[0:00] All right. Hello. Good morning, [0:02] everyone. We're so excited you can join [0:05] us. Hello. Sh. Thank y'all so much. [0:09] We're so excited you can join us today. [0:11] Um, we have an awesome group of our [0:14] class of 2025 [0:16] here to chat about their experiences. [0:20] Like I just mentioned, um we have some [0:22] questions that they each will answer and [0:25] then we'll give you an opportunity to [0:27] write down your questions and ask them [0:30] anything that you would like to know [0:31] about their experiences thus far in [0:34] college. So I'm going to go ahead and [0:36] give it to Eric if you want to [0:43] >> how did you decide the college that [0:45] you're attending was the right place for [0:47] you? [0:49] Okay. Um, first of all, hi, I'm Eric [0:52] Salt. I graduated last year along with [0:54] everybody else in this panel. Um, [0:59] and I would say that each college kind [1:02] of [1:05] once you take like you visit and you get [1:07] a sense of the people, you get a sense [1:09] of what kind of opportunities that they [1:12] offer. There's a lot of different things [1:14] that people look for, whether that's a [1:16] certain location or a certain career [1:18] path or a certain classes or um say a [1:23] big city school, a small liberal arts [1:25] school. There's a lot of different [1:26] things and um people prioritize them [1:29] differently and all of that's great. For [1:32] me personally, I wanted a school in a [1:34] city. I want a large school with a lot [1:35] of opportunities. And for me, Georgia [1:37] Tech, it's down at uh Midtown Atlanta. [1:40] It's right inside Atlanta. has a lot of [1:42] those opportunities and I went down and [1:45] visited and the people were amazing. Um [1:48] they really demonstrated that they were [1:50] interested in my success as a student [1:52] and they wanted to put effort into my [1:55] growth and that's what I looked for. So [1:58] yeah. [1:59] >> Uh Amudson um I I just like I go to [2:03] Carlton's a small liberal arts college [2:05] and that's kind of what I wanted. um [2:08] just like not just being like pursuing a [2:11] career but learning about the world like [2:13] more generally. So it was a good fit for [2:16] me. [2:17] >> All right. Hi, I'm Megan Weekes. Um I [2:20] chose University Kansas because I'm a [2:22] premed student in psych. So I knew I was [2:25] going to have pretty hard educational [2:27] journey and I got an honors college [2:29] there which is phenomenal. Highly [2:32] recommend. They've it's in does not [2:34] compare to any other school's honors [2:35] college that KU does. Um, and I also [2:38] knew I wanted a well-run experience. I [2:40] rushed join a sorority. I'm in a pre-med [2:41] frat. I wanted to be able to have a [2:43] social life, but also I wanted to be [2:45] able to I wanted to also be able to just [2:49] kind of value my academics and make [2:52] friends. And I've had a great time. And [2:55] I also I only applied to two schools. I [2:57] only applied to KU and Iowa uh because I [3:00] traveled and I visited. I had two older [3:01] sisters. So, I saw a lot at a young age [3:03] and I kind of already knew where I [3:04] wanted to go by that point. So, Yeah, [3:06] that's for me. [3:08] >> Hi, I'm Sonia Hendrickson. Um, I'm [3:11] attending the University of Missouri, [3:12] known as Missou, and I am double [3:14] majoring in elementary ed and Spanish. [3:17] Um, in terms of picking the right [3:20] college or place for you, I don't think [3:22] you're ever going to know if you made [3:24] the right choice until you're there. And [3:27] you might still not never like ever [3:29] really know like, oh, did I make the [3:30] right choice? But you'll know when you [3:32] made a great choice when you have a [3:34] great experience. Um, I have really [3:37] enjoyed it so much. And, um, part of [3:40] what comes with picking is some unknown. [3:43] You won't, you know, you won't fully [3:45] know until you're there. And so, it's [3:47] taking kind of, um, a leap into the [3:50] unknown and willing to take on, you [3:53] know, the risk of like you're hoping [3:55] you're going to get the experience you [3:56] want out of where you pick. [3:58] >> All right. Sorry, my voice is a little [4:00] dead this morning, but I'm Francisco [4:01] Moreno. I am attending the Ohio State [4:04] University. We trademarked the word D, [4:06] so it's actually part of the name. It's [4:07] the only university in the US that [4:09] actually does that as far as I can tell. [4:11] Um, so we're special in that regard. Um, [4:13] I had kind of a long journey in my [4:15] selection process. So, [4:18] uh, I applied to a lot of universities [4:19] and originally um, like most of them for [4:21] computer science. Actually, I didn't end [4:23] up in computer science, but I saw the [4:25] University of Ohio State was in the top [4:28] 20 list for computer science students or [4:31] colleges. Uh so I applied there and I [4:34] ultimately I did not know a ton about [4:36] the Ohio State University prior to [4:38] applying. Um but uh I was able to apply [4:41] for a scholarship essay. So I actually [4:43] ended up going tuition free which is [4:45] really nice and I highly highly [4:47] recommend that for any of the [4:49] universities you go to you apply for the [4:51] scholarships that pop up in the common [4:52] app. Sometimes they'll pop up as a [4:54] little extra essay. I almost didn't do [4:55] it thinking that I wouldn't get anything [4:57] like remotely close to that but you will [4:59] be pleasantly surprised. So, uh, I [5:01] eventually ended up doing a business [5:03] after getting, um, business what, uh, a [5:05] visit after getting the scholarship. Uh, [5:07] and honestly, I loved it there. The [5:09] campus culture was great. There's tons [5:11] of orgs that you can join. There's [5:13] 60,000 students, which sounds a little [5:15] bit intimidating at first, but trust me, [5:16] it's awesome. Their whole motto is like [5:18] make a big school feel like a small [5:20] school. So, like, you feel very well [5:22] supported. And they have everything from [5:23] like you know career oriented [5:25] organizations to uh something called I [5:28] think UI does this too but they have the [5:30] squirrel watchers club and then they [5:31] have the squirrel watchers watchers club [5:33] people who watch the squirrels so you'll [5:35] be happy of all the activities there. [5:38] But yeah overall just awesome campus [5:39] life awesome people there and ultimately [5:41] that's why I decided to go. [5:44] >> Hi everybody my name is Shaniah Gibson [5:47] and I attend the University of St. [5:48] Thomas, specifically their Dodorie [5:50] Family College branch. And the reason [5:53] why I picked that branch over maybe just [5:55] the general University of St. Thomas is [5:57] because it's somewhere that really felt [5:59] like home. Uh I toured that school a lot [6:01] of times and got to ask all the [6:02] questions. And I think that's something [6:04] that as you're looking into different [6:06] colleges, ask those questions that maybe [6:09] you wouldn't think to ask like what are [6:11] your dorm life like? Like what's your [6:13] meals like? All those different things. [6:15] Because going into there, when I asked [6:16] those questions, realizing that they had [6:18] everything to accommodate what I was [6:20] really looking for, it made the place [6:22] feel like home. And like for some of you [6:24] who are going to go live on campus, if [6:26] you're not going to be at your actual [6:27] house, you probably want to find [6:29] somewhere that feels like a home away [6:31] from home. [6:34] Hi, I'm Amelia Sassinfar and I go to [6:36] WMadison. And for me, I just kind of [6:39] knew that I wanted a big school with [6:41] like a lot of different opportunities. [6:43] And then I also wanted someone somewhere [6:46] that had both good academics and also a [6:48] good social life and just like a balance [6:50] outside of academics. And Madison had [6:52] both of those. And then really when I [6:55] just like went to go tour, I could see [6:57] myself on campus and I loved how it was [6:59] like in the city, but there was still a [7:00] lake nearby and everyone I talked to [7:03] seemed super nice and I loved all the [7:05] engineering buildings and it just seemed [7:07] like a good fit when I saw it in person. [7:11] Hi, my name is Olivia and I'm attending [7:13] the Carlson School of Management at the [7:15] University of Minnesota. And I chose the [7:17] Carlson School because of the [7:18] connections that it sets you up for [7:19] after college. So, when you're choosing [7:21] your college, really make sure that [7:22] you're looking at the career readiness [7:24] aspect. And then also make sure that [7:26] you're looking at kind of a good fit for [7:28] you um like school-wise. So, as in like [7:31] Carlson is a smaller school within a big [7:33] school and so you kind of still kind of [7:35] gain that community um without like [7:37] feeling like it's too overwhelming. So, [7:44] Thank you. All right, so the next [7:46] question, what has surprised you most [7:50] about college thus far? I know it's only [7:52] been one semester, um, but you've gone [7:54] through orientation. You've gotten used [7:56] to, if you're living on campus, living [7:58] on campus, having roommates, and so and [8:01] then juggling that semester with quote [8:04] unquote more free time since there's [8:06] less intime class. So, what has [8:08] surprised you most? [8:12] >> That's a good question. Um, [8:15] what has surprised me so far is [8:19] I would really say is that at the [8:22] beginning maybe the first month is [8:25] everybody kind of wants to meet [8:26] everybody is the vibe that I get or I [8:30] got from college. So, it's uh important [8:34] at that time to reach out to others, [8:37] join clubs, um really get your feet down [8:41] on campus and start participating in [8:44] things uh as early as you can because [8:46] that's the time where people are most [8:49] likely to be kind of responsive. Um, I [8:52] know for a fact uh that the people I met [8:55] in my welcome week, which I got to Tech [9:00] has like this welcome week kind of thing [9:02] a week before college begins. It's like [9:03] the first week of August. I'm like, "Oh [9:05] my god, I have to get there early [9:06] August. It's awful." But I met people [9:09] that welcome week that are definitely [9:11] going to be my friends for the next four [9:12] years and even beyond that. And so make [9:16] sure when you go to college that you [9:20] actively participate in those first few [9:22] months, even like that first week, [9:24] because that's where you meet the most [9:25] amount of people. [9:28] >> Um, it's like kind of obvious, but [9:31] something that surprised me a lot was [9:32] just like cuz you're like in just in [9:34] Minnetonka for four years and so like [9:36] you kind of get to know everyone and [9:37] everyone generally were from the same [9:39] area and stuff, but once you go to [9:40] college like there's such a wide variety [9:41] of backgrounds. you meet people that are [9:43] like super super different from [9:44] yourself. Um I just like didn't expect [9:47] that to be such a big part of my [9:48] experience. Just like people are not [9:52] like people that you've known. Um which [9:54] can either be I mean so for better or [9:56] for worse sometimes but yeah that was [9:58] super surprising. [10:00] >> Yeah. I'd say for me uh what surprised [10:04] me the most was just probably how easily [10:06] you can settle into college. I mean [10:08] everyone always talks about transition [10:09] from high school to college. It's a lot. [10:12] Yes, you're on your own. Yes, you're [10:13] doing all this, but if you create good [10:15] habits, which gota give Matonas props, [10:18] it gives you a lot of good habits, a lot [10:20] of great education. They set you up very [10:22] well. Like I could graduate as early I [10:25] can technically I'm a sophomore right [10:26] now, but I'm doing all four years for [10:28] premed. Um, but they set you up really [10:30] well and it's like super also like I [10:33] would say getting involved was awesome. [10:35] Like I made friends so fast just [10:38] rushing. I did rush for my medical frat. [10:40] like it's and there's so many options [10:42] and also the support that you get at [10:44] college. If you seek it out, it's the [10:46] exact same as high school and even more. [10:48] Um like I have so many different [10:50] adviserss and like uh just like a lot of [10:54] support from the college itself. And so [10:56] there is a lot of similarities from [10:58] college from high school to college, but [11:01] there's also differences that make it [11:03] way better and so much fun. And I even [11:06] loved high school, but it's it's just a [11:08] new experience and it's really fun. [11:11] What surprised me most um kind of going [11:14] off what everyone has already said is [11:15] that if you get involved it's very easy [11:18] to make a big campus feel small um kind [11:21] of like I feel like our school you know [11:23] MHS is pretty big but if you find your [11:25] community you can make it feel smaller [11:27] so I wasn't sure going to a bigger [11:30] campus what that would feel like but um [11:33] something that I feel like I've taken [11:35] away is you know I can be walking to my [11:37] different classes or just walking around [11:39] campus and I always feel like I see [11:41] someone I know or at least recognize [11:43] from a class, from somewhere um that [11:46] I've gotten involved to some event I [11:47] went to. So, it's very easy to find and [11:50] connect people even on a big campus. [11:54] >> Uh so, I mirror a lot of what everyone [11:56] else said. Like the social life and the [11:58] college transition is a whole lot [11:59] smoother than you guys might think right [12:01] now. May look a little bit scary like, [12:03] oh, I'm going to live on my own. Um but [12:04] honestly, trust me, it's so much fun. [12:06] Social life is great. And something that [12:08] surprised me in particular was the sheer [12:10] number of opportunities that you have at [12:13] university to speak with people who have [12:15] a ton of experience in their fields. Um [12:17] I was lucky enough to go on a trip uh to [12:20] Cincinnati through one of the orgs I'm [12:21] in and I got to speak to some of the [12:23] executives at Proctor and Gramble which [12:25] if you don't know who they are uh you [12:27] 70% of the world's population use a [12:29] Proctor and Gramble product on a daily [12:30] basis. So like whether it's like [12:32] cleaning project products and whatnot. [12:34] Honestly, experiences like that are [12:36] super cool, but you have to actively [12:37] seek those out. You're not being fed [12:39] those anymore. But if you do know where [12:41] to look and you join good organizations, [12:44] honestly, the opportunities are endless. [12:45] And that was honestly super cool and [12:47] super fun. So yeah, [12:51] >> um I totally agree with everything that [12:52] everyone else has been saying. Um [12:54] definitely those opportunities to [12:56] connect with your peers and be able to [12:58] do a bunch of different social things as [13:00] well. Um, I think what surprised me the [13:03] most though was how communication [13:05] carries you a long way. People will [13:07] always talk about like go talk to your [13:09] professors. And when they say that, [13:11] they're really right. I know there's [13:13] been some times where maybe I wouldn't [13:15] be able to get that assignment in on [13:16] time, but definitely like talking to my [13:18] professors and keeping them in the loop. [13:21] They definitely tend to have a little [13:22] bit more like grace with you and they're [13:24] like, "Okay, we can figure out a way to [13:26] get you to get those things in on time." [13:29] But college is way different from high [13:31] school in the aspect of like your [13:32] professors won't baby you. So unless you [13:34] let them know what's going on, they're [13:36] not going to necessarily ask you for an [13:38] assignment. You just have to communicate [13:40] with them that you will get that in. [13:44] >> Um for me, kind of similar to what other [13:46] people said, I was kind of surprised by [13:48] how easy it was to make connections like [13:51] just in the dining halls or in my dorm [13:52] or joining clubs or in classes. Like I [13:55] feel like one semester and I'm at the [13:57] point where like if I ever want to find [13:58] someone to do something with if it's [14:00] like have lunch or go to a club meeting [14:02] or just hang out at night, like there's [14:04] always something going on that I know [14:05] about and it's really easy to like text [14:07] someone and be like, "Hey, do you want [14:08] to grab breakfast before we go to class [14:10] or anything like that?" So I've felt [14:12] really connected in campus. [14:16] Yeah. So I completely agree with um [14:18] everything that everyone's saying, but [14:20] I'll kind of take a different [14:21] perspective. So, I'd say in high school, [14:23] one thing that surprised me the most um [14:25] that carried over to college was AP [14:27] coursework and just kind of like AP IB, [14:30] college level um classes really, really [14:33] help in college because they're just [14:34] kind of setting you up for the pacing. [14:35] They're setting you up for um how much [14:37] homework you're going to get. Um and [14:39] then I'd also say lock in for those AP [14:41] scores because it really helps when [14:43] you're registering for classes and [14:44] you're already ahead creditwise because [14:46] in college you kind of need a certain [14:48] number of credits to graduate. And so if [14:50] you can go into college with already [14:52] having like almost your entire freshman [14:54] year worth of credits done, then you [14:56] have sophomore level um status which [14:58] allows you to register for better [14:59] classes. So then you get better times. [15:01] So like let's say you're not a morning [15:02] person. Your first class could start at [15:04] noon. Your first class could start at 4. [15:06] Like I mean it really is up to you, but [15:08] I'd say getting ahead is like super [15:11] super helpful in college. So yeah. [15:16] >> Thank you. So you all are talking about [15:18] all the clubs and activities and being [15:20] involved. So talk about how do you [15:24] handle both your social life and your [15:27] schoolwork and if there's anything new [15:30] that you had to learn to help you juggle [15:34] because again you have more time because [15:36] there's less time in the seat in a class [15:38] but you have more work. So how do you [15:40] juggle everything? [15:44] >> Oh okay perfect. Um, well, like I said, [15:48] okay, I'm a premed student. I had 17 [15:50] credit hours my first semester, which is [15:53] a lot. It's a lot of credit hours. And I [15:56] was taking junior level classes um [15:59] because I wanted to for my psych major. [16:01] And it was a lot of academics, but I [16:03] finished with a 4.0. I like it's easy to [16:06] like if you put the time into it, like [16:07] you can do it. And I was in a sorority. [16:09] I rushed KAGA and like I was involved in [16:13] social events. that I also rush medical [16:16] frat. Like I'm involved in that. like [16:18] you can find time and like you will also [16:21] like the more that you get involved the [16:23] more you build your schedule and like I [16:25] do have 8 a.m. I have to do comms next [16:27] semester which I'm not excited for but [16:29] like you it happens and like as long as [16:32] you prioritize the things you want to [16:34] prioritize and you'll see a lot of [16:35] people unfortunately in at the first [16:38] semester they're not ready yet for [16:39] college and they don't know how to [16:41] prioritize stuff and like you you will [16:44] see other people that like just aren't [16:46] handling it as well and that's okay but [16:49] then you can learn and then you can be [16:50] like okay no like here's what I want to [16:52] do here's how I want to [snorts] go [16:53] through my college and you create your [16:56] life. You have all the independence in [16:57] the world now and it's how you use it [16:59] and it's how you kind of create that [17:01] balance for yourself. And I think that [17:02] like everyone you're going to do fine. [17:04] Mitanka sets you up very well. Like even [17:06] like coming from doing like three sports [17:08] and a bunch of clubs and like school [17:10] here um like it sets like if you like [17:13] are involved here and like you move to [17:14] college like you'll be okay with [17:16] transition stuff. [17:21] Uh, I think probably the the biggest [17:23] thing for me at least is [17:26] like it's not like oh like you can't [17:28] like fit a bunch of stuff in and like [17:30] just do them kind of. I think it's best [17:32] to figure out like a few things that [17:34] you're really dedicated and passionate [17:36] about doing and then just do those. I [17:38] think that's probably the best way that [17:40] I've or that's at least how I've [17:41] balanced doing like social stuff and [17:43] homework is like to think that you can [17:45] just do homework like the entire time [17:48] and not socialize. It's just not really [17:50] sustainable. So some things are going to [17:52] have to be sacrificed, but I don't think [17:54] it's super unmanageable. [17:56] I think one of the most unique things [17:58] that I found is there are a lot of [18:00] parallels between your freshman year at [18:02] high school and your freshman year at [18:03] college. So, for example, like your [18:05] freshman year of high school, I one [18:07] thing that I really want to do is go, of [18:10] course, take my classes and do well in [18:12] those classes, but also go and explore [18:14] different options and opportunities like [18:15] whether that be club, sports, or [18:16] anything like that. Um, the same thing [18:19] happens your freshman year of college. [18:20] It's a bit of like a soft reset. The [18:22] only difference is is that you have the [18:24] experience of high school. So, when you [18:28] are going and starting college, you want [18:32] to make sure you're taking a course load [18:33] that's rigorous or fits whatever your [18:36] needs are. Megan, you took 17 credit [18:38] hours. I took 14 because I want a more [18:41] relaxed first semester, and I did. Um, [18:44] on top of that, I went and explored [18:45] different options for clubs. Some of [18:47] them I like them, some of them I don't. [18:48] Um, and to that point what Hudson said [18:50] is you want to find the ones that you [18:51] really like quicker because I think [18:53] that's something that all of us kind of [18:54] do as juniors and seniors. Um, I'm [18:57] assuming most of you guys are juniors [18:58] and seniors. So like for me, I funneled [19:01] down to a few extracurriculars. Um, in [19:03] the same sense you'll probably funnel [19:05] down a bit quicker like that as well. So [19:08] yeah, a lot of parallels [19:13] a little out of order. All good. Uh, so [19:16] yeah, I pretty much mirror everything [19:18] everyone else has said. It's kind of [19:19] just what you make of it, too. And [19:21] social life and academic life don't [19:23] necessarily have to be too separate, [19:24] too. Like a lot of the orgs that I've [19:26] joined, like I have made my best friends [19:28] there so far. So like, you know, you get [19:30] to hang out with them and also like [19:31] pursue like, you know, things that, you [19:33] know, hit your career goals as well. And [19:35] then outside of uh class and student [19:37] orgs and you know all that there's also [19:39] plenty of time to still hang out whether [19:41] it's like you know eating dinner at the [19:42] dining hall of a group every every day [19:44] or you know going out to eat. There's [19:46] plenty of I most universities have [19:48] plenty of places to go and hang out too. [19:50] So honestly social life is great. You [19:53] gain this like new level of independence [19:54] too. So like at the beginning it can get [19:56] like exciting and oftentimes a little [19:57] bit overwhelming too. But social life is [20:00] honestly probably going to be fine for [20:02] uh for everyone here. So, I wouldn't [20:04] worry too much about that. Um, there's [20:06] like um no, I don't think there's any [20:08] Tonka students in my class right now, [20:10] but I was still able to make uh not a [20:12] ton of new friends, meet a ton of new [20:13] people, and academics are also also [20:15] great there. It's just, you know, [20:17] balancing out and seeking out [20:18] opportunities yourself, too. [20:21] >> And I would also say try scheduling your [20:24] friends like into your schedule as well [20:26] because sometimes you're just not going [20:27] to have enough time maybe to like go out [20:29] or like go to that club or something. [20:31] But encouraging your friends to maybe do [20:33] things with you in your daily life. Like [20:35] I know I like to go to the dining hall [20:37] with my friends in between my classes or [20:39] maybe I'll be like, "Can we go do a [20:41] study session together?" Just trying to [20:43] incorporate them into your life balance [20:45] if you don't necessarily have all the [20:48] time to like go out with your friends. [20:51] >> Wonderful. Thank you. So this question [20:53] is specifically for Hudson and Shania [20:55] who go to smaller schools. I know I get [20:58] the I get told or a lot that Minnetonka [21:02] students don't want to go to a smaller [21:04] school because they don't want to go to [21:06] school that's smaller than Minnotonka or [21:08] about the same size that they're worried [21:10] about going to a small school. So [21:11] Hudson, can you talk about your [21:13] experience at a small excuse [21:15] [clears throat] me at a smaller school? [21:16] >> Yeah, I was actually the same way. I [21:18] didn't I really didn't want to go to [21:19] like a small school. I thought I wanted [21:21] to go to like a big school. Um, but kind [21:24] of what I realized was that like [21:26] especially if you go to an like an elite [21:29] big school, um, like once you get there, [21:32] like your job's not done, uh, like [21:34] you're going to want to like get into [21:35] clubs and and and secret societies, I [21:38] guess. Um, and when there's like a lot [21:40] of kids, it's like way way harder to do [21:41] that. Um, so that's something I thought [21:45] about. Um, and then also, um, I don't [21:48] know, at least at Carlton, there's like [21:50] really not many kids from Minnesota, and [21:51] that was something I was worried about. [21:52] Like, I just didn't want to go I kind of [21:54] wanted to go to another state. Um, but I [21:56] mean, Carlton in that regard was a good [21:58] fit. Um, at a smaller school, I think [22:01] people are just more the alumni network [22:03] actually is way more tight-knit. Um, so [22:06] like maybe you don't have as big a [22:07] reach, but the people that are alumni [22:08] just because the school is way smaller, [22:10] um, like opportunities mean more like [22:12] people actually care. Um, I don't know. [22:15] Like at tech it's probably more [22:17] competitive. It's it's it's definitely [22:19] less personal I think. Um, and like it [22:22] depends on what you want, but I wanted [22:24] something where people kind of cared [22:25] about like your success and stuff and [22:27] like when there's only I don't know [22:28] there's like it might be smaller than [22:30] Minnetonka, but not something I really [22:32] think about on a daily basis. Also, the [22:34] campus being smaller is like super super [22:36] convenient. What's up? [22:42] >> I like being at a small school more [22:45] specifically just because you don't [22:47] really get lost in the numbers of the [22:50] people. I think that big schools are [22:52] great for like the experiences and all [22:54] the things like it's kind of busy all [22:56] the time like Minnotonka but not getting [22:58] lost in the numbers where it's like in [23:00] my classes I have 25 people 20 like max [23:04] and I think it's easier to get that [23:07] communication going like I mentioned [23:08] with your professors and also being able [23:11] to be a name more than just like a [23:14] number in a class and getting really [23:17] what you need because there's just more [23:18] time for your professors to give you [23:20] what you need because there's just less [23:21] people around. And I think having that [23:24] closerknit community as well, you really [23:26] just feel like I mentioned at home, like [23:29] you feel like you belong there. And it's [23:32] really beneficial, at least for me, [23:33] because having all those resources just [23:35] like at my fingertips because there's so [23:37] many like there's so much more time for [23:40] professors to pour into you. I think it [23:42] really is beneficial. [23:44] >> Wonderful. Thank you, Eric. you touched [23:46] about upon this already a little bit, [23:48] but if each of y'all can talk about what [23:50] is your class schedule look like? How [23:52] many classes are you taking? Um, what is [23:55] your schedule? What was your schedule [23:57] this past semester? And what are you [23:59] anticipating for next semester? And are [24:01] y'all I guess you're probably not doing [24:02] a J term because you're here, but if [24:05] your school offers a J term or a May [24:06] term, if you want to talk about if [24:07] you're going to do any of these [24:08] experiences. [24:13] >> Um, sure. I can talk a little bit about [24:14] my schedule. So, um I just kind of knew [24:17] going into college, um I'm a morning [24:18] person. I get my best work done in the [24:20] morning. And so, um everyone kind of [24:22] told me though, they were like, "Don't [24:23] take 8 a.m., you're going to regret it." [24:25] Um you know, they kind of scare you. And [24:28] I'd say if you know yourself and you [24:29] know that, okay, yeah, like I get going [24:31] in the uh early in the morning and like [24:33] I'm ready to go. And um be in class and [24:35] learn, then I'd say like don't be afraid [24:37] to like I took 9 a.m.'s and I think [24:39] those were great. Next semester I'm [24:40] taking a couple of 8 ams and then a [24:42] couple of 10 AM's. So, I mean, you kind [24:44] of get to pick and choose your schedule [24:46] schedule, especially like if you go into [24:48] college, having credits, um, it's super [24:51] helpful because then you kind of have a [24:53] lot more flexibility to select your [24:54] class times. Um, what classes you want [24:56] to be taking, when, where, too is a huge [24:59] thing. Um, because especially at the U, [25:01] the campus is so big. Um, [25:04] but yeah, I'd say so it's it's really [25:06] nice to be able to kind of choose your [25:07] schedule. You know, Minnotonka, you have [25:08] to be in school from 8:00 a.m. to 2:40. [25:10] in college, I I'll start at 8:00 a.m. [25:12] and be done by noon. Um, I'll start [25:14] start at 10:00 a.m., be done by like [25:16] 2:00 or 3. So, it's kind of it's really [25:18] nice. [25:21] Um, yeah, for me, I also had a lot of [25:23] credits coming from Tonka, so I was able [25:24] to take more specific STEM focused [25:27] classes. So, last semester, I took 13 [25:29] credits and I took more basic like [25:31] chemistry, math, and like intro to [25:33] engineering class. And then next [25:35] semester I'm taking 16 and I'm already [25:38] able to enroll in a bunch of sophomore [25:40] level engineering design and computer [25:42] science classes which I'm excited for. [25:44] And then I also really liked being able [25:46] to customize my schedule to my own [25:49] personal like outside of school [25:51] preferences. So that was really nice. [25:53] I'd say 13 credits was very manageable [25:55] especially coming from Tonka where like [25:57] you take six classes and it's they all [26:00] require work. So, I wouldn't like the [26:03] adviserss are going to recommend you [26:04] take lessons and it's nice for um social [26:07] connections and being able to join clubs [26:08] and find opportunities outside of class, [26:10] but it's definitely not super [26:12] overwhelming. [26:14] Um for me, mine's a little bit [26:16] different. So, through the jodory route, [26:18] what they do is actually structure our [26:19] classes for us. And so through that, I'm [26:22] taking 16 credits right now, which is a [26:25] little bit of a heavier workload, but [26:27] for the most part, they split it up [26:29] pretty nicely where I get to go to [26:31] school Monday through Friday. And then [26:33] we have 2-hour classes, but there's [26:34] breaks in between each class. And then [26:37] you have times to like work on your [26:39] homework and get those like studying [26:42] sessions in as well. But they manage it [26:44] really well for us that we have enough [26:46] time to get done what we need. [26:49] >> Yeah. Overall, uh, scheduling at OSU has [26:52] been interesting in the regard that my [26:53] adviser actually just told me no, uh, [26:55] for taking more than 15 credits for for [26:58] semester. I'm I'm kind of glad that she [27:00] did because it also gave me a lot of [27:01] time to branch out and, you know, go to [27:02] career fair well career I can't speak [27:04] today. Career fairs and get involved, [27:06] too. So, that was nice. So, I took 15 [27:08] credits this semester and I'm going to [27:10] take 16.5 credits next semester. Um, but [27:14] yeah, overall it's pretty flexible. I [27:16] kind of like to position my classes a [27:18] little bit closer so I can finish [27:19] earlier. Um, and I don't know if you can [27:22] hear the rhetoric here, but a lot of [27:23] people like, you know, think 8 a.m. is [27:25] like a huge deal in college. So, you you [27:28] can tell that you have that extra [27:29] flexibility too if you want to push it a [27:30] little bit later too than you have in [27:31] high school, which is nice. But, um, [27:34] yeah, next next semester my my classes [27:36] are starting earlier though. But, the [27:38] nice thing about that is that I have the [27:39] whole afternoon free, which is very [27:40] convenient. Uh, so that gives you [27:42] opportunities to get involved and work [27:43] with student orgs and, you know, all the [27:45] fun stuff. So yeah, [27:48] >> um I took 16 credit hours my first [27:50] semester and then I'm taking 17 next [27:52] semester. Um like everyone said, it was [27:54] very manageable to do. So um classes, I [27:59] guess what I would say is it kind of [28:01] meets on a block schedule, but not block [28:04] schedule. So you don't I didn't have [28:05] every class every day. The earliest I [28:08] would start would um be at 9:00 and then [28:11] the latest I ever finished was 2:50. Um, [28:15] so kind of the same as here. Um, and [28:17] then the I guess so the classes that [28:21] meet three days a week were only 50 [28:23] minutes long and then if they only meet [28:25] two days a week, they were an hour and [28:27] 15. So think like block schedule, you [28:29] don't have every class every day, but [28:31] it's not a super long block. [28:35] >> Yeah. So I already kind of touched I had [28:37] 17 first semester, which for a freshman [28:40] given going into college, like a lot of [28:42] my friends didn't have 17. It is a lot [28:44] of credit hours. But I also like knowing [28:47] yourself like you got to be honest with [28:48] yourself. Like knowing me like I was [28:49] like I will probably like lose my mind [28:52] if I don't have a like enough to do. So [28:54] that's why I did 17. Also I wanted to do [28:57] it. Uh I had a chem lab which was 5 [28:59] hours. Um but it like it's blocked at 5 [29:02] but if you speed through it and like [29:05] work hard and like just want to get out [29:06] of there like you can get done pretty [29:07] soon. Um I had Friday I only had one [29:11] class in the morning which was really [29:12] nice. Um but then I had like two or [29:14] three uh that were pretty long and then [29:16] labs like every single day. Um and then [29:18] next semester I have two labs. So I have [29:20] a chem lab and a biolab um which are [29:23] spaced out. Um and then I have 16 credit [29:26] hours next semester. So still a good [29:28] amount but um just figuring out but also [29:30] like know yourself. You guys have lived [29:32] through high school like most adults now [29:35] most of you probably. So like I mean [29:37] like you guys can make the decisions and [29:38] like kind of know like which one like [29:40] how it's going to work best for you. Um, [29:42] like I just knew that I need a busier [29:43] schedule and I like taking earlier [29:45] classes in the morning because I'd [29:46] rather like work out or like hang out [29:48] with friends at night or study like [29:50] study late at night at the library. I [29:52] like it. It's fun, but I mean kind of [29:54] depends per person. So yeah, just know [29:56] what you want to do and know that [29:57] everything's manageable based on what [29:59] you feel like you could do. [30:02] >> Uh, yeah. At Carlton, we basically just [30:05] have like it's like 1 A, 2 A is what [30:07] it's called. And it's like just like [30:08] time slots throughout the day and then [30:09] you just like get like each class is a [30:11] time slot. Uh like I don't know who said [30:13] it, but my like classes that meet twice [30:14] a week they're like an hour 45 I think [30:16] and the classes that meet once a week [30:17] are like an hour 10 or three times a [30:19] week or an hour 10. Um I took 18 credits [30:22] this we do trimesters so it's like you [30:25] can take three or four classes per try [30:27] and so you can get like 9 to 12 per [30:29] year. Um yeah, I don't think I only last [30:32] term my earliest class was like 10:30. [30:34] Um at Carlton we don't do you get like [30:37] you can get like there's a max on like [30:38] how many credits you can earn and then [30:40] beyond that you just earn placement. So [30:42] it's like you don't earn credit but you [30:43] get to take higher level classes. Um, [30:46] and it's kind of cool like being able to [30:47] take cuz like kind of as like the [30:48] classes get more advanced, the [30:50] professors generally get more engaged [30:52] and so like if you're like in an intro, [30:53] I don't know about especially at a big [30:55] school like if you're like in an intro [30:56] like the knowledge class I guess you [30:57] have like 200 people in your lecture and [30:59] like you really need to advocate for [31:00] yourself in that like if you have that [31:02] many people in your class but as the [31:03] class get more advanced professors get [31:05] like kind of they care more about their [31:06] students. Um, which is I think I don't [31:09] know like having credits is nice, but [31:10] for me that was like the biggest part of [31:11] like like placing out of some classes is [31:14] that like I didn't because like you [31:16] don't want to take gen eds. Professors [31:17] kind of don't want to teach gen eds [31:18] because it's not really what they care [31:19] about. Um, and so like being able to [31:21] like just like skip that whole thing is [31:23] kind of nice. Um, yeah. I mean 8 a.m. [31:26] labs are they're kind of annoying, but [31:28] it is what it is. Um, yeah. I don't [31:31] think that [snorts] [31:32] >> kind of what everybody else has said. I [31:34] don't know. 8 a.m.'s don't work for [31:36] everybody. labs are long, etc. Um, one [31:39] thing that I didn't think about my first [31:40] semester was having like time to eat, [31:43] for example, during lunch. Like I just [31:45] threw a lab at like noon and like before [31:50] that I had like a class and I maybe had [31:52] like 10 minutes to get from one side of [31:54] the school to the other. That was a [31:56] mistake. I need to eat. So, um, this [31:59] semester I just make sure that you're [32:01] blocking out time to study, time to go [32:04] get food, whether you need to go to [32:06] cafeteria or just maybe get some food at [32:09] like a student center, something like [32:10] that. Anything like that. Just making [32:12] sure you're being mindful of all the [32:14] other parts of living, I guess, cuz at [32:17] high school, I guess you don't really [32:18] have to think about all that. You have [32:19] cap you lunchtime, whatever. College, [32:23] you live alone. You got to go get [32:24] groceries if you want groceries. you got [32:25] to go get food if you want to get food. [32:27] That all takes time. So, it's just [32:29] something to think about on I mean other [32:31] than that, like make sure you understand [32:35] your limits and what you need for [32:37] yourself. Um I personally made that [32:40] mistake as well. I didn't take enough [32:42] classes and so I kind of got bored. Um [32:45] and when I get bored, I don't really do [32:46] much. So, I didn't really do much for a [32:48] lot of the time and that took a lot of [32:50] like um it took a toll. So this semester [32:54] I'm taking a lot more classes and to [32:56] Hudson's point is that [32:59] getting rid of those geneds is something [33:01] that I was able to do through high [33:03] school getting those uh transfer credits [33:05] in. The more and more transfer credits [33:07] you can get um the better because then [33:09] you're not taking those geneds because [33:10] again you don't want to do the gen eds [33:12] the teachers don't want to do the gen [33:13] eds it's just a big just kind of [33:15] annoying. Um, so next semester I'm [33:18] excited to take some more in-depth [33:20] classes for my major which um is really [33:22] nice. But yeah, [33:25] >> great. So for each of you, what are the [33:28] pros and cons of the location of your [33:31] school? So for your personally, pros and [33:33] cons and then if you are out of state or [33:36] a little further away from home, how [33:39] often do you come home, call home? And [33:41] if you experience any homesickness, how [33:44] did you handle it? Eric, if you want to [33:46] start. [33:47] >> Okay. So, I'll answer all parts of that [33:50] question because I am in Atlanta and [33:52] that's about a thousand miles away from [33:53] here. Um, [33:56] uh, the city of Atlanta is really, [33:57] really nice. Um, it's, [34:01] uh, really well connected in the sense [34:03] of opportunities. Um, I go Georgia Tech [34:07] is right in Midtown Atlanta. There's [34:09] like downtown, Midtown, and there's a [34:10] bunch of uh businesses like Google has a [34:14] office there, Microsoft, Oracle, any big [34:18] name, you'll find it in Atlanta. It's a [34:21] very um important city on the east uh co [34:24] or eastern side of the United States. Um [34:27] and there are a lot of opportunities [34:28] that come with that. Um there are also [34:32] just and food's good. Being in a city is [34:35] nice is something that I was personally [34:36] interested in. Um, and then I am a [34:39] thousand miles away, so I'll try to get [34:43] home. I got home about a once a month. [34:46] Um, being in the south also means you're [34:49] running on a different schedule. So, for [34:51] example, I don't have JT term. I got to [34:55] college August 9th, which is much [34:58] different than say like I think most of [34:59] you guys went to college like 20th, [35:02] 21st, something like that. Um, [35:06] which is different. And so also there's [35:08] like a fall break. Thanksgiving uh is [35:11] literally you go to Thanksgiving break [35:13] and then you have finals and then I was [35:16] home on December 9th. So there's some [35:19] differences in that as well. And I just [35:21] got to go home maybe like once a month. [35:23] Um but yeah, [35:27] Carlton's in Minnesota. It's like the [35:29] weather's pros and cons are kind of the [35:30] same. Uh I don't know. It depends on if [35:32] you like a small town or not. I think [35:34] small town's cool. Um, you're definitely [35:37] not like the U of N probably has the [35:38] advantage of being like in Minneapolis. [35:39] There's like a bunch of like fortunes [35:41] and like BME companies there, which is [35:43] like super cool. Um, Northfield is like [35:45] it's kind of in the middle of nowhere. [35:47] Um, just kind of nice. Uh, it's a [35:49] liberal arts college, so it's not super [35:50] focused on like industry stuff like the [35:52] U. Um, so it doesn't really I guess need [35:54] to be there. But yeah, I guess if you go [35:57] to a small school, it's probably in a [35:58] small town and it's like pros and cons [35:59] of a small town. [36:01] >> Yeah. So KU is pretty cool. Uh I knew I [36:03] didn't want to live in the city. I'm [36:05] just not a big city person. Uh so I we [36:08] have a huge town called Mass Street. [36:10] It's awesome. There's a lot of stores. A [36:12] lot of like you will also realize that a [36:15] lot of retired or alumni like to live in [36:17] the college towns which is so much fun [36:19] to like walk around and like see all [36:21] these people who like then tell you [36:22] their college stories. Um but no, KU is [36:25] awesome. Uh the climate it's a little [36:27] bit warmer than here. So my fall lasted [36:29] for a very long time and I like fall and [36:31] I like winter the most. So, it was nice. [36:33] I like that. Um, I'm trying to think. [36:36] Oh, I like I came here August 8th. I [36:38] went Oh, I went to college August 8th [36:40] cuz I wanted to rush, which I highly [36:41] recommend if anyone wants to meet [36:43] people. It's a great way to just jump [36:45] out of the gates and meet people whether [36:46] you get and do whatever you want. But, [36:49] um, I came August 8th. I was the first [36:51] one to leave and I was [snorts] the [36:52] first like a little bit sad cuz I wanted [36:54] to spend more time with my friends, but [36:55] I was also like way better me leaving [36:57] August 8th into my friends who had to go [36:58] to Cali schools and they leave till like [37:00] September something and like you're just [37:01] bored if you're sitting here. Uh but [37:03] also that's like sometimes you can't [37:04] really control that stuff. Um and I [37:07] didn't come home that much at all. I [37:08] came home for fall break but I was also [37:11] planning on seeing my friends. Um and I [37:14] came home for Thanksgiving break. I've [37:16] been here for way too long. Uh I came [37:18] home December uh 9th. I I didn't have to [37:21] take two of my finals, so I was able to [37:22] drop them and I came home early and I [37:24] leave uh January 19th, which is so it's [37:28] pretty long time, but I mean, you get to [37:30] fill the time with what you want. I will [37:32] say I did get homesick. Um just [37:35] the days I got homesick were Sundays. [37:38] Those were the days where cuz at high [37:39] school when I would be super busy with [37:41] sports and clubs and school, whatever, [37:43] Sundays were my days I'd spend time with [37:45] my family. Um, but I mean what you do [37:47] then is you stay busy. You do homework. [37:50] You do laundry. Um, your fire alarm goes [37:53] off and you hope you didn't like set [37:54] anything off. Like like you stay busy. [37:56] You hang out with friends. Like also you [37:58] got to remember that like when you're in [38:01] college, everyone's in the same boat as [38:02] you. Like everyone is sad sometimes. [38:05] Everyone is stressed with school. [38:07] Everyone wants to meet people. Like I [38:09] text friends all the time like, "Hey, do [38:10] you want to go to the library?" Like I [38:11] don't even need to do anything. like do [38:12] you want to go and like or do you want [38:14] to like go take a walk or like go get [38:16] food like and everyone's like yes of [38:18] course like let's go and like it's the [38:20] beauty of college like you meet people [38:21] so fast just because everyone's in the [38:23] same situation as you so yeah don't be [38:25] too worried about it you'll be fine [38:28] >> um Missou is in Columbia Missouri kind [38:31] of right in the middle of the state [38:32] halfway between Kansas City and St. [38:34] Louis. Um, it's a good size city for me. [38:38] My dorm is a few blocks away from the [38:40] downtown area and I don't have a car, so [38:42] I can walk and still feel like there's [38:44] plenty to do. Um, and to be honest, I [38:48] mean, I feel like a lot of the big [38:50] concern is like, oh, what, you know, [38:52] what are you going to be able to do? But [38:54] a lot of times, like what you're going [38:56] to be doing is all mostly on campus, at [38:58] least from my experience. Like I do go [39:00] off-campus some, but I don't necessarily [39:03] think that that has to be like [39:05] determining factor on whether you feel [39:07] like a school is a right fit for you, [39:09] unless you really foresee yourself like [39:11] wanting to spend time off campus. But [39:13] really, all your friends are on campus, [39:15] things are going on around campus, [39:16] that's where you're going to spend most [39:18] of your time. And it's just kind of like [39:19] a bonus if there's other things going on [39:21] around your school that you can go check [39:23] out sometimes. Um, and then yeah, with [39:26] not having a car, I didn't come home [39:28] until Thanksgiving break. Um, so I spent [39:31] a lot of time there. Um, I didn't really [39:34] ever get homesick or feel homesick. I [39:37] would call home about once a week. Um, [39:40] and then really I think I think maybe [39:43] once I came home for Thanksgiving break [39:45] and then had to go back, I think I [39:47] realized like, oh yeah, I miss my family [39:49] more than I thought that I did. But a [39:51] lot of it was that, you know, once [39:53] you're there and you get involved and [39:55] you're just busy and, you know, you're [39:56] kind of rolling on your own and you have [39:58] this freedom and you're figuring things [39:59] out, it's, you know, you get caught [40:02] caught up or almost just focused on like [40:05] what you're going to be doing. And so [40:07] for me, that keeping myself busy was an [40:09] easy way to not feel like I was missing [40:12] home a whole bunch, even though, you [40:13] know, I did somewhat, too. [40:16] >> All right. I'm not quite as far away as [40:18] some of the people here. Atlanta is [40:19] definitely a little bit further away. Uh [40:21] but it's still a short 15- hour drive [40:22] away, so it is still a distance. We did [40:24] that drive once when I was moving my [40:26] stuff over to uh Columbus, and we [40:28] decided that we never wanted to do it [40:29] again. So, it's going to be flying from [40:30] now on. Um actually, flying is very [40:33] convenient. There is a charter plane [40:35] that comes and like the entire commute [40:37] from going into the airport and leaving [40:38] the airports in Minneapolis is about [40:41] like a three-hour ordeal. So, it's [40:43] really not too bad. Um I haven't visited [40:46] home as much as I would like to because [40:47] I had some other opportunities to go on [40:49] trips uh you know for example with that [40:51] Proctor and Gramble trip uh to meet the [40:53] execs during one of our breaks. Uh but [40:55] overall like uh yes you do feel homesick [40:58] you miss home uh and I'm in the same [41:00] boat especially when I came back this [41:01] break and I got to talk with family and [41:03] most importantly reunite with my dog. Um [41:07] I you know I realized I missed home but [41:09] there is still plenty of stuff to do in [41:10] Columbus and there's so many students [41:12] who are in the same boat. We've got a [41:14] lot of outer sters at the Ohio State [41:16] University. And in terms of Yeah, it's [41:19] always the guys. Uh, in terms of the [41:20] location, uh, Columbus, Ohio is actually [41:23] a very nice globalized city. There's [41:25] plenty of connections, especially [41:26] through the School of Managements, which [41:28] I'm attending. Um, and honestly, campus [41:31] culture kind of feeds into Columbus. Uh, [41:33] and once you go to Columbus, you may [41:34] realize this, but one of the defining [41:36] features of Columbus itself is that it's [41:37] home to the Ohio State University. Uh, [41:40] so you see merchandise there. There's a [41:41] huge alumni network and the really cool [41:43] thing about that is like at least in [41:45] terms for internships and connections, [41:46] there are so many Ohio State alumni over [41:48] in Columbus, which is a decently large [41:50] city, too. Uh that, you know, there's [41:52] plenty of internship opportunities, and [41:54] they're always super glad to help out [41:55] Ohio State students. So, the location is [41:57] great for opportunities. You have free [41:59] access to public transport, too. It's [42:01] like a 10-minute bus ride from like [42:03] downtown proper. Uh and, you know, you [42:05] get it for free included. So, honestly, [42:07] I love the location. You don't [42:08] necessarily have to leave campus super [42:09] often, either, too. It's its own kind of [42:11] like little city there too. Uh I think I [42:13] I saw like some stat that would be like [42:15] the top 15 largest cities uh like the [42:17] campus like at least if it were just [42:19] like in at least in Ohio uh just campus [42:22] if it were its own city. So there's [42:23] still plenty of stuff to do but yeah so [42:25] that's Ohio State [42:28] >> for me like the University of Minnesota [42:31] not Minnesota University of St. Thomas [42:33] is in Minnesota, but specifically the [42:35] Dodory route is in the Minneapolis [42:38] campus that they have. University of St. [42:41] Thomas has two campuses. So, I commute [42:43] to the Minneapolis campus to do my [42:45] classes and then I'll go home, but I [42:48] spend as much time as I can at the St. [42:50] Paul campus and also I have a lot of [42:52] friends there. So, if I ever want to [42:53] like stay the night, I can just stay [42:55] with them in one of their dorms. And I [42:57] think it's really good to get the best [42:59] of both worlds, at least for me, because [43:01] being at home, I have more opportunities [43:03] to like do the things I want to do, like [43:04] go to work, branch out, get my [43:07] connections. I'm really big into like [43:09] the business world. That's what I really [43:11] want to get into. So, looking for [43:12] opportunities to do those things. I have [43:14] the time to do it just because I am at [43:16] home. And like I said, I get to be at [43:19] the St. Paul campus as much as I want [43:20] and also get that bigger college [43:23] experience as well. And their campus is [43:25] beautiful. So, I love being there. [43:28] Um, so I'm in Madison, which is the [43:30] capital city of Wisconsin, and the state [43:32] capital's two blocks away from campus, [43:35] which is really cool. Um, and with it [43:37] being a big city, there's like lots of [43:39] stuff to do. There's most stores that [43:41] you'd want to go to. There's like a big [43:43] farmers market whenever it's warm out. [43:45] Um, the biggest con is the same con that [43:47] most Northern universities have, which [43:49] is sometimes it's zero degrees outside [43:52] and you have to walk a mile across [43:53] campus to your classes, which is not [43:55] always the most fun. Luckily, Madison [43:57] has a really good bus system. Um, so [44:00] once you figure that out, it's not as [44:02] bad. Um, I only came home for [44:05] Thanksgiving and Christmas break. [44:07] Madison doesn't have a fall break, so I [44:09] was just pretty busy every single [44:11] weekend. So, I didn't really have much [44:12] of a reason to come home and I didn't [44:15] really have a lot of time to come home [44:17] just for a weekend. But, there is a bus [44:18] back and forth between Madison and the [44:21] U, which is super nice and convenient if [44:23] you do want to go home. And yeah, I'd [44:26] say I really like the big campus and how [44:28] like I'm still learning about new [44:30] buildings and finding new study spots [44:31] and like checking out new places to eat [44:34] and all that. So, yeah. [44:37] I'd say being at the U, everyone told [44:39] me, you know, everyone would say, "Oh, [44:41] you're going to the U. You're going to [44:41] be so close to home." Honestly, like I [44:44] do not feel close to home. College is [44:46] college, like home is home. I came home [44:48] once, I think, the entire semester to [44:50] like see my brother's soccer game. And I [44:52] mean, that was great, but I had like no [44:54] reason. I had no like want to go home. [44:56] Like I was just like, I'm so busy. Why [44:58] would I go home when I could be going to [44:59] like football games or I could be [45:00] hanging out with my friends? Um, [45:02] exploring Minneapolis. There's so many [45:03] like fun different places to get [45:05] involved in. Like I mean there's [45:06] pottery, there's restaurants, um there's [45:09] like, you know, places you can go out. [45:11] Um and then it's also just kind of like [45:13] being involved, staying busy, I think [45:15] really fights off like homesickness. So [45:16] it's if you're in clubs, if you're [45:18] surrounded by people, there's always [45:20] events going on, especially like Big 10 [45:22] schools. I mean, it's just endless. Like [45:25] you will hear about anything and like [45:26] there's something going on every single [45:28] night. So yeah, I really I did not come [45:30] home. I didn't want to come home like [45:32] and yeah, I think now being home I'm [45:34] like I want to go back like I want to be [45:35] busy again. I'm so excited to go see my [45:37] friends and like be involved again. So [45:39] yeah, [45:40] >> thank you. This will probably be our [45:41] last question. Um so Shania you [45:43] mentioned your work. Um so twofold [45:46] question here. So if you have a job um [45:49] how do you balance your schoolwork, your [45:51] activities and your and being in class [45:53] and your job without being too stressed [45:55] out is the first part. And then the [45:57] other final question is, what advice do [46:01] you have for our seniors? How do you [46:04] finish high school strong? How do you [46:06] stay focused and fight off that [46:08] senioritis? Olivia, if you want to [46:10] start. [46:11] >> Um, sure. So, that's kind of a a loaded [46:14] question. There's a lot of things to [46:15] answer there, but I'd say um I didn't [46:18] end up working. I worked really hard [46:20] over the summer and then I've been [46:21] working over winter break just to kind [46:22] of have extra spending money so that [46:23] when I go to college. Um, and my parents [46:26] did tell me they said focus on school [46:27] year student. Um, you know, like really [46:29] focus on your academics. And so, um, I'd [46:32] say I took 17 credit hours and, um, that [46:35] was kind of a load. And then I was also [46:37] involved in four clubs. And then one of [46:39] them was club volleyball. So that also [46:41] included traveling out of state for [46:42] tournaments. And so I'd say, um, [46:46] yeah, I working wasn't really on my mind [46:49] necessarily, but I've just really [46:51] enjoyed the college experience and made [46:53] the most of it while I'm there. [46:55] Um, I also did not have a job. I worked [46:57] over the summer and now I'm back working [46:59] over break. And I'd say that that's been [47:01] enough for me to make enough spending [47:03] money for what I want. Um, I'd say like [47:06] if I really wanted to, like I do have [47:08] time where like if you need a job or if [47:10] you want extra money, like you can [47:12] definitely make it work and you can [47:13] schedule your classes so you have longer [47:15] breaks in your day to like go work a [47:16] shift. Um, and then for advice for [47:20] seniors finishing out their senior year, [47:22] definitely enjoy your last semester here [47:25] and enjoy spending time with your [47:27] friends and like don't just start [47:29] skipping school once a week and stop [47:31] turning in your work. Um, um, but then [47:34] also just like look forward to next year [47:35] and start thinking about what you want [47:37] to get involved in and start thinking [47:38] about classes you want to take. And I'd [47:40] say going into it prepared has really [47:42] helped me like make the most of all the [47:44] opportunities I have. [47:47] Um, for me, I have two jobs. One that I [47:50] do at home and then also at St. Thomas, [47:53] there's a program called Student [47:54] Ambassadors where we kind of just do [47:56] this and give tours to students who want [47:59] to maybe come to the Dodorie College. [48:01] And for the most part, it's really [48:03] manageable. Both jobs I schedule just [48:05] around my school. So, I'll either go to [48:08] work after school or the ambassador job. [48:10] It's usually like on the weekends or [48:12] during my lunch period, I'll just go eat [48:14] lunch with kids and tell them about the [48:15] school, which I think is really easy for [48:19] me to manage really well. I think if you [48:21] want to work and just have that extra [48:23] spending money, then you can make it [48:26] work. Just try to schedule it around [48:27] your schooling and knowing that maybe I [48:29] do need to study. I know for me, if I'm [48:31] going to go work after school, I make [48:33] sure it's not later than 8:00 because I [48:35] know I need to go and study and get [48:37] ready for the day. But as for giving [48:40] advice for seniors, I think just enjoy [48:43] it because it's going to go by really, [48:45] really fast and you'll start looking [48:46] back and you'll be like, "Wow, that was [48:47] like really quickly, but also just stay [48:51] on top of things." I know I was one of [48:53] those people who got senioritis, but [48:55] just still show up, get your assignments [48:58] in, try your best, but it's very [49:00] understandable like you're almost done, [49:02] so it might not be perfect, but just try [49:04] your best. [49:06] >> Honestly, yeah. So, I highly recommend [49:08] uh doing like a lot of work during the [49:10] summer, too. I was able to stag a [49:11] full-time job over the summer, so I was [49:13] able to save up a lot of money. And that [49:15] between my very small photography [49:17] business, uh open class 2027 plug-in, [49:19] frust.org, if you're interested. Uh but, [49:23] um yeah, and I still have been continued [49:25] doing that. I still have continued doing [49:26] that in university, too. So, that's also [49:28] helped out a little bit too with um with [49:30] cost uh or money. And yeah, and also in [49:33] terms of I I forgot to mention for the [49:34] homesickness thing, call home, guys. [49:36] Your parents will very much appreciate [49:38] it when you do call home. My my mom is [49:40] always like always so overjoyed to to [49:42] see me on FaceTime, too. So, like if you [49:44] go home frequently, it definitely helps [49:46] with homesickness, especially when [49:47] you're far away. But yeah, that's a big [49:49] piece of advice. So, yeah. um I wasn't [49:53] able to work over the summer, so I've [49:54] been working um on campus both at um [49:58] campus dining and then I'm also uh have [50:00] been teaching dance at a studio [50:03] downtown. Um and both of those have been [50:06] very manageable to fit in with my [50:09] schedule. I think again with not having [50:11] class the entire day from 8 to 2:40, you [50:14] have breaks during the day and just you [50:16] know using your time efficiently. So, I [50:18] have an hour break. That's when I'm [50:19] going to get so and so assignment done [50:21] or whatever it is. Um, and then my [50:23] biggest piece of advice is that I think [50:25] with hearing all of your peers [50:28] committing to places, you kind of feel [50:30] like the pressure of like, oh my gosh, I [50:32] need to decide like this is getting [50:33] really overwhelming. I like kept going [50:37] back and forth between different [50:38] options. I took my time to really [50:40] consider like what is going to be best [50:42] for me and I committed 2 days before the [50:45] deadline. So, even though everyone [50:47] around you is committing and all excited [50:49] about where they're going next, you [50:51] know, if you need to take the extra time [50:52] to really weigh out your options and [50:55] take the time to really think about [50:57] what's going to be best for you, you [50:58] know, don't feel the rush of needing to [51:00] decide right away. [51:03] >> Yeah. So, I didn't work uh I worked a [51:05] lot over the summer uh by nanning and I [51:08] had another job, so I didn't really need [51:09] to work. Um, also I wanted to kind of [51:11] spend my freshman year, like first [51:13] semester, like meeting people, having [51:14] the full experience. Um, I thought that [51:16] was important, but um, so I didn't [51:18] really work as much. Also, I call my mom [51:21] like three times every day. Like when [51:23] I'm walking to places and I'm bored, [51:24] like it's totally fine. Like I talk to [51:26] my parents all the time. Uh, that's also [51:28] I'm the youngest, so I kind of feel like [51:30] I have to. Um, but I I would say senior [51:34] year, I loved it. It was so much fun. [51:36] Like enjoy your senior year. like this [51:38] is your last time you're going to be [51:39] with your friends and like you will miss [51:41] your high school friends. I try to call [51:42] my high school friends as much as I can. [51:44] Like you will miss them. These are the [51:45] people you spend four years with and [51:47] it's okay because you are going to make [51:48] friends in college that are sometimes [51:50] even better or the same or just like [51:52] amazing and but like enjoy your time. [51:55] Like it's awesome. Man does a great job [51:58] making senior year so much fun and [52:00] special. So enjoy every opportunity. Go [52:03] to everything. Do it. Just like it's [52:04] your victory lap. So enjoy it. you [52:06] worked so hard to come to this point and [52:08] go to all your classes, do all your [52:10] stuff like cuz you will have a lot of [52:11] you are probably still in APs so it [52:13] matters like if you do do good in these [52:15] APs like it's okay. [52:21] >> Well, thank you everyone. Let's give our [52:23] panelists a round of applause. [52:26] [applause] [52:26] Everyone have a great day. Thank you so [52:28] much for being here.