St Lawrence University Top Questions

Knowing what I know now, I wouldn't really change anything. I am happy with where I have gotten and have learned alot about myself along the way at college. The way I handled the process of getting to college really worked out well. The key was listening to my parents, not my friends, about what colleges look for in a strong application, and what steps I needed to go through in order to get my foot in the door. It was very important to visit the schools I was interested in before applying, not only because they will wave the application fee, but because you can learn more from stepping onto the campus than merely reading their website. So, if I could go back in time and talk to myself, I would really say that I should keep listening to my parents, establish a good rapport with the person sending my transcripts, visit the campuses more than once if necessary, and try to have some fun with my senior year. After all, its not about where you attend its about which school is going to give you the best base to succeed in whatever life throws your way.

College is going to be hard work. There is so much to do in so little time, but I must not get carried away. I must not become too involved because it will cause me stress. I know I love being involved, but I have to make my decisions wisely. I will set up a schedule of my classes to set my priorities straight. I will do my homework as soon as I can so that I will have time to enjoy myself on the weekends. But, even so, I will not have too much fun. I will not drink because I've seen what drinking does to people. I do not want to be involved with that. I will make sure I meet with my advisor at least once a week to make sure he is updated with my plans. That way I will know what to do next. If I have any questions, I will be sure to get answers in any way I can. I will vist the career services office to build my resume and prepare myself for life after college right away. I know I want to be successful and college is where it starts.

Remember who you are and where you come from. Your life experiences thus far are unique and valuable; you have something to offer the world. However, do not let the traditions and society from which you came limit the oportunities available to you in your future. There is a vast world awaiting your arrival. Society is transactional; you need to be able to give of yourself to the world around you, as well as accept new and exciting possibilities. Be a part of the world, make a difference, but do so without abandoning who you are. Know thy self, remain true, tolerate change, embrace differences, and seek understanding; only then will you succeed.

College is most simply a resource to earn a degree with which you can pursue a more established job in the future. My college experience will give me this and so much more than I could imagine. St. Lawrence is a place where you can flourish as a student, coworker, friend and neighbor. Emerson wrote, "to be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment." St. Lawrence gives students opportunities to explore and help define themselves, while establishing that individuality is encouraged. The tight-knit community of the student body, remote location of the school, and small number of students allows everyone to interact with one another, no matter their differences. I have discovered who I am through my college experience, and have learned the importance of individuality in everything I do!

The advice I would give myself would be the take the process slow and not rush it because the next four years of your life is huge. It dictates how the rest of your life you possibly play out. You have to understand that college life isn't going to be easy, the transition is hard. Living away from home, being independent, and looking after yourself is challenging. You have to try your best to maintain your grades and seek out help if you need it, never hesitate to ask; its never too early. Ask your professors for help, if you show that you want help your professors will work with you. I'm not telling you not to have fun, but you have to be aware of your surroundings and what you do. Some students might pressure you to do something, if you feel pressured don't do it. It will not hurt to say no, it's only defining you as a person. Have as much fun as you can but you have to realize that education is a powerful tool. School work first then everything else comes later.

If I had the opportunity to visit myself as a high school senior, I would offer advice regarding the philosopy of learning. During my highschool career, I believe my peception of academics was flawed. I worked for the grade, and from memory, I can not think of any other incentive that drove me otherwise. A focus upon the number is greatly detrimental, for it corrupts the purpose of learning, and prevents any evolution of "being". If I were to go back, I would urge my previous self to focus upon the rewards of learning, to embrace the intrinsic benefits of expanding the realm of "awareness". Secondly, If I were to visit my previous self, I would advise him to open his mind to all possibilities. In highschool, I was typically conservative in behaviour, which limited my proclivity to pursue risks, to chase perceived opportunities. I lacked the ambition to embrace the atypical, to imbibe the glory of new change and new light. From what I have experienced, I would urge my former self to dismiss closed minded perspectives for the reward of great opportunity. A single day should not pass without the excitement of attaining a new discovery.

I would tell myself to work hard, but enjoy the last few months of being in high school and at home. I had no trouble whatsoever with the transition so I have no advice to give my younger self.

College is more than grades and academics. College is about preparing for life beyond it, for your professional career, for graduate school, for everything. Take good classes, pick major you actually like, and do the best that you can. Don't stress so much about the little things - there's a big picture at work. Make time for yourself, too. You can and should be social, get your work done and participate in campus activities, but you should also sleep and take care of your body and health. Sometimes, there will be problems, and they are not the end of the world. Be prepared to write lots of essays, for class, scholarships, grants, proposals, etc. Be prepared for a degree of dissapointment, but expect extreme joy and happiness. This is where you iron most of the kinks out of your life.

If I could go back in time and talk to my self as a high school senior, I would definitely have some advice for myself. The first thing I would say is that if you get a full-tuition scholarship, DO NOT PASS IT UP! Paying for college later in life as a working adult with kids is very difficult. Never pass up the opportunity for free money to go to college. The second thing I would say is to finish school before starting a family. I will never regret getting married and having my children, but it definitely makes working and going to school more difficult. I am now thirty one years old and still trying to finish my Bachelor?s degree. I got my AAS degree in Information Systems and was able to start my career in Information Technology, but with a job and a family, finishing my Bachelor?s degree has really been a challenge. I?ve had to start and stop several times due to varying circumstances. So those would be the two most important things that I have learned over the years since graduating from high school about finishing and paying for college.

Know how to time manage myself because it is very important. The first year you tend to go too crazy and get lost in the transition and that can sometimes affect your grades. Take things one step at a time and freshmen year is the year to make a lot of friends so go out and about and introduce yourself, you never know who you meet, they could be your next best friend or soul mate. Have fun and choose classes that you want to explore, don't just go into what you think you want to major because college can explose you to a world that you never imagined.

When it comes to college, students make sure it is what you want to do and it is your descision, parents let your kids grow and become the adults they were meant to be.

Students, if you are unsure of what you want. Do not attend college immidiately, start a semester or year later. This will help you prioritize and give you a better understanding of who you are. Parents, encourage your children to take summer courses so you do not have to pay as much. Also, have your child work. This will help motivate them to do better.

Always make sure you go to a school you feel that you can find yourself in because college is all about finding yourself and building your future. Do not rush into picking a school make sure you research all your options and try to stay the night at each university to get a feel for classes and campus life. Even if you are not interested in a certain area I still recommend checking out all that the school offers because in the end you never know what will happen. My number one piece of advice is to never limit yourself in anything and go for what ever makes you happy.

Even if you have no idea what you really want to do with your time in college or the career that you want to pursue, the most important factor to consider is the quality of education you will receive and the environment that you will find yourself in for the duration of four years. If the faculty are inviting and accessible and you find that you "click" with the campus, the rest will fall into place. Academics are important and the real reason that we all go to college, but in the end your time spent outside the classroom will impact you just as much if not more than your your textbooks, lectures and labs. Try as many new things as possible, but remember that college is a time to define your character, not reinvent who you are, and the right combination of academics and extra curriculars will nurture who you will become.

It is very important to visit each school that you or your child applys to. I think some may be detered from the location of SLu.

pick where the most things you want to do are available. If you like to snowboard, ski, play a sport pick a place where you can do all three so if you can snowboard but can't play a sport you will only be happy only a part of the school year

pick a college where the campus fits the personality, the academic program is compatible with lifegoals and varied to provide strong education basis in mulitple areas. Especially look for schools with low student to professor ratios... its prevents students from being a number rather than a person

course catologue, interviews of recent alums

The college process is a long and complicated one. It is important for parents and students to work together in the process. You should make sure to visit every school you go to. When there try to pick up a school newspaper and maybe talk to a student not affiliated with admissions, these things will give you a more acurate depiction of the school. You different types of schools to get a good feel for what will work best academically and socially for you. Once you get to school you should become involved with at least one thing that interests you. This is a great way to develop a social group and keep yourself busy on campus. Probably most importantly go to class and get your work done. College is an incredible experience, but it is important to remember that academics are the number one priortiy. If you make an effort to always get your work done first it will alleviate a lot of unecessary stress. College students have an abundance of free time, if that time is managed well it makes life much easier.

Don't ever rule a school out just because you think you might not fit in there. I considered changing schools Junior year, but I stuck it out and ended up making the best friends I've ever known. Giving up is never the answer.