Texas Tech University Top Questions

Like at any school, there are professors who know what they are doing and professors who do not have a clue. I have noticed that the older ones are better, because they have the experience under their belts. The professor will more likely come to know your name in a smaller class setting. That is kind of common sense. It does feel good when he/she does know your name though. It makes me feel like I'm not just a number. Especially because at orientation, freshman are given "R#'s" that is basically your identification until you graduate. So it can make one feel small, but with the genuine kindness of the professors, it's easy to feel like #1! I do believe that the professors and what they teach provoke thought for students, because no matter where I go, I hear conversations that refer to a class discussion. It's good to know that I'm not the only one that gets into the details in class and talks about them. And it's really cool knowing that college is not required, like high school is, so everyone at college wants to be there. They have a passion that they want to fulfill and learning happens to be part of that path. Plus, what's not to love about picking your own classes?! For example, I am an English major (if you couldn't tell by my special attention to grammar and whatnot). There are a couple specialties I couldn't chosen under the English major and I chose Creative Writing. In order to get my required hours under this degree, there are many many different English classes to pick from, according to my desires. That is just in English! I also have my requirements for sciences, technology, visual and performing arts, personal fitness and wellness, and history. In my opinion, some of the requirements are pointless. For instance, the electives I will have to take. After writing down my undergraduate plan for classes with all my required ones, I still lack eleven hours to fill just to meet my 120 hours degree requirement. Those eleven hours will have to be filled with electives, which are classes that just take up my time for no reason because I am technically finished with my requirements!! That's something I do not agree with. Academics are overall great. I really enjoy my classes, professors, and classmates.

The academics here at Texas Tech can be rigorous depending on the classes that you take. All of the professors want you to be successful and want to help you as much as they possibly can. Depending on the classes you take sometimes the classes can be very big (about a hundred students) but for the most part classes are small (15-20 students). A lot of the classes are taught by graduate students which I think is great because graduate students know exactly how you feel and what you are going through because, only a few years before, they were exactly where you are at right now. I, as an English major, love my major. I love the classes that I get to take. There are so many options when it comes to choosing classes which is one of the advantages of attending a big university. Overall if you just apply yourself in your classes you will succeed and the professors are there to help with whatever you need.

I appreciate the way classes are set up at Texas Tech because, for most classes, you have the option of registering for either small, intimate classes or large lecture-style classes. This makes it possible to form your class schedule around your learning style and your academic interests. For example, I chose classes of 30 or less people for my English classes because I knew I would benefit from class discussions and having a professor who knew me personally, but chose lecture classes of 200 or more people for classes such as history and political science, where I was only interested in passing the class to fulfill my core requirements. My favorite classes at Tech have all been my American Sign Language classes. I have had three different teachers in three semesters, and every one has taken the time to get to know me as an individual rather than as just another student. I feel this has been especially beneficial because it is much easier to pick up on a foreign language when you feel comfortable with the person you are attempting to converse with. My least favorite class was probably political science. I am not a fan of politics in general, and the fact that this was a class of 250 students where the professor still insisted on a seating chart and taking attendance every day made me feel like I was attending a giant kindergarden class. Luckily, most professors I have had treat the students as competent adults interested in learning rather than small children who need to be babysat and guided step-by-step through the year. Student participation and competitiveness has definitely depended on the class. My major is communication studies with an emphasis on interpersonal communication, I am an English minor, and, were I not graduating a year early, would also be an American Sign Language minor. In the two and a half years I have been here, I have found that in core classes such as history and lower level math classes, it is clear the students are interested only in passing and moving onto classes they are more interested in. However, in all of my major/minor-specific classes the students have been very engaged, ready to learn, and come to class prepared. The professors in these classes especially take an interest in not only teaching the curriculum, but in really passing along knowledge and skills necessary for the students to succeed in their future careers.

The courses offered are very interesting. I always found something I'd be interested in taking that was relevant to my major/minor. However, the quality of the classes heavily depended on the professor. My favorite teacher only taught for two semesters before leaving. My favorite course was Visual Communications because, for once, both the teacher and the content were fun and interesting.

The begining classes at Tech can be quite large, anywhere from 75 to 340. When you start getting into your upper level classes is when the size dwindles down and teachers begin to remember your name. My favorite class was Governments of Western Europe. The class was interesting and I learned about the different governments of the countries. My least favorite class was Intorduction to Political Analysis. The class delt with the statistics of voting records and how you could apply them to todays findings. We do have an honor college on campus, which can make some student jealous. But student competition is not frequent. My major is Political Science. I came to Tech with about 30 high school credit hourse which put me in already upper level classes. The Political Science department is incredibely helpful with its students. I usually go to professors office hours only when I need help with assignments or tests. I believe the education at Texas Tech is geared towards getting a job. Teachers train students to be fully able to take on whatever is thrown at them.

Academics at Texas Tech through my experience thus far has been very rewarding. There are many classes at Tech that have a lot of students in them which makes it hard for professors to really get to know you. But do not be mistaken by this, it is not how all classes are neither does it take away from the overall knowledge you can gain from that class. I just recently have been able to experience smaller classes at Tech where the professors do know your name and are more hands-on making it a much more enjoyable experience. My favorite and the most unique class I've taken thus far was actually one of these small classes that I was able to experience just this year. It was an English course that taught about the history of books and how they came to be the way they are today. It was nice because not only did my professor know me, but she was also very hands on in helping me develop into a better writer. When thinking about what my least favorite class I would have to choose my Biology course which was one of my larger classes. What made this course my least favorite was not only the class size itself, but also the fact that science is not my strong suit. Classes at Texas Tech are made even better because of the majority of students that are committed to doing well and studying. The commitment to success that many students have provides for intelligent conversations outside of the classroom between majors and non-majors as well as competitiveness between the two. I myself am an English major and am proud to say it because I believe the staff that Tech has provided me thus far has helped me in developing as a writer and critical thinker. Outside of the classroom like many other students I know, I love talking to my mechanical engineering friends about what's going on in their classes as well as mine and competing with them when it comes to making good grades. This makes for large amounts of in class discussions which makes for the learning experience to be that much better. Texas Tech's professors always have their doors open to any students with issues or problems ready to help. At Tech I am never afraid to contact or see my professor about any issue I might have. When thinking about the overall academic requirements of the school I would say that it is just right for any major and will lend a hand to making that student as successful as they want to be in the future. The education is both geared to not only to helping a student get a job for the future but so that the student may come out having learned something for the sake of learning.

Academics at Texas Tech through my experience thus far has been very rewarding. There are many classes at Tech that have a lot of students in them which makes it hard for professors to really get to know you. But do not be mistaken by this, it is not how all classes are neither does it take away from the overall knowledge you can gain from that class. I just recently been able to experience smaller classes at Tech where the professors do know your name and are more hands-on making it a much more enjoyable experience. My favorite and the most unique class I've taken thus far was actually one of these small classes that I was able to experience just this year. It was and English course that taught about the history of books and how they came to be the way they are today. It was nice because not only did my professor know me, but she was also very hands on in helping me develop into a better writer. When thinking about what my least favorite class I would have to choose my Biology course which was one of my larger classes. What made this course my least favorite was not only the class size, but also the fact that science is not my strong suit. Classes at Texas Tech are made even better because of the majority of students that are committed to doing well and studying. The commitment to success that many students have provides for intelligent conversations out of class between majors and non-majors as well as competitiveness between the two. I myself am an English major and proud to say it because i believe the staff that Tech has provided me thus far has helped me in develop as a writer and critical thinker. Outside of the classroom like many other students I know, I love talking to my mechanical engineering friends about what's going on in their classes as well as mine and competing with them when it comes to making good grades. This makes for large amounts of in class discussions which makes for the learning experience to be that much better. Texas Tech's professors always have their doors open to any students with issues or problems ready to help. At Tech I am never afraid to contact or see my professor about any issue I might have. When thinking about the overall academic requirements of the school I would say that it is just right for any major and will lend a hand to making that student as successful as they want to be in the future. The education is both geared to not only helping a student get a job for the future but so that the student may come out having learned something for the sake of learning.

Many of the common Freshman courses have large auditorium style lectures, where the professor will not likely know your name, but as you move up in the classes for your major the classes become smaller. When you get into major specific classes, many of them have 20-40 students where you can get to know your professor and them you. Time management is the most important aspect of college, especially your first and second years. Many classes require outside reading and large problem sets for freshman. You have to complete the homework and many classes require attendance, and most of them are impossible if you do not attend. Don't this scare you though, if you are studious and attend class and complete the homework the tests are usually not too difficult.

Professors at Texas Tech range from a wide variety of teaching levels. My favorite class here so far has to have been Biology lecture with Dr. Dini. Everyone I had talked to about this class before hand said it would be hard, and don't get me wrong, it was, but it was one of the more rewarding classes I have taken at Texas Tech because I had to work hard for my grade. Students were willing to help each other understand the material and at the same time wanted to do the best they could to succeed. It has been so incredible as far as furthering my education and preparing me for medical school and the rest of my education as a Biochemistry major. My least favorite class, by far, was my Intro to Library class. This class was meant to give students a way to get around the library. While it was informative, was incredibly boring and many of the assignments were repetitive.

Academics at Tech are DEFINATELY on the uphill swing. Tech gets a bad rep from older parents and grandparents because they remember Tech from when it was still a relatively young school, being built decades after Texas and Texas A&M were. It takes a university time to build well known academic programs, which Tech now successfully has. The architecture school is top in the state and very difficult to be in. I know several people who changed majors because of how time consuming it was. The law school is ranked in the top 10 in the nation for what your getting and the price. The engineering school offers several great degrees, mine being in construction technology. My teachers all know my name and it is easy to meet with a teacher or find people who will help you out if you need it. They are about to break ground on a new business school which will be as nice as any in the state. My roomate came to Tech for the Exercise and Sports Science degree which has become very popular. I also know several people from back home who transfered (or tried to transfer) in from other universities for the nursing school. It's easy to find a good degree and there are plenty of options which I love about a larger school.