SMU CREW

Introduction
If you hate small schools then don't come here. If you want to be able to be on a team and not always be on the bench or be in band, choir, rugby, or paint ball it's all here. Plus you're surrounded by bluffs which you can go hiking in or cross-country skiing in. I came here because it was a small liberal arts school. I knew I didn't have to pick my major for a year after I arrived. Saint Mary's also gives out scholarships. I play in the jazz band that meets once a week for two hours and I have a $1500 scholarship for it.

Campus Life and Social Life
Pretty much everything is what you make of it. If you want to be active in sports or clubs then you have multiple opportunities. If you want to go party every weekend you can do that too. Don't get me wrong though there are rules. Saint Mary's has both quiet hours and privacy hours. Quiet hours begin at 10:00pm on Sundays-Thursdays and begin at 12:00 on Fridays and Saturdays. Privacy hours, or no people of the opposite gender in your room, start at midnight on Sunday-Thursday and 2:00am on Friday and Saturday. There are just as many people that go out and party that stay in and watch movies or play games. You just have to figure out who you want to hang out with. Every class Freshman-Seniors hang out with each other. 84% of students live on campus and upperclassmen have the option to live in "villages" or apartments that house 4 people with a living area, kitchen, and bathroom with shower and toilet. There are also a couple dorms to live in that house 1 person. All freshman have roommates. You can get anywhere on campus within about 10 minutes. Academics
Depending on your major the workload may be harder. I have some friends in the science field that seem to always be studying, but I think it comes with the territory. The same seems to go for Psych majors. I'm a Theatre Major and do my fair share of studying, but I am also involved in shows and creating sets and costumes. There are no TAs here and professors get to know their students, especially once you begin to have a lot more classes in your major. There are study abroad opportunities mainly to Italy and London. All theatre majors are required to study in London for a semester. Freshman year you may have 20-30 people in a class but by the time your a junior or senior you have more like 10 people, if that, in a class. People here are willing to do anything they can to help you. There is tutoring available in most subjects especially general education ones.

Student Body
The students are all good people. Everyone finds their group or goes between a couple of groups. Winona is a small town but has hotels, fast food, sit down diners,grocery stores, and of course bars. There are a number of foreign students to get to know and learn from. Every Wednesday night a movie that will be released soon is shown so if you didn't see it in the theatre and you're not sure if you want to buy it or spend the money on renting it. You have a chance to see it there. Student Activities brings in bands, a Capella groups, comedians, hypnotists, and much more. Plus we have a variety show in the fall and spring that students put on. Everyone goes to cheer on their friends and listen to their talents. If you plan on drinking on campus and want to get from your dorm to a village on the other side of campus then Campus Safety is just a phone call away. They will pick you up and drop you off so you don't have to drive drunk or walk in the cold in winter. They do this no questions asked. Also, although parties in the bluffs are not allowed it does happen.

In Closing...
Freshman year weeds out a lot of people. Those that party too much to do well in school, people that find they can't be away from home, those that want to be doctors and have to transfer. Do not let the first semester of freshman year make the decision on whether or not you like the school no matter what school you choose. The cafe here has better days than others. It's not the best food in the world but you usually find something. There is always pizza, hot dogs, sandwiches, and salad. Then there are different meals every meal as well. There is also the Cardinal Club AKA the PUB which is a fast food like restaurant, but has soups and wraps too. Finally, there is a place called Main Street in the main building that has soups, sandwiches, and wraps. It is great if you don't have a lot of time in between classes to eat. Also, even though St. Mary's is a Catholic University you do not have to practice Catholicism. There are 2 faith tradition courses you have to take, but they are usually based on different religions, interpretations of the bible, or certain times in history that changed the church such as the Reformation. Oh and one of the perks I love about Saint Mary's is that about every 6 weeks there is a break. We have a break in Oct. for about 4-5 days, a break for Thanksgiving for about a week to 10 days, Christmas break is 2 1/2 or 3 weeks, A week to 10 days off in February, and then Easter break is another 10 days off. Before you know it you get a break from school which helps you to work hard in between.