Texas Tech University Top Questions

Groups that are popular on campus is greek life, student government and any intramural sports. There is a place for everyone at Texas Tech

We are a football school through and through. Even though we're not very good, that is all the people in this town have.

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There are tons of organizations here at Tech. Every day, there are groups at tables outside the Student Union building handing out free stuff, advertising, or giving out information about their organization. Like most college campuses, there is a large Greek life culture here, but it is far from the only group on campus. You can find an organization for just about anything you're interested in. I myself play intramural sports and am in a couple of academic organizations, and enjoy them all. There are plenty of ways to get involved and have a great time doing it.

Some of the most popular student groups include the Residence Hall Association, the Student Union Body, Alpha Kappa Psi. There are lots of activities organized by the Tech Activities Board, there's an active dating scene, people often party and go for concerts on campus and athletic events.

While there are many organizations on campus, I'd have to say Greek life is very popular amongst the student body. I myself was involved with Greek life at another school in undergrad, and I loved it. At Tech, however, I am often jealous that i cannot be a member since I'm getting my Masters degree because it looks so fun! Greek life is a wonderful way to get involved because you can pick the sorority of fraternity you feel the most comfortable with, you meet many people in other sororities and fraternities, you develop a strong bond with your sisters or brothers, and you participate in both school and community events. Additionally, Greek life is a wonderful help academically because they all require a certain GPA to remain eligible to stay in the organization. But, if Greek life isn't your style, Tech has created many many other clubs and organizations to get involved with. The best part is, if they don't have what you want, you can even pilot your own club/ organization! Of course, athletic events such as football, basketball, and baseball games are extremely popular. For football, on game day everyone tailgates and the town is nothing but red and black. It's hard not to get excited. And while many students at Tech party, there is plenty of activities to do that is alcohol free. For instance, Tech has a bowling club, intramural sports, and many other organizations will have alcohol free events. Also, Tech provides many cultural events on campus such as plays, dance recitals, and guest speakers on saturday evenings which many students enjoy. Off campus, the city of Lubbock has many restaurants, a mall, shopping centers, and other theaters that provide entertainment for the locals as well.

Every college and every major has their own campus group or campus sponsored activities. There are groups specific to major, culture, ethnicity, interests, political affiliation, and many more. The English department has an English honor society run by the students that meets once a month to do everything from discuss a popular new book, help peer edit each other’s work, or even going bowling. It is a small group, the dues are 50 dollars, and you get a cool t-shirt. Some of the most active and interesting groups on campus are a part of the mass communication department. They have an Electronic Media Student Society that meets in the middle of the week. The group is supervised by an instructor but it gives students the opportunity to learn how to use any and all of the equipment in the mass comm building. So even if you didn't get a chance to learn how to use Dreamweaver in any of your classes, you can become a member of this group and learn for free. This is also a group that really encourages its members to be creative. Some of the projects students have worked on include shooting and editing short films, designing websites, graphics, and other forms of multi-media. There are also many clubs dedicated to certain cultures. There are so many people in Texas and Texas Tech that are of Hispanic or Latin heritage and a few on campus groups in particular will host a monthly salsa night and everyone goes out dancing. The student recreation center even sponsors a ballroom dancing club that goes over dances such as salsa, the tango, the waltz, and the foxtrot. If you're interested in going Greek, there are many fraternities and sororities that fit the pretentious and wealthy stereotype, but if that's not your thing then don't get discouraged. There are also some Christian fraternities and sororities and one's specific to ethnicity who are very welcoming. There are so many campus groups and clubs that it is impossible to find information about all of them on the ttu.edu website. My best advice, once you find something you are interested in, ask around, especially upperclassmen. Most, if not all, of the groups I have been involved in, I heard about through word of mouth. Or check the Student Union Building. There will be foam boards on various walls where students can tack things up like garage sale posters, or roommate inquiries. Many groups choose to advertise their events and meetings in places like the SUB where there is a lot of traffic. Also check your techAnnounce emails. They are sent out every day around 11AM and act as an electronic pin board where all of the week’s upcoming events will be posted. Another thing, pay attention to people's t-shirts. Every campus group probably has its own shirt and if you see an interesting one, take note, and then search for the group on facebook or Google, they will likely have some kind of internet presence.

The student activities that I notice the most are sponsored by TAB. TAB is a student organization that basically holds social events for students to attend just for fun. They put together movie nights at the Student Union Building (SUB), charity events, and little get togethers that have a holiday theme. Like for Christmas this year, they held an ornament making party. I went and it was so much fun! These events are always free and always at the SUB, which is a pretty local place, especially if you live in Horn/Knapp (the best dorm hall ever!) or Wall/Gates. Frequently, there are guest speakers that come. I think there was someone from the Chelsea Lately show this past semester, people that we've seen on YouTube or on MTV. I haven't been to any of the guest speaker events, so I don't have much feedback on that aspect. I just got involved with the rock climbing club. I didn't even know that Tech had a rock climbing club. A friend that I've become really close with invited me to try it out one time. She and I met in the swimming class we took together and then I figured out she was in the same American Government class as I was, and it went from there. She practically had to beg me the entire semester to even go try rock climbing, because between you and I, I'm not a huge fan of people staring at my butt! I mean, come on, wearing tight climbing pants and strapped in a harness? Weird. But I tried it and I liked it. A lot. So I went back and I went to a meeting and then I signed up for a camping trip...pure awesomeness!! It's such a thrill and it works every muscle in my body. Oh, and not to mention the fact that everyone at the climbing wall is majorly fit. That's a sign that tells you it's good for you! There are tons of other clubs to join or look into as well. Just showing up and the Rec Center, you can learn a lot and gather a lot of information. Most nights, I am up until 12a.m or 1a.m either doing homework, coming back from studying, or simply talking with my roommate, relaxing and down-winding from a long day's work. Needless to say, 8a.m classes come very early. It's hard not to be up that late because there is always someone else walking around the hallways or having an audible conversation on the other side of the dorm wall. One of Texas Tech's traditions that I got to participate in for the first time this year is Carol of the Lights. Every year at Christmas, over 20,000 people, including students and residents from surrounding cities, join in the Science Quad to listen to the choir sing, the band play, and watch the burst of Christmas lights light up the night as a switch is flipped on the last note that the band plays. Electric Christmas music played as people gathered in the Quad and around Memorial Circle, waiting for seven o'clock to get there. A small parade also walked through the crowd to the front of the Quad, to my surprise. After the concert and the lights, tons of people just walked around to enjoy the chilly night with their Starbucks in their hands, and lines formed to get pictures in front of the huge lighted Christmas tree in front of Memorial Circle, right off of Broadway Street.

Upon first arriving at Texas Tech, students are often given the impression that the only extracurricular activity is partying. Greek life is big, and there are often any number of fraternity parties open to those looking for a good time. Likewise, there are plenty of bars close to campus and many would consider Tech a "party school". However, there are certainly a large number of activities which do not involve drinking available to those who are interested. Texas Tech has a long list of clubs and organizations, including Christian fraternities and sororities, the young Republicans club, and the American Sign Language club (the Silent Raiders). During the fall football is one of the biggest events of the weekend, drawing in tailgaters from across West Texas and packing the student section full of cheering fans. In the beginning of December, one of the most popular traditions is Carol of Lights. Every year, students, faculty, and alumni gather in memorial circle to watch as Tech lights up the campus with Christmas lights. It is also an honored tradition to propose at this special event. The spring is often the time for most who missed fall rush to join in the fraternity or sorority they've had their eye on all year. No matter your interests, Tech certainly has a place for you.