Advice to My CAP Students Coming to UT Tyler

CAP Students always want to know if it's hard, how the program is, etc.

I'm a current CAP student as well and this August I am 98% sure that I will have the GPA to allow me to go to Austin. (Fingers crossed. There's a month of school left)
That being said, I'm going to let ya'll in on a little secret...
It's not that hard. I promise.

Coming to college is NOTHING like going to high school. In high school, you had homework everyday, you'd get ready for tests every week, and blahblahblah. 

My first week here I swear, I was near tears thinking about how I wished I could just drop out. I couldn't handle it. It felt like soooo much. It's not even because we have more work, it's just so different from what I was used to.

Luckily, I stayed and I got the hang of everything.

It's all about time management and being on top of your assignment due dates and test dates. So PLEASE read your syllabus and have a calendar of everything you need to turn in. Your professor won't remind you like your high school teachers did.

Certain classes you find the best ways to pass them. 

English classes - Essays and papers are important. You have the Writing Center for that.
Math classes- Go to class. Do well on quizzes and you'll do awesome on the tests.
Science classes- Go to lab. 
Psychology- Read the book. Do the online studies. Read the notes.
History classes- GO TO LECTURES. And read the book. Go to SI. History's pretty hardcore here.
Political Science classes- Go to class. The professors tell you everything you need to know. 

 First semester I did awesome. Even though I was meeting all my new friends and had days when I really did NOT want to get out of bed or walk all the way to class, I would make myself do it. First semester I was SO motivated, because all I was thinking of was Austin. 

Second semester... ehhhh. You get into the hang of things. Once you get comfortable you start slacking, I won't lie. 

Please don't do this. You still have to maintain a 3.2 GPA. So you still have to do well! And if you're anything like me, that just means you have to do EXCELLENT your first semester so that you CAN chill out a bit your second semester. However, with my major, I don't have to apply to any particular college in Austin. I'm automatically accepted. 

For those business majors and other majors where you have to get into a special college, you'll need a higher GPA. And make sure you get your essays and everything done on time. Keep in touch with our Admissions counselor, Carlos Alvarez. He'll look out for you.

There are a LOT of CAP students who come here. Everyone comes in with the mindset that, "Oh, it's just two semesters, it's just a year, blahblahblah", however, some people end up really loving Tyler. I know a lot of my friends who have decided that they're going to stay here. You meet all these amazing people, we're at a really good school, and this type of environment just ends up suiting you. 

Don't ever feel bad about wanting to stay. It happens to a lot of us. 

So, to all of you, congratulations and good luck! I didn't know anything about Tyler when I chose it as my university. I just knew it sounded bigger than my other choices. I ended up falling in love with this school. I've enjoyed my time here and I truly believe they've helped prepare me for Austin. 

Come, work hard, study, and have fun! You can do it! Just don't forget to truly experience Tyler while you're here!