University of St Thomas-Saint Paul Top Questions

What should every freshman at University of St Thomas-Saint Paul know before they start?

Jesse

In high school, I was very nervous about college and how I would react to the monumental life change. Moreover, I was unsure what I wanted to do, if the university I chose to attend was the right one for me, and if I would make life-long friends in my first year. If I could go back and give myself advice, I would tell myself not to worry as much and instead of focusing on what could go wrong, focus on all the things that could go right; in other words, looking at going to college in a positive way. What I have learned now is that attending a college or university is a major accomplishment and something that everyone who is doing so should be proud of. I think the achievement of attending a college gets lost in the application process as well as within the unnecessary focus of trying to find a job. Overall, I would tell myself that in my future years, I may not find that "perfect job", however, throughout the process, I will learn more about myself and other people that I will be able to reflect on for the rest of my life.

james

I would ask my self a simple question ," James, do you really know what you want"? I would take the time to explain to my self that the sooner i discover who i am and what im made of, the better choice I can make in taking the moste effective college path possible. I would encourage my self to make a list of goals on a sheet of paper and write down what I desire most to evolve myself in to and what I would be best at in making my self an asset to society in the next five years. Then I would map out a plan, whats going to be the most effective pathway there. What classes, programs, and what support options I have available . Finaly i would tell my self " college is an amazing growing experience yet some days are hard, but as long as you keep your eyes on the end of the road you wont even notice the bumps along the way".

Ana

I think one of the biggest transitions for me is having to balance my social life, academic responsibilities, and work. As a high school student I did not realize how different it would be to manage almost all aspects of my life by myself, instead of with constant assistance from my parents. Having a support system to keep you on track is necessary to be successful and staying motivated. During my first semester of college I went home most weekends, so I still had contact with my parents very often. Once I got settled into college, including forming a solid group of friends, learning the ins and outs of class structures, and the campus lingo it became easy to focus more on my social life instead of my responsibilities. This is something I never expected to happen as a high school senior. Overall, I'd say, "remember what your long-term goals are and truly work toward them. Ask for help when you need it and enjoy your time in college - after you finish studying for those chemistry exams!"

Leslie

If I had the opportunity as a freshman in college to go back in time and offer words of encouragement to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself to not be so idealistic. When I was preparing to leave high school and move on to college I had convinced myself that I would have to choose a career and stick with it, get strait A's, and avoid mistakes altogether. If I failed in college, I would fail at life. I now realize that college is the perfect experience to allow students to embrace these mistakes and bouts of uncertainty. This is how we learn and grow. I would tell my past self to allow yourself get lost every once in a while and wonder down an unknown path. It might just lead to your future.

Emily

Work hard in high school. Don't take slacker classes your senior year, you end up forgetting a lot when you come to college and things are obviously harder, but preparing yourself with taking harder classes is beneficial. Also take as many college credit classes as you can. It is free and you can get some core classes out of the way and jump into classes for your major sooner.

Megan

If I could go back and give myself a piece of advice, I would tell myself to focus on school, bring up my grades, and consider the soccer scholarships I turned down. I would explain how expensive it is to live on my own at nineteen years old and how working and going to school full time isn't exactly a fun college experience. I would offer advice on how community college is the most affordable option for students working their way through college and how it isn't ike high school; it requires effort and studying. Most importantly, I would tell me that when someone is literally working their way through the present towards a distant future, every bad grade, every dropped class, every wasted dollar is a set back. I might tell myself to take that soccer scholarship, to avoid the party scene, and to choose to study what l love. Or I might tell myself to continue on the path I chose, because I meet some great people- including an amazing husband- and I learn a lot about myself along the way.

Kelsey

If I could give myself advice as a senior in high school, I would make sure I was a lot more outgoing and that I chose a college that I knew would have activity going on to suit my needs and prefrences. I would also make sure that I tried a lot harder to meet new people in high school so that meeting people in college, where I don't have any high school friends, would be a lot easier. I would also encourage myself to meet as many people as I could and definitely more than what I did at orientation for college as well as the first couple weeks when there were activities going on to meet people.

Briana

If you want to go to a 4 year college, do it. Going to a community college seemed like a good idea at the time but now deciding to transfer to a 4 year college has changed everything. It would have been much easier to go straight from high school to a 4 year college than it is to go from high school to a community college, then to a 4 year college. Apply everywhere and apply for as many scholarships as possible. Do what you want, not what you think others want you to do.

Thais

Focus on the things that matters the must, and that is, getting your education, a carrer on something that's it's going to be beneficial to your future and your finances, and stick with, and no matter how hard it gets stick with it, no turning back, and must of all, do not stop under any circusmstace, find the way to keep on going forward. That way you can not have a husband telling you what to and what not to do. In other words, you could have your own independency, no needing to depend on him, and if things don't go the right way, you can tell him see you latter alegator, and continuo on doing what ever you profession might be. And best of all you could have your own personal freedon, to do and to go where ever you would like to go, sky it's the limits. You go girl, and get your education, don't be a fool, especially now days, one needs to be prepare to be able to compete on this world of man. And always remember, never give up, and never surrender, and always fight for what is yours.

Angela

Oh, Angela. I know you're afraid. You've always been afraid of the unknown. Here is my advice to you. Focus. You are in school now for a career. This is all that matters now. Apply for more scholarships. You don't know how much debt you may build up over the years. Don't be afraid to put yourself out there when meeting people- everyone is just as afraid as you are. Classes are set up different now. You need to do your homework right away. I know it seems like you have more time, but you will feel so much better and so much less stressed if you do it when you get it. Pray about every decision and let God be apart of your routine. Be confident in your abilities. Speak up, you have great ideas! Do not be afraid. I know you are going to do so well!

Kirstin

I am a hardworking student athlete that prepared myself as best I could for college. I don’t really have any advice to give me.

Luke

If I could go back and talk to myself when is was a senior in high school, i would only say a couple things. First, I would say this year is just as important as all the other ones, so work even harder then you already do and study more then you already have. Second would be about managing your time. Don't get caught up in all your friends and extra activites outside of the classroom. There is a time and place for fun, but just to remind you school comes first. Finally, the last thing i would tell myself is enjoy yourself and dont stress out. You are a good kid and you will do very well if you follow the path you are on right now. Don't give up and stay determine to be the first one in your immediate family to gradatue from college.

Luke

The most important advice I think I would give would be to avoid sitting in your room all day, but to go out and do things. Get involved on campus, go see things off campus. There are so many more things readily available once you become part of a college, especially being on campus, and it's the best way to not only get to know other people and begin to learn what the real world is, but it's how you get to know yourself, and that leads to understanding how you may want to change and what you may want to do with your life, how you seek to impact the world. Never stop questioning or being curious, speak your mind but respectfully, and focus on living, enjoying every moment and learning from every experience, because it's often the experience outside of the classroom that really affects our lives.

Angela

Take any and every chance you get with applying for scholarships. It's better paying a few dollars than a few thousand. quit procrastinating! Do not go ebay happy when you turn 18. It'll make a small, but heartshattering dent in your pocket. Read more books! Get more involved in extracurricular activities! Nostalgia/sadness won't hit you at the end of high school, but it will at the start of college so hold your head up high and keep strutting. freshman 15 does not effect you, in fact you'll lose weight. Quit worrying to much! You are ready no matter what anyone says. Go and do your thing.

Abigail

I feel like I was prepared for college. I was ready for the experience, the work, the lack of sleep, and the independance. Having said that, there are some things that I would have found useful in my first semester. First, I wish someone would have told me to work harder in high school. I am naturally gifted and have skated by on intellect alone--until college. If I would have learned to take good notes and study hard, I may have had more time for other things during first semester. Also, I wish someone would have told me to apply for more scholarships. Going from living off my parents to living on my own has been expensive. I'm in love with my school, but it is very expensive and I'm not quite sure I was ready to take loas so soon. Finally, I wish I would have known to enjoy the last bit of high school. I was ready to leave the nest, but my hastiness cost me some valuable high school experiences. I don't regret my high school experience, but I wishsomeone had told me these things before I made the adjustment to college life.

Allison

Being that my father and mother have passed away in my life, I would explain to myself to go to college and not to wait. I believe if I would have gone to college after high school my life would be a lot different than it is right now. I would have better goals and time management and get support system and mentor. Goals are very important in your high school and college years. I would make sure to make a step by step plan of how I would achieve my goals and then work out a time management schedule. Have great family and a mentor would also help. Having positive people to sit down and help you figure out your goals and what you would like to do helps a lot. I’m starting my second semester at Sierra College and the teachers I would like to thank for helping me realizing I was able to make it is Beth Ervin and Susan Lucyga.

Jenna

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to talk to as many counselers, students, staff members, etc.. as possible at the colleges I was looking at. This helps get a sense of what campus life is like and it also gives you a good sense of what the school is like. The main thing I would tell myself, however, would be to apply for as many scholarships as possible. Spending time looking for, and applying for, scholarships may seem time consuming and pointless but in the long run it will pay off. Any scholarhsip, whether that be $500 or $5000, helps enormously and is definetly worth the effort of applying. I would also tell myself to be open to new things and new people. Having an open mind really helps you get the most out of your college experience and may even open new doors for you somewhere along the line. Having an open mind also helps with the transition. And lastly, I would tell myself to enjoy college! It really is a great time in your life!

Kyle

1. Know what you want to pick & be sure about. (Of course in my case it even helps if you have religion. How or why? You can talk to GOD about it, wait on him, and he'll definitely tell you what's the best way to cary out that plan & more importantly, WHAT THE PLAN IS.) 2. Expect tough times & consequences. 3. Watch out for wh oyou hang out with and be sure that they're a good person that you could call a "friend". 4. If you want to do something that you know you've decided on, follow that dream & succeed. (THAT IS NO MATTER what LIFE THROWS AT YOU!) 5. And last but not least, when you come out of college with all your training & education, simply ask yourself one question that'll make you think a while: Was this choice I made worth it? Because importantly, if you ask yourself that question & are sure of the answer you have, then you'll be at least 95{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} that life on down the road will look good, straight, wide, & not bumpy.

Shakira

It is imperative that I focus on my future goals more and not not take time for granted. I would use my time more wisely and take college tours more seriously. If I knew what I know now, I would apply for colleges and for scholarship early. I now know the importance of listening to those who have went the process before.

Gretchen

I would tell myself to work harder in class to prepare myself for college. I don't believe my high school experience prepared me well enough for the college courses in an actual college. I would also tell myself to be friendly and open minded because everyone is in the same position as you coming into a new school.