It’s hard to believe I’ve already been a longhorn for 3 full years and the 4th is already in full swing. I’ve had a blast from ACL to TX/OU to SXSW, and I wouldn’t change a thing.
As I look back on my time in college, I realize that the pictures in my phone as well as my Instagram account are my go-to sources for reminiscing. Instagrams can either be a highlight reel of our life or simply a way to update the people who “follow” us. This project made me realize what kind of archives my social media accounts were, which makes me a really interested in the app analysis paper we’ll take on toward the end of the semester.
Like Rachel mentioned, this week was crazy since it fell right between ACL and Texas/OU weekend. I think that made it really easy though, to keep the posts fun and high-energy—which is also a similar theme to my personal Instagram. Though I’m a little sunburnt from the game (like everyone else), it was the best weather out of the past 4 years for sure. And though we didn’t win, it was still a game that kept us on the edge of our seats the whole time, which was exciting. Though this is definitely not my last Red River Rivalry game, it was my last one as a student, which is weird to think about. That being said, I made sure I was there before kickoff, and I stayed until “Gabriel blows his horn” and Old Smokey (the cannon, right?) was fired.
I’ve heard that in college, it comes down to picking two of these three things: a social life, good grades, and sleep. Some seasons are different than others of course, depending on the circumstances, but no matter whether you chose good grades or sleep, always chose your social life. However, I’ve learned that doesn’t mean going to raging parties every weekend or hitting 6th every single Thursday. Chose spending time with people. Get to know them. We have about 4 years here—5 if you’re lucky—and then we have to go our own directions, but you will always know those people and that is so cool! I guess that’s my senior wisdom. Live it up and have fun with every second of it, y’all!
Thanks for sharing your senior advice! As a freshman, I’m still trying to figure out how to balance all of those things, but I’m sure I’ll find a way to make it work, hopefully by senior year! I agree that our phones are a way to reminisce; I take endless numbers of pictures and look back upon them frequently. I can’t fathom how many more I’ll have by the time senior year rolls around! Although I wasn’t able to make it to this year’s TX/OU game, I’m looking forward to being there the next 3 years while embracing the rivalry and Texas spirit!
This is so true! I couldn’t agree more with you. Although I’m only a third year, I can see where the divide between sleep, social life, and grades are present. I’ve realized that it honestly depends on what you want out of the college experience. If you want f=more life long friends you should focus on that, but that also doesn’t mean you should abandon school. Oh, and I also go through old photos either on my Instagram or phone just to remember those cherishable moments I’ve hand in college. I am also for sure going to the OU game next year, so hopefully its as great as everyone makes it out to be!
I thought the advice you gave everyone couldn’t have been more true. You can’t get good grades, have a good social life and sleep, and many times you only get one of those, if not two. College isn’t necessarily about going out to parties every chance you have. Spending quality time with people you are close with is just as, if not more, satisfying than going out to wild parties every night. In my three years here at UT, I have learned that it is better to have a few close friends rather than many casual friends. I find it much more interesting to get to know a handful of people on a deeper level rather than just knowing basic information about a lot of people. Thanks for the senior wisdom!
Yay! Another senior! I completely understand how you feel. I definitely opted for grades and sleep. It worked well for me because I usually fell asleep watching Netflix most days LOL. The good thing for me is I should still be in school for the next 4 years after graduation and since I love school it works for me. The advice you gave was definitely accurate though. I’ve met some great people on this campus and I continue meeting people that I feel like I’ve known my entire life. UT has a lot of different people so everyone can find someone to “click” with. You just have to go out and look for them.
I love the senior advice and although I’m only a sophomore, I couldn’t have put it better! Taking into account the importance of the relationships we develop in college is definitely something good to keep in mind. Although I do not post on my own Instagram account, I appreciate your way of viewing your Instagram account as an archive and highlight reel of your life and this definitely got me thinking about whether or not I may want to start posting.
I also agree that our media curator week falling right between ACL and TX/OU made it easy to keep our posts fun and interesting!
Awesome advice! It’s cool that you have the perspective of this wise senior and you’re telling me to choose basically between grades and sleep but not to neglect a social life. I feel right on track because I chose sleep and a social life. Anyways, seems like you lived it up these four years. I hope to make my junior year amazing, and have that amazingness roll over into my senior year. Cheers!