Class of 2025’s memories and final thoughts
Another graduation has come and gone at Texas A&M College of Dentistry in Dallas, and students are embarking on their next chapters. We asked a handful of students about their expectations of dental college before they started and what they know now.
“Before dental school, I thought it would mainly be an academic grind—just tougher classes and lots of lab time. I didn’t expect how deeply it would challenge my resilience, humility, and ability to grow through failure. Now I’ve learned that dental school is as much about becoming a better teammate and leader as it is about becoming a skilled clinician.”
– Huy Phan, dental student
“I expected dental hygiene school to be all academics, and while it was academically intense, it taught me resilience, confidence, and that I can handle more than I ever thought possible.”
– Emily Rosales, dental hygiene student
“I came into this program expecting academic challenges and deeper insight into dentistry, especially research. Now, at the end of my master’s, I’ve gained so much more—perspective on life, the importance of balance, and the value of exploring interests beyond academia. I’ve also learned that being open with professors can lead to meaningful support and growth. I am glad I chose to attend Texas A&M University. I have grown exponentially and feel prepared for the future.”
– Alina McCloud, graduate student
“I think, coming off COVID, it was really hard to adjust in that first year of 40 lectures on one exam. Crazy. But I learned to study for that.
“Before starting dental school, I was excited to learn about teeth and how to restore someone’s smile. What I didn’t realize was that dentistry involves so much more than just fixing teeth. Dental school has taught me essential skills like patient management, interpersonal communication, scheduling, treatment planning and working effectively with other health care professionals.”
– Bryn Martin, dental student
“Before starting dental school, I expected it to be mainly about learning technical skills and mastering procedures. Now, I realize that communication, empathy, and patient education are equally important for building trust and improving outcomes. Dental school has taught me to not only treat patients, but to empower them through education and preventive care.”
– Justin Thamsorn, dental student
More photos from the day
