As someone who has been at Texas Tech for a little more than five years (at least I’m leaving with two degrees), there are some things that I’ve learned. Some of these things I wish I had been told before I ever arrived, so I’ll take the liberty of spreading the knowledge to younger classes and future students.
1. Don’t walk on the grass in Memorial Circle.
There are so many sidewalks for a reason.
Hey, you don’t know unless someone tells you. Memorial Circle was dedicated to Texas Tech in 1948 to honor the students who fought in World War II. That means it is a war memorial. That means don’t walk on the grass.
2. Don’t drive faster than 20 mph on campus.
This picture was way too easy to get.
Yes, 20 mph is slow. But don’t speed. You will get pulled over, and you will get a ticket. Being late is better than paying for a speeding ticket or running over a pedestrian. Just slow down, be safe, and yield to pedestrians. Also, if you park somewhere you’re not supposed to, you will get a ticket. Don’t act surprised if you find a boot on your car after not paying some tickets.
3. Cherish the time you have to visit and talk to your parents.
This is less than half of my amazing family, but the best picture I could find.
Or your aunts, uncles, cousins, siblings, grandparents and guardians.They won’t be around forever and chances are they are going to miss you more than you know while you’re at school. Reply to them when they reach out to you and see them when you can.
4. Don’t party in your dorm.
I lived in Gordon Hall. It was amazing aside from finding a human tooth in our couch.
Community Advisers are smarter than you may think. It’s pretty obvious when you’re doing something illegal in your dorm, no matter how sly you think you are. It’s not worth getting in trouble with the law and the university, plus having it on your record. But if you want to use a liquor bottle for decoration, you can have a maximum of two, for some reason.
5. It’s okay to skip class sometimes.
Nicole Crites/The Hub@TTU
I never skipped my MWF 9 a.m. my first semester. That is not paying off now. You shouldn’t skip class all the time just because you’re tired, and make sure you know the attendance policy of each of your classes. But if you’re sick, or you’ve saved up your absences, it’s usually okay to take a day off.
6. It’s okay to skip parties sometimes.
Maddy McCarty/The Hub@TTU
Just because your friends want you to go out doesn’t mean you have to. If you’re too tired or feel like staying in to watch movies, go for it. If you do go out, make sure you have a safe driver and know how much you can handle.
7. You might not graduate with the same friends you have freshman year.
Some friends you’ll have for life, others you won’t.
Moving in with your “best friends” sophomore year can show you that you are completely incompatible to live together. That doesn’t mean you have to stop being friends. But it’s also okay if your group of friends changes completely. You meet more people and change during college. Your group of friends will follow.
8. Double check that you’re taking the right classes to graduate.
Blaine Hill/The Hub@TTU
Advisers are helpful, but they’re also human. Being in college means you’re an adult, and you have to take responsibility for yourself. At the end of the day, everyone is in college to get a degree. Make sure you’re getting there.
9. Eat all the free food.
Joey Marcades/The Hub@TTU
When you are older and living on your own, you will regret every time you did not take advantage of free food. Even if you have to walk across campus to get it, maybe you can even survive a week on free food alone.
10. Learn how to study.
Jacqueline Fierro/The Hub@TTU
College is different from high school. It will likely require much more effort. If you bomb your first test, that’s okay. Figure out a different way to study that is effective for you. Group sessions at library and all-nighters may be trendy, but they may be more distracting and harmful in the long run.
College will be a new experience that will bring joy and laughter, as well as hardships and tears. This place has given me some of the best years of my life along with an invaluable education. I hope by following this advice, you can all experience the same.
About Maddy McCarty
