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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at TAMU chapter.
Post from TAMU instagram welcoming the incoming freshman class.

Welcome to Aggieland!

Making the transition from high school to college is known to have its obstacles. Whether it be adjusting to an independent lifestyle away from home or just figuring out where everything is on campus, being a freshman is oftentimes an overwhelming experience. 

However, attending a school like Texas A&M University (TAMU) comes with its own learning curve unlike any other. Most people can agree that TAMU sets itself apart from numerous institutions because of its unique culture and tight-knit community that is deeply rooted in tradition. Learning all of these traditions and adjusting to the amount of spirit on campus is sometimes a lot to digest.

Because of this, I asked some upperclassmen what their advice is to the incoming class of 2027!

Getting Involved on Campus

Like other universities, getting involved helps form connections with other students.

  • You’ll have a lot more fun in college if you join organizations and make friends who can help you in school or life! –Madi Crick ‘25
  • Actually go to MSC Open House. It’s way easier to get involved when you know what all the orgs are on campus. – Kara Lawdermilk ‘24
  • Don’t feel like you need to join a hundred of them and burn yourself out. Pick one or two that you feel interested in and go from there. You can always try something else the next year! -Liv Roth ‘23
  • Don’t be afraid of rejection. If you get rejected, keep trying and learn from those experiences because you will find your place one day. It might take 1 try but it also might take 5. I was very sad that I didn’t get into any organizations my first semester but my sophomore year I found my best friends. The rejection helped me grow into who I am now. –Jolie Rudisaile ‘23

Learning the Traditions

TAMU is a very unique school with numerous traditions. It can sometimes be overwhelming to learn, especially for those who are the first Aggie in their family.

  • Don’t be afraid to ask questions. I used to think people would judge me or think I was stupid for asking, but everyone loves to share and pass on the traditions. On top of that, don’t be afraid to dive into the traditions. I think to truly buy into the experience you have to find the traditions that you like and mean something to you. –Kara Lawdermilk ‘24
  • I’d recommend trying to learn about all the traditions and attend as many of them as you can! – Madi Crick ‘25
  • My advice for new Aggies would be to take part in every major tradition at least once. You may feel more connected to one over another, and that’s totally okay; at least you tried it all once! The traditions are what make TAMU very unique and it’s a great way to feel connected to the spirit that makes up the Aggie family.  – Liv Roth ‘23
  • My advice to incoming freshmen at Texas A&M would be to take advantage of all of the opportunities that the University has to offer. TAMU has the largest student body of any university in the country. This can be intimidating for many students, particularly when it comes to the unique traditions and customs that take place at this great university. It can be difficult for students to find “their place” when they first arrive on campus, but I believe there is a place for everyone here. In order to find that place you have to seek it out. Every tradition that exists here is designed to bring Aggies together. Take advantage of these events and become the Aggie you were meant to be. Good luck and welcome to Aggieland class of ’27! –Jace Valentine ‘24

Other TAMU Tips and Tricks

Here is some other random advice to make it through your first year at TAMU.

  • Invest in decent shoes to walk around campus with and invest in rain boots because campus floods. –Kara Lawdermilk ‘24
  • Download the A&M app and learn the bus routes and stops. –Winona Williams ‘24
  • Living on campus is also something I would recommend doing because it can help you feel connected to the community at A&M, and you’ll appreciate the campus more! –Madi Crick ‘25

Good luck to all incoming freshmen class of 2027. We can not wait to see you thrive here in Aggieland in the upcoming semester!

Meredith Andalis is a member of the Texas A&M University chapter of Her Campus. In addition to being part of the social media committee, she enjoys writing about her personal experiences, discussing local restaurants, and covering events on campus. As a member of the social media committee she submits posts once a week for the chapter’s social media pages. Outside of her role at Her Campus, Meredith has had a variety of on campus jobs. She is continuing her over two years of work as a residence hall tour guide and spent the last year helping revise a textbook for one of the English courses at TAMU. Recently she started a new position as a consultant at the University Writing Center. She is also in her final year at TAMU finishing her degree in English with a minor in Communication. For fun Meredith enjoys reading, watching movies, and spending her paychecks on coffee. Her favorite movies include “When Harry Met Sally” and anything from the Captain America trilogy. She is also committed to finding cute coffee shops and bookstores wherever she travels to. She also enjoys writing which is why she loves being a part of Her Campus TAMU!