As the spring semester winds down I’ve compiled my top ten tips for incoming or current UT students!
- Go to class
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I’ll let you know right now that one of the easiest decisions to make will be to skip class. However, that is not the right decision. It’ll be a lot easier at the end of the day to go to class and it will make test day that much easier. A tip to avoid skipping class is not signing up for any type of 8AM. You will not want to get up, and it is a lot harder than it was in high school to get up earlier.
- Take advantage of UT Night Rides and Surewalk
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Both of these are services offered by UT for those nights where you may be on campus a bit too late to feel safe walking home. UT Night Rides is a program where UT has partnered with Lyft and is available from 12AM-3AM. Surewalk is a similar program but is run by UT and is available from 7PM or 8PM depending on the semester until 2AM. These are both great services that you should look into.
- Find a good study spot
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Everyone is a bit different with their preferences for study spots, but my personal favorite place to study has been the Fine Arts Library. This is a fairly quiet spot which is great when you need a more low-key space.
- Public transportation is not scary
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Using the public transportation system may seem scary or new for those coming from places where it is not very popular. However, the public transportation in Austin is very accessible and easy to use. You can even put it into maps on your phone or download the Metro app. Overall, while it may be intimidating it is a great way to get around to places that may have limited or expensive parking or if you don’t have a vehicle.
- It’s okay to get rejected
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While you may be here at UT, which is a great accomplishment, rejection is still a huge possibility. Something I wasn’t prepared for when coming to UT was the competitive nature of getting into student organizations. Applications are a must for most orgs ranging from business frats to spirit groups. While some may not be as transparent about how selective they are its good to be aware that you may face rejection when applying. This sucks, but you just have to remember that you can apply again and it is still a huge accomplishment to be attending UT.