Saint Louis University Top Questions

Going back to a year ago I would not tell myself anything. The transition into college is something that someone has to go through by themselves. It is different for every person and theres really no way to prepare for it. However, just because you cannot prepare for the transition does not mean it is a hard thing to do. The two most important things to do while transitioning to college are to be flexible and open-minded. Go into college taking all the advice you have heard and use it as a side reference, figure things out for yourself. Be independent and determined to do what is best for you.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would give myself some great insight. I would tell myself to push myself and not slack off. I would have worked harder on my school work and applied for more scholarships. I would have also suggested to myself to get more involved in school activities. Although I was a member of National Honor Society, Best Buddies, Volleyball, Soccer, and Rugby, I would have liked to be a part of Spanish Club or Future Business Leaders of America. I would tell myself to go the extra mile; to do the extra work to prepare myself for the high demand of college classes. Furthermore, I would tell myself not to worry about what other people think, because now that I am in college I am content with myself and who I have become.

I would let myself know that the most important things are to: Call mom everyday, if not twice a day , this will make you feel better and will help keep you sane. Join clubs, specifically Chemistry Club, Canterbury Club, and Rugby, you'll meet the best friends there. Don't worry about what people say behind your back, just be yourself and be confident, you are amazing and they are just trying to hurt you. Don't be afraid to explore your mind and heart, to find the real you, I promise you won't be let down. A lot of people change their majors, really, they do. Don't be afraid to take chances, this is your time to shine. Remember to trust your instincts and Lucinda from church, (true she's a little crazy, but she won't lead you astray.) Smile, have fun and be yourself. (And call Gram every week, she loves hearing from you!)

Dear Self- I know senior year is a ton of fun and you can't wait to get to college, but don't let the thrill of graduating keep you from slacking off. Once you get to college, work is a lot tougher. You'll study a lot more than you ever thought you would. Just make sure to keep up on all your work, don't fall behind, and try your hardest on every assignment. And take those AP classes. If you can get a 4 on the test, then you won't have to take that class next year, and that will help me out a lot, because that's one less class I have to take. And don't stress out - being away from home is wonderful. You make an awesome group of friends. Don't worry about being liked or trying to fit in, everything works out in the end. And enjoy your time at home, because you'll miss those home cooked meals and mom doing your laundry for you. So remember to say thank you. Oh, and don't give mom a hard time about buying the drying rack, you really will need it.

If I could go back in time, I would tell my senior self to enjoy what I had while it was there. I'd say "High school is a great time, so go out and enjoy it! Work hard, but play hard too. Go to every football, soccer, and basketball game. Cheer loud! Have school spirit. Study hard for your tests. Take school seriously. Get the best grades you can and raise your GPA, those things DO matter for college. Go to bed early the night before the ACT, even though it's your birthday. That score matters too! Learn how to study now, so you don't freak out in college. Go to prom and dance the night away, then go take your finals and blow your teachers away. Be great. Help people. But don't spread yourself too thin; don't get so busy that you forget to have fun!"

I would tell myself to first make sure a school is the right fit. Don't just pick the college all your friends are going to without taking the time to vist each one and spend some time there. Every school has a different vibe and you don't want to end up someplace where you don't feel 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} comfortable. Don't lose sight of your goals and dreams when you realize other people are smarter than you. Just realize you will have to work harder than in high school and don't lose confidence. Don't be too distracted by all the new social oppoortunies but have a good time. Remember what you are there for - a springboard into life in the "real" world so take any opportunity to learn something new, travel, meet new people, attend guest lectures, and soak up everything you possible can.

If I could go back in time, I would tell myself to try a little harder in school. Study more, even though I made good grades I would tell myself to do better and not jsut be content with getting A's but not actually remembering any of the information after the tests. I would also tell myself good job for accomplaishing what I have done.

My college experienece has made me more open-minded and hard-working. I learned that I can only get out of college what I put into it, and this realization made me become more involved and outgoing. My experience at SLU thus far has really opened my eyes to other cultures and forced me to look at the bigger picture. Being at SLU has also made me put my own problems into perspective. I have realized that some of the things I get upset about are so petty in the grand scheme of things. My college experience has been so valuable to me because it is forcing me to grow up. Also, I like the person I am becoming while at SLU. I am constantly surrounded by people that treat me as an adult and allow me to make my own decisions. I could not be happier with my decision to attend Saint Louis University; it has truly been the most rewarding experience of my life.

Every day in college I am acquiring pieces to the puzzle of life. Whether it is gifted to me from the classroom or friends that I have become close with, life at college has awakened a sense of individuality and trust within myself that I believe will benefit me for the rest of my life. Fall semester sophomore year is at a close and I have to say that my family is very proud of my results academically: 3.4 cumulative GPA resulting from my journey towards a major in international studies and anthropology with a minor in French. Journeying from the small island of Trinidad and Tobago to America at the tender age of eight with my family has given us many opportunities to strengthen my education and life experiences thus far. Also, I have had an unbelievable opportunity to teach a fully accredited class: Gender Dialogue for the students at SLU. This class is the bread and butter of what I have acquired and wanted to share with others. By understanding different people and their struggles and triumphs we as a society can grow to respect ourselves and others with different beliefs and lifestyles.

As an adult who returned to school after 25 years, I feel privileged to be a student in St. Louis University’s education program. In my time at SLU the university’s mission, which includes a focus on teaching, leadership, and service, has been regularly emphasized. My education classes have highlighted concepts such as inclusive schooling, where children with special needs are able to remain in the mainstream classrooms--maximizing their intellectual, physical, and social potential. This not only helps these children, it allows other students to develop a more positive understanding of themselves and others. The program is also teaching me a community approach to education, where teachers, school staff, and families, are part of an educational team. As a prospective teacher, this program is instilling the skills I will need to help lead that team to success. Through my instruction, SLU is directly fulfilling their mission, however, they are also helping to ensure that these values of leadership, teaching, and service are extended beyond the University’s halls. Thanks to their instruction I, and other future educators, will be sent out into the world better able to become living embodiments of these ideals