Meet Perri
A Challenging University
I chose UT Austin because of its strong academic and athletic traditions and excellence. I never felt challenged in high school, and I didn't want to experience that feeling again, so I tried to look for a school that would challenge me in more ways than one. There are many academically respectable schools in the state of Texas, but none as challenging as the University of Texas at Austin.
Learn from Leaders and Innovators
In addition to challenging academics and riveting sporting events, UT Austin provides you with the opportunity to meet people who are leaders and innovators in their respective fields. Almost everyday there is a new visitor on campus who has created something spectacular or changed how we view the world today. I would encourage anyone looking for a quality education and various networking opportunities to come here.
Perri’s tips
How to be a successful student
Get a planner! I write down all of my assignments, due dates, and test dates. I even write out how many pages to read for each class per day. It helps tremendously.
Studying
Look for new places to study. The PCL is nice, but you’ll probably end up running into friends and being unproductive. Try out places like the Texas Union or the College of Communication.
Making friends
Go to organizational meetings! You’ll meet people who share your interests.
Living on campus
I live off campus now, but I spent my freshman year in Jester East. I recommend living at least one year on campus to get the experience and make new friends. Also, it’s a lot easier to make it to class and meetings when they’re all less than 15 minutes away.
Surround Yourself with New Ideas
I’ve never been surrounded by so many intelligent, creative people in my life. Everyone here has something of value to say and can offer you a whole new perspective. There are professors that challenge you to think in whole new ways, and students who can offer you insight to situations you’ve never gotten to experience. For example, I’m taking Black Power Movement with Dr. Moore and the ideas he presents challenge everyone in the class to think about historical and current events in a new way. If I had never come to UT Austin, I may have never been exposed to those types of ideas.
Think Outside the Box
I believe UT Austin prepares students to change the world by offering classes in a wide variety of subjects that challenge you to think outside the box you were raised in, and by exposing students to powerful and influential people who can help them get where they want in life.
More about Perri
Favorites
- Study location on campus: The 4th floor of the Texas Union. It’s quiet, cool, and hardly anybody comes up there.
- Place to eat on or near campus: Chick-Fil-A and Chipotle. Both keep me full for a long time, and they taste amazing!
- Class: Black Power Movement.
- Professor: Dr. Leonard N. Moore
- Movie: The Little Mermaid
Biggest challenge
The biggest challenge I’ve overcome during my time in college is money issues. I was prepared for tuition, housing, and books, but nobody informed me on all the organizational dues, outrageous food prices, and random expenses. In high school, if I ran out of pens or paper towels, I could just put it on my mother’s grocery list or borrow some from a friend. In college, I had to go to the store and buy those things myself. Also, without a car, I was usually stuck going to stores near campus, which often charge higher prices just because they can. I thought I had done a good job planning ahead for monetary issues, but I was definitely unprepared for the little things.
Best unexpected thing
The best unexpected thing that’s happened to me since I arrived is how much I’ve changed as a person. I considered myself to be pretty mature before I started college, but looking back now, I’ve definitely come a long way. I never thought I’d be such a grown up.
Favorite experience
My favorite experiences have involved attending football games. Although last football season didn’t go as planned, it was still exciting to finally be in the stadium I had grown up watching on television. The excitement of football, the sense of connectedness you feel from all the Longhorn fans around you, and hearing the fight song during the game, all of it makes for a very exciting experience!
Want to Contact Perri?
Send her an e-mail at Perri.Watts@utexas.edu.