Meet Michael
A Welcoming University
I chose to attend the University of Texas at Austin for a number of reasons. The cost was relatively low. UT was close enough to go home on the weekends, but not close enough for my parents to visit unannounced. My older sister was at UT, and I was excited to share some of my college experience with her. Also, UT Austin had one of the top undergraduate programs in Electrical Engineering.
Another seemingly unimportant factor was that I was already so familiar with UT Austin. I had heard many good things about UT from family friends, neighbors, and high school teachers. I knew the campus early on since I visited with my older sister when she was doing her college search, and I had stayed with older friends at UT when my high school friends and I took a road trip around Texas one spring break. From each of these small connections with UT, I found out early on that UT was a welcoming university.
Study What You’re Passionate About
In the middle of my sophomore year of college, I found myself getting tired of my Electrical Engineering curriculum. I knew that I wanted to be an engineer with solid critical problem solving skills, but I found that circuits and computer programs weren’t the type of problems I wanted to solve. I spoke with advisors in my department, my college, and the career exploration center. One thing about UT - there are advisors willing to help you as long as you simply ask them. After speaking with advisors, my parents, my older sister and upperclassmen, I still wasn’t sure if I could/should change majors. In the end, I had to go with my gut feeling, and I became a government major. Changing majors is a difficult decision that only gets harder the longer you are in school. Don’t be afraid to do it - especially if you’ll be more passionate studying another subject.
College Memories That Will Last a Lifetime
My favorite experiences as a UT student have come from the organizations I’ve been involved with. I think it is very important to get involved in student organizations. Being involved creates friendships, makes memorable moments, and develops leadership skills.
Student organizations brought me to experience things I never would have dreamed about. As a member of Alpha Phi Omega, the co-ed service fraternity that showcases the largest Texas flag in the world, I have stood on the field at the Rose Bowl, watched the Hex Rally from the president’s balcony, and enjoyed Texas Revue, UT’s premier talent show, from backstage. As a member of the Tejas Club I’ve celebrated Texas Independence Day by eating breakfast alongside UT administrators, faculty, and graduating seniors. And as a member of the Filipino Students Association, I’ve performed cultural dances in front of hundreds of people in the LBJ auditorium and on the stage in the Texas Union Ballroom. By being involved in student organizations, I have created college memories that will last me a lifetime.
Open Your Eyes to New Ideas and Perspectives
Sometimes it is hard to make connections with faculty and staff. Although it may be difficult at first, these connections can be the best connections that you’ll make during your college years. As a student in a writing component classes, I went into my professor’s office hours to ask a quick question about a paper. The quick question somehow turned into an hour and a half dialogue, not between professor and student, but between two individuals thinking out loud. As a result of that visit, I have decided to apply to the Peace Corps and hope to support international development as a career. Professors really can open your eyes up to new ideas and perspectives.
Michael’s advice about…
Studying
In college there are a lot of distractions - your roommate, new exciting memories, meeting new people, attending sports events. I think that the best way to focus on class material is to allow yourself to get away from everything that might distract you. For instance, don’t study where all your friends study. Turn your cell phone off once you get to the library. While you are studying, allow yourself to put everything else off. It takes sacrifice to make time to study, but it’s definitely worth it.
Meeting people
I heard some great advice before coming to UT. A friend’s older brother said “Be as outspoken and welcoming as you can your first few weeks as a freshman. Chat with people in elevators and sitting next to you in classrooms. Most of the people in classes and in the dorm are other freshmen. Just be yourself.” I heeded his advice, and got to know some great people my first semester, many of whom I’m great friends with now. Since UT is so large, there is surely a student that shares your interests. The best way to find out where those people are is to truly get to know the people around you.
Living on/off campus
I lived on campus my freshman year in Carothers, one of the smaller dorms. The dorm experience was a great way for me to transition from high school to college. I got to know my hall mates and my RA made living on our floor a lot of fun. I didn’t have to cook for myself just yet and I could always find a quiet place near the dorm to study. Also, by living on campus, I was much more able to attend random events on campus because a student organization’s meeting or trip to UT’s underground bowling alley was just a short walk away.
While living on campus was a great way to transition to college, I think it’s also important for students to live in an off campus house or apartment before they graduate. College is not only about getting an academic education but also about learning how to live independently without someone doing the cooking and cleaning for you.
Study abroad experience
In the April of my junior year, I was selected by a US organization (The Atlantic Council) to visit Lisbon, Portugal for one week to discuss NATO with students from across Western and Central Europe. I fell into this unexpected and once-in-a-lifetime experience simply by browsing the internet looking for opportunities for college students. I definitely found one! Although the trip was very short, it gave me a thirst for international travel and idea exchange that I hope to quench once I graduate.
More about Michael
Favorites
- Class: Introduction to International Relations. This class covered everything from world history to world power dynamics and conflict resolution. I got through that summer of daily lectures and nightly homework by spending my afternoon at UT’s new outdoor pool doing class readings in the sunshine.
- Study location on campus or off campus: JP’s Java - a cozy coffee shop a short walk from campus with comfy couches
- Place to eat on or near campus: Posse East - a convenient hamburger/sports bar with great food and a fun atmosphere
- Thing about Austin: Austin City Limits Music Festival - over 125 bands playing for three days in Zilker Park, a best way to spend a weekend finding out exactly why Austin is the Live Music Capital of the World
- Pastime / Recreational Activity: Playing soccer with friends and random students at Clark Field
Scholarships
- Glenn Maloney Endowed Memorial Scholarship, April 2007
- Tejas Club 2006 David L. Shull Memorial Scholarship, April 2006
- ChevronTexaco Scholarship Award, September 2004
- Silver Spurs 2004 Lowell Lebermann Student of the Year Scholarship, April 2004
Random Thought
I can’t think of UT without remembering my job as a Tower Tour Guide. I am lucky enough to be paid to talk to visitors from other cities, states and countries about UT history while standing atop one of the best views in Austin.
Send Michael an e-mail at mwindle@mail.utexas.edu