To the Class of 2020, congratulations on being accepted to the best university in the land. You are now a member of the Aggie Family, one of the biggest accomplishments you'll attain in your life. You may be feeling a little overwhelmed by the traditions, cultures, and just in general, the college aspect of Texas A&M but I've put together a few tips that may help your first year go a bit smoother.
1. It's Okay to Fangirl Over Ms. Reveille
As the highest ranking member of the Corps of Cadets and our University's beloved mascot, how could you not obsess over her? If you ever see her on campus with her handsome handler, be sure to try to snag a picture. Most Ags have getting a picture with the Queen on their college bucket list.
2. Don't Take 8 a.m. Classes Every Day of The Week
It goes without saying that you're probably not going to spend every waking moment in class or studying. When registration comes around, I highly recommend you don't sign up for 8 a.m. classes Monday through Friday, although one or two won't be that bad.
3. Never Trust The Bus Schedule
I can't even begin to tell you how many times I was late to my classes because the busses were either full or running behind schedule. If you're living off-campus, be sure to track your bus with the live updates and leave at least 30-45 minutes before your class starts.
4. When Professors Say, "You can't learn all of this the night before the test," They Mean It
Go to class, stay on top of your classwork, and start studying around 5 days before your test. Breaking up your study material into smaller sections over a period of time will allow you to absorb the material and not feel so overwhelmed and underprepared for your exam. If this is something you continue to struggle with, the Academic Success Center can help you find a study method that works with you and your schedule.
5. Get to The Library Early or You May Not Find a Spot
Evans, the Annex, West Campus, and MedSci are all popular study spots, especially later in the evening. Getting to the libraries early can ensure that you have a spot at a nice table in the quiet area or your study group can find enough seats at a table to get your work done. Also, the library staff is really cool and helpful so take a moment to talk to one of them! On a separate note, the line at the Starbucks in Evans is always long so you'll want to plan ahead on that one for sure.
6. Bring an Extension Cord Wherever You're Going to Study
It's 11:50 and you have an assignment due at midnight. You're going to submit the paper you've worked on for days, when all of a sudden, your computer dies because there weren't any available spots in the outlet you're sitting by or the closest outlet was on the other side of the room. This situation could have been completely avoided if you would have brought an extension cord with you. Don't let your hard work go to waste, take an extension cord with you.
7. There's 1000+ Organizations, Pick a Few and Get Involved
At Texas A&M, there are over a thousand organizations to get involved in which seems like a lot but they all coexist beautifully on campus. Hopefully you got to experience a sample of a few of these organizations at Fish Camp (shameless plug) or Impact before even moving to College Station. There are also plenty of alternates to Sororities and Frats if you're not totally sure you want to rush. If you're worried you won't find something you'll enjoy, don't worry. There is a place for you in Aggieland, guaranteed.
8. Sitting in the MSC Flag Room Can Change Your Mood
If you're having a bad day, take a trip to the Flag Room located in the MSC. Quite often, you'll find a fellow Aggie sitting at the piano playing a classic Disney tune or just a classic tune that will put a smile on your face. PSA- the Flag Room is also notorious for being one of the best spots on campus to catch a nap in between classes.
9. Do Not Wear Heels To Northgate or a Football Game
Big mistake. Just the thought makes me cringe. Ditch the heels and opt for some cowboy boots or cute sandals because you're going to be doing some serious walking if you take a trip to Northgate and on game days, you could be standing anywhere from 4-7 hours, depending on your pre-game festivities. Your feet will thank you.
10. Get a Meal Plan
If you live off-campus, you'll find yourself sitting in the MSC cafeteria or at Chick-fil-A, wishing you had a meal plan more often than not. Save yourself the starvation and struggles of finding someone to swipe for you, get a meal plan added to your account.
11. It's Okay To Not Get Your Aggie Ring on Time
Many Ags want their ring by their junior year and in many cases, this is possible. Taking on 90 hours is no small task and is not meant to be a daunting obstacle. You should sign up for the amount of hours you can actually handle, not overloading yourself just to get your ring. Yes, getting your Aggie Ring will be one of the best days of your life, but do it on your own time.
12. Don't Drive on Game Day
During the Fall Semester, game day is the day everyone in town gathers in Kyle Field to cheer our Aggie Football Team to victory. Take home your own victory and don't drive anywhere on game day. The roads will be flooded with other Aggies and out of town visitors all getting nowhere fast. Your best bet is to walk or take the Aggie Spirit Bus to save yourself the stress of sitting in traffic and missing the game. If you do need to drive, you can use any TAMU parking pass to park by the George Bush Library for free and walk to Kyle Field. My best advice is to plan ahead and don't get caught in the mayhem that is game day traffic.
13. Don't Define Yourself by Your Relationship Status
When you walk on campus, it may seem that everyone around you is in a cute relationship. You start to long for someone to take you to Midnight Yell or someone to be your touchdown kiss but accept your status and embrace this time that you get to be single.
14. Sticking To a Budget is Harder Than You Think
You're going to tell yourself that you can afford to go out with your friends just this once. That once turns into twice and so forth until you're calling your mom begging her to put more money in your account. Most of your money in college will go to food, just ask anyone. Give yourself a weekly budget and stick to it. Go to H-E-B and stock up on meals you can make at home or in your dorm. Use your meal plan on campus if you have one. Go out with friends, but don't order the most expensive thing possible. There's a lot of ways to save your money but still enjoy your life. It gets easier, I promise.
15. The Freshman 15 Can Be a Real Thing
You're going to get overwhelmed with all the newness of college and you may forget to do your 30 minutes at the gym or skip a few meals during the week. It happens. The best way to avoid this is to get your solid three meals (no, those goldfish you ate between classes don't count), get at least 3 hours of sleep (I know, that's asking for a lot), and visit the rec as often as you can (may as well since it's included in your student fees).
16. Bring a Rain Jacket, Umbrella, and Rain Boots
Pictured below is the West Campus tunnel that runs by Kyle Field. Yes, that's water inches deep. If you plan on walking from Lot 100 to your classes on a rainy day, wear your rain boots and bring your umbrellas because the weather in College Station is very unpredictable.
17. Get Used to Saying "Howdy"
Howdy is the official greeting of A&M and you'll probably hear it at least 20 times (AAAAAAAA) a day while on campus. When I left for A&M, I swore I wouldn't use howdy as my greeting and now find myself saying it to people in Denton who just look at me weird.
18. Say Yes and Step Out of Your Comfort Zone
It may sound cliché but there is literally a world of opportunity for you at A&M. This is the time to figure who you are and who you want to be. Say yes to 3am runs to Fuego after a long study session, say yes to a girls night in with your best friends, and say yes to that study abroad trip you've been dreaming of.
19. Embrace Your Wildcat
As a freshman, your wildcat may think you stand out and that others find it annoying. Well, this is true but everything worth having (like your privileges to whoop) has stepping stones that lead to them. Throw your hands in the air and proudly yell AAAAAAAA because it's your wildcat and you only get a year to annoy the heck out of everyone else.
20. Don't Take Your Parents For Granted
Over the last 18 years, your parents have done the "adulting" for you and now it's your turn. You're about to take on the world without them there to hold your hand but don't worry, they're only a phone call or a short weekend trip away. To my parents, thank you for everything you've done for me and supporting my wildest dreams no matter how out of reach they may seem. Thank you for taking care of me from afar when my car died in the middle of nowhere and sending care packages throughout the year. You'll never know how much your love and support meant to me during my first year away.
Thanks and Gig 'Em
