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50 Ways to Rock McCombs: Advice to New Students

Editor's note: This story was originally published in the fall of 2010.

 


 

Little girl in superhero costume.Should I study abroad? Where's the best place to study? Will I ever sleep again?

If you're a new student at McCombs, welcome! We figured you'd have a few questions on your mind as you begin your first semester, so we asked current and former students to share their advice for you on how to make the most of your time here.

One of the most common pieces of advice we heard was to network. In that spirit, we also recommend you follow us on Twitter (and check out our lists of students and alumni) and like us on Facebook.

And as to those questions above, according to our advice givers: YES!, the Reliant Productivity Center, and sleep is overrated.

How to Make the Most of Your Time at McCombs

1: network with your professors, they love to see students that care and are passionate about business

2: use LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter to your favor and preserve your online image for recruiters & show knowledge.

3: be proactive, choose experience over perfect GPA and pick a career and industry first, then your major. ;) --Marcel Santilli, marketing student

Study abroad! --Ashley Joseph, BBA ‘09

Networking, networking, networking --Omer Khan, MBA at Houston student

Get involved asap. Go to every possible org info session, eat their free food and find an org for you --Jared Kastriner, accounting student

Go out with your classmates, Be really passionate about something for the whole 2 years and pick 1 class each semester where you'll settle for the "B" --Bevin Gaines, MBA ‘08

if you hear of older students whom you want to emulate, don't be afraid to ask them to lunch and pick their brain. --Matt Barry, BBA ‘08

(1) buy the sports pass; (2) figure out the draw process for football and basketball tix --Brooks Schuelke, BBA ‘92

Prepare, prepare, prepare! Don't fall behind! And enjoy. :) --Carrie Colbert, MBA ‘09

Join orgs, introduce yourself to your profs. It's a big place and getting to know people can make it smaller. --Jason Rogers, BBA ‘05

***

Advice from the BBA Class of 2010

I didn't realize how well UT prepared me for the CPA exam until I began studying. Every class serves a purpose and every class is important.

Have faith in yourself and start recruiting early!

If the escalators aren't working, take the elevator.

Study. Study. Don't procrastinate. Join organizations to meet people. Have fun, study abroad!

Believe in yourself at all times, even if you don't feel like the smartest one in the crowd!

There is so much to see and do and it's right in your hands. Challenge yourself, keep growing, and pursue your passions.

Take advantage of all the opportunities at McCombs: study abroad, join a student organization, attend events and workshops.

Get involved in campus and use the resources available (career, academic, study abroad)!

Even if you screw up and graduate with the wrong major, don't worry about it... this is McCombs... you'll get a job.

Get involved in organizations and please don't take school that seriously. It is very important, but so are you, enjoy every minute of your college career!

Take part in all events and make sure that you diversify yourself within all departments. If I could start college all over I would definitely manage time more closely and balance my life with fun and studies. So GO OUT and don't be afraid to be part of diverse organizations. Most of all, DO NOT PROCRASTINATE

Discover ways to utilize your business degree to follow your passion

Keep your GPA up!

It is easy to think that classes that are not in your major are not very relevant to you, but they are. You may have a focus on a certain aspect of business at first, but what will be important is that you deliver value to your business. Also, take advantages of what McCombs offers you. There are amazing student organizations, there are stellar speakers who come to the school, and there are great opportunities to prove yourself. Join the clubs, see and try to meet the speakers, and lastly take advantage of the opportunities to prove yourself. On that front I strongly recommend you take part in a case competition. It will take time, effort, and patience but it is a tremendous learning experience. Lastly, I recommend everyone take the introduction International Business course (IB 350), regardless if you are an International Business major or not. Whether it is sooner or later, the class will be very beneficial to you and Linda Gerber is a great lecturer.

Do NOT skip class. Focus and keep up with your GPA. Try to get an internship each and every summer until you graduate!

Study hard but HAVE FUN!

Study Abroad! It is the best experience ever. You meet the greatest people and learn the most, especially about yourself.

Sleep is overrated

Determination is the key to success, it doesn't matter how long it takes you to reach your goal as long as you reach it.

Take advantage of all the great resources McCombs has to offer--organizations, career services, events, workshops--they will help you become more well rounded and successful!

Join organization whether they're business-associated or not. It will help you get your foot in the door with upper-classmen who will be willing to help you out. Seek out internships, jobs or volunteer work that pertain to what interests you. Don't be afraid to be the one who speaks out in class. Many times that person does the best with the least amount of outside studying! Don't be afraid to do what you enjoy or you love. It will make your college experience that much better. You've got the chance to do what you want to do now. Go for it!

Work hard. Play hard. Best way to network.

If you want to do it, do it! There's no time like the present.

Always be sure to do what is best for you, regardless of what the status quo is or what your peers may think. Doing so will only leave you with happiness and a sense of accomplishment that will stay with you forever and is absolutely invaluable.

Get involved early! Leadership on campus is the catalyst for future success.

Look early for internships

Study abroad. And take many fun, elective courses that interest you.

Manage your time accordingly. Do not get in groups with your friends because it will lead to fights and will not be productive. Always remember to have fun and enjoy your time in college!

You are part of an amazing program. Use all of the resources while you have them. See the speakers, go to the events. Soak in all of the knowledge, expertise and passion from those who have already been successful.....while it's free. Enjoy what you study. Let it challenge you to think in new ways. Let it excite you. If it doesn't, consider something else.

Your time here is limited, do as much as you can while you can.

Don't be afraid to do less.

Enjoy it as much as you can!!! It goes by very fast...

Study abroad and take advantage of all the opportunities the business school offers!

Take advantage of the fact that there are some 50,000 students on campus. Start networking early.

Don't worry so much. Do your work, have fun, and get some internship experience and everything else will work out!

Before deciding what major you would like to pursue in the business school, first reflect on your life and what makes you the most happy. With this reflection, really think about where you would like to end up in your future and pursue the major that will allow you to reach your goals. This is very important because you do not want to end up in your fourth or fifth year of college realizing that you have wasted these years pursuing something that you are not truly passionate about. In the end, happiness is all that matters.

Don't take school too seriously. If you work hard, you will do well

Try to be well-rounded.

And one from the editors: Don't be that person who uses the elevator just to go down one floor. Take the stairs or the escalator. The elevator people will thank you, and it's good for you to walk a bit.

Comments

#1 These are all great tips!

These are all great tips! Thanks for putting them together and sharing them.

#2 Strengthen and hone your tech

Strengthen and hone your tech skills. It pays off by making homework easier, looking good on your resume, and helping you get better internships and jobs. McCombs students can learn Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and more at www.mccombs.utexas.edu/lynda. There are 1000s of videos and courses on Microsoft Office, Adobe products, Mac software, Visual Studio, and much more. It's available 24/7, and it's all free for McCombs students.