Find your balance. You need time to study, but you also need to spend time with your family and, occasionally, time away from both school and family.
Who are your dependents?
Lucille Champlain – eight years old and Patrick Champlain – six years old
What is your favorite thing about being a student with a dependent at UT?
I like being on campus and having that experience, but also being able to return home to my family and spend time with them.
What is the most challenging thing about being a student with a dependent?
Logistics and time management. I have to balance their busy schedules with my own. I have to make time to study between baseball games, birthday parties, and cheerleading. It’s very challenging at times.
What advice would you give to a student with dependents applying to UT?
Do the best you can. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Take a moment. Breathe. Relax. You’ve got this.
What has been your favorite class so far?
I had a class about U.S. foreign policy during the Cold War, taught by Jason Brownlee. The workload wasn’t bad and the lectures were really good. I’ve had some great history classes as well. It’s hard to pick just one.
If you had one tip for students with dependents, what would it be?
Find your balance. You need time to study, but you also need to spend time with your family and, occasionally, time away from both school and family. I still don’t think I’ve found that perfect balance, but I’m working on it.
What is one thing you cannot live without as a parent?
Coffee.
What were your children’s first words?
My daughter’s first words were “cheese” and “shoes.” My son’s first words were “more” and “milk.”
What is your favorite thing about being a Longhorn?
I love the sense of community, especially when the football team is playing.
What are your plans for after graduation?
I plan to teach high school history, but I haven’t ruled out graduate school quite yet.