Teresa Scanlan of Gering, the youngest Miss America since 1938 and the only Nebraskan to win the title, says she had to pull some all-nighters to finish her first semester at Patrick Henry, a 300-student private Christian college in Virginia.

Scanlan told World Magazine that she pulled six all-nighters during the fall semester, her first time back in school after 2 years serving as first as Miss Nebraska, then Miss America.

She split her time between classes and speaking opportunities, and admitted she might have overestimated her ability and underestimated the difficulty of her courses…adding that she was “two seconds away from quitting” at times.

Scanlan told the magazine she wants to be more involved in the college, but depends on speaking engagements for income to continue to pay for college and her eventual entry into law school…with Harvard Law her preferred choice.

She also said her year as Miss America was hard on her and her Christian faith. She said the busy Miss America schedule often left her lonely, but brought her even closer to Jesus…whom she calls her best friend.

Scanlan also drew criticism at times from both Christians and non-believers. Some fellow Christians accused her of immodesty because of outfits she wore as a contestant and titleholder, while non-Christians were critical of some of her faith-based positions.

Scanlan, who wants to be a stay-at-home mom after law school while working on a future political career that would include a run for president one day, continues to make news even when she’s not trying.

The Washington Examiner reported earlier this month that while Scanlan was in the drive-through line at a Virginia McDonalds just before Thanksgiving she paid for the order of the car behind her. The paper says the driver ran up to thank her and recognized her as soon as she rolled down the window.