The University of Montana Top Questions

I have had a rough time in the past. I am looking to further my education so that i can provide a better life for the family i yearn to have. College is an essential part to my future and not being able to afford it makes it very stressful. My parents have 8 kids and i have a younger sister, and 2 older brothers attending college. My parents cant afford to help us in our education.

My college experience is different than most. This is my third time back, due to events in my life that were out of my control. My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer the first time, and I lost my two-year-old son to a brain tumor the second time. Because of these life-changing events, I am not the 22-year-old college graduate that I thought I would be. However, I am the person I am meant to be, and I am exactly where I am supposed to be in this path of life. I truly value every academic opportunity I engage in, and I know I will be an excellent teacher once I have accomplished my goal. I take nothing for granted, and I value every human life.

Well starting off I was business major then after about a year and half in my best friend got me into fitness I started working out lost 20lbs fast continued on and have lost 125 lb! Also I have switched majors somewhere along KInesiology most likely Physical therapist and am a personal trainer so that I can help others acheieve some sort of fulfillment like mine.

Even though I have not yet completed my first year of college, I am very happy that I came to college. I have already changed as a person and am learning who I really am and what I want out of my life. It has allowed me to explore things I would not have had the chance to had I not attended. I have learned a lot not only accademically but personally. Although college is hard work and you have to be dedicated to your studies, it is also extremely fun and I would have not gotten these types of experiences anywhere else.

College to me, had always been just an idea. I thought only those with money and top grades would receive acceptance letters. Mistakenly, I carried this view until introduced to a national college preparation program for disadvantaged students. Upward Bound was intrumental for me, and for three continual summers during college, I worked for the program at the University of Montana. My commitment helping disadvantaged students became my passion. The best experiences were training in the field, teaching and mentoring struggling students. Everything concerning my college education and experiences has been invaluable. The price of tuition can never compare to such amazing benefits, memories, and training that college has provided. My degree is a symbol of hard work, dedication, and lasting involvement. Nowhere else could I receive skills required for success and leadership. The value of college is evident , as I embark on an advising career in Upward Bound. Commitment to education blossomed during my college years, and now I enjoy using my training to further help disadvantaged high schoolers prepare for the elusive yet attainable dream that is college. Without my college instruction, I would inevitably dream about what I could be, instead of relishing what I have become.

College for me has been a turning point in life. I have learned more than calculus , physics or chemistry. I have made different friends from all walks of life. I have seen how my friends (from almost every continent), insite of a few differences, are basically the same as me in our very essence of humanity. Although I have always been a critical thinker, college has broadened my horizons in the realm of critical thinking. Assertions can not simply be taken at face value, no matter how socially accepted, but must be reinforced by facts. College has also made me more out spoken. I now have opinions to voice and teachers to debate!!!! Me and Mr. Marriot spent many times in class debating religion and social issues.(His whole history class was focused on raising up outspoken critical thinking revolutionist, but I was the only one who would debate him. We both enjoyed it!!!!!) I am the man I am today because of all those professors. Some of who were PERVERTS but others were intelligent, kind, humorous, or even a little contrary at times. So in short, college has changed my life forever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As a non-traditional student and the University of Monana, I have found that my intellect as well as my confidence has grown in ways I didn't think possible. My education is very important to me. I grew up in Missoula but did not attend college when I was younger because of outside influences and a lack of belief in myself. Attending college has been my most valuable experience in life. By confronting my fears of being unintelligent and being too old to go back to school, I have broken free of my own self limiting doubts and have achieved rewarding results. Getting an education has built my self confidence which is one of the most valuable traits a person can have in my opinion. It assures a person no matter where they are or what situation they are in, they are intelligent and capable. I am happier and more outgoing than I have ever been and it is all due to my pursuit of education. The University of Montana has a great community of faculty and students. I feel welcomed and a part of the community, which makes my experience even better.

The most valuable experience I have gotten from attending college was learning to become more self-reliant. I have always considered myself to be independent, but moving to a dormitory taught me to make better decisions for myself. When I moved into my dorm, it was my first time living away from home by myself. Even though I had roommates, I still felt alone. I was used to having my family around, and I missed them. There were times in the first few weeks of classes that I cried myself to sleep. But, I realized that I had to be strong, and do sometihing. I had to learn to adapt to my new setting. I needed to decide when to cook, when to take a break, and how to manage my studytime. There were times when I felt overwhelmed by all of the homework that I had, but I just set up a time for each assignment for each class, and I would get my work done. Education comes first. By going of to college, I was leaving a child's world to take my first steps in the adult world. I officially grew up.

I've been to four different schools after I left highschool and have seen the large differences between universities. I started my college experience aimless and misguided as I wasn't sure what I wanted out of life. After two years of school and three major changes, I decided it was time to take a break from academia. I spent the next couple of years living what I thought would be a succesful and easy life without the hassle or rigours of college. What I found was the harsh reality that forgoing the college opportunity was the worst mistake I've made. Without the degree from higher education, I found that finding any job that paid a liveable wage was tougher then I ever thought. I've re-enrolled in college and found myself driven to succeed by being proactive on issues that matter. By being in a community of academics, I'm able to expand my knowledge and grow my talents so that one day I will find a career that will support me and allow me to make a positive impact on the world.

It's been a great experience.