Saint Mary’s College of California Top Questions

What i have gotten out of my college experience, is that i learned to have time management, As in going to class 5 mins early or setting a time for me to do my homework and then setting a time for me to have fun and actually have a social life. It has been valuable to attend to St Marys because i get the college experience ,but yet i get more from the school because it is a liberal arts school and i dont have to be concern about not getting the classes i need, this is a benefit to have all the classes i need and want while knowing that the classes are going to be small. Which is another reason why i am doing so well in classes and out because the smaller classes are the mor ehelp you will get and the more friends you will make compared to a large school like a university.

I have found what I want to do for the rest of my life. I have learned that I can be whoever I want to be as long as I use all my resources to help me get there. Saint Mary's gave me the opportunity to have great teachers who are dedicated and will help their students succeed as long as they are dedicated too. The school also helps map out your four years of college so that you know what to expect. The small classrooms also help you get one on one attention from the teacher and you get to know eveyrone on campus. I value Saint Mary's College because I know one day I will look back and know that this is where I found my self.

College is where many different people come together for the purpose of obtaining an education. With all these people come different cultures, ideas, and anything else; college isn't just about learning in the classroom, but also outside the classroom from your friends and peers. Take advantage of learning about life in Australia, homosexuality, poverty, or whatever. After one semester at St. Mary's, I've definitely learned a lot from my friends. From Hannah, I learned about faith and God. I am not a devout Catholic, but she is. She claims that she has heard God's calling, so after one semester of being a biochemist major with straight A's, she will be leaving school in order to enter a convent. I don't understand how anyone can do this, but she explained to me that God wants her to in order to help others in need. This is just one person that I have learned from out of the 5,000 students attending St. Mary?s, so imagine what else I can learn about from everyone else. So what would I tell myself as a high school senior? I would say be open-minded to everything.

If I could go back in time, I would tell myself to learn the proper way to study and write papers. In high school I was able to do well without studying but had a reality shock on my first exam of college. Besides studying, focus on time management. I was involved with three sports and four clubs but always kind of winged it. Once I got to college I had to make the adjustment to balancing classes, activities, homework, down time and just getting to sleep by a reasonable time. Based on the social point of view, I would have told myself not to worry so much about what others think. When you get to college you meet people from different backgrounds and different experiences that it doesn't matter what you have or haven't done or amount of friends you have. Do what makes you happy and feel comfortable. Also be friendly and nice to everyone. It makes meeting people and forming relationships with your new peers who are complete strangers easier. By this point, I truly have changed a lot but I wish I had been more prepared before coming to school and being completely alone.

I've never been the most social or outgoing kid in the group or the brainiac that everyone wants to study with. I consider myself your average, everyday student just trying to get by with decent grades and a reputation that keeps me out of trouble. Beginning college was my chance to change all of that and start a new me with new titles to call my own. I entered college timid and shy and let these traits overtake the ambitions that I had been so excited to achieve. College is about coming out of your shell and displaying the underlying, no-strings-attached you that has been waiting to burst out for the world to see. I know that now, with three semesters of college under my belt. I wish I could run back in time and give my newly graduated, apprehensive self a little shove in the right direction. The longer you stay outside of the spotlight, the more afraid you are to step into it. I don't know if I'll ever be able to make up for the time I stayed in the shadows, but I guess it's never too late to try.

College is a lot less scary than you think it will be. I know that being away from home for an extended period for quite possibly the first time in your life can be a horrifying prospect, but once you get used to dorm life and taking college-level classes, it's amazing. Also, don't assume that a problem between you and and your roommate is necessarily a condemnation of your character; sometimes people just clash with each other through no fault of their own. Additionally, if you wish to maintain a long-distance relationship, or if you're getting a bit homesick, get a chat program on your computer such as iChat or Skype onto your computer. The ability to see your partner or you family face to face while chatting with them is quite a blessing, and will alleviate any feelings of homesickness you may have. As for your major, go for what you love; you love music with all your heart, so go for it! Also, you will miss taking math, because though it seems a bit bland at times, it stimulates your mind like nothing else; therefore, go for the double major (and minor)!

If I could go back in time to just about a year ago and see myself as a high school senior, there are a lot of things I would want to tell myself. I would give myself the advice that was always in the back of my mind, that I never took: get involved. Since I have been at Saint Mary's, being involved in school activities has been relatively easy, except for the fact that I do not have many high school activities to improve my resume. If I had been more involved in high school and had been in more leadership positions, it would be so easy to participate now. Before, I was afraid of taking the first step to becoming involved, but Saint Mary's has shown me the importance of participating in activities and that people actually care whether or not I do become involved. I think leadership is an important skill for everyone to learn and I wish I could have begun to learn this earlier.

I would tell myself to not rush to a major college and take time at community college as an undecided major until I was sure of what I wanted to pursue as a degree. I would also say to network with as many people in your classes and involve yourself in a lot of activities. Work is important but volunteering is helpful in the long run for other people and yourself. Studying is important and it's good to read ahead and go over each section every day and quiz yourself or get a study group together. Don't be shy and take the first step in making a new friend. College is about learning and building skills in your career and networking with people so attend many events, connect, and aim for the best. Don't go overboard on student loans and watch your personal debt as far as credit cards and other loans like a car. Most importantly, take summer classes if you can so you can graduate earlier. Vacations are for when you have your career!

The advice I would give myself would be to get involved in the activities that occur around campus because that is a great way to meet a variety of people. I would also tell myself that time management is key in being able to balance school as well as work; therefore, by making a detailed schedule will allow me not to feel overwhelmed . Approaching your professors with questions and getting to know them would be another piece of advice because the they are always willing to help Last but not least I would tell myself to be strong as well as wise in order to overcome any obstacle in our path which might prevent me from accomplishing any goal.

I would tell myself, the most important thing about attending college is to have sufficient funds. There is so much free money being given away, just make sure to apply for scholarships, and grants before you apply for loans. Even if its only a $500 scholarship, that'll pay for your books for a semester. It's great to not have to pay back money after you graduate, just make sure you apply. It never hursts to try.