The University of Montana Top Questions

Advice that I would give myself would be to not feel rushed. I started my first year of college feeling like I had to choose a career and that was it. I would let myself know to have a general idea about what I wanted to do but not feel like I had to choose right then and there. These are actually the most important years of your life because they are establishing your education for your later career. The most important thing however would to just take it day by day and try your hardest so you can at least say you gave it your all and know inside that you did. oh...and GOOD LUCK !!!!!

If I could travel back in time, and talk to myself as a struggling Freshman, I would tell me self to concentrate on school more, save my money and accept myself for who I was. Throughout high school, I was just trying to be accepted, and was struggling with accepting my sexuality. Senior year, I came to the realization and accepted I was gay, but hated myself. I woud say to stop trying to change yourself for others, and be yourself and see who comes to you. Also, I wasn't the most dedicated student. I know I am very bright, but lack the motivation, which somewhat messed me up for any scholarship opportunities. Since I did not receive any help with school, I would have also busted my ass for spending so much of my money on unecessary things. Overall things, I think I would just say to relax, do what's best for YOU and not others and to set your priorities right.

The only advice I could give to my high school self would be to just stay true to myself, don't lose focus, and don't lose heart. I look back at my somewhat spread out college career and realize that if I had really stayed focus and not lost heart after getting denied from a program a few times (not because I wasn't qualified, but because of limited space), I would have stuck to it and be done with everything by now. I have learned a lot being out in the real world, though, but I definitely am regretting not having persisted. The other advice is just to stay true to myself. Nobody else can tell me what I want or how to do it. During the transition, I think a lot of people, including myself, just start listening to everyone else around them, doing what everyone else does, and so forth. On that path, you lose what you really want for yourself, and instead start doing what everyone else around you wants. With those pieces of advice, I don't think myself, or anybody for that matter, could go wrong or have a hard time in college.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would give myself one word of advice: relax. The transition from high school to college was not nearly as scary as I made it out to be. Living more or less on my own, as well as sharing a bathroom with thirty other girls, seemed like a natural progression as opposed to some horrible new experience. I never got as lost as I feared I would, and the larger workload was never so much as to be unmanageable. That word of advice also would extend to my remaining time in high school. I could have relaxed and had more fun my senior year instead of praying for it to end so college could begin. Having classes in the same building, home-cooked meals, and being taken care of when I'm sick are definitely things I no longer take for granted. It is also too bad that my laundry no longer does itself. Had I known these things back then, I believe my senior year would have been more pleasant, with my focus on the present and less anxiety for the future.

Dear Breanne, As you near your graduation day and the day that you will be leaving home for college, keep in mind that you have plenty of family and friends that love and believe in you! You are an amazing person with a future as bright as the sunshine outside your window. Hold your chin up and wipe the tears away, everything happens for a reason. As you begin college in the fall, constantly remind yourself that you are beautiful. Be yourself and stay true to yourself. Follow your heart in everything you do and never be afraid to be yourself. When college life, dorm life, family life, and all the other aspects of your life collide, remember to stay level headed. You can become anything you want to be because you are capable and devoted. Never let others put you down because you are better than that. Stay true to your dreams and never be afraid to reach for the stars. Life will not be easy and you must understand that with every challenge there is also a victory. Stop trying to please the people around you and live your life for yourself only. I love you - Breanne.

If I were able to go back in time I would advise myself to relax. College is a major life change that is confusing and stressful but the more a person worries about the future and the changes at hand, the less they will be able to enjoy the path. Once college begins and some of the fears are eliminated, one realizes that the stress beforehand was only holding back from possible experiences. College is a place of discovery. I would love to be able to go back and tell myself to set those fears aside and enjoy the ride.

I would tell myself to relax about going to college. The transition is easier than I expected it to be. I would tell myself to be confident in the knowledge I acquired during high school and congradulate myself on taking the more difficult classes. I would want to tell myself to look at the colleges in my own state and to not be so dead set on going out of state to school. I would tell myself that I was going to meet the best friends I have ever had and that I was going to find exactly what I wanted to do with my life; all within two hours of home. I would also tell myself that everything works out the way it is supposed to, even if it may not seem to be exactly as I wanted it to be. I would also tell myself that Missoula feels more like home than home does.

since i have been out of high school for nearly six years and am just beginning college, i would go back and tell myself that in these rough economic times that you need to go to college and get a good job because without a collegedegree it is really hard to find a well paying steady job. don't be scared to go to college, it will help you and you will feel better after getting that degree. be the first one in your family to go, it will be fun and there are lots of new things to discover like meeting new friends. the hardest part is starting the process. there are grants and financial aid so you don't have to worry about money. you never know, this decision could change your life for the better and will probably be the best decision you will ever make in your lifetime.

I would go back to tell myself to go have some more fun during my senior year. Go out and do more things with my classmates. If i don't learn to spend time with my classmates it will make my college life dull and boring. I would, also, have myself not be so boxed up and just be more willing to try things. I would try and convince myself to step out of my comfort zone so i could find more things that interest me. One thing i would have myself so is pursue playing football in college. It will bug you for the rest of my life that i did not try to see if i could play college football. The last thing i would do is tell myself to find my true friends and then get along with them, not just talk to everybody, but not really spend time with any of them.

Do the big college experience. Community colleges are great for what they are, but you are looking for "The College Experience." Dive headlong into what you really want, don't hold back for anybody cause it's your life. Work your butt off this last year and take as many AP classes as possible. Do some community service and get involved in clubs and organizations. Look around for scholarships. College isn't cheap but it's completely worth it. Don't be afraid to apply to all of the colleges you want to go to. If they turn you down it's not the end of the world and if you get accepted you'll feel much better about yourself and you'll have your pick. Don't be afraid to move away from home it will still be there when you get back. When you get to college talk to your instructors and your peers you don't have to do it all yourself, there is help out there. Advisors are AWESOME utilize them. Remember you can change dorm rooms if you need. The college wants you to be successful take advantage of all it has to offer.