sunset over Will White's oil rig

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Giving Back

Iowa-born Will White quit school at 14 to make a living. After doing odd jobs that brought him out to Los Angeles in his teens, he felt something was missing.

Then one day on a hunting trip in Pinedale, Wyoming, he found it. His love for the state led him to plan for a career in geology. First, he needed to save money and apply for college. He joined the Fall Bridge program, and he excelled during his time at UW. 

The William White Engagement Program is an extension of Will's goal to help new UW students succeed in the first year of college. Some of the highlights of his year are his visits to Laramie to meet the students he helps. During those visits, students pose good questions. Below is a collection of those. Perhaps these questions will inspire you to ask a question of your own.

Recent Questions

Yes, but you have to be active in finding your groove while also staying open to improvements. It helped me to keep a structure for how I take notes, study, and put time aside for school work. I was also open to tweaking those habits if needed during the semester, once I knew what each class’s expectations were.
Yes.  My doubts were not about the path I choose but about whether or not I was capable.  One of the key things that helped me overcome these doubts was the support I received from the Fall Bridge instructors and others. Honestly, if the people you are around are not making you a happier better person and helping you to improve, then don’t be around them. I often tell myself, if you're the smartest person in the room, you're in the wrong room.
Towards the end of my time one day I walking and talking with April about the challenges being faced by the team at that time and things I found really helpful during my college career. After I was settled into my job I stopped in one day to catch up with April and we came up with the idea to share my learnings in a more structured way.
It has helped me to see a path toward a goal. My personality type is that of a Master Planner so I like to have a plan to work towards and more importantly see a pathway to success in that plan. But one has to manage expectations and know their limits.
First you need to know what it is you want to accomplish. Then believe you can do it. Once you have the “I can do it” the how to do it will follow. Build a plan and stick to it. I started creating a 10-year plan in college, and it helped me get to where I am now.  
The key was actually learning from them and the mistakes of others.  You make a mistake, recognize it, and address it so you don’t brush it off.  Also, talking to your professor. They can provide you with all the mistakes made by past students and how to avoid them.
Recognize it's happening before it gets bad and that comes from mindfulness. Sleep, physical activity, yoga, and meditation. Dedicate time to them like you do to study.

Fall Bridge | Coe 105 | Dept. 3334 | 1000 E. University Ave. | Laramie, WY 82071 | Phone: 307-766-4322 | Email: uwbridge@uwyo.edu