Swapping barbed wire fences for the busy streets of Houston wasn't just a change of scenery for Abby, McMurtry ‘28 — it was a complete reinvention. If you're standing on the edge of a massive life change, her advice is simple: do it scared.

My name is Olivia, Chao ‘27. I am currently a junior at Brown College, but in the fall, I’ll transfer to the new residential college, Chao College, where I’ll serve as Chief Justice (CJ). I'm studying health science, biosciences, French and medical humanities. This is what a week in my life looks like!

Moving from Hawai’i to Houston, Tamara, Martel ‘29, expected a world of difference. What she didn’t expect, however, was the wealth of opportunities to make a difference through local volunteering and the Alternative Spring Break Program — all thanks to the community she found beyond the hedges.

From unlucky dice rolls to a $400 startup grant, Jonathan, Will Rice ‘26, shares how a passion for board games transformed his journey at Will Rice College — proving that at Rice, quirky hobbies can lead to BIG impacts.

Finding the perfect place to "lock in" is a rite of passage for every Rice Owl. After a year of exploring inside the hedges, Nina, Brown ‘29, shares her definitive guide to the best study spots at Brown and on campus.

Being a student at the Shepherd School of Music isn't just practicing your musical craft to perfection. It's exploring your passions across Rice with our world-class faculty and resources. Follow Cirdan, Will Rice '28, through a week in his life as a Cello Performance major and Business minor. Check out the video below!

At Rice, if you can’t find a community, you build your own! Katie, Jones ‘26, took this to heart by founding the JiBroAdway theater committee and serving as an RHA. Discover how O-Week traditions led her to lead research roles and musical showcases.

What exactly is a residential college? Virginia, Wiess '27, admits she was hesitant about the system until she stepped on campus. Discover how Rice’s unique community transformed strangers into mentors and friends.

What is the secret to doing it all? Karlianna, Duncan ‘28, a Biochemistry (BS) and Psychology (BA) major, offers her practical, proven strategies for managing her packed schedule — and still finding time to thrive — at Rice.

Navigating college can be a challenge, especially when you have multiple passions. It can feel like you have to choose between them, but what if you could pursue them all? Dia, Will Rice ‘28, shares how she learned to do exactly that at Rice.

Even with all of her careful planning, Alohi, Duncan ‘29, still found herself unprepared for the homesickness she felt upon starting college. The residential college system at Rice changed everything, transforming a new campus into a home and strangers into family.

From being welcomed as a nervous freshman to cheering on the next class as an O-Week Coordinator, Carlos, McMurtry ‘27, shares his journey and reflects on how one unforgettable week can shape your entire college experience.