To My Freshman Self: Aggie Graduates Reminisce About Their Years in Aggieland

One of your favorite memories from this first year will be Oct. 9 when, after winning against Bama, you and thousands of Aggies will rush the field and link arms to sing “The Aggie War Hymn,” getting a taste of what Aggieland truly is: warmth in community and strength in numbers.

You’ll also have a financial weight lifted through your President’s Endowed Scholarship, giving you more time to pursue your passions and serve in different organizations. Through the Gilbert Leadership Conference, Delta Gamma, FORME and Maroon Coats, you’ll find your people and learn the value of pouring into others as much as they pour into you.

As you grow here, Aggieland will shine through you so brightly that your little sister will be drawn to it too. One day, she’ll walk these same paths and discover what being an Aggie means to her.

So, trust the process and remember the Lord made it clear that you’re meant to be here. Embrace your time and cherish every bike ride to class, every late-night study session and every moment.

President’s Endowed Scholarships help high-achieving students become Aggies. Your $100,000 gift can endow a scholarship to provide recipients like Britton with four-year stipends in perpetuity.
 

You’ll join professional development and service organizations, advocate in Washington, D.C., with the Student Government Association and even take a gap year to share your passion for agriculture across the country with FFA. Understand that you will also experience rejection and failure, but these failures will shape you more than success ever could.

Remember to invest in the Texas A&M community. Never miss Silver Taps or say no to spontaneous study dates with friends. Talk to your professors and classmates, and always be the first to help your fellow Aggies. You’ll eventually become a student writer for the Texas A&M Foundation and get involved with campus Muster, where you’ll realize that, from “Howdy” to “Here,” there’s an unspoken bond between Aggies that makes this place so special. 

You may think you already know what it means to be an Aggie, but trust me, you don’t even know half of it. Embrace it all. Before you know it, you’ll be graduating, ready to impact the world with the lessons you learned in Aggieland!

Endowed Opportunity Awards provide four-year stipends to students with strong character, leadership abilities and financial need who might not qualify for other need-based assistance. You can support future Aggies like Ryan by endowing an award with a $25,000 gift.
 

It’s okay not to have life all figured out yet (spoiler: Most people don’t.) This is the time to try new things, face rejection and meet new people—trust me, you’ll experience all three. A few tips: Standing through football games won’t get easier, you’ll know which grade not to mention to mom, and talk to that cute guy on bus 36! Most of all, have fun!

Thanks to your Foundation Excellence Award, you’ve got an incredible opportunity to pursue your dreams at Texas A&M and be part of a close-knit community. There will be ups and downs throughout your journey, but you’ll have support from your fellow Aggies and friends to lift your spirit. Some of the most amazing people you’ll meet will be from The Big Event. Being part of something bigger than yourself will inspire you to actively serve and participate in your community.

You’ll be fine—maybe a little stressed and hooked on caffeine, but fine. Your loving family will always be there, and you’ll realize how much they mean to you. So, get ready for the most memorable four years of your life as part of the Aggie family!

Foundation Excellence Awards help outstanding students from historically underserved groups achieve their educational dreams. You can support Aggies like Sofia by creating an endowed award with a $50,000 gift that will provide annual stipends to a new student every four years.