The University of Montana Top Questions

I would ask myself what could I see myself doing in 10 years? Which road do I want to take? I would tell myself don't get affiliated with the wrong people and strive for success. I would tell myself to be super productive in doing my work and to branch out to others and make connections. I would tell myself to make the best of college, have a purpose for being there. I would tell myself to just let God direct me where I need to go.

I would tell myself to make friends and be more open to people I didn't know. Everyone else is in the same boat: scared, missing home, and definitely missing their friends. Bring pictures of family and friends to your dorm and decorate your room with them so that when you get lonely you can look up and see their bright, smiling faces! Don't be afraid of your roommate! Also, don't be afraid to ask questions about where classes are and buildings are located. There's nothing more embarrassing then being late to a class because you were too proud to ask where it was, when you easily could have asked and been their on time! Leave your dorm room open so people can pop in and say "hello" (it's definitely an easy way to get to know someone!).

Calm down. Enjoy yourself. This is just another stepping stone that you will have launched yourself off of quicker than you anticipated. Your GPA does not hang over your head forever, so do not allow tests, quizzes, or papers to ruin your time, it is still just school, not quite real life.

If I could give myself some advice as a senior I would tell myself to take academic more seriously. I had the potential to have great scholarships but even though I had good grades I didn't think they would be that important later on in life. I also would have liked to take some courses online to get ahead in my college classes, making a minor possible for me. But I did not and reality is that I love the major I have chosen for myself and the school I am attending. I am now taking my academics very seriously; maybe this is because I didn't as much in high school.

Don't be so anxious to leave your hometown. College is new and exciting, but try to stay in the present and live up your last few weeks at home with all of your caring friends and family. Another piece of advice would be to understand and practice the concept of time management. Finish your work before doing all the wonderful activies college life has to offer. Work hard then play hard. Don't overwhelm yourself with a huge courseload. It's important to be taking a number of classes but don't over do it. You'll just end up stressed and not be able to enjoy your college experience. One other very important piece of advice is to be yourself. You are new to a place that is unfamiliar, you don't know a lot of people if anyone at all, so finding people who have things in common with you is important. As long as you are yourself, you will naturally gravitate towards people who you can develop frienships with. Join a club that intrerests you, go exploring, talk to people! Have a good time, but also remember why you are attending college in the fist place.

I would tell my high school self to take part in extracurriculars and community activities as much as possible in order to discover your passions and find what you enjoy doing on a daily basis. Getting involved and gaining hands-on experience is the only way to find what you truly love. Use this knowledge to plan the path you take in college. Forming a solid awareness of your interests ahead of time instead of changing your major in college numerous times will save you time and money. Getting involved will also sharpen your time-management skills which you’ll need more than ever in college, so don’t be afraid to dive into many activities at once; just remember to keep those grades up! Time-management is a skill that comes with time and practice so try to get as much practice as possible before entering college in order to be primed and ready to go come freshman year. So whether it’s volunteering at a hospital, working at a wildlife refuge, or joining the school band, go out there and get involved!

Take as many college prep classes as possible (science, math, writing)!! You will be so far ahead of the game it will make your first year way less stressful! Also, do not take time off. Keep going until you are done. It is a lot harder going back after being out of school for years.

I would advise my high school self to be more conscious of time management. As it seems in my collegian experiences, there is less time spent in the classroom with a tremendous amount of work to do outside the classroom. I would emphasize to myself that setting up a systematic routine for studies and homework. It is absolutely imperative to sustaining a well-balanced and prosperous college life. However, I would also suggest knowing when to take breaks and relieve oneself from his strenuous studies and go outside, get a breath of fresh air, and interact with fellow students. Understanding and familiarizing oneself with his/her surroundings is a vital piece to being successful in a college enviornment. Also, I would tell him to seize opprotunities when they are presented in terms of scholarships, grants, or other extra-curricular activities such as clubs or student counsel meetings. I believe with these core suggestions, my younger self would exceed his own expectations in achieving college success.

Seek real world experience before wasting money failing classes.

College life is all about focusing on the right things. There are so many distractions, from other students to events on campus. I went into my freshman year with a fear of failing. I was highly motivated and wanted to get the 4.0 that everyone dreamed of and was expected in my family. While I did not lose my motivation, I felt overwhelmed at all the distractions, and felt out-of-place of the social life while living in the dormitories. It was merely too much to handle. Starting freshman year over, I feel a balance of school and social life is the most critical factor in obtaining the optimal education and promoting well-being. Enjoy yourself responsibly, while also working hard to achieve the grades you desire. Take the opportunities of hanging out with new friends. Join campus events and social clubs. Learn who you are, but also stay true to yourself. Like Mom always said, "Get your homework done first, then you can go hang out with friends". Stay true to this advice even in college, and you will find that balance between school and social well-being.