Category Archives: Academics

classes, degree planning, academic workshops, CPA exam planning and preparation

Academics, Admissions, Bart, Career

Late February Letters

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Dear Recruiting Season,

It seems like forever since we last met! How are you? This semester has been much more relaxing than when you were in my life. Don’t get me wrong – I really enjoyed meeting and talking to all sorts of interesting people at career fairs, company information sessions, and other recruiting activities (dinners, networking events, etc.). I couldn’t have gotten that offer without you, and I wouldn’t do anything differently if I could. I’m just saying that it’s kind of nice to be able to go home when my classes get out, and it’s extremely nice to know where I’ll be working this fall. So thanks for all you did for me. I hope you treat interviewing students equally well this semester.

Gratefully Yours,

–Has More Free Time Despite More Credit Hours– Continue reading Late February Letters →

Academics, Career, Student Life

I Think I Have Converted

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There are bits and pieces of who I am and how I act that are pretty representative of the Midwest culture I grew up in.

  • I am use to a small town where everyone knows each other and where no one is too busy to stop and help a complete stranger.
  • I say Pop not soda…and definitely not Coke.
  • When we talk about sports in Nebraska, it can only mean one thing: The Cornhuskers. With no pro sports of any kind, Nebraskans live and die by their Huskers and no other team.
  • On Sunday, you make no plans except those to spend with your family.
  • We say you guys not y’all, even when we are around just girls.

and

  • Being a high achiever means doing well in high school sports and then going on to graduate from UNL or Creighton

But now, four years into my stay at UT and the Great State of Texas, I think I have come to realize that I have converted. Texas feels like home to me. Continue reading I Think I Have Converted →

Academics, Bart, Career, Student Life

Back to School, Spring 2009

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After an extremely pleasant and lengthy break between fall and spring semesters, we’re back in school. Before I explain how happy I am to be back, I thought I’d share a few pictures of the break.

Here’s one of me at the Master in Professional Accounting Council (MPAC) December party at the end of fall semester. My wife, Janssen, and I played some good doubles billiards against a couple of fellow MPA students. I honestly can’t remember who won the game, but Janssen for sure took the MVP spot for our team.

From MPA Student Life Blog Pictures

Continue reading Back to School, Spring 2009 →

Academics, Bart, Student Life

Best and worst of fall semester 2008

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Worst

1 – Realizing, as I had just started the last problem on my first Intermediate exam, that there was a time limit and it was up.

2 – Seeing the Longhorns NOT go to the conference (and national) football championship despite our being the best football team in the nation.

3 – Witnessing the layoffs and struggles brought on by this crazy economy’s current situation.

4 – Interviewing for a management consulting position and finding my first case study interview to be “adversarial.”

5 – Seeing BYU, my undergrad alma mater, lose in football to TCU and to our arch rival, Utah (though I’m admittedly happy for Utah to be heading to a BCS bowl for the second time).

Best

1 – Receiving and accepting the job offer I wanted in my location of choice.

2 – Finishing the semester (we’re close enough) knowing a LOT more than I did coming into it.

3 – Spending time both inside and outside of class with a bunch of smart, interesting and fun MPA students.

4 – Receiving last-minute, free tickets to Las Vegas to celebrate my father-in-law’s 50th birthday with the entire family (you should have seen how excited my wife was!).

5 -Thanksgiving break (it was just so good!) and, soon, Christmas break! Can’t complain about five weeks!

Bonus Best – I was walking through the library one day early in the semester and I noticed a sign that outlined how to get a free locker. I jumped on the opportunity and have been able to cut down on my book lugging tremendously. I highly recommend it.

Academics, Austin, Natalie

Take the time to stop and sharpen your knife

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As the end of the fall semester creeps up, I have to constantly remind myself to remain calm and take one day at a time. I always keep up with my reading, yet the thought of three exams in one week absolutely freaks me out. I’m talking about nervous-breakdown-grade freak outs. I know I’m not alone in this, and I also know that I’m not alone in cranking out 14-hour study sessions that probably aren’t quite necessary in that capacity. Continue reading Take the time to stop and sharpen your knife →