Like college students today many Catholic saints strived to seek education and knowledge through out their lives. However, for most of them seeking a proper education wasn't easy. Below are some Catholic saints who were made patron saints of education and academics. They are known to help those who pray to them.

Academics/Education

St. Thomas Aquinas

Aquinas was educated by Benedictine monks in 1244 despite his family's vehement opposition. He then spent his life writing and teaching around Italy. He wrote many documents with heavy influence of Aristotle that inspired many Catholic philosophies that incorporated Greek philosophy.

St. Joseph Calasanz

St.Calasanz was a man who sought to help educate the homeless children of Spain, opening a small, free school. His work later influenced the formation of Le Sciole Pie order. It was later disbanded but his work positively affected the homeless of Spain. However, the order faced many struggles gaining support for their mission and unfortunately disbanded shortly after St. Calasanz's death.

St. Ignatius of Loyola

Saint Ignatius was the founder of the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits. After being seriously injured in battle, Saint Ignatius spent months of painful recovery reevaluating his life. He started the Jesuits after this life changing moment. The order’s primary focus is education and today has established 28 colleges and universities as well as many high schools in the United States.

Students

St. Benedict of Nursia

Benedict successfully established many monasteries after being dismissed from a school in Rome, Italy because of his lack of discipline. Today, his orders follow the Benedictine Rule, a set of guidelines that Benedictine wrote before his death in 547.

Test Takers/Exams

St. Joseph of Cupertino

Saint Joseph was rejected by many universities before being accepted as an oblate at a Franciscan convent in Italy after receiving little education. He was a cleric at 22 because of the gifts of knowledge that God gave him.