We asked Maryville alumni and friends: If you could travel back in time, what advice would you give your younger self about starting at Maryville?
Early on, consider all opportunities: clubs, intramurals, on-campus jobs, small groups. You’ll quickly find what interests you and, maybe more importantly, what doesn’t. And you’ll likely learn something about yourself in the process.
— Matt Harrer, ’08
Say yes more often. Let mistakes happen and learn from them. Take all the opportunities you can to make relationships; they’ll be the forever ones.
— Brie Howerton, ’19
Enjoy every minute on campus, it goes by way too fast!
— Laura Steiner, ’10, ’17
Spend time with your teachers … they have great wisdom to impart. Be open to new opportunities and people. Stay in touch with your classmates.
— Bridget Harvey Nations
I graduated from Maryville in 2003, the campus was much different and the diversity was also almost non-existent. I would encourage my younger self to try and create a lot of the programs we have currently at Maryville that revolve around diversity and inclusion. To not get discouraged and to take advantage of the excellent education Maryville provides, while also informing Maryville of the hurdles that minorities encounter while at a predominantly white institution.
— Brian M. Gant, EdD, ’03
Ask for help when you need it, whether it’s mentally, physically, academically. It’s not a sign of failure, it’s a sign of strength. Everyone is in your corner and wants to see and help you succeed. It’s okay to “fail” — whether it’s in regards to your personal standards or academics. It happens. You learn from it and you’ll grow. Go to every event you can, whether it’s athletic, through an academic club or the “just for fun” events. Study abroad. Take all of the pictures, make the memories. College is a balance of work and play, but finding that balance helps you with having a great experience and Maryville is a wonderful place for this. Enjoy every moment you have because time really flies
— Taylor Poole, ’16, ‘19