University of St Thomas-Saint Paul Top Questions

Knowing what I know now as a college student, I wish I would have been more involved in extra curricular activities and volunteer ing right as I started college.

I would tell myself that college really is hard like people say. I had always been a smart kid that never had to try hard to succeed and I think it hindered my ability to work really hard now. I would have made my schedule harder to challenge myelf to get ready for college. This way I would have created good study skills and I would have been more prepared for the workload associated with college.

If I could go back and talk to myself as a highschool senior and give myself advice about college life, now that I know, I would. I would tell myself to take every moment in high school seriously and to always pay attention. I would tell myself to create a proper studying routine because in college you will need to utilize a steady schedule for studying. Also I would tell myself to get involved because in college it is beneficial to get involved. You can meet a lot of great friends as well as learn when getting involved. I would tell myself to volunteer and get involved with the community. Not only does it look good on your r?sum? but volunteering is also fun. When you volunteer for an organization, you can make connections and use them later during your college career by being an intern for example. Also it is such a wonderful feeling when you get the chance to volunteer with people who need help, and you get to see the look of joy on their faces as you help them. Lastly, I would tell myself to never give up and stay focused on your goals.

I would tell myself to take a deep breathe and that it will get easier. I hated college my first semester and cried the entire way back second semester, but then something clicked. Sudenly everything was okay. It is normal to feel sad, lonely and out of place. Today my firends and I joke about how awkward we were as freshmen just tring to find a group to fit in. It definately took sometime, but now I found my niche. I thought about transfering, and I am so glad I didn't. I would tell myself to be patient. It takes a lot of adjustment and getting used to going from friends you have had for the last 18 years of your life to not knowing one person. I think being more patient and remaining positive were to things I could have done better. Finally, I would tell myself to just sit back and enjoy the time I have in college. Four years will fly by and I want to have the best time I can.

I would say that the decision of the which college to go I made a good choice but to take on less of a course load.

If I were able to go back in time and give myself advice, I would encourage myself to be as open as possible. Moving away from home and learning to take care of yourself is a challenge that takes up a lot of your time and energy in your first year. Staying open is the way that you are able to create another family for yourself at school an embrace your new home and community. I have joined many clubs and organizations that represent my many different passions and it is at those meetings that I have met some of my best friends who have some of the same passions that I do. I would encourage myself to be an active member in the college community, and truly take it by storm as much as I can. Take advantage of every opportunity that is given to you, voice your opinions, and encourage others to do the same and take the same leap of faith. College is truly a unique experience, but one has to be willing to be open enough to receive it. If you do, you will not be disappointed in all that it has to offer.

College academic work is a big change from what school work was like in highschool. You should practice better study habits and keep up with your school work daily. One of the things I've learned is helpful in my college studies is to look back over your notes for each class throughout the week. This way when a test is coming up you wont have to cram for the test and it will be much easier to study. This will also take down your stress level when class work gets busy during finals and midterms. Get involved on campus and right when moving in you should go around to your neighbors and introduce yourself. Building a relationship with other kids on your floor or dorm will really help give you a more positive and enjoyable time in your college years. Although school work is important, its also important to stay connected with the campus and your friends.

Pick a 4 year college to start from and stick with it till you graduate. I'm a transfer student and transitioning into a 4-year college was not entirely easy, though i had enough help from the college staff and faculty.

I would give my past self the advice to always be an individual. No matter the pressure and opportunity there is available, always remember where you came from, and to always remember the values that have been engrained in your head. Family, friends, and your personal well being should always follow in that respective order on your priorities list. Altruism and selflessness are some of the most important things one can strive to fully have in their personality. Helping others to become the happiest they can be, will always put a smile on your face.

If I was about to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, there is so much I would want to say. First, I would want to make sure that I knew that high school is not the best part of life, it is only a fraction of life. I would also want to know that you can not change overnight. I grew up in a small town with a very tight community. That is something I should have been looking for in a college. I would also want to tell myself that it is okay to be homesick when you leave. It's normal. I still enjoy going home. However, coming back to school and being with my new 'family' is wonderful too!

First of all I would take every single class very seriously. And take more of the advanced classes such as the IB (International Baccalaureate) courses that my High School offers. I would have also made stronger relationships with my teachers such as I have been doing in college. Even though I was involved in helping the community by being in charge of the AVID reciclying team for High School and being the head organizer for the Cinco de Mayo Student Showcase for two consecutive years, I would have liked to have joined other programs and organizations to improve the community. I would have also prepared myself a lot more for the ACT test.

If I was given the chance to give advice for college to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to reach out for help and look at the way I study. Transitioning into a new environment with difficult classes and an untreated learning disability made it difficult for me to establish effective study habits. During my first year, I didn't figure out that college was a lot tougher than high school until it was too late. My first semester grades were so terrible, I'm surprised I wasn't put on academic probation. After having good grades in high school, I was incredibly ashamed when my academic advisor contacted me and asked if I needed help. I didn't realize until the end of second semester that I would have to change my study habits and receive help for my learning disability, if I wanted to do better in school. Since then, my grades have significantly improved but it's been difficult to obtain my desired GPA with my Freshman grades weighing everything else down. If I could go back, the one thing I would tell myself is to seek help in any way possible.

Apply to more colleges and scholarships. Don't be lazy. Get more involved in the college selection process because it WILL determine the rest of your life! Consider more out of state schools and study abroad.

Don't get discouraged, things get better!

Knowing what I know now both about college and life after college without a degree, I would tell myself to be more outgoing and talk to people. I only spent two years at the high school I graduated from and didn't know many people. I was not outgoing so I didn't talk to many people, I just kept to myself. When I went to college, I continued down that same path. I didn't know anyone that was going to the same college as I did so I didn't have many friends at school. Most of my friends were back home. Because of this, I didn't really want to be away at school; I wanted to be home. I let this and other outside factors affect my desire to be there and I ended up leaving school prior to completing my degree. Now, almost 20 years after graduating from high school, I would tell myself to get more involved in high school so I would have the experience and skills needed to make new friends. I think I might have stayed in college and finished my degree.

Put 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} effort into your classes from day one up to the final. Your hard work will pay off and save you a ton of stress in the end. Also any of your old high school ways where you just do enough to get by will not work at all. Studying the day before tests is awful. Also from what ive heard its a better idea to room with someone you know. Most people hate their random roommate. Also get involved with campus actitivities the first week of college and meet friends. Those first few days will make the difference in meeting friends and getting involved.

Do what you find interesting, not what is practical. It will work out better in the long run.

I would tell myself to allow yourself to have fun, but make a commitment to your education. By going to college you are not merely receiving an education from that institution, but you will also be experiencing many different situations that will help you grow into a mature and responible adult. In summary, make the most out of your whole college experience.

Take high school more seriously! Some of these teachers actually do know what they are talking about. It will be extremely beneficial if you go into college remembering some of the things that you learned in high school. Learn some good study skills, so you don't have to spend your first semester trying to figure out the best way to study. Make life-long connections with some of your high school teachers and do NOT burn bridges. While it is important to take academics and extra-curriculars seriously; have a little fun outside of school, go out with your friends and enjoy them. It won't be long before you are all in different cities making new friends. Live up your last year of high school and make memories that you can take with you to college. Finally, work hard when you get there. Study, meet new people and enjoy St. Thomas as much as I know you are going to!

Always Always always go to class!! Even if you aren't in the mood, you absorb information just by being there. You don't need to take all of your generals right away. Generals as a senior gives you a break from your concentration classes and can be a nice breather. Don't care about making friends with the 'popular' kids on campus. Find friends who are similar to you and appreciate you for who you are.. not what you have.