University of St Thomas-Saint Paul Top Questions

The class times in college classes are a lot short but the work is much more extensive. I would also like to say that the best resources in college are the proffesors. Talk to them after class or set up appointments with them if you fall behind.

Maximize the time you have now and for the rest of your life because time flies and soon enough you will be heading beyond college to the business world. This is not to say that you should not enjoy the time that is available to you, but rather avoid moping about in boredom. The college life is one of ecstasy, friendship, responsibility, hard work, and (yes again) responsibility. No one is going to get you up for class in the morning so appreciate the people you have around you now. Appreciate all the little things that Mom and Dad do for you because those are the things you will miss the most when they drop you off at the dorms. Be open to change and unafraid to be yourself because although it seems like conformity may be the best route, the people you want as your closest friends will accept you as you are. Do not look at college as a party or a burden, but as an opportunity to discover who you are and what you want to do with your life. That is the purpose of everyone's life really: to make the potential realized.

I would say that while visiting schools, don't buy memorabilia. It ends up a waste of money because you or your family don't wear what you purchased if you don't go to that school. You will have plenty of time to buy stuff after you committ to a school. Next, seriously try to get every scholarship that you can, it is worth the extra effort and time. Every little bit of money helps. It isn't as tough as expected. Put in the time and effort, do your homework and when you feel comfortable with the material there is no need to continue studying.

Dear Me, I would love to advise you in many things; to start off with the Justice and Peace major and save yourself the frustration of switching majors countless times, sometimes let yourself live outside of the library - you're a smart cookie, or to call home a little more often once you choose to go away. But for the longest time you have looked at college as an opportunity to recreate yourself, and that's where I'm going to tell you what's what. Yes, going to a school where no one knows you may allow you to become someone new, but that's not who you are. You don't need to change yourself to make friends in a new place. Just be the photography-loving, coffee-drinking, Minnesotan enthusiast you are, and you will find yourself loving the people around you much sooner than when you try to create a "new you." Use college not as an opportunity to change yourself, but as an opportunity to cultivate who you are already are into an even more outstanding young lady. Don't be afraid to let people know who you are. Much Love, Nicole

As a high schooler, I had it pretty easy. I was always an excellent student and did well in all of my classes without trying very hard. The one thing I wish I would have taken more seriously is studying. I never really had to study in high school because everything came easily. But in college, all I seem to do is study, and it is very hard to learn how to study having gone so many years just glancing at my notes before an exam and getting an A or a B. College is hard work, and not everyone is cut out for it. You really have to be focused and driven to survive in college - something I learned the hard way my freshman year at St. Thomas. The new lifestyle of college was easy to adapt to; I was ready for that part. I was not ready for the hard work I suddenly realized came with college. As a sophomore, I am still learning to study, and I work much harder than last year, but teaching myself how to study in high school would have helped me reach my full potential in college right away.

Enjoy college! Be pro-active; participate in the different activities that the school offers. Socialize with different groups of people. Work hard to keep a good GPA because it will payback when you go out to look for a job.

If I could go back in time and give my high school self advice, I would tell myself to relax. Everything will work out. If you don't get a 4.0, it won't be the end of the world. College is more challenging, but you can handle it. Go look at some schools you don't think you want to go to, because you may actually be meant to go there, and it may be cheaper there. Have fun for the rest of your time at home. Enjoy time spent with your teachers and sports teams to the fullest. Take in time with your family as much as you can, because they are the ones who will be with you all throughout life. When you get to college, be more open minded. Talk to people you may not be comfortable talking with. Put yourself out there; it will be rewarding. Appreciate the love and support from your family. Start working out right away. Invite people to do things with you; it may seem like they have a life and you don't, but really you both don't, so you should start one together. Have fun and relax!

My advice to myself would be to listen to your gut feeling. Fall 2011, i attended The College of St.Scholastica, but i was not happy there, so now i am transfering to St.Thomas. However, during the summer before college, i was already having second thoughts on my decision to go to St.Scholastica and every time we visited, i always wanted to leave as soon as possible. Your gut feelings/ instinct is usually spot on and one should never ignore theses feelings. You know what is right for you and don't let anyone else influence what you should do or where you should go. It is your future; what you do with it is up to you. I would also tell myself to put myslef out there more often. I went to functions and joined clubs and had friends, but i could have done more. Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and show people the real you. You find the people you are supposed to be with, the ones that will be your lifelong friends, when you are being you and having fun.

If I could go back to talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to take as many Advanced Placement and College-In-School courses that are available to me. Not only do colleges look highly upon it, but it saves a lot of time and money in the future. One of my College-In-Schools credits transferred to St. Thomas, allowing me to fulfill in advance one of my general elective requirements. At the University of St. Thomas, that saves me four thousand dollars. If I could go back and take more classes like this that were offered, I would. In fact, it would be unwise not to! My Advanced Placement courses did not transfer over since I got a three on most of my AP tests, so I would remind myself to study harder and longer because it will save me a lot of money and time in the near future.

I would tell myself to look into more schools and professions. I didn't know what the course work or required classes for graduation were at St. Thomas and that may have influenced my decision. St. Thomas is one of two schools that require three theology and two philosophy courses to graduate and doesn't give many human side science courses when many of the students are pre-health care orientated. I would make sure to look for more scholarships and tell myself the work in high school really is worth it. Overall, I would just make sure that I know more about the school I decide to go to. I love St. Thomas and am very happy I chose this school but more information would have made the transition easier.