New Family
I came to The University of Texas to please my family and for financial reasons, but knowing what I know now, I would have chosen UT Austin over any other institution of higher education. The people, including students, professors, and administrators are all so helpful and approachable; I felt like I had been accepted into a new family.
Dalai Lama in Tiger Slippers
My favorite experience was obtaining Dalai Llama tickets by waiting in line outside with thousands of people as my friends and I donned our Marvin the Martian and tiger slippers, respectively. People had televisions, tents, and computers making Facebook groups for others to join as they waited in line. Hearing the chanting for the Dalai Llama, and finally hearing an amazing man speak (although not in great English), and he had the whole place on the edge of their seats. He ended with the statement, “if you don’t like what I have said, forget it.”
Liam’s advice on…
Studying
Just do it. Professors often assign many reading and writing assignments, and the old tricks of high school procrastination are no longer acceptable. After each exam, divide the number of pages you have to read by the number of days before the next exam. Also, do not be afraid to approach your Professors; they want to see students succeed.
On-campus living
I would recommend living on campus for freshmen. In fact, I like living on campus so much that I have applied to be a Resident Assistant (RA). My friend, Marlon, lives off campus, and he struggles to keep up with bus schedules to and from his house. Life on campus is electrifying and an experience that I will remember for the rest of my life. The gym, library, and my classes are all within a five minute walk of my dorm.
Making friends
There are no tips to making friends at UT. Friends come to those who are themselves. I do not smoke or drink, but I still go to parties and have a good time. If friendships are hard to come by then patiently wait for the inevitable, but do not force yourself to be something you are not.
More about Liam
Choosing English as a major
I chose English as my major because studying literature is one of my passions. I like to study literature considering the time in which it was written, and to discover the meaning behind the author’s choice of words.
Liberal Arts Honors
The Liberal Arts Honors (LAH) program has brought me into contact with some amazing people. Since I walked on campus, warm faces and kind words from my advisors and fellow students has made me feel like I belong to a special community rather than a number. Professor Birkholz’s [Liberal Arts Honors Introduction to Literary Study] class illustrates the approachable yet authoritative nature used by most of the professors UT employs to push their students to want to achieve academically. Further, he makes the class fun by being able to communicate what he is thinking to all of his students, who in turn can concentrate more on their text and other student’s comments. People have fallen out of chairs and coffee has been spilled, but as a class we have learned more than we have ever learned before.
Favorites
- Class: Intro to Literary Study with Professor Birkholz
- Books: 1776, Twelfth Night, The Da Vinci Code, Persuasion
- About Austin: The city has character. I like running the hills.
- Pastime / Recreational activity: Intramural Football, Soccer, and Basketball plus pick up games at Gregory Gym and the Rec Center.
- Favorite study locations on campus: Liberal Arts Honors Commons Room, Perry-Castaneda Library, and the Texas Union.
- Fill in the blank: I can’t ____ without _______.
Answer: I can’t breathe without air.
Send Liam an e-mail at liam.orourke@mail.utexas.edu.
Updated 10 July 2008
