University of St Thomas-Saint Paul Top Questions

You WILL get homesick, no matter how much you think you won't. That's ok, it's normal, just go find people (anybody, even high school friends) to do something with, even if it's just taking a walk to get out of the dorm. Sitting alone in a dorm always makes it worse.

The biggest issue I would stress is to make sure you pick the right college. Choosing the place where you will spend the next two to four years of your future is quite a big deal. Make sure you and your bank account are happy with the dicision. Secondly, make sure you get started on the scholarships as early as possible. Instead of working for a whole summer to earn $3,000, you can earn a scholarship of the same amount just for spending time on an essay for a couple hours. The lower you can get the cost of your college to be, the less you will worry about whether you are making the right decision or not. Lastly, make sure you meet people and be friendly for the first month of college. Everyone else is nervous and scared too so they could also use a little comfort. In conclusion, make decisions that will bring comfort to your college experience, and share that comfort with others around you.

I would tell myself to think about the cost and waht I think I would do for a major. Having a good idea of what you want to do is very help full in planing out your classes. I would also tell myself that even though you are taking four classes insteade of seven like in high school the work load in much more. Also to put your gard down and be open to meating new people and trying new things.

If I had a time machine, I would reiterate to myself how important it is to remain true to my uninfluenced values and priorities. It is very easy to get caught up in what others on one's campus find important, but the only way to truly be happy and find contentment through one's experiences is to focus on what you are passionate about. Getting to college, I knew I wanted to go into an area of environmental studies, but I originally came to St. Thomas looking at the volleyball team and due to the amount of financial aid I would be offered through tuition remission. Though I toured more environmentally focused colleges, I am somewhat glad on how disorganized I was in applying for schools and my ultimate destination at St. Thomas. Through bringing environmental and social justice issues into people's radar on my campus at times seems like a constant uphill battle, I think being surrounded by people who have different priorities and opinions has really enabled me to grow and solidify my beliefs, and also to gain insight and learn about others more as well. Diversity is key, and I'm stronger today for it.

If I could go back in time and be a high school student applying for college over again I would tell myself many different things to help make the transition into college. First, I would tell myself to do PSEO where students take college course while they are still in high schools, because the school district pays for the cost of tuition. This would help, because it would be less money students would have to spend on tuition credits and it would allow me to get an understanding of college courses. Second, I would tell myself to apply for many different scholarships because there is a ton of money in scholarships that are not claimed every year. This would be helpful, because it would help lower the cost of tuition and would reduce the financial stress that students feel.

Dear High School Self, These last four years of our life have certainly been the most transformative we have seen thus far. I write to you to remind you of the values that we hold and what qualities to pursue to best manifest those values. First, find a school that educates the whole person. A liberal education may seem to detract from professional development but in essence it will give us a broader view of reality and give us the ability to engage others in an informed way. Secondly, an often forgotten aspect of ourselves which also needs formation is our soul. Therefore, find a faith filled community that will help you to find a peace that is lasting and can be shared with others. Finally, skill without virtue is useless. Take these next years of your life to grow good habits as well as train for your profession. A man without character (prudence, fortitude, temperance and justice) will only be a drain on his friends, employer and community. Growing in these habits takes time and like-valued friends, that is true friendship. College is a time to grow, but be sure to grow in the right direction. Best, Mike

The number one thing I wish I could go back and tell my younger self is to relax. I spent a lot of time my senior year stressing about the move, how hard the classes were going to be, and if I was going to make any friends. When I got to school I realize that everyone is in the same situation, trying to adapt to a completely new lifestyle. After understanding that everyone was in the same boat everything became a lot less stressful. As long as you make an effort, the school makes it very easy to adapt, the teachers are always willing to help make the workload doable, and the students are always open to developing new relationships. So quit stressing out and just get excited instead!

When people talk about college, they either look at it one of two ways. The first is that when you go to college, you will finally be free. Free of your parents, free to party, free to do whatever you want. The second way people look at college is that when you go to college, your future is on the line. There is no time for mistakes or failures. In high school, I looked at college the second way. If I could go back and give myself advice, I would say that you need to find a balance in college. Yes, college is very important for your future. The work is harder, the grades matter more, and how you do there can determine the rest of your life. As important as this is, you truly need to find a balance between fun and work. If you stress yourself out too much, you will never make it. Get involved on campus, have fun with your friends, and call your parents. All these things are just as important as making the grade. Success isn't only about your schoolwork. It is about your entire life and keeping a blance between everything.

Start getting in the habit of studying right now! Sure high school is pretty easy to just "get by" and not study for tests. But these college courses are a matter of your future career. On top of that, you are paying quite a significant source of money in order to attend classes. Stay close to prayer and offer up any stuggle you have to the Lord. Without one's education, one cannot become in full, the entirety of what one is intended to become. An education is not something that one obtains or earns, rather, an education is who you are. The "Educational Tradition", as opposed to training, is to become someone. As far as high school, it was our parents job to get us here to college. Now you are responsible for your education as an adult. This is your task. Leave childhood behind, grasp adulthood, and rule yourself. Your education is yours.

I would tell myself to really think about what I want out of college and where I want to be in four years. I would then take those answers and apply it to finding a college that best describes the answers I portrayed. I would also tell myself to take a deep breath and take this process step by step with open arms because it's not easy, but is well worth it in the end.