28 Pieces of Advice for the Class of ’28
The Bracewell Clocktower at Texas A&M University at Galveston Welcome to Aggieland by the Sea! We collected 28 pieces of wisdom for you, the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Class of 2028, from current students, recent grads and ol’ Ags!
“As a Sea Aggie, your journey toward professional success begins the moment you step onto campus. Remember, your fellow Sea Aggies will be asked by future employers about your work ethic, character, knowledge, and more for years to come. Make every moment count and build a legacy you can be proud of.”
Stephanie Moore ‘95
“College is hard, but it is worth it and you can make it through. Your path in college is not going to be linear or like anyone else’s and that is okay. That is the beauty of it. You will go through hard times, but it’s important to be patient with yourself. You will fail at some point and sometimes it may feel often, but don’t let that “failure” or bad grade stop you. Let it give you a new perspective and use it as a learning opportunity and an opportunity for growth. Never say no to new opportunities, and don’t be afraid to get involved and to meet new people because you never know when that one opportunity or person that you meet could absolutely change your life. This is a time of finding yourself, growth, experiencing life and so much more. Take advantage of it. Don’t rely on other people for your happiness. In college sometimes the friendships and relationships that we have feel like all we have since we are away from our families, but it is important to not lose yourself and to not rely on those around you for your happiness. Be true to yourself. Set the boundaries. It is okay if you need a break and it is okay if you change paths. Take advantage of the time that you have in college because it truly goes by faster than you will ever realize. Enjoy the journey, give it your all, get involved with the traditions, and just be you! You are going to do amazing things!”
Teagan Tappe ’25
“Get involved! Get involved! Get involved! Make sure you go to Org Night during the first week of school. You will be overwhelmed, but it is so worth it because you find most of your friends in student organizations. I have made friendships in student organizations that I hope will last a lifetime! Don’t just sit in your room, go to class, and then go back. Get out and make friends and get involved in any way you can on campus! Just remember to go to class too!”
Hunter Newton ’25
“Don’t worry about joining every club you think you have an interest in. Joining too much at once will cause burnout fast. Pick a few to start with and then branch out some more once you’re fully settled in!”
Chloe Smith ’23
Don’t be afraid to go talk to your professors and teachers! They all have time set aside weekly for students to come meet with them, so take advantage of it. And read the syllabus!
Mona S. Hochman ’94
“Dive” into every opportunity you can during your first semester! Find what you are passionate about and let it guide you towards success!
Ashton Whittington ’25
“Treat your classes like a 9-5 job. Join as many organizations as you’d like at the beginning of the year and see what sticks from there. Go to Org Night!! It’s August 22nd in the ASEC ballroom. Put yourself out there, meet new people, NETWORK! Don’t feel bad for canceling plans to focus on academics. Everyone goes through their own struggles freshman year, talk to someone. Don’t study in your room, it helps to separate work from home. Go to the library, get off campus, study in any of the buildings, but don’t always study in your room. If you don’t already have one, get a dehumidifier, you’ll need it. You don’t HAVE to be best friends with your roommate, but if you do end up being close, that’s great. It may take a while to meet your ‘people’, trust me they’re there.”
Sarahbella Henderson ‘25
“It’s okay to change your mind and your major. Just because you’ve wanted to do the same thing since 5th grade and you’ve told everyone, doesn’t mean you can’t change your mind and do something else.”
Sarah Bowman ‘16, ’24
“Get involved! You hear it all the time but it’s true! Get involved in anything, it could be student organizations, a research lab, a campus job, something that interests you! Becoming involved on campus is the best decision I ever made and I met my best friends and got valuable professional experience by getting involved! There are so many opportunities to get involved at TAMUG and it’s an amazing way to meet people and get experience!”
Carolyn Pope ‘23
“You get out of your time at TAMUG what you put in to it. Join the club(s), say yes to the beach invite, partake in the Aggie Traditions…. Who knows, you may even find your future spouse!”
Chance Lange ’18
“Trust your instincts. If you find that you don’t enjoy your coursework, then maybe your current major isn’t the one for you. Follow your heart, and find what makes you passionate. Don’t be afraid to try something new!”
Caden Smith ’26
“Expect to fail. In high school, I had a 4.6 GPA and maintained straight A’s on my report cards, hence failing was not my norm. However, you will come to college with that mindset and quickly learn it doesn’t last that way forever. Yes, don’t give up and keep studying! Though, don’t place unreal expectations upon yourself thinking you aren’t good enough, because you are.
Amber Shelton ’27
Also, you don’t have to be friends with everyone. I know in the beginning you will meet new people and start fresh, and so will everyone else around you! Yes, always make a good first impression, but you can’t expect to maintain so many relationships with people while trying to succeed for yourself. It’s a bitter truth, but a doable pill to swallow. Find your close friends to last you the year. Even if it’s your own roommate, it’s okay to not even be friends with them or for them to be your only friend!
Say “Yes” to everything! The most opportunities of your life are offered in college, so take advantage of it! Go join organizations, attend events, eat at the cafeteria when you can, explore the city, and find your people to socialize or study with! Most importantly, do it for you. Your friends will find their happiness, so you should find yours, too. You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.
You got this!!! Everyone’s story is different, so don’t expect perfection. You are on your own path at the end of the day, so build it for you. Have a great year!”
“Never stop dreaming. Asking for help is not a weakness, nor is going out of your comfort zone. Really read the course catalog. There are a lot of classes you’d be surprised that are offered and will help you so much more in the future (ie gis, any coding…) and this is not dependent on degree (please marine biology majors, look!)”
Naomi Ciampaglio ‘18
“Give the island a chance! Don’t go to the mainland every weekend. Don’t stay cooped up in your dorm all the time. Get out and meet people! Get to know your professors. Go to Aggie Football games! Ask the tough questions and swim against the current! Stay focused on your goals and chase your dreams!”
William Quillen ‘11
“Get a dehumidifier! But also try things you think you won’t like, ask questions, say hi to people you normally wouldn’t, and just be you! The Aggie family is the best family you’ll ever have!”
Emily Walls ‘25
“If you have a goal(s) find the direct path to them. Make a plan that you can follow to take you there; nothing comes without dedication. But, make sure you take time to enjoy the ride. College isn’t always about perfect grades or how many Orgs you’re in. Let loose from time to time but get the job done.”
Scott Lyons ‘26
Enjoy your years in Galveston. Soak up the sun, go fishing for those flounder, hammock under Murdoch’s pier, and just enjoy these fleeting years. It goes by so fast and is such a special time in a very special place.
Meagan Andrusick ‘17
“As you go through your college years KNOW that at times you will feel discouraged and frustrated. Stay the course. Rely on your family and friends to help and support you and you will be okay. The next few years will be an exciting time for you and I believe you will find your career path and look favorably back on your years at TAMUG.”
Andy Tirpak ‘81
“Immerse yourself in your college experience. Work hard, play hard, and truly enjoy this time in your life. Form great relationships with your classmates. These are some of the people who will become your lifelong friends and support you throughout life’s ups and downs. As you get older you end up valuing your relationships with people more and more and this becomes the most important aspect of leading a full life. Gig ’em.”
Kristin Mangold ‘87
“Struggling in a class or two doesn’t mean you’re not meant to pursue the major of your dreams. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses within their chosen path, learning to use these to your advantage is what helps you excel. And don’t forget to take a step back from the work and remember to enjoy the island we get to call home.”
Tyler Heffernan ‘25
“If you miss the mark on an assignment, project, exam, or even have a bad night out, do not let that define you for the remainder of your time at school.”
Brent Walker ‘16
“Apply for every single scholarship the school advertises. Get lapware as soon as possible and take practice CG exams as often as possible. Be humble when you get out onto a ship – your AB/QMED probably knows way more than you, so leverage their knowledge to your benefit. Always be early for your watch and your hitch. Budget to pay off any student loans as quickly as you can. Take the first sailing job you can, and then look for the one you want. There are tons of shoreside jobs out there – go sail, get the experience, and when you’re ready to start a family and go shoreside start networking. The industry is far smaller than you think it is, never burn bridges.”
Stewart Andrews ‘10
“There is a band club, so you can play the War Hymn by the sea! It’s a great way to be involved in the traditions on campus too, like Midnight Yell and Silver Taps. It does not take a big campus to find your people, you just have to know where to look! Don’t be afraid to ask questions and try something new.”
Patti Fennesy ‘17
“Find a study habit that works for you and use it (playlist, location, whatever). The habit stays with you even into your career years. I still use my study playlist when I write for work now.
Felicity Cunningham ‘97
Be open to different applications of your interests. There are lots of ways to be MARB or MARS or any other major and be successful.
Go experience game days in College Station, and choose the Student Section at Kyle Field. Connect with Aggie traditions. It’s a great way to meet people and be part of the Aggie Network later after you graduate. Enjoy Galveston. There are so many great experiences to have on the Island.”
“Live it up! How many people get to go to school by the beach? In a small town that always has interesting events going on? You will eventually grow up and take on responsibilities, don’t hurry yourself right now- enjoy being 19 years old with new friends in a new place with endless possibilities and opportunities ahead of you. Embrace this tight-knit community and find peace in discovering who you want to be in this life. “We are the Aggies, the Aggies are we. Either by land or by sea, we are the Aggies, you and me.”
Abbie Dyer ’16
“Do not be afraid to ask for help, professors aren’t mean and want to help you as much as they can so you can graduate. Also, take school and classes seriously.”
Donovan Dillman ‘27
“It’s okay not to care what other people think, so long as you care how they feel.
Neil E. Golemo ‘22
Grades are meant to be a measure of your mastery of the subject. Instead of worrying about the grade, work to master the subject -the material your profs put in front of you. If you do that, you’ll learn more, worry less, and be more prepared for the next course.
You are in charge of your scholarship. Everyone wants you to succeed. Make one decision at a time, and the sky is the limit.
Go to class. It’s really hard to fail if you go to every class.”
“Howdy Ags! I think the best way to summarize a student’s time at Texas A&M University of Galveston is OPPORTUNITY. To learn, to serve, to lead, to have fun and find your passion, your community. The relationships you will form, with friends and mentors, over the next few years will be a treasured resource for years to come as only the Aggie Network can be. All you need to do is dive in and explore!”
Katie St. Clair ‘07