Meet Joe
Name: Joe O’Neill
Hometown: Plano, Texas
High school: Plano Senior High School
Major: Government
Minor: English
Expected graduation: May 2009
Three Generations of Longhorns
During high school, most people gave me a hard time for applying to colleges other than UT, and with good reason. My mother and father graduated from UT, as did seven of my aunts and uncles and two of my grandparents. I was able to do the “Hook‘em Horns” hand sign before I was able to talk.
The Only School with Everything
When I was deciding where to apply, UT was the only school that had everything I was looking for. Being from Dallas, I’m far enough away from home to be independent, but close enough that I can go back home if I need to. It’s a large university in an urban setting, but I never feel overwhelmed by the amount of people here. As a government major, I have plenty of access to local and state politics, which has been an invaluable resource. And of course, since I’m from Texas, I needed a place with a popular and successful football team. When it came down to it, I could not think of a reason NOT to come to UT.
Joe’s Advice
On studying
Everyone hears their entire lives about the evils of procrastination. Never is it more true than during your college career. While it may have been possible to cram everything you needed to know into an all night study session during high school, if you try that here, you will start to hate yourself very quickly. Make sure you manage your time so you know your heavy weeks and you can prepare for them way in advance.
On making friends
The easiest way to make friends is to join organizations, and lots of them. The great thing about going to a university as big and diverse as The University of Texas at Austin is that there are tons of different kinds of organizations that cover almost any subject you can think of. Whether it is a social, political, cultural, athletic, or academic club, you’re sure to find it here. And when you find one that fits, it’s impossible not to make friends.
On living on campus
Use the university’s resources! There are so many cool things to do on campus that you never hear about when you live off campus.
On parking/transportation around campus
Trying to park on or near the UT campus is borderline impossible, unless you have a parking garage permit. I recommend using the bus. It’s free and goes more places than you think.
On how to be a successful student
Time management is the biggest issue any college student will face. Once you learn how to manage your time, your life instantly becomes fifty times better.
A Unique Small-City Feel
While I knew that UT was an amazing university, I had never realized what an amazing town Austin is. Though it’s the capital city, I never feel like I’m stuck in a sprawling metropolis like Dallas or Houston. Austin has a unique small-city feel that the city is very intent on trying to preserve. And there is ALWAYS something to do in Austin. You can go to the lake, drive to San Marcos or New Braunfels and spend the day on the river, see live music every night, see sporting events, spend a weekend camping on Lake Travis, and there’s always a good time to be had on 6th Street. I’ve caught myself starting to call Austin “home,” and I don’t see that changing anytime soon.
“It is an amazing feeling to know that something you are responsible for is creating a better experience for thousands of students.”
Creating a Better Experience
Joining the Liberal Arts Council was a great way to get involved in the inner workings of the College of Liberal Arts. Through this organization, I have been able to meet the deans of the college and discuss different ways to help make the college a better place for everyone. It is an amazing feeling to know that something you are responsible for is creating a better experience for thousands of students.
An Experience I Will Never Forget
I am a HUGE college football fan, so when we won the national championship my senior year of high school, I was ecstatic to come here and watch all of the games. The second week of the season, we played Ohio State in Austin and ESPN picked it as the game of the week. I woke up at 4 a.m. on game day so I could go to the stadium and be in the front row for ESPN’s pre-game broadcast. When the game started, there was so much excitement in the stadium I thought I was going to burst. And I still believe the loudest the stadium has ever been was after we scored our first touchdown. I couldn’t even hear myself think. For those keeping track at home, yes, we did lose that game. But regardless, having that kind of an experience so early in my freshman year was something I will never forget.
Joe’s…
Favorites
- Study location on campus or off campus: When you are really crunching for some study time, I recommend going to the 3rd floor of the PCL. It’s quiet and very easy to find a corner where no one will bother you. It makes it very easy for me to concentrate solely on what I need to get done.
On the other hand, Epoch Coffee is a great coffee house in North Campus that is open 24/7. I usually go there when I have lots of reading to catch up on or when I am working on a paper. They have great coffee and good snacks to keep you up all night if you need to be. - Place to eat near campus: Chipotle
- Class: Politics of New Democracies taught by Professor Moser
- Book: Red Storm Rising by Tom Clancy
- Movie: The Dark Knight
- Thing about Austin: There’s always something to do. I hardly find myself becoming bored.
- Recreational activity: Nothing takes the edge off a rough week like spending the day on the river. New Braunfels has access to two different rivers as well as Schlitterbahn, and is only a 30 minute drive south of Austin.
Biggest challenge
The biggest challenge for me, and I think this is true for most students, was being able to get things done without being distracted by everything else going on around campus.
Reason for picking his major
I have always had an interest in politics and government so my choice was easy. I knew that the program here was going to be strong, if for no other reason than that it is at UT. The more classes I took, the more I fell in love with my major.
Send Joe an e-mail at joe.t.oneill@gmail.com