When self-described bookworm Dorothy went from the Rio Grande Valley to Harvard for college, she expected to fit in immediately in her new surroundings. So she was pretty surprised when she got to her new campus and was hit with a big dose of culture shock—and a sense that she couldn’t find any people like herself. Luckily, Dorothy figured out ways to adjust to her college life, and she’s sharing her protips for making a smooth cultural transition in this video.

Getting parents on board with the idea of college is step one. Getting them on board with a college far away from home can be an even more daunting challenge. Dianey faced that issue when her parents didn’t want her leaving the Valley for college—despite the fact that she had her heart set on school in Austin. Watch her “How I Got Here” video to see how she handled the delicate situation.

Students like Alex might get a lot of flak for switching schools and switching studies. But as he shows us in the latest installment of TXGU's "How I Got Here" video series, switching things up can work out to your benefit—as long as you land in just the right place.

You’ve got big college dreams, but what if your parents aren’t totally on board with those dreams? Elvia knows exactly what that’s all about. She wanted a college degree, but her mom wanted her to start working to help support the family instead. Let Elvia tell you herself how she handled the seriously tough situation. 

This document has just about everything you need to know and do before and after classes start to make your first year in college insanely triumphant. Flip through “TXGU’s Guide to All Things College” right here, or download it to read later whenever the mood strikes you.

Introduce your seniors (or even juniors) to this mock college enrollment game that was originally created by the inventive minds in San Antonio ISD. It’s a fun, memorable way to give students a sneak preview of what things may be like when they experience that huge transition to postsecondary life. 

Make your letting-go process much easier for the whole family by following the helpful tips, tricks, and advice in this detailed guide.

Get a sneak peek into the future right here with a glimpse of the college experience for a brand-new student. (Spoiler: There are a huge variety of resources on the campus to help your teen thrive.)