As far as my humble awakening about going from the top to the bottom of the academic food chain, you just have to keep telling yourself that you’re smarter than you think. There’s always going to be someone smarter than you are, and that’s okay.

It might sound really cliché, but as long as you try really hard and not be a complete slacker, you'll adjust to your workload and do fine.

[Someone who’s thinking about attending UT Austin] should find someone who is currently attending the University (maybe someone from your high school area, family member or friend) and ask them about their experiences here. Taking a tour is fine and all, but I think talking to someone one-on-one is the best way to get a student’s perspective of what our university has to offer.

[Everyone should] reach outside their “comfort zones.” The things in life you regret are the risks that you didn’t take. You’ll always wonder what it would have been like had you given UT a chance. Your hometown will always be there, but your college experience is not replaceable. Take advantage and have fun before you have to really become a “responsible adult.”

Besides, UT is not that big of a place and people are friendly so you can always ask someone for directions if you feel lost.

Interacting with staff and professors is so important. A lot of classes are huge (300+ sometimes), so distinguishing yourself from 300 other faces is really important. They can also help if you’re looking for guidance, internships, or job opportunities.

I was interested in sports nutrition for a long time and was referred to Marsha Beckermann, who was a sports nutritionist on campus. I was able to volunteer for her and gain a little experience and knowledge in that field, not to mention a mentor. To this day, we still get together from time to time and she gives me advice on different ideas of nutrition or various opportunities that I should look into.

[When I first came to UT Austin,] I enjoyed the freedom of being away from home and away from parents. You can go to concerts and do what you please without having to answer to anyone but yourself.

It teaches you responsibility though! I used to like to go dancing with friends on Thursday nights my freshman year. There was one night I couldn’t go because I had a test the next morning at 11:00 am. They told me that I’d have plenty of time to sleep, which was true, but I knew that school should come first.

There will always be another party and 6th Street is not going anywhere!

The Nutrition and Wellness Association gave me the opportunity to meet with other people in my major. I was able to learn about classes, professors, research opportunities, job opportunities, as well as just meet the people I’m going to be sharing classes with for the next few years. I definitely suggest finding a group of people with your common interests and getting involved.

I like to spend my spare time catching up on sleep!

But when I’m not doing that, just hanging out with friends, going to the movies, going tubing or swimming, dancing downtown, shopping, and eating at new or different restaurants.

When I graduate, I plan on going to graduate school to get a Masters in Public Health.