Coming to campus can be a little much when one does it for the first time ever. Separated from home, sometimes by hundreds of miles, with your friends scattered across the nation. The good news is, you chose the best University in the nation with which to start your new phase of life. The hard part is finding a way to be a part of Texas A&M, and not being left behind in the dust.
Thankfully for you, my college career and myself are riding off into the sunset while yours is just beginning. So here are four simple steps to making the most out of your Aggie experience.
1. Go to a football game
Sure this is a no brainer, but you would be surprised how many people go to one or two football games in their entire student career, if that. Even if you are not a fan of football, I'm willing to bet that a big reason you chose A&M was because of the atmosphere and tradition. There is no place more full of tradition and Aggie atmosphere that Kyle Field on a Saturday. I'm also willing to bet you will have a blast regardless of the product on the field. Also, don't forget to experience the atmosphere before a game. Also, tailgating with thousands of Aggies is much more fun than sleeping in.
2. Start an intramural group
A&M is a haven to those who enjoy taking to the field, the diamond, or the pitch in their spare time. You will quickly find that two of the hardest things in college are meeting people and staying in shape; intramurals counteracts both.
3. Attend other sports
A&M offers sports beyond football. Basketball has been an amazing ride over the past few years, and Reed Arena is quickly making a name for itself in the college hoops world. But there are also sports like tennis, track and softball that are world class in their own right. One of the best assignments I ever had with The Battalion was a women's tennis match against Texas where the crowd actually got into the head of one Longhorn who told the crowd at one point to "be quiet" in a less than PC manner.
4. Find your niche
This has less to do with sports, but it is arguably the most important thing one can stress when going to college. Find something you enjoy and go for it, that's how you grow as a person and meet new people. A&M offers everything and then some. The Corps, Freshman Leadership Organizations, Fish Camp, religious associations, Men's and women's clubs, Greek Life and many more. Sure you're here to go to school, but you're also here to make friends that will last a lifetime, and its through finding your group that you accomplish that and get the most out of your Aggie experience.
Brett Sebastian is a senior geography major.
