I know you are hearing all about how big UT is and how big the classes are and how big campus is. All this might be a little intimidating and even scary for you! But no worries! There will certainly be one or two classes that you will have that are just humongous! But there are also other classes that aren’t that bad. The trick first is to join a FIG! They are programs that reserve smaller classes for students who sign up and you get to go to many classes with the same group of people. I am part of a program that is similar to a FIG called Gateway. That's where I met 5 of my really good friends! Also, it will help a lot if you use websites such as pick-a-prof because the student reviews and ratings are mostly accurate! This website allows you to search your class and the teachers who have taught it and it also gives you a breakdown (in %) of the grades that the professor has given. You don't want to get stuck with a professor that you could have avoided by using the website! Lastly, when you are finally in the classroom, I suggest you bring a laptop to take notes because the teacher talks really fast. However, if you are easily distracted then it’s not such a good idea. Also, I have also been told and learned from experience that reviewing your notes just 5 minutes every day will help you remember everything a lot better than waiting until the night before a test to cram! One last thing! Sit in front! That way,
1. the professor knows that you have been to class all semester long so if any issues arise, they are more likely to help you out
2. you won’t be distracted and
3. You can hear better!
Goodluck and have fun!
Do you enjoy the experience at your school?
I love it at UT! There is so much to do around here and so many people to meet. There is always something going on on-campus. If you go to utexas.edu, you can search for the calendar and sign up to get emails about the weekly events that are happening around campus! UT is also very diverse so you are bound to meet and run into a lot of different kinds of people. There is also many many different clubs and organizations to join. I guarantee there will be something out there that you are interested in! And if not, you can always start one with 3 friends and $5 I believe. There are also things like the movie theater and Dobie and the many gyms (like Gregory and the Red Center) around campus that you get to go in for free! I know that there are always organizations set up in Jester and in the West Mall (in front of the FAC). If you really can’t find anything to do, there are always the many shops on Guadalupe (the Drag) that you can explore! The best thing about the events on campus is that 98% of the time, they are free free freee! Yay!
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
There is a LOT of resources that are available for students on campus. If you want to feel and be a part of students who have a say on campus, you can always join the Student Council. There are your counselors, professors and TA's that you can go see if you need any help. Located in Jester (first floor) is the Career Explorations Center where you can look up majors and see where they can lead you! On the third floor of Jester, there is the tutoring place where all students get 10 free hours of tutoring! In JCL (Jester City Limits) located on Jester first floor, there are tables set up in the evenings for specific classes so that students can come together and work on homework together and help each other out! You can also get tutoring down there for free! Located at the FAC is the student writing center where you can get help with your papers so that they are PERFECT! Lastly, there are the great libraries on campus full of awesome books and places to study! You can find help with anything in there, just make sure you ask! You can also borrow laptops or use computers for free in the libraries as well.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
Aside from all the tips that have already been mentioned above, I just suggest that students don’t study all the time! You are in a great city and a great campus! Go out and join an organization, meet some people, and have some fun! Studying all the time is not good for your health. Sometimes, besides hanging out with friends or going to events, I like to work out to relax my body. It helps me sleep at night and it might help you! Another tip is that you might get lonely sometimes (because campus is so big) so make sure to plan dates with your friends in order to catch up! Everyone is going in their own direction and if you don’t plan things, sometimes you won’t get to see them at all.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
I think that UT is great for all kinds of students! You can find things to do and different organizations for people of all types, size, and ages! So don’t be scared to apply or afraid that you won’t fit in because you will! And you will always have a friend there already who is willing to lend a helping hand-me!
I know you are hearing all about how big UT is and how big the classes are and how big campus is. All this might be a little intimidating and even scary for you! But no worries! There will certainly be one or two classes that you will have that are just humongous! But there are also other classes that aren’t that bad. The trick first is to join a FIG! They are programs that reserve smaller classes for students who sign up and you get to go to many classes with the same group of people. I am part of a program that is similar to a FIG called Gateway. That's where I met 5 of my really good friends! Also, it will help a lot if you use websites such as pick-a-prof because the student reviews and ratings are mostly accurate! This website allows you to search your class and the teachers who have taught it and it also gives you a breakdown (in %) of the grades that the professor has given. You don't want to get stuck with a professor that you could have avoided by using the website! Lastly, when you are finally in the classroom, I suggest you bring a laptop to take notes because the teacher talks really fast. However, if you are easily distracted then it’s not such a good idea. Also, I have also been told and learned from experience that reviewing your notes just 5 minutes every day will help you remember everything a lot better than waiting until the night before a test to cram! One last thing! Sit in front! That way, 1. the professor knows that you have been to class all semester long so if any issues arise, they are more likely to help you out 2. you won’t be distracted and 3. You can hear better! Goodluck and have fun!
I love it at UT! There is so much to do around here and so many people to meet. There is always something going on on-campus. If you go to utexas.edu, you can search for the calendar and sign up to get emails about the weekly events that are happening around campus! UT is also very diverse so you are bound to meet and run into a lot of different kinds of people. There is also many many different clubs and organizations to join. I guarantee there will be something out there that you are interested in! And if not, you can always start one with 3 friends and $5 I believe. There are also things like the movie theater and Dobie and the many gyms (like Gregory and the Red Center) around campus that you get to go in for free! I know that there are always organizations set up in Jester and in the West Mall (in front of the FAC). If you really can’t find anything to do, there are always the many shops on Guadalupe (the Drag) that you can explore! The best thing about the events on campus is that 98% of the time, they are free free freee! Yay!
There is a LOT of resources that are available for students on campus. If you want to feel and be a part of students who have a say on campus, you can always join the Student Council. There are your counselors, professors and TA's that you can go see if you need any help. Located in Jester (first floor) is the Career Explorations Center where you can look up majors and see where they can lead you! On the third floor of Jester, there is the tutoring place where all students get 10 free hours of tutoring! In JCL (Jester City Limits) located on Jester first floor, there are tables set up in the evenings for specific classes so that students can come together and work on homework together and help each other out! You can also get tutoring down there for free! Located at the FAC is the student writing center where you can get help with your papers so that they are PERFECT! Lastly, there are the great libraries on campus full of awesome books and places to study! You can find help with anything in there, just make sure you ask! You can also borrow laptops or use computers for free in the libraries as well.
Aside from all the tips that have already been mentioned above, I just suggest that students don’t study all the time! You are in a great city and a great campus! Go out and join an organization, meet some people, and have some fun! Studying all the time is not good for your health. Sometimes, besides hanging out with friends or going to events, I like to work out to relax my body. It helps me sleep at night and it might help you! Another tip is that you might get lonely sometimes (because campus is so big) so make sure to plan dates with your friends in order to catch up! Everyone is going in their own direction and if you don’t plan things, sometimes you won’t get to see them at all.
I think that UT is great for all kinds of students! You can find things to do and different organizations for people of all types, size, and ages! So don’t be scared to apply or afraid that you won’t fit in because you will! And you will always have a friend there already who is willing to lend a helping hand-me!