St. Mary’s University Top Questions

I would go back and tell myself that it is important to take college seriously and to choose wisely. I tell myself that it is okay to not know at first what you want to do and that it is okay to change your mind. I would tell myself that it is okay to take it slow and not to overload myself with work, to give myself time to live life and enjoy my time. I would say how important studying is and how it is even more important to attend class if I want to do well. I would inform myself that if I get lost or if the program or school is not fitting my personal needs it is okay to take some time off and find the correct path to success. Most of all I would tell my high school self that it is about learning and doing what you are passionate about and love. If those aspects are there nothing will stop you from becoming everything you dream of.

When going to college you need to know that it is not all about having friends and going out. You need to focus on your school work and study as much as possible. In highschool there was really no need to go to tutoring but in college if you do not understand a subject I suggest you really do make the time to go to tutoring. You do need some time to relax and have fun but it will be best to finish your work before going out with friends. Become friends with those who will not bring you down and don't be afraid to ask for help.

I would tell myself to listen during orientation because though it may be a lot of information it is all important once the school year starts. I would tell my self to study for and really figure out what studying technique worked for me in order to be as successful as possible. I would tell myself to continue to be involved and help out around campus but make my school work my number one priority. I would make sure i knew just what i could do to get help in my classes as well as get to know me teachers and go to them during their office hours for help with what ever was a problem for me at the time. I would for study groups with those in my classes to help before tests and most of all i would want to know who to talk to when i had a problem with my school account and not be afraid or nervous to go to them with questions or concerns. I would want to know that they are there to help me be successful and there is nothing to be embarrassed or ashamed of.

I would tell myself to try getting into the Honors Program and taking all and any help that I can get in order to get a lot of financial aid from the school and outside parties. But the most important thing would be to concentrate on my studies and to not miss any of my classes in order to get a high GPA. A higher GPA brings more opportunities and pride in one self. I have realized that I have been stopped from pursuing several opportunities because of my GPA. Also, it is hard to maintain a good relationship with professors when you are missing their class or not turning in their assisgnments and this is not good since they are sometimes the person that may help you find a summer job, internship or a job after graduating.

You really should have applied to more schools. You also should not have picked the school that offered you that much money. They just ended up taking it away anyway. While it was awesome getting an athletic offer, it was a lot more than you bargained for. You're worn down and out of your prime. The thought of running now aggravates you. There is absolutely nothing wrong with your major, it's actually the best decision you could have made. Where you studied it, however, that was the worst decision you could have made.

I would tell my high school self that you cannot party and still make good enough grades to pass your classes and keep your gpa up. I would also tell my self that you have to keep you scholarships becuase if you lose your scholarships your going to have to pay that money back and that can increase your debt even more, especially if you have student loans your first year in college. As fun as they make college look on tv and in the movies, it's not like that at all! College is hard work and dedication, not so you can get a degree in whatever you want to study, but so you can get a job with the degree you recieve.

I would tell myself to hit the ground running and work really hard my first semester because if your grades are really low in the first semester it is hard to bring them back up in the following semesters. I would also tell myself to try and get involved in on campus activities more instead of sticking to yourself and the people that you already know.

Transferring Wisdom Soren Kierkegaard once said, “Life must be lived forward, but can only be understood backwards.” Experience serves to teach valuable lessons as we pursue a goal, such as college. Instead of learning from our decisions as we have done, I believe college students would rather transfer their wisdom unto themselves as high school seniors just as I do. If a student desires to undergo the journey of the college successfully, he or she must master the characteristic of maturity. I would tell myself to take deadlines seriously and not procrastinate because regret may follow. Therefore, I would emphasize to myself the importance of planning and prioritizing school tasks as well with those outside of school. Furthermore, every college student should become acquainted with the resources their institution offers whether they are needed or not. I would encourage myself to become informed of the available services to utilize when needed. There is nothing wrong with asking for assistance when it pertains to a student’s educational success. As any college student knows, there is more to this journey than maturity and knowledge of services. I, however, consider this important and worth sharing with myself as a high school senior.

If I had known then what I know now, I believe the message I would tell my past self is “don’t give up, you can do it, and don’t let them tell you that you can’t achieve the best”. That might sound like a cliché, but when I was in high school I felt I was anything but smart. I am a student with Epilepsy, with daily petit mal and occasional grand mal seizures. In high school I saw my peers succeed, while I struggled. My motivation took time, but with faith, perseverance, and determination, I did a 180 degree turnaround. I attended Northwest Vista Community College and took a proactive approach towards my education. I accepted and took control over my illness. I asked questions, got involved in class, and became a better student. Later, I transferred to St. Mary’s University with an Honor scholarship and, after my first semester, earned a 3.60 GPA. Now and then I remember the lost girl who almost gave up on her education. I tell myself, “Don’t give up, you can do it, and don’t let them tell you that you can’t achieve the best”.

I would tell myself to seek advice and mentoring so that you can have a clearer vision of where you want to start your career in. Be flexible with yourself. Not everyone knows exactly what they want to be when they are 18. Take different courses in college and let yourself change majors, change colleges, and take longer to graduate if you need to. Get a degree you want, not one you don’t just because you want to make lots of money or finish in 4 years. Take the opportunity to study abroad and have the opportunity to broaden your cultural palette and develop the confidence to survive out in the real world. Learn as much of personal finance and start saving as soon as you start working.