St. Mary’s University Top Questions

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high schol senior I would tell myself to relax and to smile more often. It’s a proven fact that smiling releases endorphins thus making you feel better. I would tell myself to never give up on love and to never give in to hate. I would tell myself that college isn't as hard as everyone makes it out to be and isn't as scary as I thought it would be. I would tell myself to take advantage of St. Mary's tiny teacher to student ratio, it's going to help you a lot in the future. I would tell myself to enjoy my freshman year a little bit more. The money will come, the grades will rise, and final week will eventually end. I would tell myself that I am awesome and I will blow college out of the water. It'll be over before I know it.

Apply for SCHOLARSHIPS!!! You are going to struggle with paying for school if you don't, Brandon. Do you really want to be working a full time job, going to school full time, and also have a work study position? I know you can do it, but still. That's taking a lot of time away from your studies. Your dad also has the Hazlewood act that can get you a lot of free classes. You may want to look into that and also you may want to think about attending a public school. It's cheaper. Other than that, you are going to love college! I also recommend living on campus. I regret driving 2 hours a day to and from school. You'll make a ton of new friends and learn a lot from them. 1. Start looking in to college now. 2. Apply for scholarships! 3. Have fun, enjoy life. You are going to do great. Good luck, you're going to make a great psychologist some day.

Much of high school was sitting across from one of my many professors, absorbing wisdom and insight that would carry me far. Although I gained much knowledge from my professors I entered college on rocky feet without an understanding as to what I wanted to do with my education. Currently, it is a life goal that inspires me to become an educator, an understanding counselor, and a motivator for all students; this could not be done without public speaking. If I had a chance to speak to my past, somewhat introspective teenage being I would offer myself advice concerning public speaking. In my two years at a community college I have learned speaking is one of the most efficient ways to earn the respect of a professor. To gather data on a given topic and to then educate an audience in a well-organized speech with said information is one of the most difficult but rewarding things a student can achieve. After all, public speaking is the threshold to becoming a successful person and educator. As Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “Speech is power: power is to persuade, to convert, to compel.”

Stephanie, You and I need to have a talk and you need to listen. You think that school is so boring and you just can't wait until you can graduate. You keep saying that you can't wait to get out into the real world and start working. I am here to tell you to enjoy your senior year. You have so many things to learn. The real world is not an easy place if you don't have a good education. You really must think about going to college. It's not like high school. It is so much better. You get to choose what you want to do with your life and select the classes to go to. Sometimes you can get your classes scheduled so that you only have to go 3 or 4 days a week. That means long weekends! Anyways, you have to get a college education. How do you think you are going to make any money. Mom and dad keep telling you this, but you are not listening. I am hear to tell you, just do it. I promise you that it will all work out. Older and Wiser Stephanie

I would definatley tell my self to plan my time out more, and be more organized. Everything in College becomes easier if one plans out everything you do so everthing will get done. It will also allow to have a better blanced college experience.

I would first tell myself to relax, all students are going through the same thing as you, but do not get caught up in being an adult and thinking you know the world through and through. Being a college athlete, do not assume you have certain priveledges, and realize that classwork comes first and not your extracurricular activities. Just because i am in lecture for 3 hours a day does not mean i can get in the mode of doing nothing outside of class, i need to put a huge emphasis on doing my own work and studying more on my own time. It took me a year or so to realize everything and get all my goals in order and on track, and if i was able to do that from the start, college life in all aspects would have been a lot smoother. My biggest advice is that remember you are in college, its a time to get your life where you want it, but you need to enjoy as many moments as possible because what is the point in killing yourself in a major you dont like, do what makes you happy.

Senior year of high school was an exciting and terrifying point in my life. I recieved great advise from teachers, family and peers to help me make my decision on what to do after graduation. However the reality was in the end it was my decision and no one elses. It would be really helpful to go back in time and give my own advise to myself, knowing what I know now. The first thing I would tell myself is, "Don't be scared to leave home, your making the right decision." I am very family oriented, and leaving them was one of the hardest, scariest things I have had to do up to this point of my life. However, deep inside in my heart I felt leaving home to get the full college experience was essential for me to grow up and learn how to be independent. I love my family and I do get home sick, but discovering who I am as an individual is worth it. The good thing about time travel not being possible is that not knowing what the future holds is the most valuable part of the learning process.

Don't be afraid to attend outside colleges and universities. Go explore what is best fit for you, study hard and accomplish your dreams. Don't be influence by what people tell you; research and inform yourself. Apply to all the scholarships out there!

In knowing the transition into college, i would let myself know that creating a network of people comes would help me reach my long-term goals. I would also tell myself to apply for financial aid as soon as possible and create connections to the people there who can help you afford college. Also, having a mentor who is an upperclassman can be an advantage when it comes to scheduling for classes and knowing what professors to choose according to their style of teaching.

Knowing what I now know the first thing I would tell myself is to apply for every scholarship possible. College is a big expense, but it is until now that I really understand how hard it is to manage a certain amount of money every year. So I would say to go find websites, ask counselors, even pay attention to the radio and the television. It doesn’t matter how small the scholarship is worth, every little thing counts. I would also tell myself to think over major, future career, and the life I want to have; to make sure that the career goals are compatible with life goals. When I have thought it over and gone through some possibilities, then I can get advising to have a better understand of my plans. Lastly I would advise myself to learn to budget and save money. You can get financial aid and scholarships, but you can’t just live off that. You have to prioritize what you really need from what you only want. So creating a budget will help you live better in college. You can’t depend on your parents either.