Meet Dallas
Name: Dallas Richardson
Hometown: Dallas, TX
Major: English and Radio-Television-Film
Minor: Spanish
Size Matters
Although big companies and organizations sometimes lack a spirit of helpfulness and offer only limited options, the University of Texas at Austin seems to have figured out how to use its size to benefit students. Size is even one of the reasons some students select the university.
Dallas Richardson, for example, thinks that size helps to make UT Austin a better place.
Opportunities, Choices and Guidance
“Because UT is such a large school it requires that its administrators attend to the needs of its students,” Dallas said. “There are a large number of services easily accessible to every student. I have plenty of opportunities to be a leader, study abroad, take internships, and much more.”
Dallas believes that such opportunities are best suited to students who approach school with an open mind. He thinks UT students should take advantage of the opportunities they’re offered and search for programs that fit their needs. “Participating in the different programs that I was interested in helped me find the career that was right for me and is continuing to help me develop the skills needed for that career,” he said.
For Dallas, experiencing the excitement of available opportunities was evident immediately. He recalls his first semester here as his favorite time on campus, a time when he was excited about the groups and organizations available to him.
“I was also excited about classes because, unlike high school, I got to choose classes that I was genuinely interested in. I loved going to class and studying was actually fun. It still is that way today,” he added.
With all those options, students do need some guidance, however. And Dallas received the help he needed from his academic advisors. “They guided me through my degree plan and made sure I was taking the classes I need to take to graduate in time,” he said. “I would have been seriously lost without them.”
Finding Time to “Hang Out”
Having so many options can cause problems, too. When asked how he spends his spare time, Dallas’s response is an honest one: “Spare time? What spare time?” But he admits that he’s at least half kidding. He recognizes that a social life does matter, too.
“It’s easy to get caught up in school work and never make time to hang out. You’ve got to take it easy every now and again,” he said. One thing he’s learned to do is to enjoy his commitments and responsibilities. For example, as a resident assistant he takes time to play video games with his residents. Doing so seems like a good opportunity for Dallas to channel his competitive side. “I usually win,” he said.
After graduation, Dallas plans to teach elementary or high school while pursuing a career in film.
He may not find much spare time there either. At least he’ll be used to it.
Questions?
Contact Dallas by e-mail.
Updated 3 March 2006
