Regrets – we all have them. Though, as an incoming freshman, I figured I would be the first college...
Written by Seth Ryan, UM Student
After spending one semester at Montana State University during my freshman year of college, I transferred to the University of Montana in my hometown of Missoula, where I’ve been thoroughly enjoying the rest of my college career. It wasn’t an easy choice, though, and it’s nothing to feel bad about if you’re struggling with similar questions about where to take your future education. So, to ease that choice along, I’m here to present eight reasons I’m happy to attend college in my hometown of Missoula, Montana.
Tuition Costs
If there’s one thing every student could use a little less of in their college adventure, it’s bills. We all deal with expenses in one form or another, but reducing your tuition cost through in-state enrollment can be a decision that saves you a whole lot of headaches.
Familiar but Different
A sense of adventure comes with diving into the college experience, and that feeling is equally as powerful at home. Attending college in your hometown allows you to see a familiar place in a whole new way, shaking up your schedule and delivering unique challenges. With new freedoms, it feels enthralling to explore buildings and places you’d seen but never had access to before, and all the opportunities of college keep that feeling alive throughout your adventure. Having a sense of familiarity with your routine makes the transition to new responsibilities more comfortable. It also gives you the confidence to take chances that not everybody would try in a new place.
Friendly Faces
Three years into my college career, I’m still finding old friends who are also attending UM. I’m also finding that old friends can easily become new ones. You’ll be surprised how many of your old middle and high school classmates stay in town for college, and any graduate can tell you that making connections is one of the most valuable things you can get from higher education. Many of the connections I’ve rekindled with old friends have felt even more authentic because of our shared history.
Hometown Advantage
Connections aren’t just helpful outside of college! Being able to begin your studies with an awareness of local opportunities for internships, jobs and local references can prove far more valuable than it sounds. Knowing your way around town and having familiarity with local businesses can be a huge opportunity boost to kickstart your career. Not to mention how much your friends will appreciate your experience when you point them toward a good local job.
Family Support
Any student, regardless of major, year and personality, will tell you that college can sometimes be a lot to handle. You’ll need places where you can relax and recuperate. You’ll find those places throughout your journey, but it never hurts to have a few more. Seeing family can be a welcome source of calm among the higher-pressure moments of your education, and you’ll be happy to have that opportunity when you need it. For me, some occasional preparation-free food is a very welcome bonus!
Campus Head Start
Familiarizing yourself with a new campus isn’t known for being the easiest part of the new student experience. Fortunately, there’s at least one easy way around that. When I was in my first semester at UM, I remember all the new students scrambling to find their classes on time while I was feeling completely relaxed with the knowledge that I already knew where everything was. It’s a small thing, but it means a lot to have that confidence during your first semester when your hometown knowledge carries you through a fresh experience in familiar territory.
Easy Summers
When the semester ends, most students take that as a sign to return home for a while. Friends are meeting back up and old hangout spots are revisited, but there’s a logistical matter before that. While your friends portion out a piece of their finals week to figure out packing and transportation back home, you get to finish your semester and get straight down to vacation. Frankly, the last thing I want to do after finals is figure out how to transport all my belongings.
Career Connections
Making connections in your college career is invaluable, and taking full advantage of them can open opportunities you never imagined. Knowing people in various job positions will help you be more aware of ways to get work experience,and the more of that you get, the easier it will be to fit yourself into a career path. Take any opportunities you can to get field work in your area of interest, even if only for the fact that it looks spectacular on a resume!
You've Got This
It’s normal to wrestle with the decision of where to attend college, but remember that nothing has to be set in stone in your college journey. Ultimately, the right decision is the one that works for you. Take your college adventure in the direction you want, and you can always make changes later. The only wrong move is to deny yourself the opportunity to try new things!
Seth Ryan is a Communications major in his junior year at UM. He loves his dogs, spending time outside in Missoula, writing, and playing Magic: The Gathering.
