St Mary’s College of Maryland Top Questions

I would start by telling myself that I am making the right choice by attending St Mary's. I would tell myself that although I am unsure how to approach the next four years of the rest of my life, there will always be people who can point me in the right direction so long as I have the courage to ask, that everything will be easier if I let the little things just roll off my shoulders and that a good night's sleep can cure anything. I would tell myself not to let stress come before the things I love. I would tell myself that it won't be easy, that I won't always get what I want or what I think I deserve, but in the end, it will all have been worth it because it I will finally know who I am. If this is the advice from only 1.5 years in school, I cannot wait to see what I have gathered from St Mary's by graduation. Practical Aside: I would tell myself not to chicken out of the AP exams. No one tells you how valuable a few extra credits are.

I would tell myself to stop worrying so much. I would say "Hey, look, in a few months you are going to move to a place that's amazing in so many ways: for its natural beauty, its kind and welcoming students and staff, its challenging academics, and its dedication to the world around it. Within two days you're going to realize just how incredibly lucky you are to go to St. Mary's and wish you never have to leave it, just like so many of the other students there. You're going to learn new ways of looking at the world you would never have thought of, whether its an entirely new perspective on Greek mythology or the incredible perspectives of the Hindu religion, or how to read and analyze literature. Most importantly, you're going to make lifelong friends. Not all of it will be easy, but, looking back, you won't regret a single thing."

There is no one right college for anyone. Ultimately college is what you make out of it. So, find a school that will give you the academic tools you need, which you feel comfortable about, and go in with a positive attitude and enjoy it while you have the money.

I strongly believe in visiting the college of choice and spending time getting to know the campus. It is important to gain a sense of the campus before making a decision. Research the school; find out what it's known for. Talk to students and don't be afraid to ask questions about the campus. Parents, make sure your child knows that they have your full support no matter which college they chose, even if it is not your alma mater. Understand that it is his/her time to chose a future alma mater. In addition, understand that even if your child doesn't come home every weekend or doesn't call every day, he/she is still thinking about you and still loves you. Students, don't be afraid to venture into the unknown, but as my mother always says, "Remember who you are." Be confident in the decisions you make and don't let fear decide what courses you will and will not take. Don't be afraid to speak out, ever. You have a chance to start fresh so use this opportunity wisely. Lastly, aim high in terms of GPA first semester. It makes things easier later.

When looking for which college will suit you best, decide on the sort of program that you would like to enter, and find schools that fit the bill. To narrow down between these schools, its important to look at class sizes, as well as the extracurricular activities available.

The best advice I can give to parents and to students who are having trouble picking the right college is to let the student decide for themselves. You as a student can't let anyone else influence your choice. It is going to be your education, and it is going to be a school that you are going to learn from, not your friends, not your family. Visit the schools, spend a night there, join in on some classes, and find out if the school is everything that it appears to be. Don't be shy, ask any questions you have to anyone, don't always rely on the tour guides ask students who aren't in a hurry a question or two about the school, get honest opinions. Finally, go with your gut. Pick the school that calls to you the most, not the school that calls you the most.

I really enjoy my time at St Mary's. There are millions of things to do, and a great library for when you really need to get work done. Having the river there is great, because you can check out kayaks and sailboats from the school. The construction on campus just finished, and has tons of green features., with a new Student Services building opening this semester. The school is very environmentally conscious, and the food is great if a little monotonous ofter a while. This is a great choice if you want small classes, and accesible professors who will know your name.

Make sure when you want to find a school you visit it. I know plenty of people that made the mistake of choosing the school they wanted to go to without even knowing what it looked like (the facilities, who goes there, the staff, etc.) For me, visiting my college was the reason I decided to go there. I didn't want to go to any other school after visiting it. It was the first school I visited and nothing after it compared. However, I feel that it is essential to visit all the schools you plan to put on your list of choices.

The best way to evaluate whether a college is right for you is to experience it first-hand. Visit as many schools as possible. Tour the campus to see if the surroundings please you. Sit in on some classes related to your area of interest in order to evaluate how interesting and well-structured the academics are. Talk to as many students as possible, to see what the student population is like in general and also to find out what they think of their school. Stay overnight if you can. If you are a parents, encourage and support your child in making as many visits as possible, and allow them to form their own unguided opinions. Your input is valuable but ultimately, their impression of a place is the most important one.

Make sure to visit the college that you decide to go to, find out if you can take a class or stay the night there. Make sure the size of the school is right for you and check out the classes they offer for your intended major.

Colleges and universities everywhere promote the well-being of their students and generally want them to suceed at their school. So, my advice to all those students striving to find the right college is this: research colleges and universities with the student's interests and potential programs in mind and then go to those colleges and universities to really get a feel of college life. If you feel strongly for two or more, don't fret - apply to all of them! I did not get my first choice college and at the time, I was devastated. However, I am extremely happy at the college I chose in it's place. So, go out there, get a feel for the academics and the spirit of each college, and find the one that seems to call out to the student's individual academic and personal needs. Trust me, you'll get there one way or another!

It is important to visit the college and, if possible, spend a night there with a current student. This will allow you to get a feel for the atmosphere of the campus, both in class and out of class. Most of the life on a college campus occurs out of the classroom, so it is vital to see what the campus life is like and decide if it appeals to you. Also, knowing whether a small or large campus is preferable to you is important, as it can impact your ability to enjoy your college experience greatly.

Actually spending time at the school prior to committing in important. You need to get a feel for the vibe and atmosphere of the campus and the people that you would be spending years with. Sit in on a class, eat lunch in the dining hall. Find somewhere to sit and observe the campus interactions before deciding where you want to go. You need to feel at home at college. Blindly choosing without actually spending time on campus is ridiculous. At school, try new things and meet new people. It is incredible how different people's ideas can be. Take it all in. Try to do something new at least once a month if not more. Take advantage of the opportunities that the school has to offer.

Visit lots of schools and talk to lots of students. When you find a college that makes you feel at home, you'll know it. You just need to be clear on what makes you feel comfortable and what atmosphere will make you most able to do your work. Be brave and make new friends. And get involved. Try to avoid forming a clique. A lot of students feel the need to form a new family when they get to school. That can be nice because you always have people to hang out with, but it's also really limiting. The bigger the community you form, the better.

Know in advance if you are looking for TRULY public school priced education, or if you can afford private school so you can compare private schools. Have a good perspective about public schools and the quality of education even at big schools. Keep an open mind and make sure that the student is willing to try new things- bigger classes, smaller classes, teachers, TAs, etc. make sure that they are independent enough and ready to make the most of the college experience so they can grow as a person.

Go where you can aford.. there are good people everywhere! The people like your professors and friends are what make college so memorable and enjoyable. Also, don't be afraid to go off and do something new all by yourself... it'll be empowering and you'll learn a lot!

As far as picking the school that would best fit you, I would definitely recommend going to visit the schools you are thinking about multiple times. Also staying overnight with someone at the school would be very wise because many times, tours can not do the school justice or give you a true sense of how you would fit in there. School is going to be difficult to trasition to, but don't let that discourage you. In the beginning weeks you may feel upset or evend depressed with all the change and feeling lost without friends, but don't let that discourage you. Put yourself out there and try to meet new people. You never know who your new friends could be, and always remember everyone is in the same boat as you. Academically, just try to not fall behind with work because it will catch up to you, and it's better to be ahead or on time then to lag behind in your classes and become overwhelmed. Just trying your best is good enough and don't let classes overwhelm you to the point of exhaustion and overbearing stress. You're there to learn and have fun.

Go with your gut. You'll know when you find the perfect fit. Don't judge a school till you visit.

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When you visit a school and get that "warm fuzzy feeling" you know it's the one for you. Also, look at the people, how they interact with you and eachother, the location, resources and academics at the school, extra-curriculars/clubs, and campus dining. You want to feel comfortable, have fun, be able to get where you want with your career, and be healthy and happy.