2020 has been a tough year, but as always, the Aggie spirit will persevere!
Jumping on the Bandwagon
Time runs ever slower in the dog days of quarantine, boarded up in our apartments and houses while the things we found enjoyment in are starting to lessen their gleam bit by bit. That is why I knew I had to come up with something to do during my quarantine to help pass the time, and I decided to join the bandwagon and try out a couple new hobbies.
The Start of College for a Cancer Patient
Being a first-generation college student is already hard, but being a first-generation college student with cancer is that much harder. My name is Evelin Pacheco Mota, an industrial distribution major with a double minor in business and statistics at Texas A&M University. Within my two years at Texas A&M, I have struggled with my health, been placed on academic probation, beat cancer and was accepted into my dream major. Here is the story of how a crazy beginning turned into a blessed reality.
COVID’s Silver Lining
I think it’s safe to say that canceled plans have affected everybody reading this post. Ring days, study abroad trips, graduation ceremonies, summer internships and surely many more incredible memories were lost because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Optimism and Resilience
I was my mother’s (unwilling) sous-chef for years. She had to drag me — kicking and screaming — into the kitchen to chop vegetables, make rice and learn the spice blends that went into aromatic Bengali cuisine. After she passed away, I remember standing in the kitchen and wanting to sob, because Ma was no longer there to tell me where to start or what to do next, and I would’ve given anything to hear her voice just one more time.
Creating Effective Study Groups
I think most people can agree that studying in a group is always more fun, but can oftentimes be unproductive. When done right, study groups can be a powerful way to learn and build relationships. Here are a few tips on how to get the most out of your study groups.
6 on-campus food spots for the starving engineer
A lot of students think that campus and College Station have limited options when it comes to eateries. However, with the extensive growth of Texas A&M’s campus and the Bryan/College Station area, new restaurants are springing up almost every week. Here are a few of my favorite on-campus options for a quick pick-me-up, meal or study session snack.
Away from Aggieland
This year, everyone across the globe has witnessed unanticipated circumstances and sudden unwelcome changes to lifestyle. People from all walks of life had to face these challenges. As a Texas A&M student, I would say that one of the most disheartening things that happened last semester was that students couldn’t return to Aggieland. This article is my attempt to describe the indescribable.
Things I wish I knew as a freshman
As I finish my last semester in college, I have begun to reminisce about all the things I have learned and the people I have met over the years. These have been some of the most fulfilling yet hardest years of my life, and I have learned more than I could have ever imagined. I am extremely grateful for all the things I’ve been through, but there are a few things I wish I knew as a freshman.
The Experiences of an Engineering Academy Student
The transition from high school to college can be rough for many of us, not only in the learning atmosphere, but also financially. With the Texas A&M – Engineering Academies program, our university is able to provide students with a practical and more affordable way to obtain an engineering degree.
Leaving an Impact on Campus after Graduation
College can be a huge change in direction for anyone. This is the time when you start making decisions that readily impact your future and how people perceive you. With all of this in mind, I have made it a goal of mine to cherish these few years while also making a noticeable impact on the school and my community, and I believe that you should do the same.
The Misconceptions of Entrepreneurship
The world of entrepreneurship is vastly misconstrued today for several reasons. It’s become “trendy” and a bit of a buzzword. Some envision fame, fortune and freedom while others resent the word as wishy-washy and a waste of time. The truth is that neither of these ideas represent the reality of entrepreneurship.
A Good-bye to the Senior Class
This is a small farewell to the seniors whose time at A&M was cut short.
How to Practice Mindfulness During a Crisis
We’re prone to finding what’s wrong with our situations or lives. I’m sure there’s some evolutionary background to this, but when our primary stressors have shifted from visible hulking, animalistic threats to deadly, unseen stressors, such as COVID-19 or the next lurking deadline, many of us find ourselves in a state of chronic stress. In this post is a list of things that help me cope with uncertainty (not just related to the pandemic). I hope they help you, too.
Coping with Social Distancing
When I first received notice that Texas A&M was going to be closing for two days after spring break, I was excited. I thought “Wow, two extra days of spring break!”. but that all soon began to change. It went from two days to one week to finishing the entire semester online to complete social distancing. Since this was my last semester, my heart completely broke. I did not get to enjoy end-of-the-year banquets with my organizations, my last day as an undergraduate or walking the stage May 9, but when I realized that all of this was for a greater purpose, my thoughts changed. Is staying in my apartment for predominantly most of the day and not being able to regularly see my friends fun? No, but here are a few ways I’ve coped with it.
A little to a lot: The value of our student voice
I know that in the College of Engineering my voice is heard, and so is yours! Gig ‘Em!
Managing What Seems Unmanageable
In this post, Haley discusses some tips for handling social distancing and tips for tackling online classes. Remember, we are all in this together!
Your Mental Health Should Always Come First
When I first started college, the transition from high school was very rough for me. Going from a small class size and living at home to being surrounded by thousands of students without any help from my parents was a huge shock. After struggling for multiple semesters, I decided to put myself first. These are a few things I’ve learned on this road to self-discovery.
Why I Love Electrical Engineering
Throughout high school, I constantly changed my mind on the major I wanted to pursue. I went from wanting to be a pharmacist, to a biomedical engineer, to an environmental engineer, and then a psychiatrist, but one thing led to another and I decided that electrical engineering was the right choice for me.
Vocation: More Than Just a Job
I want to encourage you, as a fellow student, to begin the process of thinking about your vocation or some of your passions while you’re in college so that you can go into the workforce with confidence in what you want to do, but more importantly in WHY you want to do it.
Ten Lessons I’ve Learned through Transferring
If you would have asked me my senior year of high school if I would be an Aggie engineering student, I would have laughed… But here I am, getting ready to graduate from Texas A&M with my engineering degree. As I reflect on lessons learned through my transfer experience, there are ten things that come to mind.
Representation Matters
Representation matters. Here blogger Brittney Nelson shares her personal story and struggles as a minority engineering student, her path to success, and a call for change.
How a Good Ag Builds a Spaceship
Since graduating from Texas A&M back in 2017, I’ve been working for Boeing, where I’ve contributed to the design of several different space vehicles. For the past 6-months, I’ve overseen the production of Starliner, Boeing’s new manned space capsule. I’d like to share some wisdom I’ve gained along the way and offer an idea of what life can be like for an Aggie engineer post-graduation.
5 Things to Experience in Bryan/College Station Before You Graduate
I think it is safe to say that College Station may not be known as the most exciting place to live outside of the Texas A&M campus. A lot of people actually end up going out of town to go do something fun, even for a day trip. But, over the years that I’ve lived here as a student, I’ve discovered a lot of places and activities that really are unique to this area and are so worth doing while here! Here are 5 of those things that I think are musts if you live in the B/CS area for any amount of time.
Small Things That Can Make Someone’s Day Great
My first few months at Texas A&M were not the most exciting times of my life. I tried everything I could think of to make my college experience as great as it could be. From being overly involved in a myriad of activities to ensuring my studies were up to speed, something was really lacking. It wasn’t until later in my sophomore year that I decided to slow things down and focus on what truly did matter to me. It wasn’t trying to get poster-child grades or doing the most with my time, but rather leaving an impact on each person I interacted with every day.
Ingenium Vlog: The best brunch you’ll ever make in college
Watch Phoebe’s vlog where she and a couple of special guests whip up the best brunch you’ll ever make in college!
Three Tips to Help in Transitioning from College to a First Job
I expect most engineering students have had at least some internship experience or a summer job. If you haven’t had a job, here are three tips to help in the big transition.
A Day in the Life
Watch Abbey’s vlog where she takes you on a day in the life of a Texas A&M Engineering student!
Starting an Organization from Scratch
My friend and I started an organization for recruiting students to the Materials Science and Engineering department. I learned a lot about how to lead a student organization and common challenges faced in leadership. Here are four key suggestions for anyone looking to start a student organization.
Thoughts from a Senior in Transition: Part 2
In this second part of our “Thoughts from a Senior in Transition” post, Abbey speaks directly to the upperclassmen on what to expect for the next phase of post-college life.