Photography by Sarah Alvarado
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Things Every Cardinal Should Know By Theresa Servin
Starting college comes with a lot of questions. Where do I park? How long does it really take to cross campus? And why did someone just tell me not to walk under the Clock Tower? Some things you'll learn during orientation. Others you'll pick up after a few weeks, after a few wrong turns, and after maybe a morning spent circling campus looking for a parking spot. Consider this your unofficial UIW starter pack: five things every new Cardinal should know.
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It Starts with a Pin Before the classes, late-night study sessions, and frantic searches for parking, there is the pinning ceremony.
For new Cardinals, the ceremony marks the beginning of their journey at the University of the Incarnate Word. It may feel like just one moment in a very busy introduction to college, but pay attention to it.
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That little pin represents something much bigger: you are officially becoming part of the UIW community. Take the picture. Keep the pin. Remember the moment. You may not realize how much it means until much later.
Whatever You Do, Don't Walk Under the Clock Tower
Every campus needs a good superstition, and UIW has one of its own. According to campus lore, students who walk beneath the Clock Tower before graduation risk not graduating on time. Is it true? Who knows. But when you've spent years working toward a degree, are you really willing to test it?
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You'll notice plenty of students taking the long way around rather than tempting fate. Consider it one of those unofficial Cardinal traditions that gets passed from one class to the next. My advice? Admire the Clock Tower. Take pictures in front of it. Just maybe save the walk underneath for after graduation.
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Find Your Place
At some point, you're going to have an hour between classes and nowhere you particularly need to be. Find a place on campus that feels like yours. For me, one of those places is the Grotto. Tucked away from the busiest parts of campus, it's quiet, beautiful, and a good place to sit when you need a few minutes to
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think, breathe, or simply enjoy some peace. Your place might be somewhere completely different. Maybe it's a favorite table, a shady spot outside, or a quiet corner of a building you discovered by accident. You'll spend a lot of time at UIW. Find somewhere that makes campus feel a little more like home.
Get Involved Before You Feel Ready Going to class is only one part of college.
Some of your best experiences may come from the things you almost didn't sign up for. Attend the event. Join the organization. Volunteer. Apply for the position even if you're not completely sure you're ready for it. You don't have to join everything—and you probably shouldn't—but find something that interests you and give it a chance. Getting involved is how a campus full of unfamiliar faces starts becoming a community. It's also where you may discover interests, friendships, and opportunities you never expected when you first arrived.
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There Is Free Help on Campus-If You Know Where to Look Here is one freshmen can actually use.
UIW has resources students may walk past for months without realizing they’re available. Among them is Cardinals’ Cupboard, the campus food pantry, which provides food and basic necessities to students at no cost. And “need” doesn’t have to mean some dramatic emergency.
The problem with resources like this is simple: if nobody tells students where they are, students don’t use them. So, learn where the pantry is before you ever need it. Learn what other student resources are available while you’re at it. The smartest college students aren’t necessarily the ones who never need help. They’re the ones who know where to find it.
College is expensive. Sometimes money runs short. Back to School 7
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Photography by Sarah Alvarado
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reclaiming the art of
dressing well
Society has lost the art of dressing classy. There, I said it. It is not that we don’t know how to dress per se; it is that we have chosen ease and comfort over expression and refinement. Sweat sets and Uggs may be trending now, but if that is all that your wardrobe consists of, then you may be missing out on what fashion is truly capable of. Dressing up is fun, it's exciting, and most of all, it is far easier than you think. I can remember from a very young age falling head over heels at my first interaction with the class and elegance of fashion. I can recall watching Sleeping Beauty and constantly rewinding to see Aurora in her iconic pink dress or playing dress up in my mom’s closet with her high heels and Vera Bradley bag collection. Those interactions set me up very well because my mom slowly started to teach my brothers and I the value of putting on a nice outfit. She taught us that it says a lot about who you are and where your priorities lie. If you don’t believe me, then just look at the history books. Dressing up used to be normal in our society, even more so it was an expectation. Men drove to work in full suits, women wore dresses or matching outfits, even kids were dressed to the nines for just the simple act of going to the grocery store with their mom. Pieces like an overcoat or a hat were a necessity and added style to a seemingly simple outfit. Evening wear was separate from what you wore during the day and made sure to always leave an impression. We used to understand what that meant. We used to understand that presenting our best selves starts with what we wear. Presentation is not a singular act; it’s a lifestyle. Whether we like it or not, people read us before they hear us. So if you choose to walk into a new job, friendship, or environment looking careless, you have already put yourself at a disadvantage. People have already made up their minds about you before you have even spoken a word. You have chosen the path of least resistance, and it often works against you. Many of you might be thinking, “Why so harsh Mack?” This topic is close to my heart, and I believe that when something matters, it deserves honesty— even if that honesty makes us uncomfortable.
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Some might gawk at the idea of dressing classy in general or see it as lowest on their priority list but hear me when I say that you are doing yourself a disservice. Fashion is not just the clothes we wear, it’s art, it’s expression, it’s who we are. We can practically write a novel about ourselves just by putting together an outfit that feels like us. The clothes we wear hold so much power, so why aren’t we using them for good?
As I mentioned before, it is not that we have no idea how to dress ourselves; it is that we have done away with the idea of dressing “classy”. Considering your audience when putting an outfit together is the first step in achieving class. Class is not about rigid rules or expensive labels; it’s about awareness and respect for the environment you’re walking into. For example, instead of choosing a crop top and ripped jeans to wear to an interview, maybe a dress and boots would be more effective. The very fact that you took note of your audience before approaching them sets you up for success. Now I want to establish that I do not come to this topic from a place where I have not been before. Once upon a time, I too was guilty of wearing big t-shirts, Nike shorts, and Birkenstocks every day. What I didn’t realize at the time was that dressing up is a discipline. It requires intention, consistency, and effort—qualities that carry far beyond the clothes themselves. Now being on the other side of it, I have a completely new respect for dressing up and investing in quality clothing. I thoroughly enjoy the “getting ready for the day” process in the morning. Also, the idea of dressing up for the day does not belong to one type of income. You can look your best in an outfit whether it is from the thrift store or the mall. Excess does not play into this; effort does. You must make a conscious choice to try something different and put in the work to present yourself well.
Dressing up is not a new concept; we have simply forgotten its value. Class begins with effort, not expense, and expression starts the moment we get dressed. Whether your clothes come from Walmart or Aritzia, the choice to present yourself is always available. All it takes is intention.
XOXO,
Fitted By Mack
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BATISTE
“Every season brings another opportunity to grow, compete and represent UIW.”
Athlete’s Spotlight | Andrea Inestroza
Beyond Game Day: Patrick Batiste’s UIW Journey For Patrick Batiste, another fall at the University of the Incarnate Word means another opportunity to take the field in Cardinal red. The Houston native and Klein Cain High School graduate joined the UIW football program in 2023. Now an upperclassman, Batiste enters the 2026 season as a redshirt junior defensive back, wearing No. 7 for the Cardinals. Over the past few years, Batiste has worked his way through a college football experience that goes far beyond what fans see on game day. During the 2024 season, he appeared in seven games, primarily contributing on special teams and recording a solo tackle. This season, he enters the year listed among the cornerbacks on UIW’s defensive depth chart. For Batiste, the new season is another chance to build on that experience and continue finding his role within the Cardinals’ defense. “Every season brings another opportunity to grow, compete and represent UIW.” That journey is something many student-athletes on campus can relate to. Behind the games at Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium are hours of practices, workouts, team meetings and preparation.
At the same time, players have classes, assignments and the everyday responsibilities that come with being a college student. As an upperclassman, Batiste has now spent several years experiencing both sides of life at UIW. His path from Houston to San Antonio has allowed him to develop as a player while becoming part of a football program that continues to build its presence on the national stage. The 2026 season gives Batiste another opportunity to take the experience from previous years and put it to use. With a place among UIW’s defensive backs, each practice and game brings another chance to contribute when his number is called. College football careers can move quickly. Seasons come and go, teammates graduate and new players arrive every year. For athletes like Batiste, each fall becomes another chapter in a much bigger college experience. As UIW football moves forward this season, Batiste will be one of the Cardinals representing the university under the lights at Benson Stadium. No. 7 is back in Cardinal red, and another chapter of his UIW story is just beginning. Back to School 15
RED’s
Arleen Canseco | Trends & Reviews
Tested Favorites
My favorite places, apps, and the little things getting me through the semester.
Every semester I tell myself this is going to be the semester where I have everything together. A new planner, a fresh notebook, a new routine, etc. Yet, somehow, I still end up feeling a hot mess sometimes. But over the past four years, I've found a few things that make school feel a little easier and a lot more fun. These are the places I like to grab a drink or a bite, the apps I use to keep myself organized, and the school supplies and tech that have earned a permanent spot in my routine.
The Places I Keep Going Back To
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Let's start with the obvious: coffee and food. I can't talk about getting through a semester without mentioning the places I end up going to between classes or in my free time to study. Matcha Maiko is my pick when I want something other than coffee. Sometimes I just want a matcha that feels like a little treat in the middle of the day. They also have a cute photobooth and some fun games. Poppy's is one of those places I like when I want to lock in on something. It's a good change of scenery when studying at home is starting to feel impossible, as it’s a bit secluded with a peaceful vibe. Food is a whole other part of the school routine. Woori Teahouse is more of a break for me, somewhere to grab something different and take a minute away from schoolwork. They offer bubble tea and Korean food, so it's a good change of pace. And when I don't know what I'm in the mood for, Central Market is usually the safest choice because there are so many options. If I had to pick favorites, I’d definitely recommend Woori Teahouse and Matcha Maiko.
The Things I Keep Going Back To I'm a big believer that keeping organized keeps the mind clear. Bonus points if you have cute stationery. Trust me when I say these things will make your life so much easier. Structured is one of the apps I like using when I need to see my entire day laid out or need somewhere to put quick tasks. It’s a great app to pour your brain out on. Google Calendar is where I keep track of the bigger picture: classes, events, deadlines, and everything else that somehow ends up on my calendar. This has helped me tremendously, and I can’t praise it enough. Then there's Opal, which is especially helpful when my phone becomes my biggest distraction. You know when you pick up your phone to check one thing, and suddenly you've been scrolling for 40 minutes? Exactly. Opal helps me stay focused when I need to get work done. For notes, I use Goodnotes. I like having my notes, PDFs, and other class materials together instead of carrying around a different notebook for everything. It basically gives me the organization of a backpack without having to organize the backpack.
WHAT ACTUALLY MAKES IT INTO MY BAG My everyday school essentials are pretty simple: my planner, a cute notebook, Pilot erasable pens, sticky notes, my headphones, and a squishy. And yes, I'm including squishies. Are they necessary? No. Am I bringing one anyway? Obviously. I also like a Japanese school bag because it keeps everything together without compromising a cute fit. It’s a cute and reliable bag.
MY BACK-TO-SCHOOL RULE I don't think getting ready for a new semester means buying everything new or completely changing your routine. For me, it's more about finding little things that make my everyday life easier (and maybe a little cuter). A good coffee, a planner I actually want to open, headphones for my walk to class, and a notebook I like looking at is what can make a regular school day feel a little better. So that's RED’s Picks!
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We leave with one final question to carry into the coming weeks: What do YOU want your semester to look like? You get to decide what matters most over the next few months. College life moves fast, and it’s easier to let the semester pass by without you ever realizing it. But you get to decide what matters most over the next few months. Nobody is driving this semester but you. Maybe it’s the semester where you get to build deeper connections with your peers and professor. Maybe it’s the semester where you become ambitious, ready to build your experience and resume. Or it’s something more simple; maybe it’s leaving room to rest, to fail at something new and learning that it’s okay. Remember that your worth was never tied to your GPA in the first place. Remember, this semester is the start of a blank canvas, and you’re the one in charge of creating new experiences. So before deadlines start racking up, ask yourself how you really want to be out of this experience, then go create it. Make the most of it, Cardinals.
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