Advice from Us to You

Advice: Never be afraid to reach out to friends, professors, and classmates because they’ll definitely surprise you!

Favorite Memory: Getting to watch my mentor receive her diploma.

Advice: Please, take your time. What I mean by this is, college can become so consuming, so quickly, it makes any moment of peace seem rare. Look into classes that YOU will enjoy, not your parents, or siblings, or friends, YOU. After all, this is YOUR university, and I am so excited to see how you are going to improve not only your future but the amazing accomplishments that you are going to fulfill here at MSU.

Favorite Memory: The Red Brick House- being involved in my sorority was the best decision I could’ve made for not only myself but my future self. Sisterhood became my family and it made my time at MSU just that much more unique to my own college experience. How are you planning to make your best MSU memory?

Advice: My main advice is to get out and explore. If it’s the campus, the city, anything- just don’t stay in your room and do work and school 24/7. Along with that, get involved! There are so many clubs on campus and you should just sign up for anything that interests you. You can meet so many friends that way! Switching to the more scholastic part of MSU my favorite class is Art of World Civilization, it is a two-part art history course that just goes through all the art from prehistoric time to present! It's such a great overview and you get so much information- it is wonderful. Another great thing about campus is if you are feeling stressed and don’t know who to talk to there are so many resources on campus for you and they are free, so utilize them. No one is ever going to judge you for helping yourself because they want you to succeed and feel good about yourself. Take care of your wellbeing because that is so important to your health. And the most important thing, as cheesy as it is, have fun and make the most of this time! Go to the football games and the drag show, go and hike with your friends, just have the time of your life!

Favorite Memory: I had never been to a drag show before coming to MSU and I honestly didn’t know if I was going to enjoy it. My friends convinced me to go and it was the best decision ever! I have gone every time that I can since then, which was my second semester here and now I’m in my fifth semester!

Advice: It is OKAY if you change majors, even if you've been planning on one major for years.

Favorite Memory: Being on TV for Bobcat Football.

Advice: Get involved! Even if your friends aren't interested in the same activities or clubs, try them anyway! There are so many awesome groups to join on campus, and you can make friends wherever you go. Check out the Office of Student Engagement (OSE) to figure out how to get involved. The dining halls have the BEST breakfast. Check out the omelet bar!! They'll make fried eggs, scrambles with all the mix-ins, and, of course, omelets. Bring a reusable coffee mug! You can take coffee and espresso drinks out of the dining hall if you bring one. Bring a water bottle! Talk to your professors outside of class. They are all SO smart and have had so many life experiences that you can learn from. Chances are, they have some connections with employers or graduate schools that will end up being incredibly useful for you. Besides that, they're all just really cool people and incredibly supportive. Get involved with research. Research is one of the most beneficial experiences you can have here at MSU! All you have to do to get started is look on montana.edu to learn about a professor's research, read about what they do, and send them an email saying you're interested in getting involved! Call your family regularly. They miss you!! Use all the free resources. There's free financial coaching, career coaching, tutoring, and counseling. You'll honestly never have so many free resources to you again after college, so take advantage of it! All the people who provide these services are incredibly approachable, nice, and knowledgeable. Join the Honors College! The Honors College has so much to offer. There are small class sizes, incredible faculty, a great student group, and even scholarships! Being a part of the Honors College not only supplements your time as a college student, but it also is a good way to distinguish yourself on a job/graduate school application.

Favorite Memory: This is such a tough question! I've had so many awesome memories at MSU, but one that stands out is definitely living in South Hedges freshman year. I had so much fun with all the people on my floor, and we built a super fun community.

Advice: I would strongly recommend trying out something new. Even if you have the slightest bit of interest in something, go to that club meeting! Do that GX workout class! Take a class that sounds exciting! Run for student government through ASMSU! There are over 250 groups, clubs, and associations on campus where you can find your calling, make lifelong friends, and begin creating a college experience that will personally be meaningful and enlightening for you. Get out of your comfort zone and experience something new here on campus. It will, in most cases, change your perspective or enlighten a new hobby/interest you never knew you had!

Favorite Memory: I have to pick just one? Well, it would most likely be every new fall semester when we have the month-long celebration of events welcoming new and returning students back to campus. Catapalooza, the Gold Rush football game, Comedians, and Hypnotists usually come to campus, the MSU Bookstore party, and so many other fun events! It is just a month-long event where you mingle, have fun, win prizes, explore opportunities MSU can offer you, and of course, meet new people with similar interests! Although this year might look a little different in terms of COVID-19, it is a yearly tradition that you will later encounter in your future years here on campus. You don't want to miss out on this opportunity to connect with your MSU campus and everything it has to offer you!

Advice: Get involved as much as you can! Try new things even if they make you uncomfortable, you might end up loving something you never thought you would. Do your homework early! Have fun in the classroom and outside of it too!

Favorite Memory: Rushing AOII

Advice: I would recommend taking CORE classes that interest you or are very different from what your major is. It is a great way to expand your own resources and knowledge while activating a different aspect of your degree. I am a Science major but loved taking Enjoyment of Music (IA) because it was a nice break from my labs but also, I got to meet awesome people from outside of my major.

Favorite Memory: Meeting President Cruzado before the last Cat Griz Game! She is so magnetic and kind.

Advice: The most important tip I have is to find your balance. We are all here to get an education, but education is more than just classes. Find your friends, find activities that make all the hard work worth it, create a routine that you can follow that makes you feel happy and accomplished. Most importantly I would say don't be a bystander in your own life. If you want to look a certain way or feel a certain way or be a type of way college is a great time to become that. You can be whoever you want to be with whatever type of people you want to be that don't let yourself or others stop you from being that.

Favorite Memory: Icy trail running at Pete's Hill

Advice: Bring a fan to the residence halls!! Never be afraid to go down the hall and hang out with your floormates too, making new friends is one of the best parts of college.

Favorite Memory: Beating the Griz for the fourth time in a row!

Advice: Get out of your comfort zone. Go and meet other students. Everyone is in the same place you’re in as a new student, so don’t be shy!

Favorite Memory: Going through sorority recruitment.

Advice: Make at least 1 friend in each class, don’t be scared to reach out to professors when you need help, develop a support system that works for you.

Favorite Memory: Dance Marathon or Sorority Bid Day.

Advice: Get involved! It’s the best way to meet people.

Favorite Memory: Rushing the football field after playoff games.