The Houston Cougars playing in the Final Four was one of the biggest deals this last spring semester.
The spirited cover photos for this 2025 Transitions issue were shot by photographer
Raphael Fernandez for the university’s student-led paper—The Cougar.
The enthusiasm captured in these images perfectly depicts UH’s Cougar Spirit.
WRITERS
Alveena Rehman
Gauraangi Gupta
Mahdiya Bhiwandiwala
Megan Biasioli
Sammy Bates
ARTISTS
Joshua Vasquez
Larsha Flowers
Raphael Fernandez
Sammy Bates
TABLE OF CONTENTS
03 03 03 05 09 12 15 17 18 21
Editor’s Letter
Table of Contents
Contributor Credit
First Five Things To Do
Soft, Campus Life
The End In Mind
Where The Coogs At?
Commuter Maze
In Your College Era
Year Ahead in Events
EDITOR’S NOTE
Welcome, New Coogs!
Orientation is just the beginning of your journey here at the University of Houston. Nevertheless, you’d be surprised how fast the time flies, so savor every moment.
This 2025 Transitions issue was curated to be a guide for your first two semesters as new Coogs. After, I anticipate you’ll be Cougars on your own individual paths.
As you flip through these pages and digest it all, I hope you find yourself feeling excited and eager for this next chapter of your educational journey.
I can’t wait to see how you make use of the resources on these pages. More personally, I can’t wait for the Cooglife team and I to report on the memories you’ll be making.
Best Wishes,
Larsha Flowers | Executive Editor
FIRST FIVE THINGS TO DO
Being a newly admitted Coog is your starting point for embarking on a life-changing journey. Since you’ve gotten to orientation, things must be starting to feel more real.
And while there are so many things—emphasis on so many—on your to-do list before the semester begins, let’s talk about some of the must-do things. These will ensure your smooth transition into the university.
These are just the first steps but following them will leave you feeling confident and prepared for your first year at UH.
Figure out how you’re going to commute.
The University of Houston is majorly a commuter school. Almost 85% of students here commute. Fortunately, there are many different modes of transport you can avail to get to campus on time.
Whether it be using the Fort Bend Transit, the Cougar Line, the METRO, the COAST program or buying a parking permit if you drive yourself, find out what is the most feasible for you.
Pro tip: Always be sure you always give yourself some buffer time to account for any delays.
Take a look at your degree plan and academic roadmap.
When you received your highly awaited acceptance letter from UH, it might have mentioned your top three program preferences and which one you qualified for.
Knowing this, it is a smart idea to start exploring how the next few years are going to look for you academically.
By taking a look at your potential degree plan, you will familiarize yourself with the courses and electives you are required to take.
Written by Mahdiya Bhiwandiwala | Photos by Sammy Bates (1) and Raphael Fernandez (2)
photo_Raphael Fernandez
This applies to you even if you are still exploring your options. It could help solidify your decision on what to study if any particular courses stand out to you.
If the idea of enrolling in Honors College appeals to you, you can check it out as well and see if it’s really for you.
Just a swift look at your academic roadmap could help in preplanning a potential schedule.
Get acquainted with the campus.
The University of Houston’s main campus sometimes feels like an entire city of its own. Touring the campus and acquainting yourself with some famous and commonly visited landmarks is a great idea.
Whether it be visiting the famous Shasta statue near the Cullen Family Plaza Fountains, passing by the majestic M.D Anderson Library, stopping by Fertitta Center or dropping by Cougar Grounds for a refreshing cup of coffee, there are many sights to see on campus.
Don’t take for granted the orientation tour of campus. Even after, take some extra time to familiarize yourself with places on campus. This will make your first day of classes much easier!
Buy something red!
Are you even a true Coog if you don’t have anything red in your closet? At UH, we take cougar pride very seriously!
One of the most classic ways to show off UH pride is by wearing something red, even if it’s a small accessory.
Be sure to drop by the campus store in Student Center South and treat yourself to some Cougar pride threads. And remember on Fridays Coogs wear red!
Get your Student ID
Ensuring you establish your identity on campus as an official student is essential. Getting your Cougar Card is the first step to accomplishing this, so don’t put it off.
You might require your Cougar Card for many things on campus, like entering the M.D Anderson Library. So, the quicker you get it out of the way, the better.
You can apply for your Cougar Card through the “Cougar Card and Meal Plan” icon in your Access UH portal.
Extra Tip
Download the UH GO mobile app so you have a virtual map of the campus, your digital cougar card, access to your grades and many other important campus resources with just a touch of your fingers!
STUDENT CENTERS
CONFERENCE RESERVATION SERVICES
The Student Centers is a place where students can relax in-between classes, grab food & participate in various events throughout the year Our Conference & Reservations team is eager to help you or your organization reserve meeting & event spaces. With 2 facilities & 19 event spaces, you’ll be sure to find a place where you belong.
CREATIONSTATION
Student Centers’ graphic design & print shop, CreationStation, offers a wide range of services including design, printing, lamination & passport photos.
The Games Room offers bowling, billiards, table tennis & other amusement games! It’s available for individual or group usage for open play & by reservation.
GAMES ROOM SHASTA’S CONES MORE
Stop by Shasta’s Cones & More, a student-run ice cream shop featuring a number of ice cream flavors, candy & beverages.
events happening throughout the year!
Soft Campus Life
article_Megan Biasioli | photos_Sammy Bates
The University of Houston’s campus is the perfect place for learning, studying and spending time with friends. It is filled with many fun spots students love to go to in their free time.
The Cooglife team sat down with and asked some current UH students about their favorite spots on campus. Here’s what they had to say.
KAMRYNE AYRES
Valenti School of Communication’s Commons
According to Kamryne Ayres, her favorite spot is the Valenti School of Communication’s Commons area.
This is where communication students go to work, eat or spend time with friends while enjoying nature.
“It’s typically pretty quiet and relaxing,” Ayres said. “I think it’s kind of a Zen spot.”
Ayres also expressed her appreciation for its close proximity to the heart of campus, while also offering seclusion.
KENNEDY COPELAND
Behind The Ezekiel Cullen Building
The open space in front of the Ezekiel Cullen building is Kennedy Copeland’s favorite.
“I love the beautiful waterfalls and the scenery,” Copeland said.
The multiple waterfalls in front of the building create a beautiful landscape to relax or study.
It is also a great place for book readers to sit and read while enjoying the sounds of the waterfalls.
ZAHRA KHAN
The Nook & Cougar Grounds
Zahra Khan says, “Two spots on campus I love to chill at are The Nook and Cougar Grounds.”
Khan added, “They both have this super cozy and relaxed vibe.”
Cougar Grounds offers a relaxed atmosphere for caffeine lovers.
The Nook provides a more artsy-chic one. Both coffee shops allow for a soft-life campus vibe.
ALEXYA MARTINEZ
Student Center South
Alexya Martinez’s favorite spot, on the other hand, is Student Center South—specifically on the wooden stairs.
“It’s super nice to just kick it,” she said. “I [usually] plug my laptop in to do some homework or just watch a TV show before class.”
And while most students have different places on campus where they like to decompress, the common theme is to find peaceful and relaxing spaces.
The good news is these aren’t the only secluded places on campus. There are more!
Whether you are looking for cool coffee shops, peaceful scenery or serene stairs, campus has plenty of options to choose from.
Soft
A.D. Bruce Religion Center strives to welcome all. We embrace people of any age, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, class, ability, nationality, cultural background, theology, political views or anything else that might otherwise divide us
For more information, visit uh.edu/adbruce
Written by GAURAANGI GUPTA
THE VISION
The beginning of a new academic journey comes with plenty of new feelings.
On the one hand, there’s excitement, positivity and hope for a fresh start. On the other hand, there’s also anxiety, worry and uncertainty.
It is very easy to get caught up in wanting to experience all the fun parts of college life and forgetting to set your end goals early.
However, staying on track while also enjoying your youth years to the fullest is important. The best way to do so is with a vision board.
Vision boards are not just for Pinterest enthusiasts or New Year resolutions. They are a great way to visualize any dream or career goal.
Even small businesses start with a vision board. According to an article by Forbes, about 70% of them see successful results because of this creative activity.
The board provides a fun outlet for creating a visual map of your college journey.
From attending your first class to walking across the graduation stage, it makes all feel more tangible very early on.
Also, having a vision board is not about perfection. It’s about staying focused and working towards a successful career.
Get creative and get ready to enjoy every part of being a new Coog!
THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX
Your vision board doesn’t have to stick to a black cap and gown theme. It could capture college life beyond the classrooms.
DEFINE EMOTIONS
Map out milestones such as joining a student organization, rising into a leadership role, getting the dream internship or even learning to cook.
College is a place where you find connections and emotions beyond your family. It’s a place where your friends become family.
Put down pictures or words that represent these emotions and the kind of connections to plan on building here.
BE FLEXIBLE
Having a vision board doesn’t mean everything is set in stone.
Many people come to college to find themselves and understand who they are.
Sometimes, the major you think you want in the beginning is not the same
DREAM PRACTICAL
Dream as big as possible. Dream and aim for a 4.0 GPA but also understand it’s okay to get a lower GPA.
KEEP IT VISIBLE
The purpose of the board is to keep you focused and motivated.
one you end up declaring. Therefore, it is important to keep your board flexible and open to change.
This doesn’t mean you’re failing at achieving the goals you set.
It simply means you found yourself down a different path that felt more aligned.
In the end, every victory counts, even the small ones such as getting a lower grade in a really tough course.
Keep it somewhere where it will be visible all the time.
Ideally, it should be the first thing you see in the morning and the last thing you see before bedtime.
WHERE THE COOGS AT?
Written by Gauraangi Gupta |
UH has a pretty diverse campus, housing a lot of schools ranging from business and engineering to fine arts and architecture.
With a big campus, comes a lot of cool hangout spots for you and your friends to relax. Here’s a list of some must-visit hotspots on campus.
Cougar Grounds
This student-run coffee shop is the perfect place, especially if you want to support student workers. The coffee shop serves matcha, gourmet coffee, shakes and even eatables.
The seating options here range from comfortable chairs to sofa sets.
It is located next to Hilton College’s Eric’s Club Center for Student Success. You can also find out more about the shop on its website.
Student Center South
The Student Center South houses UH’s most accessible food options, the market, the bookstore and the arcade room as well.
The SC South staircase is probably one of the busiest spots in the building. It is occupied by students almost all the time.
This is a great spot to hang out with friends, study or just to sit and relax while enjoying the bustling environment.
Photo by Raphael Fernandez
M.D. Anderson Library
The 24/7 open library is the perfect place for study dates. With easy access to books and other resources, the library has multiple floors. The floors feature private rooms which can be rented out for group studies, presentation practice or even for group discussions.
Moreover, during the day hours, there is a cafe open on the ground floor as well!
Student Center North
Contrary to SC South, the north building is much quieter. If you prefer quiet locations, this is the best spot for you to check out!
It houses offices for different student organizations as well as seating on both the first and second floors.
This is an especially great location for relaxing when campus life starts to become too overwhelming and you want some alone time.
The Den
The den is the campus bar. It usually fills up in the evening.
They serve alcohol for those of legal drinking age, but soft drinks are also available! If you’re in for a chill vibe, it’s a must-visit with your friends.
Here, you can also enjoy different food items ranging from burgers and fries to tacos and cheesy bread.
PRO TIP: The best time to visit the bar is during football and basketball season!
Written by Sammy Bates
WHAT WILL BE YOUR CAMPUS PERSONALITY?
The Lovebird
f your campus life and university experiences are guided by your love life—good, bad or ugly—you’re the lovebird. Whether you’re always talking about your dating life to your friends or always walking hand in hand with a significant
The Introvert
If you’re easily overstimulated and prefer to keep to yourself most of the time, you’re most likely the introvert. Ironically, you’re
Many people in college prefer to keep their heads down and not get swept up in the hustle and bustle of campus. You’re always equipped with a hat,
other, you’re a romantic who is comforted and guided by the pursuit of partnership.
You might be packing on the PDA with a partner or trying your hand at casual flirting, but your desire for companionship is a driving force in the way you operate.
sunglasses and headphones. You may elect to take hybrid or asynchronous classes as you prefer to stay home, but if you are on campus, the library is often your refuge.
The study carrels provide you with a private place to recharge without anyone bothering you.
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The Foodie
If you’re the kind of person who plans to cross off every cafe, coffee shop, restaurant and food truck on campus, you’re the foodie.
You’re always suggesting restaurants and your favorite spots know you and your order by memory.
Whether it’s cramming for a test with some late-night comfort food, decompressing with some classic junk food or nourishing your body with a well-rounded meal, food and drink are social and educational touchstones for you.
The Social Butterfly
If you’re the person who wants to get to know everyone, you’re the social butterfly.
You’re always chatting and networking with others. You don’t discriminate between events and can be seen at every kind of gathering, whether school-related or extracurricular.
Your energy is seemingly boundless as you always manage to show up, get involved and be personable.
The Life of the Party
If you’re more likely to be spotted dancing at a party than sitting at a desk, you’re probably the life of the party.You have connections, and friendships and are always on top of the social scene.
There’s nothing you love more than a celebration. You’re always the most fun. More distinctly, you leave your worries for tomorrow and try to have the most fun you can tonight.
The Commuter
If you’re known to have one foot on campus and one foot in a different zip code, you’re the commuter.
Not only is there some physical distance between you and the campus, but you have a healthy distance between your life inside and outside of school.
This cultivates a good school/life balance. You can get a taste of campus life and culture without it overwhelming you completely.
The Activist
In a way, it’s the best of both worlds because you get to participate in the things you’re interested in and dip out easily whenever you want.
If you have an interest, investment or passion in a club, organization or cause and are always doing something in the interest of that goal, you’re the activist.
You’re comfortable advocating for yourself and others. You can communicate with anyone you come across. Additionally, you dedicate yourself and your time to all the things you care about.
The Campus Celebrity
If you’re attracting attention and becoming the talk of the town already, you’re the campus celebrity.
Whether you actively seek out infamy by filming interviews with students on campus or unintentionally attract eyeballs with your magnetic vibe, everyone knows who you are.
Procrastination Pro
Procrastination comes in all shapes and sizes, but if you’re likely to wait until the very last minute, putting off your schoolwork and distracting yourself with other activities, you’re the procrastinator.
While not ideal, it is manageable and extremely commonplace.
The Bookworm
If you’ve got a lust for learning, bookish tendencies and are likely to be labeled “teacher’s pet”, you’re the bookworm.
You may be social, but at the end of the day, you will prioritize your academia and focus on becoming a scholar. You’re here to learn, and learning is what you do best.
WEEKS OF WELCOME
The first two weeks of the semester are designated for exploring the campus, joining student organizations and meeting new people.
The events facilitating these include scavenger hunts, student mixers, food crawls and other special events.
The Welcome to Houston and Student Center Welcome Back booths, for example, have fun activities to win prizes and to learn about or join organizations.
During the Weeks of Welcome’s two-day Cat’s Back event, student organizations gather to recruit new members.
Here, students can talk to officers and members to learn more about the opportunities for growth on campus.
Shasta’s Open House campuswide scavenger hunt takes students across campus to get a better sense of the layout, all while earning fun prizes.
There are also several student mixers and other events to head out to.
Food Crawls
Students get to try out barbecue and tacos from participating on-campus retailers.
Glow Party
This late-night event is full of dancing and glowsticks.
Rec Fest
It features athletic activities such as rock climbing and a mechanical bull.
WOW Day of Service
This is an opportunity to volunteer with the Houston Food Bank.
Cage Rage
TDECU Stadium hosts food, prizes and fireworks for this event.
CULTURAL TASTE OF HOUSTON
This single event lets students travel all around the world through taste. Vendors,
student organizations and performers converge to form a multicultural foodie land. Organized by the Council for Cultural Activities (CCA), there is no shortage of diversity.
Food options include Texasstyle and Korean-style barbecues, Desi rice, kebab platters, Cajun cuisines, burgers and so much more!
Live performances by cultural musicians, such as mariachi bands, add to the delightful aura of the event.
Stalls also offer DIY crafts, photobooths and cultural souvenirs
HOMECOMING
Homecoming is a vibrant week filled with school pride. It unites students, faculty, staff, alumni and the entire Cougar community together.
Established in 1946, the tradition has evolved into a fun series of events honoring the history of UH and its future. Student organizations and
FALL‘25 EVENTS
article_Alveena Rehman |photo_ Raphael
faculty departments battle their pride in spirit competitions. They do so through challenges such as the Spirit Cup, pep rallies, concerts and parades.
The week ends with the Homecoming Football Game. During halftime, the Homecoming Court crowns its Homecoming King and Queen in the stadium flooding with Cougar red.
STRESS-FREE FINALS
Exam season spares no student. Assignments and projects pile, and exams hover.
Stress-Free Finals offers a much-needed break.
It’s a great time to unwind with donuts and coffee in the mornings at the A.D. Bruce Religion Center or at specialized events such as Lego-building and car meets.
It features several activities, such as photo booths, chances to win prizes and most fun of all, a SMASH room for letting out all the stress!
Fernandez
photo_Joshua Vasquez
SPR 2026 EVENTS
Spring semester also features Cat’s Back and Stress-Free Finals.
More importantly, it has a few of its own unique events as well.
CULTURAL CATWALK
Hosted by the Council for Cultural Activities (CCA), this annual fashion show invites students from around the world to showcase their cultural attire.
It celebrates identity, heritage and unity.
Accompanied by music, narration and cultural performances, the event transforms fashion into storytelling, highlighting the significance behind each garment.
More than just a runway show, Cultural Catwalk fosters connection, appreciation and crosscultural dialogue.
It serves as a reminder of UH’s rich diversity defining campus life.
FRONTIER FIESTA
One of the longest-standing traditions, this three-day event transforms a part of campus into Fiesta City.
The thriving hub of culture, entertainment and campus community is full of fun events and activities, including variety shows, carnival booths and games, live concerts and Family Day.
There’s also a the infamous Ferris wheel!
Each evening features live
artists onstage, most recently with 4Elamin opening for headliner Nardo Wick.
Family Day, usually on the Saturday, offers additional fun activities.
Family Day features a petting zoo, kid-friendly games and activities to introduce young prospects to campus life in a fun environment.
Other daily events for currents Coogs include activities such as a silent disco, cowboy hat decorating and license plate making.
