Saint Francis University Top Questions

Carl Jung once said, “Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.” Finding suggests that one has already defined himself in the past, while creating suggests the notion of ongoing discovery and an openness to the new. The main lesson I learned while in college is that everything one does is a process. Along this process, one is faced with choices and the outcomes of these choices are arrows that lead her to the next stage or challenge. In high school, the paths seemed to already be created. One had the choice of the geek path, the athletic path, the punk rocker path, and the almighty (drum roll please) popular path. While fitting in seemed to be the main goal in high school, college is different. Everyone is not from the same town or city. Being unique is actually appreciated in college because others can learn something new. The one thing I would tell myself is to be true to myself and my values, but keep an open mind. I would encourage myself to bring my bold colors to the canvas, but always be willing to introduce other color combinations. .

I would advise myself to stay motivated in the academic part of school. Although social and extracurricular activities are important, academics are the most integral part of highschool. Having good study habits and completing homework is not only important for success in highschool, it is a major part of college life. Those "good" study habits and having deadlines to complete homework also prepares you for the workplace. No matter what job you have earned, you will have deadlines and those deadlines need to be met. After I stressed the importance of academics to myself, I would tell myself to have fun and make friends. Those friendships and social interactions will prepare you for many of life's challenges. You will need to have those social skills to let loose and let the stressors diminish. College is a fun, busy and important place. I advise you to start in highschool and stay on the right track!

Six years ago I thought my decision was set. I had confidently claimed that I would not be going to college, not now, not ever. I graduated from high school and cosmetology school at seventeen years old and was gearing up for a lifetime as a professional hairstylist. If I could go back and talk to the high school me I would say, that you might think you know what you want out of life, but all experiences bring about change, even the changes you thought you would never go through. Now, as a twenty-three year old freshman in college, only at the beginning of this journey, I would tell myself how thrilled I am with my commitment. Already, college has bestowed upon me a new sense of responsibility, an ambition to complete challenging goals, and an overwhelming feeling of pride for each of my accomplishments. Being part of this community has humbled me and given me drive. I would tell myself to not become discouraged or defiant, but to pursue any opportunity presented to me that could help me grow. I would tell myself to put down my guard and be ambitious; I would not regret it.

Coming to college has forced me to be more open and take initiative to make friends and join organizations. I've learned to be more out going and not afraid to show everyone who I really am. These are qualities that I will be able to take with me where ever I go and for any future careers.

Though I am only a freshman, I have already learned so much, and not just in my classes. Rather, I'd say that most of my learning has been done outside of the classroom. I once heard the saying, "high school is four years to learn how to learn, college is four years to learn how to live." It is so true. In all my studies, I am utilizing they habits and tools and work ethic I gained in high school. Now I am on my own, responsible for all my actions and their consequences. I am getting practice handling situations I will come across once I am off in the real world. After my first year of college, I know who I am. Not only do I know who I am, I know what I stand for. I have found that I am capable of not only living what I believe and according to my standards, but also of defending them when they are challenged. That is the most valuable thing I have gained over the past year. It will not only keep me strong through the next five years of school, it will strengthen me for life.

I chose my field of study (occupational therapy) and school my sophmore year of high school. I have never regretted --at least not for more than a moment here and there my decision. I have met many different people over the years, both student and professors--some of these friendships I have formed I will have for life. Accademically, this is a tough school, but so is the world if you really want to succeed! When I leave St. Francis, I will feel confident that I will be capable of working and succeeding in my chosen field.

I've grown into the person I'm most proud of becoming during college. Transferring between three schools and fighting for what I wanted for the first time in my life, I actually became someone I recognized when I look in the mirror. Going to college made me realize a lot about myself and what is important in my life. It's also giving me the tools I need to survive, not only academically and intellectually, but giving me people skills and life experiences that make me a better person, citizen and employee. It's challenged me to target my biggest personal flaws and get past them, or at least take the beginning steps towards overcoming them. College has made me confident of who I am and continues to not only assure me that I have the tools, but also gives me additional resources I need to be successful in the life I want to have.

I have gotten out numerous amounts of experiences while being enrolled in college. I have learned that education is very important and valuable and that I should not take it for granted. I have also learned that, to survive in this world, some sort of degree is very important. I have also learned not to rely on other people, and to be independent. What I mean by that is, after graduating high school, a new world is opened, and being reliant on other people, such as parents, and/or friends, is not always an option. One must be independent in the decisions that they make, and at that, make adult-like decisions. I have also learned time-management. In high school, it was the same classes every day for five days a week. After entering registering for my classes in college, I learned that if I wanted to, I didnt have to have a Friday or Monday class; the blatant freedom that comes with being in college was definitely a culture shock for me. Lastly, I have learned to appreciate my mom for cutting into her retirement fund, to further my education, while unfortunately increasing her work years.

I am pleased with the choice I made to attend Saint Francis University. I have built many friendships and formed many useful connections with people in my field of study. I gained knowledge in every class that I have taken. I have grown as a person because Saint Francis stresses the fransician values, in which one of the values is to serve other people. I am greatly pleased that I am surrounded by many positive influences and people who are passionate about serving others just as I am. I value every opportunity I get to futher my education, and therefore I have not missed a class yet. Not everyone gets to go to college but I am priveldged enough to have the opportunity to make a wonderful life for myself while serving others as an Occupational Therapist. The world is constantly changing and is full of crime, wars, and discrimination. I would like to try and make even the smallest difference in someones life to lessen the amount of bad that occurs in the world today. I value Saint Francis University becasue I feel that the degree I acheive here will help me immensly to acheive my life long goals!

The first thing I would tell myself would be that I have a second chance. In high school, I had an eating disorder and this limited me to express who I really was. As I was applying for colleges, I began to wonder if college was for me. I have been at Saint Francis University for three years now, and I love it. I have learned so much about myself and have grown as a person. To think that I might have made the decision to not attend college just blows my mind. I would also tell myself to relax. The summer before entering college, I was afraid that I would not be able to handle the work in college. Now that I am in college, I am taking 18 credits, I?m involved in many activities and clubs, I work, and achieved a 3.9 last semester. The last thing I would tell myself is to keep an open mind. My senior year of high school I was so set on being a Physician Assistant, and I didn?t let any other options for myself. I have switched my major to psychology and feel that is the perfect fit.