Harlingen CISD alumni returned home this holiday break and spoke with the Harlingen CISD Board of Trustees and district administrators speak about their experiences in high school and college.
The students spent Wednesday morning with HCISD leaders and provided valuable feedback which will be utilized in future decision making.
“We want you to be brutally honest,” Harlingen CISD Trustee Greg Powers told the students.
The students, who are currently in college at the University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M University and other higher education institutions across the state and nation, spoke about their positive learning experiences while they were high school students.
The Harlingen High School, Harlingen High School South, Harlingen School of Health Professions, and Early College High School class of 2019 graduates were asked to provide advice to current seniors getting ready to enter college.
“Get involved in your campus community, get to know other students, familiarize yourself with classmates in your major,” one student said.
They also recommended freshman college students focus on time management, get to know their professors, and give themselves a break when needed.
“My biggest piece of advice is, sit in front of the class,” an alumnus said.
Jacqueline Magno, who is studying writing and rhetoric at the University of Texas at Austin, said it is important for freshmen to get enough sleep every night.
“In actuality, six to eight hours of sleep is beneficial,” Magno said. “When I get enough sleep, I find myself even more productive and focused.”
While college students are known to pull all-nighters, it is important they get enough rest before exams and class, she said.
“Depending on what you go into, don’t just focus strictly on what’s in school, but also what you can experience through jobs, internships and the career center outside of the classroom,” said Texas Tech Freshman Matthew Cavazos, a graduate of Harlingen High School South.
The students collectively agreed that their education at Harlingen CISD schools prepared them to enter into college.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity that HCISD gave me to earn college credit through AP courses, and I feel it really prepared me to transition into college,” said Harlingen High School South alumna Reid Davis, who is currently attending the University of Kentucky.
The informative discussion between alumni and HCISD leaders takes place yearly during the holiday break as part of the district’s commitment to ensure all students are college, career, and community ready.
