It's that time of the semester when things get really crazy. Remember to take care of you. We still have knitting kits, if you want to learn something fun. You can also come decorate an Rtic 20oz tumbler with our cricut machine anytime.

Grab up some more Terry Designs at our CafePress store.
https://www.cafepress.com/terryscholars
https://www.cafepress.com/techterry

This is for all those determined students who have found their passion in life, and are going to college to build that career they’ve always wanted. You’ve decided you’re going to achieve academic and career success no matter the cost, and if that means putting your schooling above all else, enduring long nights, and losing touch with the people around you, then so be it. Don’t be too hasty, though. While that’s a great attitude to have, you shouldn’t neglect your social life.
It’s not slacking to block some time off to get to know your classmates. After all, another opportunity that comes with college is the people you’ll meet, and it’s important that you don’t neglect that aspect. It’s not just a friendly recommendation, or a stress-buster. It will help you in your future career. Facebook doesn’t count. You need to set some time aside from your busy schedule and develop a real-life social network.

Here are four reasons why: 
​https://www.centennialcollege.ca/centennial-college-blog/2014/november/12/the-importance-of-being-social-in-college/

In partnership with the Phillips 66 SHIELD Scholars, the Golden Key International Honour Society, Helene DeVitt Jones Scholars, and the Terry Scholars, we are hosting a Leadership Book Club. We will be meeting online.

We would like for you to be a part of our 8 session leadership book club.

We are reading the classic “How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie. This 275 page book is packed full of advice on how to get along smoothly with others while gaining what you want.

                For my fellow cyber-punk and sci-fi fans, you are probably already well aware of “Altered Carbon,” both the book and the Netflix series. For those you that are not, the premise of the show is based around a future where the human conscious is contained in disk at the base of the skull. It essential allows humans to switch their sleeve/body. As you can image billionaires, sorry I mean “people of wealth,” are able to live forever and the Catholics hate it. A very believable future, if you ask me. The show follows around the main character, Kovacs, as he tries to solve a murder mystery. If you have time, I would recommend both the book and the show.

                One of the many themes of both is how Kovacs inner demons continue to follow him and his trouble recognizing himself in his new sleeve. It does not matter how many times he has switched bodies. His inner demons are always brought along with him. Simply put, there was no running away from who he truly was. He could change his appearance, but the rest was the same. Now must of us do not have the same luxury of being able to fully change our body. We only have one. I do not say that in the generic form of a middle school principal telling you not to do drugs, but I say it as a simple statement of fact. You only have one body and there is only one body like yours. 

                When we all look into the mirror, I doubt there is very many of us that find it a pleasant experience. No doubt, there are moments when we find ourselves attractive. Not often enough though. Was the last time you looked in the mirror a positive experience? Was it you slowly nitpicking everything you hate about the way you look? I bet for most of us, it was the second. For something as precious and rare as our own body, we never give it enough value. Find the worth in your sleeve and learn to deal with our own inner demons.

                Since we were all young, we have been told beauty is on the inside. That is the truth. A large portion of beauty is found in our soul and who we are as people. Saying that is the only factor we judge someone’s beauty is not being in touch with reality. I do not say this simply as a superficial twenty-three-year-old man but as someone who accepts the truth. Outward appearances matter; having good looks can get you far in life. It is the same as someone being 6’ 9” is going to have an easier time learning to dunk than someone 5’ 10”. It is a matter of fact.

                What is interesting is how each person defines outward beauty. A ten for someone can be a two for someone else. The Hilary Swank concept, if you will. This means that outward beauty is a person by person basis. The only person’s opinion about our beauty that should matter is our own. Unfortunately for many of us, this is the most negative opinion regarding our body. The average person walking down the street is not going to notice that one blemish, which you have hyper focused on since you were in middle school. They really could not care less about it. I know for myself, I have trouble with my weight. I would say to a toxic level. It does not matter how much I diet or exercise; the person looking back at me in the mirror is the same fat thirteen-year-old. No one sees that picture of me in their head except for me, yet it is the false truth that I continue to hold onto undying.

                This blog post is not about a magic fix to love your body, because it is a daily struggle. For many of us, we strive for perfection in every aspect of our lives. That is both a blessing and a curse; we never feel like we have reached our zenith. While that may be fine with school or work, it is not the way we should dealing with our health or our body image. Because there is no true perfection regarding a person’s body. Everyone can tell you what they hate about their body in under three-seconds. I am not putting this out there as a massive vibe killer; I am putting it out there because we all need to know that bodies our freaking awesome. If medically healthy, you have no reason to hate your body.

                Regardless, there are some aspects of our bodies we are going to want to change. If you want to color your hair, then color your hair. If you want to get tattoos, then spend some time thinking it over and get some tattoos. If you need plastic surgery to boost your confidence, then there is no shame in doing something for yourself that helps you. Basically, forget what everyone else is trying to define your appearance as and define it yourself.

Until we are fully comfortable with our own appearance, our own sleeve, we are not going to truly happy and deal with our inner demons. Now, you are probably saying: “Ryan, that is super obvious why even write a long blog?” First, drop the sassafras. The reason is most of us still look outwards for affirmation.  We go fishing for compliments or we waste time on Tinder/Bumble just looking for people to declare they like our appearance. It may appease some of us for the short term but clearly it is not the long-term solution. At least, it is not the long-term solution in my experience.
​
I am at a point in my life where I have used women time and time again in an attempt to define my worth. You can find some worth in a relationship for around the first four to five month. After that point, I find you are not able longer to hide away from your demons. It did not matter how much they would tell me I was not fat, or how I was attractive. I would only see it as lies. I am still working on tackling my inner demons. I still trying to rundown that fat thirteen-year-old, and he is surprisingly fast!
That is where it all begins though. It begins with being painfully honest with yourself and starting to fight those inner demons.  One post is not going to be enough to vanquish your inner demons. One does not simply walk into Mordor. One does begin to get a handle by taking a long look in the mirror and giving that person an easier time. The person you spend the most time with is yourself, so make sure that you like you; make sure that you are nice to you. You are one hot piece of ass, own it!
All in all, I would say many of us are getting to the age where we stare into the mirror and begin to wonder how we got to this moment. Some of us may not recognize our current sleeve but that does not mean the person inside is different. It truly sucks but you must be sure to fight everyday to ensure that you and your sleeve are one. Change it however you need to, because if it makes you happy, fuck the rest of them. You do not want to wake up one day and not know who is looking in the mirror.
 
               
                 

Half-way through week 6 and Spring Break is just around the corner. Spring semesters always fly by. I do hope that you stop to enjoy some basketball or baseball or even a First Friday Art Trail. Don't miss out on all of the fun that being a Red Raider offers.

Here are some things that you need to know...

Hope your first rounds of tests went really well. If you do not feel like a course is going well, talk to Heather. She's got ideas and resources to help. Do not wait until it is too late to get help.

Need Help in a class?
Check Out SOAR
or Academic Support
Look at the Campus Resource Guide for Student Success too!

Expected Enrollment
As an admitted student, you are required to submit your enrollment plans so that the Office of Financial Aid can estimate your cost of attendance and prepare a financial aid package. 
Complete your Expected Enrollment here http://www.depts.ttu.edu/financialaid/
​
Forward Planning
Official Calendar Download https://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/calendar/

We are headed to El Paso for a weekend of service, April 11-12.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
 Tentative depending on the arrival of the Tech Terry’s
• Lodging: UTEP is currently working with partners from Residence Life to see if we can stay on campus.
• 4/11 Friday Evening: UTEP will be hosting a dinner for the Tech Terry’s 
• 4/12 Saturday Morning /Early Afternoon: Annunciation House (Service Project) The students will be assisting in preparing meals for those in need in order to serve the greater El Paso community 
Learn More about the Annunciation House
o Lunch/Dinner after the Service Project (TBD)
o Head back to Lubbock
​
Sign Up on the Facebook  GROUP Event

Arbor Day is an annual event that provides an opportunity for students, faculty, and staff to join together to beautify the Tech campus, build a sense of community, and receive recognition. Live music, free food and t-shirts, and planting alongside other Red Raiders makes this one of the most anticipated events each spring.
Friday, April 26, 2019
Memorial Circle
11am-2pm
https://www.depts.ttu.edu/sub/Activities/arborday.php

Tech to Town serves as a one-day event that brings students, faculty, and staff out into the Lubbock Community to serve, impact, and strengthen the bonds between Texas Tech University and the City of Lubbock. Texas Tech University is grateful for the support and care that the City of Lubbock provides throughout the year, and this is just a small way to say thank you.

Saturday, April 13, 2019
8:15 AM - 12:30 PM
Participants must register individually. If registering with an organization, indicate the full name of the organization on the registration.
​https://www.depts.ttu.edu/sub/outreach/techtown.php

Our deadline at Texas Tech to apply for summer study abroad funding is the Friday before spring break. That is March 8th. Here are the steps you will need to follow in order to request your funding.
 www.techterryscholars.org/study-abroad.html

​Step 7 says ​Talk with your Terry Advisor. We MUST visit about your plan, your course, your credits. Schedule a time and come talk https://calendly.com/heather-medley
Please do not submit anything in the portal until we talk.
The deadline is the Friday before Spring break

Also, if you use the search tool on the Tech Terry Home page and search study abroad, there are pages and blog with a wealth of information on them to help you plan and enjoy your study abroad experience.

As an admitted student, you are required to submit your enrollment plans so that the Office of Financial Aid can estimate your cost of attendance and prepare a financial aid package.

1. Follow the steps below to complete this process. Visit financialaid.ttu.edu.
2. Scroll down to the Complete Expected Enrollment section.
3. Select 2019-2020 Expected Enrollment.
4. Log in using your eRaider username and password.
5. Choose Expected Enrollment.
6. Enter the amount of hours you plan to enroll in for the 2019-2020 terms

Watch for applications for 2019-2020 mentors. They are coming soon!

Learn more about our mentor program here http://www.techterryscholars.org/mentor-program.html

Lost in Space was a sci-fi coming of age story for the modern family, named the Robinson(s), that aired in the late 60s. A crash course of the show’s premise is “super smart family makes constantly dumb decisions and a cool robot saves them repeatedly.” Not much really changed in the Netflix adaptation. We are not here for a full rundown just the concept, so go watch it yourself.

One reason the Robinsons were in constant danger was due to Dr. Smith. He/she was a snake in the grass that only worried about him/herself and pretended to be an expert in a field they had never studied. I am not saying everyone around you is a snake in the grass; however, I am stating no one is an expert of you except for YOU. Furthermore, your friend that has taken a couple psychology classes cannot diagnose your mental condition. This all brings us to this blog’s topic: mental health.
               
Mental health awareness is a subject which has become very close to my heart over this past year, since I have been diagnosed as Bipolar 2 and schizophrenic. I am finally telling all of this because for so long I was Lost in Space. I am just beginning to find a map that leads me out of this darkness. There were moments of helplessness. There are still moments of helplessness. Because, it does not really matter your major, your age, or your home life. Everyone experiences moments of helplessness. The important factor is how you learn to deal with those moments of helplessness. For the longest time, I would hear everyone tell me how I just needed to power through the moments, or I would hear someone say to me: “Ryan, someone has it worse than you,” and “Ryan, why are you acting this way? Your major isn’t as hard as mine.” I would blindly follow their advice.

I was trusting my Dr. Smith about how I was feeling. It would make me wonder why I was not strong enough to be like everyone else? Why was I not happy? Why was I so hyper? Why would small things make me so angry? Why was I simply not strong enough? Why? The more I would listen, the more I would hate myself and express that anger outwards. I lost many potential lifelong friends and lovers from these actions. The more time that passed, the lonelier I became.

Eventually, I had secluded myself from nearly everyone in my life. The few that were left, did not know the real me. I was a caricature. I would wake up everyday and act human everyday in the hope that I would eventually fool myself into being a real boy. It was not until a I finally caved and went into therapy that everything began to change. After a couple sessions of therapy, it became clear to me that something was “wrong” on my end. That I was broken. Over the next couple months, we came to the diagnoses. Honestly, it sucks. Sucks a lot less than what I was dealing with before though.

Life can really get you down at times. The strongest people in this world learn how to work through those moments and keep joy in their hearts. More importantly, the strongest people know how to ask for help when they need it. The strongest people know how to express themselves! Crying does not make you weak! Being angry about something does not make you uncontrollable! Responding to everything with sarcasm, and drinking do not make you strong; honestly, it just makes you kind of an asshole. The only things at the bottom of the bottle are risky texts to an ex and the shits.

Regardless, I am not saying every one of you that is reading this blog has some form on mental disease. All I am saying is we all need to begin to reexamine how we deal with our emotions. We need to have a healthy idea of expressing emotions. We need to be better friends and not judge those expressing themselves. Someone in this world has felt what you are currently feeling. You are never alone. You are never Lost in Space because you always have a Robinson next to you. I am one of those Robinsons. I still have suicidal thoughts, I am only 20 days sober, and I am still learning to trust my emotions.

 In these challenging times of college, it is easy to put mental health to the wayside, but do not forget to put your mental and physical health first! Your GPA is not worth a mental breakdown, a relationship is not worth losing your self-worth, and coffee is not a meal. Also, drugs are bad . . . Mmmmkay.

Lastly, if you ever have any concerns about your mental health, I would hope you pursue talking to someone. Heck, you can contact me! I can understand how going to an expert can be beyond scary. The first step is taking off your mask to one person. Never forget, you are the only expert of how YOU feel and what YOU want. Do not get weighed down with how others believe you feel, because that will just have you end up Lost in Space.

by ​Neiba Daniela Jimenez
Terry Foundation Scholar
External VP Chair | Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers  
Mentor & Mentee Director | Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers 
Major | Industrial, Manufacturing, and Systems Engineering  
Minors | Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, and Personal Finance
Texas Tech University | Summer 2019

 
In college with everything going on it is very easy to put yourself last. However, it is very important to know how to balance the stress and taking care of your personal needs. Here are some tips to help you balance this hectic life.

• Use an agenda, focus on one day at a time. It will help you keep up with deadlines and minimizes the stress.
• Schedule in selfcare like meditation, exercise, reading a book, watching a movie, or anything you enjoy. There will be times you won’t have time and it’s okay as long as you are trying.
• Show yourself compassion any time you make a mistake.
• Be mindful of what you are eating. As students it is so easy to eat unhealthy, but that will affect your mood and motivation. Eating as healthy as you can is important.
• Set healthy boundaries. Know that you cannot spread yourself too thin and try to be there for everyone around you. There will be times you need to put yourself or school first and it is okay.
• Drinks lots of water.

 
 
Also one of the most important lessons I have learned is to reach out to your resources. When you feel really overwhelmed or your personal life is falling apart know you are not alone. Not only do you have your Terry family but also your friends and the university resources. The Student Wellness Center has the MindSpa and counseling services for free to help you be successful in all your life aspects.  
 
I hope you can find this useful, thank you for taking the time to read it!