Dear UM Student in the middle of it all,
My name is Cosley. I'm originally from Southeast Alaska and a member of the Women's Track and Field Teams, and I'm about to graduate from UM with my Communications degree. If I could sit down with myself at any point during college; freshman beginnings, sophomore stride, or junior-year pressure, this is what I’d say:
Load up 15 credits or more in your first two years. You can always drop them early on if it feels too much but take advantage of the flexibility and ease of your first few years.
Getting ahead on the credit load gives you breathing room later to focus on harder, more meaningful courses that align with your career path. Plus, this leaves space for fun electives along the way.
You’ve probably heard this before, but it really is all about relationships. Your professors want to see you succeed, and they notice when you engage. These are the people who will write your letters of recommendation and connect you to opportunities.
There’s nothing worse than needing a letter and realizing you don’t have someone who knows you well enough to write one. I’ve been there, and it cost me opportunities. Start building those connections early.
Listen to your body when it asks you for rest. The college system is a productivity-based system, and UM works hard to give you relaxation and wellness resources, but they are unless you can't acknowledge when you need to take a break.
There will be stressful storms, mental breakdowns, and moments when you feel like your workload is too much. Make a list to compartmentalize what you need to do, use campus resources, and be okay with taking a break.
Look into these resources because they're here to help you:
Go to events, meetings, and activities, even if you don’t know anyone. I joined a club in my junior year and was nervous walking in by myself. It felt awkward at first, but everyone was welcoming, and it was a community that added smiles and laughter to my time here.
People involved in organizations want new members. The first steps of showing up are the hardest part. After that, the community of the organization will support you and give you memories to look back on.
Read More: How to Make Friends at UM
Take a look at your tuition and fees. You’re paying for resources like Curry Health Center and the Wellness Center. Use them. They're there to support you.
Read More: Free Resources for Every UM Student
Fun fact: Gratitude activates our parasympathetic nervous systems, which is responsible for our body's healing, and daily practices of gratitude help with stress levels.
My favorite gratitude practice was to hike up Mount Sentinel, sometimes to the M sometimes just high enough to look out over Missoula. Looking out over my four-year home, I was able to put some things into perspective and eventually reflect on my time here. This place is where I was able to learn, to grow, and build lifelong friendships, all of which I am so grateful for.
Take these moments to slow down and stay present. It goes by faster than you think.
Read More: Take a Hike! Best Hikes in Missoula
Think of these years as building a toolbox of skills. Try new things. Figure out what fits and what doesn’t. Future employers will ask about your strengths, and now is the time to discover them. Open as many doors as you can to potential skills and know that you can always close that door if it was not a good fit for you
Be okay with setbacks.
You’re going to mess up sometimes, and that is okay. We are all baby adults who are doing big things for the first time. Sometimes things won’t always go as planned, and that’s part of the process. Learn from it, adjust, and be thankful for the character development.
It’s not just about getting a degree; it’s about who you become along the way.
Sincerely,
A senior who’s been in your shoes