The University of Montana Top Questions

My college experience taught me so much about life, and I am still learning incredible lessons. One of the most valuable lessons I learned is how to manage my time and keep myself motivated. In college it is usually not a requirement to read textbooks and my professors most often did not remind students of due dates for assignments. In order to keep up with the material being dissussed I learned to schedule time to study, write down any upcoming assignments and regularly check the course syllabus in order to make sure I did not forget any required assignments. When studying becomes hard and boring I keep myself motivated by setting small goals and rewarding myself when I reach them. For example when I finish reading a chapter in a text book I give myself a break and eat a snack or watch a half hour of televsion. Attending college has also taught me countless lessons about being independent from my parents. I have learned to keep a budget and actively seek answers to questions. Before going to college I would depend on my parents to pay for everything and do things like make doctors appointments for me.

My father lost his job right before I committed to DePaul University in 2009. Although I was devastated, I understood the importance of going to college. I enrolled in Joliet Junior College to receive an Associates Degree with plans of transferring to DePaul in 2011. So far, my college experience has been great! I was awarded membership in three honor societies due to my outstanding GPA: Phi Theta Kappa (National Academic Honor Society), Sigma Delta Mu (National Spanish Honor Society), and Alpha Mu Gamma (National Foreign Language Society); I have made many friends through these societies too! I think it is extremely valuable to attend any type of college because it will provide experiences and challenges that will help form a student’s character; it has helped form mine! The teachers and resources in college are extremely rewarding; there is never a day I do not utilize what my school offers me. I enjoy and seek the challenges presented to me which have shaped who I have become today. Honestly, I am happy I attended a community college first because it has prepared me to succeed at DePaul this fall and in whatever I choose to do in the future.

College has taught me many things, from mathmatics and coding to learning how to properly throw a frisbee. I have learned more about myself and my profession than I thought possible. I have realized that life can be hard, and sometimes if you want something bad enough you have to suffer for it. There have been weeks where I had to make it on the bare essentials and times where I was living the high life (for a college student) but I don't think I would ever trade my experiences or what I've learned for anything. College truly transformed me into a mature, responsible, respectful person. I could definitely say that I've learned all these things: computers, history, math, science, language, and more about theatre than I can put in words. But I think that these things are truly insignifigant in comparison to what I learned about human nature and myself. Thank you, Payton Jessup

My college experience has shown me my strong personality points and working skills, thus giving me a direction I wish to go in my life. I have been, and continue to be, provided many volunteer oppertunties to give back to my community and to improve my own career skills. Between attending classes with my peers and these vounteer oppertunties I have built good social ties that may help me aquire a stable career after graduation. I have been exposed to different people of different backgrounds which, I believe, has helped me grow as a person, allowing me to be more tolerant and excepting of all people. Without these, and may other influences, during my college life I don't believe I would be the person I am today. I woudn't have the motivation, the open-mindedness, the experience or the maturity to go forth into the professional world and be the competent person that I am capable of being. I hope in the time to come that my college years will continue to encourage me to grow both personally and professionally.

While attending college I have had the pleasure of making new friends and exploring new places all while furthering my education. College is a great time of young people's lives and they should enjoy it, I certainly have. College has taught me life long skills and brought me into new friendships that will last me a lifetime.

My college experience is no where near complete. I have just began this life changing experience. So far this experience has challenged me to seperate my social life and classwork. This has become the biggest challenge in the year and a half I have been at The University of Montana. The University itself and Missoula, the town U of M is in offer so many activities outside of school it is almost challenging to complete any sort of classwork. Having to discover this on my own, it has taught me how to succeed at both good grades and an active social life. I have a group of four best friends and many close acquaintances, and attend two Honor Societies and multiple clubs. It has been valuable for me to attend college, because statistically speaking a college graduate gets better paid than a non-college graduate. I have learned to balance multiple disciplines in my life, have met my very best friends, and have experienced more opportunities I ever would have if I would not have attended The University of Montana. College changes a person in many ways, and I would never replace my choice to apply for this experience.

Learning is incredible I am so thankful for my opportunity to pursue my education. I have learned so much just about ways of thinking. I am excited to learn even more as I continue. The sharing of knowledge is a wonderful experince, it allows you to see and experince the world in a whole new way. Seeing things from anothers side, looking at problems and solutions from many views is the best way to go about getting anything done in life. It helps to make a better future for us all.

My college experience has dramatically shifted upon my transfer. I originally attended a community college in Wyoming (Central Wyoming College or CWC). My major of focus being Theatre, my education at CWC was exceptionally good, however, once I transferred to the University of Montana (UM), I felt as if my eyes had finally been opened within the first few weeks of classes. I was exposed to so much new and intellectually stimulating material that I was almost overwhelmed. Over the course of my first semester at UM I soon discovered that I was rapidly advancing in my knowledge of the Theatre, ranging from subjects that I was fairly comfortable with to ones that I had hardly studied at all. One of the most shocking discoveries upon starting my classes was how much about acting that I did not know. I of course took several acting courses at CWC, but the information presented to me during my first acting course at UM almost ecclipsed all that I had previously known. My instructor was invigorating, pushing me harder and farther than I had ever gone at CWC. This has been invaluable to my education, and has me constantly excited about my future.

It was affordable as I am an instate student. I also enjoyed the skills I learned from both the Media Arts Department and the Dance Department.

So far in my college career I've gained much knowledge and experience in regards to my major. But more importantly that that, I've learned to be self-reliant and self-sufficient! The U of M may not hound its students academically-to gain a 4.0 or be honors students; on the contrary, it is the somewhat hands-off approach that teaches its attendants. Teaches us that in the "real world" (that youth is SO often lectured about) no one is going to be there to send you email notifications or to schedule a mandatory appointment in order to accomplish what you need to be successful in life! You get out of life what you put into it, and your success is no one else's prerogative, or obligation!

We go to college expecting to further our education and become more 'book' smart, but really we leave with so much more than that. I'm not all the way through yet, but so far I have discovered myself along with discovering more of the world around me. Before going to college, I lived in a small town and was just concerned with what was going on in my own little life, but going to college really opened up my eyes and changed my stereotypes, opinions and outlook on the entire world.

There have been two experiences that I have pulled from my college life that has made it valuable and worthwhile. First, the people I've met have completely opened my mind to different cultures, backgrounds, and ideas. I've never been to open of a person in my life, but when I began attending college here, I've found like-minded people who enjoy the same activities that I do. It's been refreshing getting to to know that there are more people out there than I met where I grew up, and it honestly makes me more hopeful for the future. In addition, the second major experience that I have pulled from attending college at the University of Montana is my newfound drive for education. When I was in high school, I attended classes, did my work, and did not really find an appreciation for what I was learning. However, when I began college, I found a new drive to learn about the different aspects of the world, whether it be science, English, history, or any other field of study that my college offers. All-in-all, college has been one of the best experiences of my life.

Before I attended college, I felt that my desire to succeed was all I needed, but that is not the case. Once I arrived, I realized for the first time that hard work and motivation to succeed were strong points of mine and helped me become known in the theater department.

When I graduate college I want to become a professional actor. I know it sounds cliche, but I've been saying it since second grade and it still sticks with me today. I love the stage and the creation of performance art, and at The University of Montana I have excelled in my field. For financial reasons I wanted to attend school in-state and was fortunate to have a wonderful school and professional theatre's in my own back yard. During two years here I have been cast in three school shows and two professional productions. I also have a job in the technical theatre department as a properties manager and scenery designer. I am so happy I'm living my lifelong dream and I'm pursuing and achieving my goals as a student. I feel at the price that college costs to attend I'm getting the most out of my dollar. I hope to continue attending my education here and to continue achieving my goals as a full time student and a future professional. Thank you for reading!

Life is an incredible gift. My life is unique and special. Every breath reminds me not to take this life for granted. An American poet, Mary Oliver, once asked, “ What will you do with your one wild and precious life?” This question merits a response; how we choose to respond our choice. My dream is to begin yet another of life’s many journeys by working toward a Bachelor's Degree in Music. I teach private music lessons full time and have already been able to use the knowledge I have recieved from classes at community college to pass along to my students. If I am able to continue my education, I look forward to meeting other young men and women who have also embarked on this journey. I hope to expand my knowledge, not only of music, but also of culture and other arts. hope that my excitement for life and my perseverance and desire to achieve excellence will be used to encourage fellow students not to settle for the ordinary. My adventure will not end at a university however; my college experience will equip me for even greater adventures in the future and I cannot wait to begin!

Since I began my academic career at the University of Montana in the fall of 2009, I have become incredibly efficient in the field of music. I had no idea of the amount of knowledge that would be available to an individual in such a short span of time. The School of Music is like a giant family and I look to my professors as colleagues rather than instructors. There is so much support for each other among the student body as well. Everyone wants to see you succeed in your own way. Each student is looked upon as a unique individual rather than a piece of a larger body. I have also made lifelong friends due to the active social life throughout the entire campus. These friends have helped me maintain a positive outlook on life in order to preserve a high level of academia. I am thoroughly impressed with the quality of education and professionalism at the University of Montana and would recommend this school to anybody desiring affordable, academic excellence.

Throughout my years of college, I have been exposed to a completely new environment. At the University of Montana, I have made mistakes, gained lifelong friends, challenged myself, and contemplated my future (more times than one) all in two and a half years. It seems scary to been through that before entering the real world, but I am thankful. I have been able to explore the business discipline with teachers who would do almost anything to help students find success professionally. I have also been able to take classes I would have never considered, including the History of Rock and Roll. These classes exposed me to knowledge I could have cared less about before college. More importantly, the University of Montana has shown me that hard work does in fact pay off. This has made my experience more valuable than I imagined. I have spent several nights studying until the wee hours of the morning but I am able to take exams with confidence. If I ever struggle, I'm never to scared to ask for help. Finally, the jobs I have attained on campus allow me to prepare for the real world before I enter it on my own.

Before attending college, I would have assumed that the most valuable lessons learned would have been in a classroom. Now, I know those lessons to be valuable, but secondary. The best ideas I have gotten out of college are a sense of independence and individualism. Looking back on my freshman year, it is astonishing how much I matured as I transitioned from high school to college. I became dependent on myself for my academic, financial, and social success. Instead of relying on my mom to push me academically and my dad to be there with an open wallet, I had to rely on myself. It became my responsibility to organize my life, whether that be simply waking up to go to class or applying and maintaining a job. College also meant leaving high school friends behind and I have had to push myself to become more sociable. When I moved away from home, I had to take on the responsibility of my own life. The biggest lesson I learned in college was that I can make it on my own in the world. When push comes to shove, I know I am capable of becoming dependent on myself.

It is difficult for me to begin to explain what my college experience has done for me. However, my college experience has certainly enriched my understanding of a balanced and engaged life, and broadened my horizons and opportunities. When I was in high school, I wondered why everyone thought college was important, but now that I have attended, I am certain that a college education helps to shape us into better people who in turn can enrich the lives of those around us. I am confident that my university is equipping me with the tools and experience that I need to explore and pursue opportunities that would have been out of my reach with only a high school diploma. Even prior to my graduation, I have had job offers and opportunities that I would have missed if I were not pursuing a degree. A college education proves a student's merit, creates self assurance, and is a valuable experience because it builds a strong foundation for a student's life path. Higher education is essential for building strong and balanced leaders in every field. It teaches us to work together, explore, experiment and apply ourselves for success.

I have lived in the same town my entire life. I was aprehensive to stay for college, but ultimately did. I don't regret that decision. I have discovered my home town, which I always complained was "too small," in a new light. The University of Montana, though far from perfect, brought me a family of like-minded, motivated friends and incredible educators who continue to guide and collaborate in my education and exploration of the world. My professors are also my friends, mentors and inspiration to see the entire world as a classroom. The University of Montana has a family for everyone. We have a great mix of activist goups, out door clubs, frats and sororities, athletic opportunities, scholastic groups, international students, etc. Everyone could fit in at the U of M. Because the school is located right in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, outdoor exploration is encouraged, and learning environments and opportunities are often designed to include the rivers, lakes, and mountains that make Montana unique. Receiving an education in such a raw and primitive location is a powerful learning tool and world perspective.