University of St Thomas-Saint Paul Top Questions

I have gotten alot out of my college experience so far. It's been valuable to me because I know it's an important part of life. This experience is vital for my career in the future. I know if I get a good education, I can make good decions for my life and for my family. It's a time for learning and growing at the same time.

I've heard many people claim the only thing a person cannot take away from you, is your education. Thinking about it now, I cannot help but agree. As years have progressed, I've watched the economy change. I watched it take two jobs away from my father, I've seen homeless people roam street corners in hopes of a few cents in change, and I've waited for my own life to be affected negatively as a result. However, I never reached that last point. As I sit in my university-owned apartment, sitting at a university-owned desk, staring into the screen of my own computer, I thank God that my parents both went to college. Had they not, I probably wouldn't be alive--yet I am thankful all the same. It has given me countless opportunities to grow and succeed. A college degree has become a professional necessity, setting men and women apart as they sit down for an interview. There are those who can make a comfortable living without one, yet my college experience has taught me that educating yourself even that much farther...can make a world of difference.

I've gained a lot of factual and personal knowledge. I've also learned how to work and interact with those who have different backgrounds and beliefs than me, a skill that is most beneficial in anything that I choose to do with my future. St. Thomas has also introduced me to many great people and helpful sources and resources for my future school work and career.

I know that in the long college is going to be extremely valuable. The things I learn here I will be able to put for in my future education and jobs. I know that once I get my college degree life will seem so much more complete. I will understand why education is so imporant and how it truly effects the rest of your life. Now days when you don't attend college it is extremely diffcult to find a well paying job that you enjoy doing. Also the people I have met will be very valuable to me. The staff will have taught me so much as will my friends.

My path to college has been different than that of many students. I took a year off after high school and moved away from home to a new city, I ultimately returned home (Seattle) and attended a community college full time for two years while maintaining fulltime employment. After finishing my community college education I took another six month off of school to save up money to finish my bachelors degree at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. During all of this time I have had to work very hard for my education, every decision I have made has been to further my education. During the last few years I have learned that if there is something I want to do and believe in fully that I can and will do everything in my power to make it happen. I think that discovering this about myself has been worth all of the challenges that attending college has thrown my way.

I have learned a lot about myself and how to interact with others. I also feel like I have developed a greater sense of what I want to do with my life as well as a greater willingness to help others I feel are in need.

My college experience to date has provided me with many valuable life skills such as learning to communicate my ideas, learning to think critically and learning about the cultures and people of the world. However, the most important thing that I have gained from my college experience has been confidence. I am a naturally shy person and in high school I tended to be an introverted and academically average student. The smaller class sizes I encountered in college, as well as the helpful professors, allowed me to break out of my shell and envelope myself in situations which helped me to grow and become a more confident person. I also was able to learn more efficiently with the support of my college professors, which allowed me to do quite well in my classes and greatly boosted my self confidence. College has been more than just an academically valuable experience for me. I've grown so much as a person and have gained a high level of personal confidence that I take with me everywhere in my life. I wouldn't trade my college experience for anything and I can't wait to see what else it has to offer.

The most important thing I believe that I have recieved out of my college experience would have to be the variety of opportunities to learn about other cultures and the amazing opportunities I have had so far in my college career. I have been blessed to be able to learn about other cultures through the multi-cultural general required class and also through the campus of St Thomas itself. Classes such as theology and philosophy have opened my eyes to other religions and way of thinking that I have never consided before. The campus life and the opportunities to be part of a multi-cultural club such as HANA on campus has not only given be great opportunities to meet new people but also to be part of something bigger. As far as opportunities, they are endless and unforgetable. The oportunities that St Thomas can give you has been the most valuable to me, from studying abroad to learning about other cultures to meeting friends for life, my college experience has been filled with valuable experiences that I can grow on for the rest of my life.

I have been able to learn a lot, and i have gained a lot great freinds, whom i will cherish for the remainder of my life.

From my college experience, I have grown so much over such a short amount of time. I've matured in my views of others, religion, diversity, education, justice, etc. I view the world in a more positive way realizing that we all come from different backgrounds. Having this realization has made me more aware of others, not finding fault within those who's views contrast my own. I realize that in order to be successful in this world and make an impact, one must truly understand others. I have also been forced to step outside of my comfort zone and prove to not only myself, but others that I am capable of obtaining a college degree. I am the youngest of eight children and maturing was something that had to be done in order for me to truly learn from my college experiences. I am more than grateful that I have been given the opportunity to attend the University of St. Thomas. Because of my experiences thus far, I have a much more positive outlook on my future, knowing that I can make a difference in the world, whether its small or big.