Each spring, graduating students are asked to offer advice to incoming students based upon their experiences while on the Forty Acres.  What follows is advice from the Class of 2007 graduates of The University of Texas at Austin.

Study hard, but don't miss out on opportunities when they come your way. This doesn't mean to party every night, but make friends and enjoy this time.
Walter Barker, BA Government
Weatherford, Texas

Join a group or club that interests you. Those people will be your friends throughout your stay at UT and you'll have a much easier first semester because of it. Also, pace yourself. I cannot tell you how many times I waited until the last minute to finish a semester long project or report and nearly went insane from the stress. Not only will your work be better if you take it bit by bit throughout the semester but your health will benefit from it too.  It's okay to change your mind about what you thought you wanted to do your senior year of high school.  Things change and college is all about figuring out these very things.
Rebecca Dickson, BA Geography
Haltom City, Texas

Graduate school has often been described as the place to make contacts for the future. I agree with this fully. Take as many opportunities as possible, and never shy away from meeting a new professor or colleague. Life will change in many ways when you seize every possibility and try new things. The contacts you make and research you do in graduate school will absolutely shape your future.
Chanele Muntean, MA Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies
Daytona Beach, Florida

Don't stress... I promise, it will all be okay.
Lindsay Canright, BA History
Austin, Texas

Don't blow off morning classes and study hard if you want to go to graduate school.
Liliana Chiquin, BA Government and Sociology
Austin, Texas

Look to military veterans for guidance and wisdom. They are often some of the smartest and most dedicated students you will meet.
Jonathan Dillard, BA Government
Massies Mill, Virginia

Make school a priority but don't let it keep you from building lasting relationships with new people. Cling to your passions. You don't have to impress anyone, make yourself happy. Find the things you love and gain as much experience with these things as possible.
Andrea Correa, BS CSD -- Speech/Language Pathology
Salado, Texas

Have fun and enjoy every moment. Do not sacrifice your academic performance for it will come back to haunt you upon graduation.
Joel Suarez, Jr., BA Government
Mexico DF/Southlake, Texas

There are thousands of brilliant people here. Don't get lost in the idea that college is about drinking and partying. What you do your freshman year will follow you the rest of your time in college. Don't sacrifice your goals for four years of getting wasted. On the other hand, don't take it too seriously, either. You're going to feel like giving up, but I promise it is all worth it in the end.
Yvette DeChavez, BA English
San Antonio, Texas

For undergraduates: Get involved in university activities - student organizations, campus wide events, study groups, entertainment on campus, etc. It will broaden and enlighten your university experience, and you will make friends and meet so many interesting people with similar interests. For graduate students: Connect with the other graduate students within or outside your department. They are the only people who can truly understand what you are going through at times and how stressful things can get. They can be your best allies and help you through the hard times. Take advantage of the access you have to brilliant researchers and teachers and learn from them. They are happy to mentor you, and you can learn so much from them.
Birgitte Vittrup Simpson, PhD Psychology
Herning, Denmark

Don't let anyone tell you that you can't accomplish your goals.
Sara Harris, BS Psychology
Tyler, Texas

Be open to change and learning about new ideas, new people, and seeing the world from a different perspective. Any chance you get to meet someone new, take it. Even if it's just a one-time encounter you will learn something from one person. Spend time studying but make time for your social life as well. Your education is what you make of it and be proactive about your grades and class work. Challenge yourself and don't always take the "easy" professor. Carpe diem. Christina Baquero, BA Psychology
Cypress, Texas

Whatever you put in, this university will give you in return. SO- go to every football game, join as many organizations as you can manage, take on that class just because you think it sounds interesting, and take advantage of your professors. Attend free additional lectures, free movies in the Union, find those unheard-of study spots, and soak in as much as you can. Your time here is brief, and will be gone before you know it.
Alison Barrow, BA Voice
Katy, Texas

3 Simple Rules to Get the Most Out of College: 1. Study with your friends. You'll have fun doing it and remember more than if you stress out alone. 2. Get to know your professors. It's easy to get lost in the shuffle of large classes. 3. Get to know Austin. Austin is a place rich with culture. Enjoy it before it changes more.
William Moreno III, MPAff Master of Public Affairs
Mathis, Texas

The University of Texas at Austin is a great school with so many opportunities. Take advantage of every mentor, professor, organization, and program possible. The resources at UT are endless.
Aurora Jones, Juris Doctorate Law
La Porte, Texas

Keep an open mind. Don't be frightened easily by new and busy surroundings. That's that UT offers, and it's definitely one of the biggest perks of being a student here. There are so many opportunities to meet new people, try different activities, and work with amazing professors, staff members, and administrators. Don't change yourself because you feel as if you have to "fit in." The amazing part about UT is that it will fit you, no matter who you are, what you want to do, or what you hope to become.
Donna Lin, BJ Journalism
North Potomac, Maryland

Do as much as possible and take all kinds of classes. Never again will you have such a wide range of things to learn. This really is a truly unique institution so enjoy every second of it.
Shey Delgado, BA Middle Eastern Studies & History
Houston, Texas

As I approach the final months of undergraduate school, I cannot help but smell my family's homemade tamales. For years, the aroma has symbolized the incentive for hard work, determination and patience. To all minorities who think you won't fit in at a major university come join us at The University of Texas...we're waiting for you!
Lauren Garcia, BA Psychology
San Antonio, Texas

Be prepared to do a lot of things that are difficult and trying. Sometimes the easiest road is the one that gets you nowhere.
Georgia Huggins, MA Sedimentology
San Fernando, California

Keep an open mind and try to meet as many people as you can. You never know when a connection made during orientation leads to a lifelong friendship or a unique career later on down the line.
Erik Locascio, BA English
Sugar Land, Texas

Get involved, get involved, get involved. Not only have I met my best friends through organizations on campus, but I also have learned things you can't learn from a book. I wouldn't do it any other way.
Taryn Dusek, BS Communication Studies and Government
Plano, Texas

Have an open mind and share your thoughts and opinions with your class. The professors/instructors really want to help, so talk to them if you have a question or problem. Teamwork is the key; include everyone in your team.
Pat Roberts, MSN Master of Science
San Antonio, Texas

Learn how you learn. Once a student is able to understand how he/she learns, then that student will do better and learn more. If an individual learns by hearing it then going to class becomes the best option. If a student learns best by reading, then devouring the text is the best option. Also, this allows for self-understanding, a process that is important to being a good person.
Laura Teller, BA English and Anthropology

Become involved with organizations that relate to your major and utilize connections you make through these organizations. Attend as many career fairs as possible and begin establishing a resume. Also strongly consider applying for internships regardless of whether or not your degree requires them. Experience in your desired field is always a plus.
Marisa Perez, BA Sociology
San Antonio, Texas

The first year I was here, my father passed away, and I'm graduating in honor of his name. I love and miss him dearly and hopefully he is watching down on me this second. College is fun and it's an opportunity to grow and become who you truly are. UT is like a family and they show us that they are there in many different ways. If an obstacle comes before you, use it as a stepping-stone to achieve and do better. Emiliano Zapata once said, "It is better to die on your feet than live on your knees." I feel the same way; use this to help you inspire that even if you are trying its better than do nothing at all. Learn from your experiences...cherish them.
Savannah Gonzalez, BA Government
Cotulla, Texas

Do not be afraid to try new things. Be true to yourself and explore all that the university has to offer. You will only be in college once, so make the most of it. Hook 'em Horns.
Lindsay Spurlin, BS Special Education
Plano, Texas

Don't take any unnecessary breaks. My first year-and-a-half at UT I was slow to participate in many organizations or help with many events because I did not want to over-commit myself like I had in high school. Looking back, I would rather have over-committed myself than not fully devoted myself to everything that I could. You'll have the rest of your life to rest and take breaks. Utilize all your time here. Take advantage of UT's opportunities.
Andrew Theilen, BA Plan II/Spanish
Coppell, Texas

Go to art functions. Don't leave everything to the last minute. Have fun.
Jean Freer, BFA Visual Arts Studies
Fairfield, Connecticut

Enjoy every bit of the college experience, while keeping in mind why you are here. College days have been some of the best in my life and I am glad I got to experience them. Do not lose focus.  Be a part of an organization that will help you grow.
Roshni Newaskar, BA Psychology
Austin, Texas

Go to Class.
Elizabeth Strutton, BA Psychology
Austin, Texas

You are here to get an education, but you are also in college. You need to do more than just study. Get out into the city and have fun!
Clay Barnett, BS Human Biology
Burnet, Texas

Always utilize the resources available to you on campus to the fullest. Attend as many events as you can and stay actively involved in organizations that interest you. The more you keep yourself occupied, the better memories you will have of a great collegiate experience.
Joseph Chen, BBA Finance
Dallas, Texas

Do not wait till the day before your test to study. Try to make the best out of it by learning the material every day.
Wagma Noor, BA biology
Austin, Texas

Meet with your adviser often to make sure you graduate on time. Also, join as many organizations as possible. It really makes this university smaller.
Amanda Blair Shiff, BJ Broadcast Journalism
Plano, Texas

Get involved while at the university. Learn the meaning of what it is to be a Longhorn.
James "Chris" Goains, BA History
Lorena, Texas