Long week

Hello everyone,

So it is the middle of the week and already it has been a week full of reading assignments. I hear through the grapevine that there will be even more reading when I start taking graduate classes. It has been difficult to keep up with all the reading but I have learned some time management skills to help.

1st and foremost, writing out a good outline of when assignments are due and putting the dates on a calendar really seem to help. Also prioritizing what you need to do and what tests you have coming up.

NOTECARDS!!! They have been a huge help in organizing my life and my schoolwork.

I found out about a scholarship today!  CHECK IT OUT!

Best to everyone,
Cris

Academic Scholarships DEADLINE FEB 17th!
Must be ages 17-21
Must have a high GPA; scholarship recipient would travel to Houston on May 2nd to receive the award. If an EPPS student receives an award, Dr. Maxwell, Assistant Dean will attend the ceremony with the scholarship recipient(s). Please read the directions carefully.

http://www.houstonworks.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Scholarship-Application-2012-12.pdf

 

Having to Drop my first class

Sooo, last semester I took Constitutional Law, Political Theory, Film and Politics, and Honors Political Economy of Modern Texas. I didnt want to overload myself so I didnt take International Relations. I had to drop Global Politics last week because I have very little International Politics background. Now, International Relations is not a required prerequisite for Global Politics and Professor Pinehardt is a great teacher but I was just not getting it and felt I needed a stronger background before I took the class. I was able to drop the course without getting a W but my plan is to take International Relations in the Fall so that I can have a good background before I have to play around with game theory and then retake Global Politics in the Spring. Also, just found out that Dr. Bearry is teaching a course on Machiavelli in the Fall. Cant wait to take that class. This semester I am taking American Political Institutions, 2012 Presidential Primaries (H), Contemporary Political Thought, and doing the internship at the Center.

I will be in the Student Union today at the UT Dallas EPPS table to answer any questions and to sign up students that are interested in the Coach/Mentoring program which is really neat. I had the honor of speaking to the high school students last semester and they are a great group of kids with a desire to go to college. Come get more information on the program!

Make Sure to Keep in Touch with your Advisors!

Also, there will be Voter Registration tomorrow outside the Library from 11-2pm!

Cristina

The beginning of the Spring 2012 Semester

Hello everybody,
My name is Cristina Garcia and I am currently a Junior majoring in Political Science with an emphasis on Campaigns and Elections. I transferred from Collin College where I graduated in May 2011. I applied to UT Dallas because of the helpful staff and the amazing resources that are offered through the EPPS department. Last semester was my first semester and after a fantastic semester with great teachers and finding a bunch of new friends, I am proud to say that I am extremely happy with my choice in attending this University.

There are so many things to do on campus. I am involved in an organization, LULAC, League of United Latin American Citizens so I get to experience Student Life as well. I am the mother of a 3 year old daughter who attends pre-school so parenting also keeps me busy.

One piece of advice I can offer to everyone is “GET TO KNOW YOUR PROFESSORS.” I was fortunate to have taken Constitutional Law in the Fall and Dr. Champagne, who is amazing and is a Professor with many, many resources. Thanks to him, I am working as an intern at the Center for American and International Law part time. You have to work real hard in  that Con Law class and I am extremely glad I am getting hands on experience at the Center.

2nd piece of advice, Register as soon as the schedule comes out, this semester I believe April 1st is the date they will release summer and fall schedule. If you wait too long, the required courses that are only offered in the Fall will be full.

I am proud to be the Student Ambassador for the EPPS department and if anyone has any questions regarding any of the processes and tribulations of being a student, please email me at cxg109020@utdallas.edu. If I don’t know the answer I can direct you to someone who can.

I will be blogging frequently during the week about different events and resources that I find out about through the course of the semester.

Best,
Cristina