College is an exciting time in one’s life. It’s a big step and comes with narrowing the scope of what you want to study, making new friends, joining clubs, attending events, living away from home and finding the right balance between school and life.
How do you prepare yourself for such a big step? It’s a great question to have. While we’re willing to bet you’re more prepared than you think, we want you to know there are several things you can do before and during college to set yourself up for success.
Hot Tip: Already applied and been admitted? Check out our companion post, You’re Admitted to UM, Now What?
Keep reading for the best tips on how to feel more prepared for college:
Before You Start College:
Dual Enrollment
If you’re eager to dip your toes into a little bit of a college experience before you’re out of high school, look no further than Dual Enrollment. This program allows you to take college courses at a big discount while in high school. You can take classes online or on campus, or depending on your school, you can take college courses right at your high school.
This option not only saves you money while earning college credits, but you’ll also get an idea of the workload of college classes.
Read More: High School Students in Dual Enrollment Jumpstart College for Cheap
Campus Tours
Having a hands-on, I-can-see-myself-here experience on campus creates palpable excitement. Even if you live around campus or visited before getting accepted, hopping on a campus tour opens new views of your life as a Grizzly. Tours are offered daily, and special tours occur throughout the year. You can also get a little taste through the virtual tour.
Summer Exploration
Summer Exploration students taking the CSI: Missoula class
A campus tour lets you walk around and learn about campus for a few hours, but did you know you can fully immerse yourself in college life and spend a few nights here as a junior, senior or graduating senior? The Summer Exploration pre-college program is an excellent choice if you’re looking to make connections, have a college experience and earn two college credits.
Read More: UM Summer Program Offers High School Students Early Taste of College
Contact Administrators, Counselors or Faculty
Everyone employed by UM is here to help. You can learn more about classes offered, what kind of jobs you might be able to get with a degree and learn more about the esteemed faculty filling every classroom. Every UM College and Department is headed by a faculty chair, listed under the “people” section of each department. Have questions? Ask away!
After You Start College:
Big Sky Experience
The Big Sky Experience is your exciting and fun orientation before classes start. This award-winning week is designed to help students become integrated with their new community through peer-led activities and workshops and through community-driven projects.
The Office for Student Success
The Office for Student Success is there to help you with three main goals:
- Transition smoothly to college
- Remain enrolled and progress in a program of study
- Graduate in a timely manner
The Office for Student Success supports students by providing programs and services that enhance their academic growth and personal development. They have anything you need, from math and writing tutors to relaxation stations and personal well-being courses. The Office for Student Success is also home to the Undergraduate Advising Center.
Experiential Learning and Career Success (ELCS)
So you’re in college. You’ve settled into your dorm, gone to classes, fallen asleep in the library and ate too much food at The Lodge. But you want to make sure on the academic side of life that you’re preparing for your future career. It’s four years away, but it doesn’t hurt to start now!
Experiential Learning and Career Success at UM weaves your passions, degree paths, and experiences to help you grow them into a fulfilling career. The career readiness program, ElevateU, enhances your career readiness and marketability so that by the time you graduate, you stand out on resumes.
If you've made it this far, you're more prepared than you think. Whether you're a first-year student straight out of high school, a transfer student coming from elsewhere, or it's been a while since you've been in a classroom -- you'll find plenty of other people in similar circumstances to figure out things together.
We can't wait to see you here!
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Anna Weishaar graduated from the University of Montana in 2018 with a degree in Creative Writing. She currently works as the Marketing Coordinator for the MCEE department.
