Meet Tava
Name: Tava Bingham
Hometown: Prince George, Virginia
Majors: Women’s and Gender Studies & Communication Studies-Human Relations
Expected graduation: May 2010
Making It Back
The first thing most people ask me when they find out I’m from Virginia is, “Why UT?” Well, my mom is military so I grew up in Killeen, outside of Fort Hood. My dad got his Ph.D from UT so I would frequently tag along with him whenever he would come to campus. Even after moving to Virginia, I knew I wanted to go to UT and thankfully, with my mom still being a Texas resident, I was able to get in as a summer freshman. I’m so happy I made it back!
Summer Acceptance
When I first saw that I was admitted I didn’t even realize that it was for [the Summer Freshman Class]; I was just so excited to finally get my acceptance letter. Then when I found out that it was for summer, I was a little upset because I had plans to hang out with my friends until we all left in August, but I quickly got over it.
From High School to College in Three Days
My biggest problem was the timing and how fast I went from being a high school student to a college student. In Virginia, we don’t start school until after Labor Day so we don’t get out of school until the beginning of June. So for me, I graduated on June 9th, had my graduation party/farewell dinner on June 10th, June 11th I was on a plane to Austin, and on the 12th was the first day of class.
I also worried about not being able to make friends but it was surprisingly easy. I had a great roommate and she introduced me to her friends. Not only that, but everyone in my dorm was really nice and excited to be in college.
Less Intimidating and More Informal
The best part [about starting in the summer] was getting to experience the campus without 48,000 other people there. I was able to get to know the layout of not only campus but the city of Austin itself, which was a really big advantage once fall came around. Also, the classes felt less intimidating and more informal, not to mention that there was no class on Fridays.
Tava’s Advice on…
Studying
Do it in small chunks. Cramming never works because it’s pretty impossible to read 300 pages the night before a test. Also, make study buddies in your classes by exchanging phone numbers. It’s always a little nerve-racking to get the courage to ask someone if they’d like to form a study group, but two heads are always better than one.
Making friends
Be open-minded; everyone is a new student and experiencing the same feelings and emotions. Don’t be afraid to step out of your box. As an out-of-state student, I knew absolutely no one, but everyone was really friendly and I never felt as though I didn’t belong.
What to wear/not to wear
Don’t wear jeans! It’s way to hot during the summer and you will fry.
Parking/transportation around campus
If you must have a car, buy a garage permit, otherwise you’ll be driving around for hours looking for a place to park your car.
Living on or off campus
I lived on campus as a freshman and I live off campus now. I would highly recommend that everyone stay on campus their freshman year. It’s where most people meet their friends, and it’s so convenient and close to classes, and all other events that occur on campus. And if you live on campus, you can get to your classes in 10 minutes or less, where as if you live off campus it could take up to 40 minutes and a bus ride.
Explore Just about Anything
I came to UT for two main reasons. One, being that UT is such a great school academically, we have some of the best professors and resources readily available to all students. Not only that, but because UT is such a big school, they offer just about any major imaginable, giving you the opportunity to explore just about everything.
Asking for Help
At first, I was hesitant about seeking help from my professors and fellow peers, but there’s really nothing to be ashamed of. A lot of people make study groups with people in their classes and almost all of your professors are more than willing to schedule office hours with you should you need help outside of class.
A Sense of Belonging
Joining an organization on campus is a great way of getting involved and helps to make the campus feel a little bit smaller. I’m currently in Black Student Alliance and Umoja and they’re a really great support system in terms of academic and personal support. It’s always great to have that sense of belonging.
More on Tava
Favorites
- Study location on campus or off campus: Third floor of the Union. They have really comfortable couches that most people fall asleep in while studying.
- Class (so far): Dr. Daly’s class on Interpersonal Relationships. It’s THE best class offered on the UT campus and I think everyone should take it before they graduate.
- Professor (so far): Dr. Daly, Communication Studies professor.
- Thing about Austin: Town Lake, now known as Lady Bird Lake. It’s a beautiful running and biking trail that lots of people enjoy. You can even rent kayaks and canoes.
Favorite UT experience
Just meeting new people. Everyone here is unique and has their own stories to tell. Also, just going to the football and basketball games are such an awesome experience.
Best Unexpected Experience
The overall experience. You hear people all the time say that college is the best four (most likely five) years of your life, but you really can’t imagine how much fun it is until you get here. From just the people you meet, to our amazing sports program, to just living in Austin, there’s always so much to do that you can never be bored. And if you are bored, all you need to do is walk outside and you’ll be sure to find something!
Biggest Challenge
Time management!! So cliché, I know, but it’s one of the most difficult things to overcome, so work on your study skills now!
Send Tava an e-mail at tava.bingham@gmail.com