Saint Mary’s College of California Top Questions

The college life is extremely different compared to high school. I have had troubles trying to adapt to the college life because I gained so much independence and the workload is difficult to balance with my social life. The independence I gained from college has taught me how to balance my schooling, social life, and family time. I realized that with so much freedom, it is easy to get side-tracked from what is very important and dear to me, education. Since I am in the nursing program, which is rigourous and competitive at my school, I learned that in order for me to achieve my dreams of becoming a nurse, I need to concentrate in my studies, as well as, volunteer at hospitals and any community service events. Community service projects have been a huge part of my life and with the nursing program, it is important for me to continue to help others just as I would as a future nurse. College has expanded my horizons for my future because it has helped me realize what is most important in my life and what I can do with my knowledge and a helping hand.

My college experience has allowed me to grow and develop into the person I want to be. I came to Saint Mary’s planning to major in mathematics and minor in dance, in hopes of being a high school mathematics teacher after graduation. However, after experiencing everything the math and dance departments had to offered, I decided to double major as long as I could still graduate in four years. I was able to schedule numerous meetings with my math advisor, as well as my dance advisor to make a four-year plan specifically for me. This ensures that I will graduate in four years with a Bachelor of Arts degree in both mathematics and dance, hopefully finding a job as a high school mathematics teacher and dance team coach. Attending college put me on the right track to eventually have a career I will love. This is the most important thing a college can offer; an education of what students love while preparing them for future careers they will enjoy their whole lives.

Going to school is important to me. Being around teachers and students invigorates my spirit. I would like to be able to do a Master's once I am done with my Bachelor's because I find much more rewarding to be studying and constantly learning new things, than to be working a 9-5 repetitive job that does not help me grow intellectually. Being able to express myself through writing is liberating for me. I am trying to censor my self less and less so that my writing becomes more powerful and more sincere. I believe when people go to school their major concern should be to experiment with different ways to chanel self expression.

What I have gotten out of my college experience is the opportunity to be independent. Going to collegehas made me become a more responsible person in the way I manag my time to the way I organize my priorities. I have learned to do eveything on my own, as opposed to depending on my parents. It has been very valuable to attend Saint Mary's College becuase I am a far enough distance from home where I can learn and experience everything on my own. I have become more appreciative of my family and their place in my life. I have seen different students' views and beliefs that have opened my mind to new and interesting things.

College is about learning how to better yourself through an education. You learn the tools of whatever trade you wish to pursue a career in. You learn what to do, what not to do, and how to excel in your field of work. But most importantly, you learn about yourself. You learn what you love to do, seeing if that childhood fantasy career is even a possibility anymore, or finding a new dream job. I plan on majoring in fine arts. Through the acting classes I'm taking, I've learned so much more about myself; as well as other people. It's a humbling experience to step into another person's shoes and experience things in a whole new way. Under different circumstances, different elements of yourself are brought to the surface. You discover things about yourself you probably wouldn't have learned otherwise. It's through these moments that you can grow and become something better; become who you're meant to be. Even if I don't pursue a career in theater, I've learned what goes on in people's minds, and I feel I will be able to communicate with them in a better way.

What I have learned, so far, from attending Saint Mary's was, surpirisingly, outside of the classroom. I learned about the true maturity level of my peers and even those who were a little older than me (and treated me as if we were years apart). The college culture was shockingly similiar to that of high school, of which, I had successfully avoided. That was until I attended Saint Mary's where judgementalism holds reign. I don't know if it is an American trend or just because our school is so small but sometimes the attitude of other students and having to see tha same faces over and over again makes me sick. The most important to keep in mind amidst the push to make friends with everyone you meet is that it truly is "quality over quanitity". There's nothing like having 20 friends you can't stand compared to having 2 you absolutely love. When one reaches the real world, one is going to want the best people in his little support circle so they can learn from each other and be there when things get tough. However, good friends are hard to find sometimes.

By going to Portland Community College I was able to expand my knowledge in a variety of different subjects. Things that I learned in some of my classes have stuck with me for a while and I find myself using them in daily life and informing others of the stuff that I have learned. I hope to contintue my knowledge of different subjects so when I become a teacher I can enlighten the children i teach about the world. School has never been my best subject but I try hard to do my very best so I can be the best for other someday.

I have been given opportunities I wouldn't have gotten anywhere else. Because St. Mary's is so small and intimate, I have been able to further my academic and career success with the help of my advisors and professors. I have also made connections to many companies in the east bay who are interested in hiring me once I graduate and I have begun working professionally outside of the college as well.

Regardless of the fact that I have always been strong academically, I was the student in high school that sat in the back corner of the room. I never volunteered answers and rarely contributed to conversations even when I had something to say. I scored high on tests and occasionally a teacher would single me out for not participating more, but it just wasn't who I was. I'll never understand why I chose to attend Saint Mary's College of California out of all the schools that are out there, but it was clear that it was the right decision when I walked into my first 'seminar' style class. A big component of these courses is that the students and professors sit at a round table to facilitate discussion; as a result, I immediately lost my identity as a back corner dweller. Although I fought it, I become someone who participated in discussions and voiced their opinion, (at first because my grade depended on it, later because it feel right). Going to college really helped me find my inner voice, embrace my passions and gain the confidence I need to make a difference in the world.

I have made so many friends from all over the world at Saint Mary's! And the teachers are wonderful! Not only am I able to contact my teachers outside of class if I have any questions or concerns, but I am able to talk to them about anything. I have truely become more independent at Saint Mary's and am happy with who I am.