I'll tell you now, it is not at all like high school at CSM. Keeping up with the demands of your courses can be extremely tiring and make your brain feel like it's melting. However, it forces you to not only learn the course material, but you end up learning a lot about yourself. You realize very quickly how high your frustration level is, how determined you are, how late your body can really stay up and still function, and how fast you can dressed for an early morning class. The professors push you hard and expect you to keep up. If you don't and don't look for help, they won't stick their hand out to help you up unless you go to them.
Do you enjoy the experience at your school?
Even as difficult as the courses are, there is always something to do to get your mind off the brain-melting. Sleeping became an amazing thing that made my and my roommates world go round. When we were studying, our breaks were 3 A.M. dance parties. There is ALWAYS somewhere to go and wonderful people to be with. You just have to be willing to step outside yourself those first few weeks to find them. Introverts force Extroverts to stay indoors and do what needs to be done, while Extroverts drag the Introverts out and about looking for anything to take every one's mind off of academics.
CSM is a work hard to play hard(er) kind of school. No one gets crazy every night and some weeks, the campus is silent; but there is always some way to have fun and let loose.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
CSM is amazing for the amount you spend. The classes prepare you completely for every future course and there is so much hands on learning you actually do what you're going to do in your career. The professors in your major know exactly what they're talking about because they have all worked in the area they're teaching you. There aren't as many class fees and tons of free tutoring and extra recitations to help you get ahead.
They have abroad opportunities that cost the same as going to CSM and they can be full semester or during a summer.
If you want to go to CSM they will help you find a way.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
I encourage you to learn how to study. It sounds ridiculous because at one point we all think we know how to study and memorize facts. But at CSM, studying is how a majority of your time is spent. If you're struggling, take advantage of the free tutoring, office hours, and recitations. They're there to help you understand concepts and applying them. Even joining a study group with friends, at least one person in that group will be able to explain something to you and if you can be that person, it helps solidify the concept in your head even more. The first year at Mines tries to knock you down as hard as it can. It wants you to get to the edge of yourself and it forces you to decide if you really have what it takes to make it for four or even five years. I know plenty of upperclassmen that have told me that they've had their share of breakdowns and freak outs, but they weathered through them. At the end of the day, you only thought you were the smartest kid in school. And every day, we are reminded of that fact: Just because we thought it, doesn't make it so.
CSM challenges everyone, no matter what level they are at. In the end your internal drive will carry you through.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
If you are driven, wanting an amazing career, and are a lover of math and science, there is a place for you at Mines.
I'll tell you now, it is not at all like high school at CSM. Keeping up with the demands of your courses can be extremely tiring and make your brain feel like it's melting. However, it forces you to not only learn the course material, but you end up learning a lot about yourself. You realize very quickly how high your frustration level is, how determined you are, how late your body can really stay up and still function, and how fast you can dressed for an early morning class. The professors push you hard and expect you to keep up. If you don't and don't look for help, they won't stick their hand out to help you up unless you go to them.
Even as difficult as the courses are, there is always something to do to get your mind off the brain-melting. Sleeping became an amazing thing that made my and my roommates world go round. When we were studying, our breaks were 3 A.M. dance parties. There is ALWAYS somewhere to go and wonderful people to be with. You just have to be willing to step outside yourself those first few weeks to find them. Introverts force Extroverts to stay indoors and do what needs to be done, while Extroverts drag the Introverts out and about looking for anything to take every one's mind off of academics. CSM is a work hard to play hard(er) kind of school. No one gets crazy every night and some weeks, the campus is silent; but there is always some way to have fun and let loose.
CSM is amazing for the amount you spend. The classes prepare you completely for every future course and there is so much hands on learning you actually do what you're going to do in your career. The professors in your major know exactly what they're talking about because they have all worked in the area they're teaching you. There aren't as many class fees and tons of free tutoring and extra recitations to help you get ahead. They have abroad opportunities that cost the same as going to CSM and they can be full semester or during a summer. If you want to go to CSM they will help you find a way.
I encourage you to learn how to study. It sounds ridiculous because at one point we all think we know how to study and memorize facts. But at CSM, studying is how a majority of your time is spent. If you're struggling, take advantage of the free tutoring, office hours, and recitations. They're there to help you understand concepts and applying them. Even joining a study group with friends, at least one person in that group will be able to explain something to you and if you can be that person, it helps solidify the concept in your head even more. The first year at Mines tries to knock you down as hard as it can. It wants you to get to the edge of yourself and it forces you to decide if you really have what it takes to make it for four or even five years. I know plenty of upperclassmen that have told me that they've had their share of breakdowns and freak outs, but they weathered through them. At the end of the day, you only thought you were the smartest kid in school. And every day, we are reminded of that fact: Just because we thought it, doesn't make it so. CSM challenges everyone, no matter what level they are at. In the end your internal drive will carry you through.
If you are driven, wanting an amazing career, and are a lover of math and science, there is a place for you at Mines.