems as if everyone else is doing something. There are people who are great and share the same morals, values, and beliefs. Don't depreciate yourself to fit in with others. College is the stage of your life where you mature and succeed, so find yourself and enjoy doing it.

The advice I would have given myself would be to keep up the hard work and effort. I would have told myself that I need to recieve more college credit so I could save money and potentially have less classes to take to recieve my major and potentially recieve a minor. I would tell myself to get more involved with the programs that the college has to offer to set me up with an internship. I also would have told myself what direction I would like to go without having to deal with the hardship of finding the right place to go to; also to know what I wanted to do for the rest of my life by picking the right field of interest as well.

Look at many different types of school. Take note of the size of classes and the majors offered. If you do not know what you want to do, choose a school that has many options but is inside of your price range. Be realistic about how much college is. Look for an on-campus job that works into your schedule and that you enjoy. Take your studies seriously. Challenge yourself academically as well as socially. Do not judge people on their apperance. Be true to yourself. Find something you love to do.

The summer between graduating high school and beginning college was the hardest time of my life- that spring my parents announced to my 11 year old sister and I that they were getting divorced. I grew up fast. My mom moved out and I became the housekeeper, babysitter, chef, chauffeur, and shoulder to cry on. The summer was tough, but the transition to moving away from a family that so desperately needed me was hell. If I could go back I would tell myself that your family misses you, but they can get along with out you. They appreciated your help, but can handle themselves in your absence. Your dad is stressed now that you're gone, but is so proud that you're beginning your own life in college. I would emphasize that you have no reason to feel guilty. The guilt you're feeling means you love and care about your family, but is unnecessary. This is where you need to be, and you're going to have a great year. So call your family frequently, tell them you love them, and make the most of your year because it will go so fast.

I would tell myself to keep my focus more on school work and keep my values and beliefs strong, never let anyone get you down and always believe in yourself.

I would tell myself to not make the decision on where to go based on what friends are going to that particular school. Having your friends with you is great, but going to a school not knowing anyone forces you to grow up and figure out who you are. You are forced to make new friends and venture out on your own without constantly relying on others. This is ultimately what helps us survive in the real world, by networking. I have met so many new people without the influence of my friends. When I returned home for break, I was a different person. I was more outgoing and had grown more than my friends who had gone to school with their friends. However I would tell myself to develop a better sleep schedule so as to not get sick as much as I did here the first couple of months.

I would tell myself to take a step back and evaluate ALL of my options. I would visit each school multiple times and sit in on a class to get a good feel for the whole school. I also wish I would have looked more closely at the financial side of college. You have to pick a school that you believe you belong at but you also need to be fiscally responsible in your decision. Assess the pros and cons of each school and pick the one that has the most number of positive things. Every school will have its highs and lows so you have to evaluate it based on what school is going to be the best fit for YOU.

If I could go back to talk to myself as I was applying to colleges 3 years ago, I would ask younger self "John, don't you want to experience something new? If you go to St. Thomas, you'll be ten minutes away from home. It's a superb school, don't get me wrong, but wouldn't it be nice to spend your next 4 years down south out of the snow?" The younger me, still in shock over the whole time-travelling situation, would ponder my advice and go on to apply to Arizona State, University of Texas at Austin, Tulane, and some Florida schools. "What you'll get at St. Thomas is perfectly fine for what you're looking for: it's not too big and not too small, it boasts an amazing business program, and most of all it's a fun place to be. It may be difficult, but if you can find that somewhere more than 3 hours away from Minnesota, do your absolute best to get into that school." And then I would proceed to give my younger self the winning Powerball numbers, thus lessening my need for a college education.

If I was to go back and talk to myself in high school, I'd have three words of advice. First, it is a new world with opportunities that you've never seen or dreamed of before. You will meet people that you never thought you'd get the pleasrue to meet. Second, when a door opens, run through it. The time flies and before you know it you'll be a sophomore who is the Vice President of Programming for your entire section of campus. Take that give opportunity and never look back. Lastly, there are incredible resources that you pay money for. If you have a question, there is someone that will help you. Whether it is a professor or a friend, there is always someone that will help you through any situation and if you still feel lost, know where you came from. There is a reason you've worked so hard and there are people who believe in you. Keep pushing forward and you'll never regret a decision you've made.

I would go back in time and tell myself to take more college credit classes while they were free in high school, it would really set me up nicely for being ahead when i start college.

I would tell myself not to worry, and that college isn't as hard as you imagined. I would tell myself to apply myself within my high school classes, and develop good habits that will tranfer over to college. I would also tell myself to cherish every moment because although college is fantastic, and better than high school, there is still something inherently nostalgic about that time of your life.

I would tell myself o strive for the best grades in high school.To never give up on your self. I would tell myself that I am a beloved son of God the Father.

I would tell myself to relax. College life dosent have to be as crazy as some people make it. When it comes to college it's whatever you decide to make it. Have fun, make friends, and let yourself reach your goals. Hard work will get you closer to your goal and let you reach your full potential. Don't regret what you have done, just look forward to the future. Most of all I would tell myself to have fun. Faving fun dosen't mean partying and making a fool of yourself. Don't forget to take a break from the stresses of school and do something you havent done in awhile.

If I could go back in time the advice I would give myself is that building a relationship with your professors is one of the most helpful things you can do. Other advice I would tell myself is to plan ahead and not to procrastinate. Other advice I would give myself is to go talk to your financial aid councilor and your general councilor to plan your 4 years in college. But I think that the most important advice will be to plan ahead and work harder.

Hello high school Brittany! First of all I need you to take a deep breath and calm down, because everything will work out. I know the whole college thing seems really stressful right now, especially since you are doing all on your own. I promise you though that things fall into place and people are always willing and wanting to help. Don't do this all by yourself. Asking for help is an okay thing! Also, I know you have a lot of homework and tests going on, but you need to go and apply for some scholarships. Writing those essays for those scholarships does not seem appealing, I know, but you need to do it. It will help you so much and decrease your stress level significantly in the future. You won't have to be on campusdiscovery frantically hoping to win a scholarship as a college Freshman. And finally high school Brittany, enjoy your senior year. Don't let the stress get to you. Experience and cherish everything while you have the time to do so. You'll enjoy college so much, but live in the moment and enjoy today. I love you! Stay inspired. Sincerely, Future Brittany

If I could give my high school self advice going into college, I would say go the extra mile in high school. Going the extra mile in every aspect of school, the academic, social, and extracurricular, would have definitely prepared me for college. If I would have taken the extra time to do the extra reading and study a little bit more instead of drifting through my high school classes, I would have been more prepared for the college courses that I took my freshman year. I would tell myself to open up socially and try not to form cliques. In college, it was a huge shock to go somewhere I didn't know anyone, so if I would have been more open minded in high school, I would have been ready for that. Also, I would tell myself to get involved in as many acitivities as possible because the more activities I am involved in, the more diverse the groups of people are that I hang out with, inside and outside of class. the adivice I would give myself is to give just a little extra effort in high school to prepare me for the real world in college.