10 Memories to Relive (or Make) at Tech

By Kameron Court

Top 10 Things To Do Before Graduating from Tech

Top 10 Things To Do Before Graduating from Tech

As graduation day nears, many seniors are flooded with memories of the fun things they have done at Texas Tech in the last four years (or seven, if you’re lucky).

Even though the university has a reputation as a party school in the middle of the desert, current students and alumni say there are at least 10 amazing Lubbock things that incoming students and visitors should check out. Read their suggestions below.

Check out this story map to see these locations!

10. Pull an All-Nighter in the Library

10. Pull an All-Nighter in the Library

“Even though it was probably the most miserable part of my college career, I made some of the funniest memories during those nights with my friends. You get delirious after a while, and the conversations you have during your breaks are so random. It makes studying not as miserable when you have someone there with you. College is about having fun, but most importantly about getting a degree. So why not do well in class and make fun memories with your friends? I don’t think I’d want to do them again, but I wouldn’t change the memories from those nights. Plus, who wouldn’t want to take a nap in the basement?” -Danielle Cain, kinesiology alumna with a chemistry and biology minor from Denton, Texas

9. Check Out a West Texas Winery

9. Check Out a West Texas Winery

“The bar scene in Lubbock is really unique, especially if you like wine. The Funky Door and La Diosa are two of my favorite places to go because they are both chill and relaxed. The food is awesome and the sangria is even better. They have live music there a lot of the time, and it is the perfect place to go if you want to casually hang out with your friends.” -Megan Crabtree, speech, language and hearing sciences major from Frisco, Texas

8. Carol of the Lights

8. Carol of the Lights

“The scenery of Texas Tech University is already as beautiful as can be, but nothing beats the way it looks at the beginning of December when Carol of the Lights comes around. The florescent lights, huge Christmas tree, the community of Lubbock and the sound of Christmas carols, all in Memorial Circle, is something no one should ever miss. It is like being in your own smaller version of Whoville and is a chance to all come together as a community and celebrate the holiday season. Carol of the Lights is a wonderful tradition that is not only majestic, but a fun way to bring everyone in Lubbock together.” -Breanna Castille, exercise and sports science major from Rockwall, Texas

7. Stars & Stripes Drive-In

7. Stars & Stripes Drive-In

“Stars and Stripes is a pretty cool place to check out. It is a really good date idea. Being from near Dallas, it is cool because the closest drive-in to me is almost an hour away. Also, you can see a million stars out there, which is awesome.” – Cullum Morgan, finance major from Allen, Texas

6. Scrub X's Off Your Hands

6. Scrub X’s Off Your Hands

“I always scrub my ‘X’s off as soon as I get past the bouncer. Then I don’t have to worry about it the next day in the real world, when everyone is judging me for going out the night before. Wearing an extra rubber band on your wrist is the best trick to get them off, otherwise, the dreaded and disgusting, spit and wipe is needed. Anything is better than a giant ‘X’ on your hand.” – Alyssa Dussetschleger, sports management major from Lincoln, Texas

5. Palo Duro Canyon

5. Palo Duro Canyon

“You’ll never want to leave, and you’ll keep coming back.” –  Jack Klopfenstein, electronic media and communication major from St. Louis, Missouri

4. Get a Picture with a Tech Icon

4. Get a Picture with a Tech Icon

“For endless reasons, I feel that Texas Tech is such an amazing school to graduate from, so I chose to take graduation pictures on campus in places that are remarkable to me. I also wanted to give my parents a glimpse of where I spent the last four years and thank them for that. Taking those memorable pictures was a fun experience that got me even more pumped for the big day!” – Morgan Walker, early childhood education alumna from Aledo, Texas

3. First Friday Art Trail

3. First Friday Art Trail

“The Lubbock First Friday Art Trail is such a fun unique event because you get to experience and surround yourself with local West Texas art and culture including sculptures, paintings, music and dance!” – Jonathan Caudle, media and communication alumnus from Houston, Texas

2. Jones AT&T Stadium on Game Day

2. Jones AT&T Stadium on Game Day

“The Jones on game day is nothing you’ve ever seen. Even if you don’t like football, it’s a must-experience event from anyone who calls themselves a Red Raider. From the electric atmosphere to the Masked Rider storming onto the field atop the trusty steed – Fearless Champion – everything about the experience makes you proud to be at Texas Tech.” – Quenton Polk, marketing major from Houston, Texas

1. Chimy's

1. Chimy’s

“Chimy’s is a staple in the Hub and has been since they opened. It’s every Tech student’s dream to finally make it through that long one-in-one-out line to get the true Lubbock experience.” – Chase Walker from Houston, Texas

About JOUR 4350

JOUR 4350 is the multiplatform news delivery class, which is the capstone class for journalism majors within the College of Media & Communication.