Name: Tori Strickland
Hometown: The Woodlands, TX
1. What was your reaction to getting into UT being such a Longhorn fan?
The day I got into UT was the best day of my life!! I remember exactly where I was sitting and even how loud I screamed with happiness on the day I got into Texas. UT has always been my dream school. I come from a huge longhorn family, both my parents graduated from Texas as well as both my older brothers, so I guess you could say it being a longhorn is in my DNA.
2. As a senior in her final semester, what have you already gotten off of your UT bucket list and what is left on the list?
I came to Austin with a very long and extensive bucket list and I am proud to say that I have accomplished most of it. Recently I got to take a tour of the UT Tower and go to the top of it. This is something I have always wanted to do and I am so glad I finally got to do it my senior year with my parents. One thing I still haven’t accomplished on my bucket list is getting the opportunity to walk on the football field at Darrell K. Royal. I am hoping that one day I can sneak in and walk on the field or even better standing on the sidelines during one of our home games.
3. What are some of the most memorable moments of college for you?
It’s so hard to just choose a few. Everything I have done here has exceeded all my expectations I had for this University. I will have to say one of my most memorable moments here at UT was attending the Notre Dame Texas football game. I have never seen that many people come together to cheer for our team in a long time. It is a moment I will never forget.
4. What will you miss the most about UT and college in general? What did you take for granted?
I think I am going to miss everything about UT. Here at UT intelligent, thoughtful, happy people constantly surround you and that’s what I love most about this university. The environment of being on campus surrounded by my best friends is something that I am going to miss dearly. One thing I took for granted was all the resources this school has to offer from clubs, to tutors, I wish I would of utilized them more.
5. What would be your best advice for freshmen?
My advice to freshman is to enjoy it. You are at The University of Texas, embrace it, and have a blast doing it. Put school first and then never say no to a night hanging with your friends because they are going to move all across the world sooner than you think. Be nice to everyone you come in contact with, and never stop being yourself, and lastly explore this beautiful campus you attend.
6. If you could do it all again what would you change?
Honestly nothing. Everything that has happened here at UT has made me the happy person I am today. I probably would change all those sleepless nights lost from studying for tests because I procrastinated as usual, but other than that I would do it all again exactly the same way.
7. In your opinion what are the greatest features of the 40 acres?
I love exploring the 40 acres. I love sitting on the grass at the turtle pond on campus just watching the turtles and looking at the beautiful scenery around me. I would have to say that my favorite place on the 40 acres is sitting outside at the LBJ library, there is a spot that looks over the whole university and I love walking there and could sit there for hours just thinking about how lucky I am to be at this school.
8. What are your plans after graduation?
I am from a suburb north of Houston and I love it there, but I honestly don’t see myself leaving Austin. I am currently working for a construction technology company called JBKnowledge as their marketing intern and I love working for them, so I hope that I will get the opportunity to continue to work from them after I graduate in December from UT.