University

St. Thomas University: student life on campus

An insider’s guide to the best live music venue, campus event and more

The 411

Best place for a nap:
Study hall at Margaret McCain Hall on the second floor
Best hangover breakfast:
The Coffee Mill
Favourite campus food:
The sandwiches and giant cinnamon rolls from the Java Moose in the Great Hall. The women who work there are always up for a good laugh.
Best place to live:
34 Abbott Court apartments. Perfect distance between campus and uptown.
Best place to study:
Harriet Irving Library, fourth floor
Best place for a cheap lunch:
The Cellar Pub (located in the UNB Student Union Building)
Best campus event:
STU Get Out the Vote campaign
Best giveaway:
Frequent on-campus dog therapy
Best pizza:
Jack’s Pizza
Best live music venue:
Fredericton’s annual Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival
Weirdest tradition:
Welcome Week Cheer-Off
Best bar for hanging out:
The Snooty Fox
What surprised me most about the school:
The professors treat students like real people, and make a genuine effort to help and get to know you
If I wrote the school motto:
“To enhance the mind is to enhance the soul”

PROFILE: St. Thomas University | Fredericton, N.B. | Founded 1910

What prompted me to choose STU in 2015 was its liberal arts focus. As a teenager whose passions included performance, writing and art, I was convinced this place would set me on a path to a theatre career. Upon arrival, however, my interests ended up taking me in an entirely new direction. Nearly four years later, I am about to graduate with a double major: criminology and law, and politics and society. I’m preparing to start law school in the fall. It’s funny how life works out sometimes.

This is why STU is such an incredible place to complete your undergraduate education. You are able to sample so many different areas of study during your four years, as well as craft your own unique program that can combine all of your interests. Trust me, this is coming from the girl who was able to study crime and theatre at the same time!

The access to professors is incredible. All the professors I’ve had have really made an effort to be available and helpful to students. When I reflect on my first year, the thing that really sticks out is how understanding they were of the difficulties that come with making the transition into university life. A classroom here at STU has always been, for me, an atmosphere of support and encouragement. Plus, with class sizes capped at 60 students, you can really get to know your professors and vice versa.

After Class
The STU experience doesn’t end when you leave the classroom. The Moot Court program is an excellent way to meet friends while improving public speaking and advocacy skills. Conversely, if you’re interested in theatre, there are tons of opportunities for getting involved both on campus (Theatre St. Thomas, STEEDS, etc.) and in the community. There are also opportunities to travel while learning. STU offers a yearly trip to New York City for a very reasonable price. I went during my second year, and it was one of the highlights of my degree.

Local Vibe
Fredericton is the perfect place to spend the four years of your degree. It manages to have a generous amount of urban charm while still retaining a small-town feel. As far as the city itself goes, there are lots of options for things to do. Uptown, the mall and movie theatre provide entertainment (not to mention the Coffee Mill, the ideal place for breakfasts on Sunday mornings). Meanwhile, numerous restaurants, bars and specialty shops line Queen Street and the surrounding area in the downtown.

More Info
STU student newspaper: TheAquinian.net; St. Thomas “Share My Ride” Facebook group.

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