College of Saint Benedict Top Questions

You are profoundly ready for this new chapter - just as you were ready for braces, for middle school, for your first kiss and for prom. Don't be afraid to be messy, to ask questions, to get lost, to cry. Nobody is perfect, even in college. Your family will not forget you, they won't form a secret club or stop calling. They will miss you. The first day of school is scary, but that's nothing new and it will get easier soon. Don't forget that everyone is in the same boat. Making new friends may be embarrasing or challenging but take your time and the right people will stick around. Never say 'no' when someone asks you to eat with them and try not to hit the 'snooze' button on your alarm too many times. You will have to work harder in school, but that does not mean you are stupid. The skills for succeeding in college take time to build. When you have a bad day, and you will, please don't think that you have a bad life. This is the starting point of a beautiful and messy adventure, and you have everything you need.

I would tell myself that education is one of the best qualities you can have in life nowdays. Its nearly impossible to do anything now without an education. I know you think skipping school with friends not doing homework because your hanging out is cool but how cool is it gonna be when your 25 years old with no education trying to get a good paying job? Not cool at all! When you are stuck working your butt off every day for minium wage why? Because you thought hanging out with your friends was "cool" or how about working with someone who finished school went to college although you may know more when it comes to getting the work done but he has the degree, so you make not even half of his salary because you didnt think education was important. Hate to tell you but thats reality thats how it happens in the real world. It may not seem that important now but i promise you your future depends on it. Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Your choice....

I would tell myself that I should be open-minded to other career options. Going into college I had a set mind-frame that I was going to be a veterinarian and major in Biology. After my first semester at college I found out that I was definately not cut out to be a Biology major and getting a doctorate level degree was a lot harder than it seemed. I would probably tell myself to really think about what I want to be, and bring up Psychology because as I later found out that is a subject that I really do enjoy and excel at. If I knew that before going to college I would have had a much better transition into college life and a much better GPA.

Firstly, don't assume that because high school was pretty easy for you that you can use the same work ethic in college. You really need to crack down and learn how to study effectively and put in more time than the minimum or however long it takes to finish your daily homework assignments. More importantly though, you really have to be prepared to branch out and get to know people. I know that you are uncomfortable meeting new people, but you'll be better off putting a lot of effort into meeting new people than staying in your comfort zone. Don't assume that you know what you want to do with your life, or even that you know where you want to go to school, no matter how confident you feel your senior year. Apply to more than two schools, look at out of state schools, and maybe just take general classes your first year. It won't hurt your plans, and it will give you a chance to explore what is available at your school. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU GET TO KNOW YOUR PROFESSORS. Don't be afraid to talk to them!

Pick a school that you feel comfortable with. Be open and outgoing and try to get know as many people as possible. Make good relationships with your professors.

The biggest advice I would give myself as a high school senior is not take public education for granted. I started my education life with free schooling. Now that I am in college, nothing comes with a free label. Receiving an education is great, but receiving a free education is even better. College is not free and comes with an expensive price. If I had known about the financial situation I am in now, I would have worked harder and have tried finding a job during high school. In college, if I do not have the money, I will not be able to continue with my studies because of the stress and the cost of tuition and loans. Applying for work-study helps, but not to the extent where I will be debt free. School studies plus money is a lot do deal with in college that is why I would want to give the advice to my high school senior self to work hard and save it for my education. As a dedicated student and hard worker, with a college education I will be able to reach success and a better living after college.

The advice I would give myself would be the same advice that I give to my high school daughter who will be attending college in the Fall of 2012 at Kent State: One of the most important aspects in life is getting an education. The more you learn and understand new concepts, the brighter your future will be to accomplish your goals. Focusing on school is your number one priority. Use your knowledge to help others become more efficient in their lives and always listen and use your critical thinking skill in everything you do and don't forget to relax a little to clear your mind. You are responsible for you, which means you have to make life long decisions. Protect yourself sexually, be careful with whom you hang out with and always pay attention to your surroundings. Again, your education is the number one priority in your life.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would give myself a variety of advice about college. When I began college, I was shy and it took me awhile to make friends. It was not until my second semester that I really began to spend time with great people. I would emphasize to my senior self how important it is for me to strike up conversations in class and give everyone I meet a fair chance because I will meet my friends faster. I would also tell myself to stay at school over the weekends because there are always amazing events happening during weekends. Academically, I would tell myself to continue to take challenging, interesting courses that will provide me with a solid background for a future career because I believe that it is very important to never stop learning. Finally, I would tell myself to apply for as many scholarships as possible because I am only just realizing how important it is to pay for college as soon as possible. You cannot earn scholarships if you do not apply for any.

1. Never stand up on the link when it first stops, always wait until the people in the seat in front of you are getting up and leaving. 2. It is a requirement to live on campus all four years, so be ready. 3. SJU and CSB DO have seprate campus's but we DO go to class together. 4. Everyone is so laid back and nice it is so comforting. 5. The food is great, so don't complain. 6. And just have fun and keep an open mind, because if you don't then you A) will not make friends and B) will hate going to school here. Meet as many new people as possible and find your best friends. That's what I did and it has been the best last two years of my life.

Don't be overwhelmed in the first few weeks. IT DOES GET BETTER!

Dear, High School Senior Self: There are many words of advice your older self has for you to keep you from making some of the same mistakes in future life, should you get a chance to do it all over again. 1. Never listen to negative people: they are only negative to you because they are not happy with themselves , and misery loves company. 2. Listen to what Grandma always said: "Never settle for someone you can live with. Wait for the one you cannot live without." 3. Heed the words of the historically philosophical when you hear the words "Never make someone a priority when you are but an option to them." 4. Get away from the boy you are currently dating. He is bad news and you already know it. He will never be anything more than bad news for other girls as well. Do not be afraid to leave him, but make sure you have great friends and family surrounding you at all times to ensure your future safety. 5. When anyone tells you that you CAN'T, look them right in the eyes and say "Oh, Yes I CAN!" and then Prove Them Wrong!

Take your time. It's okay. I know things are tough, but your education doesn't need to suffer. Let everything else be. Despite what everyone is telling you, you are loved and it is okay to excel in school. Try hard. Study hard. DO your best. Education is what will help you achieve your dreams in the end. When you graduate, don't wait to go to college. Find what you strive for. Reach and take hold of all you desire in life. Family problems will take care of themselves. You don't need to worry or solve them all. A little focus on yourself isn't bad. Everyone needs,including you, and it's ALL RIGHT to need. It's ALL RIGHT to be yourself. If they don't accept you for who you are, that's their problem.

Be open to any type of college and visit many. You don't neccessarily know what college you like until you visit. It wasn't until I visited the College of Saint Benedict that I knew I wanted to go there. Also, be open to both public and private colleges. If you desire small class sizes and more of a community atmosphere, the private schools may be the route to go. Don't be closed of to this type of school due to the cost. There is a lot of financial aid to be offered at these schools. However, if you like larger settings, a public school may your best option. Finally, work hard throughout your education, but enjoy the journey as well.

I have gotten many things out of my college experience: knowledge, education, and opportunities for growth. It has been valuable to attend because I have become a better, more self-aware and cultured person.

Since entering college, my eyes have been opened wide to the both the value and difficulty in life. In retrospect, I was an idealistic teenager with dreams of attending college, having fun and pursuing my dreams. As a college student, life has been put into perspective for me and has forced to to become more down-to-earth. Instead of simply idealizing my future, I now have to plan for it. My thoughts revolve around finances, 4-year plans, working a part-time job, managing my time, and learning to be a "grown-up" by taking full responsibility for my actions. From my college experience I have received a perspective on life that has pushed me to organize my life so that I can live it to its fullest potential. Simply thinking about it and perfecting it in my head isn't enough anymore because now is the time to actually perform. This is a valuable perspective because upon entering college, I made a plan for my life, and I now have a clear, eyes wide open vision of what I want to do with my life and who I want to become along the way.

Attending the College of Saint Benedict has provided me with developed critical thinking ability. Specifically, ability to critically think about the question: What is the good life; and how can I live it? I have both an academic and personal appreciation for this question and am grateful it is one I have learned to ask. I have received the training necessary to investigate this throughout the rest of my life. That is invaluable.

Though I sometimes feel as though I am attending a college that is not very diverse, I have met many people with very different values and opinions. One class that has sparked a lot of discussion on a variety topics is my First Year Seminar class. It has been very interesting listening to different classmates ideas and opinions on current day issues and topics that relate to our everyday lives. Before starting college, I often would hear that my values and views would be challenged in college. I knew that college would be a time for personal growth and a time to figure out who YOU are. Not only have I began to witness the personal growth in mysef and classmates, but I have also began to think about my values on a deeper level. I am thankful for having chosen a liberal arts college, as i have learned so much from taking classes that span a variety of subject areas. What I have learned and discussed in my First Year Seminar class, along with the rich information that I have taken away from my other classes have began to shape the well rounded person that I strive to become.

After escaping a seventeen year abusive marriage, returning to the education that I had abandoned at the age of 20 has been the light at the end of a very long tunnel. Convinced that I couldn't make it on my own for far too many years, I am now determined not only to survive but to thrive. Going back to school and learning something new every day has been amazing and although it is stressful to both work full time and go to school full time, I am grateful to be able to set an example for my children: no matter what you have endured, there is a way out and a way up. I am majoring in criminal justice with a focus on victim services and my intent is to use my education in the service of women and children who have made the difficult choice to escape their destructive lives and start anew.

I have become a better person due to my college experience. This is not to say that I was unsatisfied with myself in high school, but I never felt like I could completely show my potential, or be the exact person I want to be. At college, I have grown into the person I want to be. I am able to express my passions and I have made a group of friends that share common interests, and I know will be my friends for life. I am also able to explore all my options for my future career, and have had so much help along the way. College is a fresh start; you can be whoever you want to be, and college has made me realize that the only person I need to really impress is myself. I would not trade the experiences I have had in the last year and half for anything else in the world.

I have enjoyed going to school at the University of Phoenix Axia College. I was very nervous about the process since I have not been to college since I recieved my certification in Medical Assisting in 1990. This college staff is the best at taking student through the whole process. The college has the student do a workshop about how to find your classes and how to submit assignments. They also help students learn the processes of doing research and using the University Library. The teachers are great and are always very helpful. I had a life coach that I had threee appointments with very valuable insights to finding work in this tough economy. My gpa is 3.26 and I am learning new and exciting research about the healthcare administration field. My knowledge has expanded in learning how to write essays and follow instructions. I am 53 years old and hope to return to the job market this year. I graduate on October 24, 2010. My plan is to continue and recieve my bacholors degree in Healthcare Administration. Graduation will be in 2012. Please consider me for this scholarship I promise I will not let you down. Hilda Fisher