Howdy to the Fightin' Texas Aggie Class of 2021! First of all, Texas A&M is SO excited to welcome you all to campus. As you begin moving in to your dorm room (or apartment) in College Station, say goodbye to your families for the final time, and prepare to start your freshman year of college. You may be wondering "How on earth am I going to survive going to school at the BEST university in the nation?" No need to worry though! Below are 21 (AAAAAAAA) tips that will hopefully help you during your freshman year at Texas A&M:
1. Get to know your roommate(s).
If you're someone who chose to go random when selecting a roommate, your move-in day may be the first time you meet them. In order to have a successful year, really try to get to know them! I had a random roommate, but she quickly became one of my best friends and one of my all-time favorite people.
2. Introduce yourself to your professors.
In a class of 150+ students, it can be easy to get lost in the crowd. Introduce yourself to your professors on the first day of classes! Your first impression is so important, and making a good one can help you later on in the semester.
3. Go to office hours.
If you're struggling in a class, attending your professor's office hours can make a world of a difference. If you have a class during the scheduled office hours, email your professor and I guarantee that they are more than willing to set something up with you!
4. Make friends in your classes.
Having friends in your classes is the best! You'll always have someone to sit with, to study with, and to share notes with in case you have to miss class.
5. Try not to skip class.
Although there will DEFINITELY be days when you're tired, sick, or just not feeling like getting up for your 8 a.m. lecture, try your best not to skip class! Skipping can negatively affect your grade if you do it too often!
6. Be productive with your skips.
Let's be real, skipping classes totally happens to all of us! If you are going to skip a class though, try catching up on sleep, working on homework, or studying for a test.
7. Study, study, STUDY.
Studying is extremely important in college. If you never needed to study before, or don't know which method works best for you, now is the time to try!
8. Find different study spots you like.
With a campus of 60,000+ students, finding the same study spot every week is difficult! Try to find different places where you're comfortable. For example, my favorite places to study on campus are the Memorial Student Center Flag Room, the fourth floor of Evans Library, and the Starbucks at Hullabaloo.
9. Get a planner.
My planner, whiteboard calendar, and the notes app on my phone saved my life my freshman year. Keeping up with a planner is a great way to keep yourself and your classes organized.
10. Avoid procrastination if possible.
Procrastination will happen at least once your freshman year. However, try to avoid it if you can because NOTHING is worse than pulling an all-nighter to work on something that is due for your 8 a.m. class.
11. Be creative with your meal plan.
As delicious as Chick-Fil-A and Panda Express are, try to change up where you eat on-campus that way you don't eat the same thing every day!
12. Stand with the 12th Man.
There is no way to describe the feeling of Sawing 'Em Off with 100,000 of your closest friends at Kyle Field. Try to support every sports team that you can, as Aggie sporting events are one of a kind.
13. Embrace our traditions.
As you probably know, Texas A&M is rich in tradition. Events like Silver Taps, Muster, Yell Practice, and Big Event are sacred and are all part of the Aggie Experience.
14. Get involved.
You've definitely heard this one multiple times, but getting involved is one of the best ways to meet your lifelong best friends! There are over 1,000 student organizations and at least one of them will be the perfect place for you.
15. Collect as many free t-shirts as possible.
Attend as many free campus events as possible! Nine times out of ten, these events also come with a free t-shirt, and there's no such thing as too many Aggie t-shirts.
16. Make friends with the campus workers.
Nothing made me happier than the Starbucks employees recognizing me, or the Smoothie King workers knowing my order and wishing me luck before big exams! Be nice to the staff and they'll take care of you.
17. Download GroupMe and Pocket Points.
These apps will be your best friends in college. Study groups, small classes, and organizations use GroupMe as their main form of communication. Pocket Points locks your phone during class, and rewards you with discounts and coupons that you can use around College Station (25 percent off at Aggieland Outfitters anyone??).
18. Make time for yourself.
You'll be so busy and be having so much fun during your first year of college, but it's so important to take time for yourself. Take naps, watch that new series on Netflix, or do anything that helps you relax!
19. Get out of your comfort zone.
College is the time to reinvent yourself. Try new things, meet new people, and make the most of your experiences.
20. Be yourself.
Even though college is a time to change, stay true to your values and surround yourself with people who will help you be the best version of yourself.
21. Call your family.
This is without a doubt the most important tip I can give you. Being away from your family can be hard at times, but I promise it is often harder for your family than it is for you! Call your mom, text your dad, and FaceTime your siblings (and your pets) often. They want nothing more than to hear about your adventures, and just hearing your voice will make their day!
Freshman year is a time to learn, a time to grow, and most importantly, a time to experience the next phase of your life. From one Aggie to the next, I hope that these tips help guide you through your first year at Texas A&M. Remember that the Aggie family has your back no matter what, and we look forward to seeing what all you accomplish during your time here. Enjoy your freshman experience, and Gig 'Em!
