You may have not noticed but, the fall 2016 semester at St. Mary's University starts in less than a month from now. Soon, Rattlers across the Lone Star State and beyond will travel back to San Antonio to step back into their roles as students. Whether this may be a student's first or final semester, everyone will feel the same excitement. I, unfortunately, am no longer a student at St. Mary's but I can still you advice on how to succeed there. I will not write a generic article on just telling you to study, this will be advice that I have learned while attending the oldest Catholic University in the Southwest.

1. Zaragoza

All I can say is food, fun, dancing, and school spirit will happen here. Zaragoza is the name of St. Mary's Orientation. You may not keep the friends you made during Zaragoza, but you will have some familiar faces and fun memories. I will also let you in on something; you can still get that silver sticker for your ID at the library's help desk. What silver sticker you ask? You'll know soon enough.

2. Find your place here

It is not hard to "find your place"' at this school by its size. What I mean by that phrase is getting involved in events, organization, and discovering how your experience here will shape your life after graduation. This also includes not be being afraid to speak out. Even at a school with a small population as St. Mary's, you may not be recognized for your talents or insight if you are not visible, not making an impact. Yet, It is normal to feel intimidated, nervous or not even know how to even make the first step. There will be tons of booths the first week of the semester and there are always opportunities to get involved.

3. Go to Oysterbake and BabyBake!

Believe it or not, some people do not attend the biggest events of the school year at St. Mary's, Babybake, the name for our homecoming, and Oysterbake, a huge event that kicks off San Antonio's Fiesta Wee and happens two weeks after the homecoming in April. The one hundredth anniversary was this year. Chicken on a Stick, Oysters in every form imaginable, funnel cakes, rides, and multiple concert stages happen here. All the proceeds go to St. Mary's Scholarship fund.

4. Textbooks

Okay, you are going to hear a lot from people on textbooks. Some will say to wait until the first day of school to purchase them, others will say to buy them earlier on just in case the bookstore runs out and you have wait FOREVER -it felt like that to me- for them to restock. You may also here students saying to buy them online. My advice is to buy your textbooks online from websites like Chegg and Slugbooks to save money, buy the textbooks before class, and you can just return them at the end of the year to the website or if the professor says they will not use the book to teach the course.

5. College Parties

In my opinion, the parties may not be like the movie Project X (or it depends on what parties you are invited to), but you can have a good time with friends and DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE! Be safe, know your limits, and never go alone.