I didn't quite know what to expect when I started my first year at the University of Montana. What would my classes be like? How would my schedule come together? But thankfully, as I settled into campus, any and all concerns or questions I had also settled into a nice routine. I learned that it is important to have an organized schedule to help navigate the busy days and make the best of my time. In this blog, we will go through a day in my life as a first-year college student, so you can get a feel for what it may be like here.
9:00-9:50 am | Eck Hall
I begin my day in Eck Hall, where I attend my Spanish class. I chose to start my day like this because it is interactive and engaging. The professor encourages us to work with others, which makes it easier to make friends! One of my classmates and I hang out outside of class from time to time.
Eck Hall is a really great place to study, especially between classes. It’s cozy and quiet, and has small common areas with a view of The Oval. I like to come early to settle and look over notes.
10:00-11:50 am | Urey Lecture Hall
After my Spanish class, I walk across campus to my Introduction to Psychology class. This is a lecture class about the basics of psychology. Lecture classes may be boring to some, but my professor is funny and lightens the mood in all his lectures.
Urey Lecture Hall is interesting because it is underground. It is the largest lecture hall on campus, which makes sense that a psychology lecture would be held there. I shared this class with a few friends, which made it easier to get through some of the tests.
11:50 am-12:30 pm | Lunch
Once class ends, I usually call my roommate and boyfriend and see if they want to grab lunch. We go to the University Center and grab some food at the food court. My personal favorite food there is the Bia sandwich at Calypso, and of course, I grab myself a Dr. Pepper at The Market while we are there.
We sit in the common room area next to the food court and enjoy our lunch while talking about whatever is on our minds. The common area is so pretty, it’s filled with plants and has large windows to let in plenty of natural sunlight. It really sets the mood for a good conversation. After lunch, I feel recharged, and I head off to my last in-person class of the day.
12:30-1:50 | Social Science Building
I have my Introduction to Ethics class in this building. I genuinely enjoy this class because it encourages me to think critically about my morals and how they differ from others. The professor I have is fun, and the workload is very minimal, which allows me to focus on understanding the concepts rather than stressing over assignments.
The Social Science Building is older, but it has a small art section where students display their work, and I love roaming around there from time to time to see the beauty of human creations. After my ethics class, I walk all the way back to my dorm.
1:50-3:00 pm | Online Class
Back at my dorm, I take a minute, settle into my room, and make myself some tea before I pull out my computer and work on my online math class. My roommate isn’t usually back from his classes at this point, so it gives me some quiet as I crank out some math problems. If I have difficult problems, I call my boyfriend because he is great at math.
I am indifferent about online vs. in-person classes. The one thing I prefer about my math class is that I can work at my own pace, as everything is due at the end of the semester. This is not the case for every online class. My professor has a schedule so you can stay caught up, but I like to work at my own pace, and I’m actually ahead of her schedule!
3:00-5:00 pm | Study and Homework
I like studying in the study lounge in my residence hall, but when the weather is nice, I go to The Oval to hang out and study or do homework. While I study, I usually bring a snack with me and work on my most difficult subject first. Then I work my way down to my easiest class. I take small breaks between each subject to relax a bit.
I learned that spacing out my studying helps me retain the information better than cramming everything at once. I do the same with my homework. I only have two classes that assign daily homework, so I get through it fairly quickly.
5:00-6:00 pm | Dinner at The Lodge
After studying, I meet up with my roommate and boyfriend, and we head to The Lodge for dinner and to talk about our day. We have dinner together most days, and it’s a great way to unwind after the day. We get to ramble while enjoying whatever meals we choose from The Lodge’s selection.
6:00-10:00 pm | The Rest of The Night
The night is coming to a close, and we head back to our dorm. Sometimes, I hang out with my boyfriend and play video games until bedtime. On other nights, I dedicate my time to other hobbies I enjoy, like art or writing. These activities help me relax. Then I take a shower, brush my teeth, get cozy in bed, watch YouTube, and eventually drift off to sleep.
While I don’t always stick to my schedule perfectly, having a plan keeps me on track most of the time. College is a new experience, and it’s normal to have good days and bad days. The key is to stay focused on making the most of each day. The important part is to keep moving forward and find balance between academics, social life, and self-care. Find your routine!
Roo Gibson-Andersen is from Corvallis, Montana, and is completing their first year as a student at the University of Montana. They major in Psychology and minor in Philosophy. They enjoy writing, photography and art of all kinds.
