Due to our work with our first ever Regional Service Project, we were nominated for contributions to the greater community. We feel honored to have won such recognition, especially among such amazing organizations. 

Learn More 

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.

EVENT SCHEDULE:
11:00 am-1:30 pm - Pot a Plant
11:00 am-1:00 pm - Free Food, T-shirt & Water Bottle* with TTU Student I.D.
($5.00/Shirt for Faculty & Staff*)
11:40 am-12:40 pm - John Rush: "The Human iPod"
12:45 pm-1:20 pm - Student Organization Awards
1:20 pm - Planting begins
*While supplies last.

Hey y’all!
As a former crew member and a current captain for Red Raider Orientation, I’ve done my fair share of helping freshman get the most out of their orientation experience. As a Terry scholar, your orientation will be unique, because not only will you be going to your own Terry meeting, but you don’t really have to do much as far as Student Business Services and financial aid goes. My best advice would just be to make the most out of it. Everyone feels weird and awkward and out of place when they show up for orientation, but don’t let it stop you from having fun and participating. RRO is all about 3 things: Consistent Excellence, Intentional Growth, and Meaningful Connections.
             Consistent excellence— no matter how tired you might get, its good to go to the panels and sessions and participate so that you’re getting the most information you can possibly get. 
            Intentional Growth— try things you have never done before, whether that’s registering for an elective or class you’ve never even heard of, starting up a conversation if you aren’t much of a people person, or signing up for a club you didn’t know even existed. 
            Meaningful connections — talk to everyone! Students, crew, captains, advisors, professors… anyone you can get to stop and listen to you! Now is when you can start developing that network of friends and colleagues for college. Make the most of it!
           
At RRO we don't really prioritize the ID picture. It's not a big deal considering most people will lose their ID at some point anyways. BUT if you want a cute ID picture, you have an option to upload a photo before coming to Orientation. However if you want to be picture ready you’ll have to get ready before Terry Orientation as you won't have a chance to freshen up much the rest of the day. 
As for coming prepared, RRO isn't about the parents at all (sorry not sorry.) Students that come on their own do just fine. I came by myself and was in and out of registration in 15 minutes. Parents should just come prepared to be supportive and let their kids make their OWN decisions. 
                                                                                      
As far as registration, think logical and you should have no problem. You have to meet with your advisor before anyways. Ask them what core classes you can knock out and find a fun elective. This first semester should not be too challenging and should allow the student to get on their feet. Most advisors will help you with this. If not... again. Be logical. "Whether you think you can handle 16 hours or you think you can't, you're right - Henry Ford". Yes registration is a big deal but the crew is available to help and you have your advisor. It isn't bad at all. 
 
Lastly, if you have questions, ASK THEM. Its better to know now before you get up to Tech for good than show up on your first day not understanding how a meal plan works or something silly. RRO is all about us helping you and believe me, if you think its a silly question, someone has asked it before. We’re here to help you. We WANT to help you, thats why we work orientation! I can’t wait to see y’all there!
 



​Tyler Seale

Hi y’all! I just wanted to congratulate you guys again! We are so excited to meet you, and we hope you are excited as well. In the meantime, I’m going to give y’all some tips so you can start planning your big move to Raiderland. I have quite a few different ideas that I hope will be helpful, so here we go!

First off, look up the Murray floor plan, and find your room. (here are the links: https://www.depts.ttu.edu/housing/documents/halls/murrayFloorPlan.pdf and https://www.depts.ttu.edu/housing/halls/murray.php#prettyPhoto[grouped]/0/ ) You can move your furniture around, but at least you’ll know the dimensions and the number of windows you’ll have. My mom made the curtains for my room, and we didn’t expect to have two windows, so seeing that on move-in day kind of threw us for a loop! If you can already have it planned out on what you will need, it’ll make your (and your parents) day go a little smoother! Speaking of windows, another roommate and I both have two windows, and we are almost certain that they leak cold air. Especially if you get cold at night or are a cold-natured person, I would recommend making sure you have enough blankets to stay warm. In Murray, there is also one laundry room on our floor. Luckily, it is a short walk from our hallway and is easy to access.

Next: storage. Lofting my bed was extremely helpful in creating more space. I was able to store so many things under the bed instead of having them out taking up more room that I didn’t have. I put those three-drawer storage bins underneath, and they are so easy to roll out and then back under. To make them match my room décor (and also to hide the junk I have in them), I went to Hobby Lobby and got scrapbook paper to line the front of the drawers, and they actually turned out pretty cute! However, when you loft your bed as high as I did, and you don’t have very long legs like me, you will definitely need a stool or something of that sort to get into your bed easily. For the first couple of weeks I didn’t have a stool…so I basically had to vault into my bed…it wasn’t pretty. Another one of my favorite things that holds some of my things is a shelf that goes around my bed. (I’ll attach a picture of it at the bottom!) You can get one at Bed Bath and Beyond if you’re interested. It holds some of my art, my books, and most importantly, it has a cup holder!

This is something that you probably already know, but you will be up late studying a lot. More likely than not, you will have to pull some all-nighters. The Sam’s Place downstairs is helpful with providing caffeine until they close at midnight, so if you’re like me, having a coffee pot of some sort in your room will be beneficial. I have a Keurig and I love it because it’s practical. Another note about the Sam’s Place (which is located on the first floor of Murray), it is very convenient, but if you can help it, don’t eat there too often or you’ll get tired of it very quickly. Try other places on campus, and do some grocery shopping to make things in your dorm. Crockpots are a worthwhile investment. Also, when you go home for the weekend and your mom tries to send you back with food, say “thank you,” and take it because I promise you will miss her cooking.

Next up: bathrooms and the living room area. I don’t have a whole lot to say about these! You will need to get a rug for your bathroom, possibly a shower curtain, and maybe a rack/caddy to hold your things in the shower (we have one and I think it’s worth it). The living room area is a good size, so I would talk to your roommates beforehand and either plan things to bring to decorate or go shopping together to pick things out! Paintings, pillows, and rugs are just a few ideas!

One of my absolute favorite additions to our suite are the whiteboards we have in the hallway. Our first semester, there were a lot of nights that at least one of us was out pretty late, and it would make the other three kinda worry. Eventually, we went to Walmart and got four whiteboards and hung them in our hallway. We mostly write about where we are or what we’re doing, but we also have been able to use the boards for encouragement. For example, there have been many times I’ve written on my board that I have a test and have walked into the hallway and seen “good luck, Rebekah!” written on their boards, and I know that may seem like a small thing, but I am so thankful that they do those things!

Speaking of roommates, 10/10 would recommend becoming close friends with them. I was blessed with three great roommates this year, and I honestly think they have made the transition into college easier. Your roommates are there to support you, help you with a multitude of problems, and become your friends. Reach out to them. Go to Market Street to study together. Grab lunch with them. Grocery shop together. Go to Lubbock Breakfast House (that’s what we do every Thursday). You will be living with them from August to May, so make the most of it!

Other than becoming friends with your roommates, my next biggest suggestion is to make your room home-y. Like I just said, you will be living here for many months, so make your room a comfortable place to go back to after a stressful day. For me, that meant bringing some of my favorite artwork I’ve done. Maybe that’s the same for you, or maybe it’s your favorite book or lots of pictures of you and your friends, whatever it is, bring it. This is your home-make it feel that way!

Once you have your room all spruced up, there’s a fun contest you can enter with a chance to earn some cash! It’s called the Best Dressed Space competition, and you can apply and submit your pictures of your room around the first week of school. Here’s the link from last year, http://ttu.orgsync.com/org/tturha/BestDressedSpace , so you can check it out for more details. Even though it’s from the fall of 2016, the prizes and timeline should be similar for this coming fall. This is a fun and easy way to try and earn some money!
​
I hope these were somewhat helpful ideas (and that I didn’t just talk y’all’s ears off), and if you have any questions at all just let me know! Again, we are so so excitement to meet all of you!
 
Wreck ‘em!
 
Rebekah Lackey
 

- Rebekah Lackey

Hi y’all! I just wanted to congratulate you guys again! We are so excited to meet you, and we hope you are excited as well. In the meantime, I’m going to give y’all some tips so you can start planning your big move to Raiderland. I have quite a few different ideas that I hope will be helpful, so here we go!

First off, look up the Murray floor plan, and find your room. (here are the links: https://www.depts.ttu.edu/housing/documents/halls/murrayFloorPlan.pdf and https://www.depts.ttu.edu/housing/halls/murray.php#prettyPhoto[grouped]/0/ ) You can move your furniture around, but at least you’ll know the dimensions and the number of windows you’ll have. My mom made the curtains for my room, and we didn’t expect to have two windows, so seeing that on move-in day kind of threw us for a loop! If you can already have it planned out on what you will need, it’ll make your (and your parents) day go a little smoother! Speaking of windows, another roommate and I both have two windows, and we are almost certain that they leak cold air. Especially if you get cold at night or are a cold-natured person, I would recommend making sure you have enough blankets to stay warm. In Murray, there is also one laundry room on our floor. Luckily, it is a short walk from our hallway and is easy to access.

Next: storage.
Lofting my bed was extremely helpful in creating more space. I was able to store so many things under the bed instead of having them out taking up more room that I didn’t have. I put those three-drawer storage bins underneath, and they are so easy to roll out and then back under. To make them match my room décor (and also to hide the junk I have in them), I went to Hobby Lobby and got scrapbook paper to line the front of the drawers, and they actually turned out pretty cute! However, when you loft your bed as high as I did, and you don’t have very long legs like me, you will definitely need a stool or something of that sort to get into your bed easily. For the first couple of weeks I didn’t have a stool…so I basically had to vault into my bed…it wasn’t pretty. Another one of my favorite things that holds some of my things is a shelf that goes around my bed. (I’ll attach a picture of it at the bottom!) You can get one at Bed Bath and Beyond if you’re interested. It holds some of my art, my books, and most importantly, it has a cup holder!

This is something that you probably already know, but you will be up late studying a lot. More likely than not, you will have to pull some all-nighters. The Sam’s Place downstairs is helpful with providing caffeine until they close at midnight, so if you’re like me, having a coffee pot of some sort in your room will be beneficial. I have a Keurig and I love it because it’s practical. Another note about the Sam’s Place (which is located on the first floor of Murray), it is very convenient, but if you can help it, don’t eat there too often or you’ll get tired of it very quickly. Try other places on campus, and do some grocery shopping to make things in your dorm. Crockpots are a worthwhile investment. Also, when you go home for the weekend and your mom tries to send you back with food, say “thank you,” and take it because I promise you will miss her cooking.
​
Next up: bathrooms and the living room area. I don’t have a whole lot to say about these! You will need to get a rug for your bathroom, possibly a shower curtain, and maybe a rack/caddy to hold your things in the shower (we have one and I think it’s worth it). The living room area is a good size, so I would talk to your roommates beforehand and either plan things to bring to decorate or go shopping together to pick things out! Paintings, pillows, and rugs are just a few ideas!
One of my absolute favorite additions to our suite are the whiteboards we have in the hallway. Our first semester, there were a lot of nights that at least one of us was out pretty late, and it would make the other three kinda worry. Eventually, we went to Walmart and got four whiteboards and hung them in our hallway. We mostly write about where we are or what we’re doing, but we also have been able to use the boards for encouragement. For example, there have been many times I’ve written on my board that I have a test and have walked into the hallway and seen “good luck, Rebekah!” written on their boards, and I know that may seem like a small thing, but I am so thankful that they do those things!
​
Speaking of roommates, 10/10 would recommend becoming close friends with them. I was blessed with three great roommates this year, and I honestly think they have made the transition into college easier. Your roommates are there to support you, help you with a multitude of problems, and become your friends. Reach out to them. Go to Market Street to study together. Grab lunch with them. Grocery shop together. Go to Lubbock Breakfast House (that’s what we do every Thursday). You will be living with them from August to May, so make the most of it!
Other than becoming friends with your roommates, my next biggest suggestion is to make your room home-y. Like I just said, you will be living here for many months, so make your room a comfortable place to go back to after a stressful day. For me, that meant bringing some of my favorite artwork I’ve done. Maybe that’s the same for you, or maybe it’s your favorite book or lots of pictures of you and your friends, whatever it is, bring it. This is your home-make it feel that way!

Once you have your room all spruced up, there’s a fun contest you can enter with a chance to earn some cash! It’s called the Best Dressed Space competition, and you can apply and submit your pictures of your room around the first week of school. Here’s the link from last year, http://ttu.orgsync.com/org/tturha/BestDressedSpace , so you can check it out for more details. Even though it’s from the fall of 2016, the prizes and timeline should be similar for this coming fall. This is a fun and easy way to try and earn some money!
​
I hope these were somewhat helpful ideas (and that I didn’t just talk y’all’s ears off), and if you have any questions at all just let me know! Again, we are so so excitement to meet all of you!
 
Wreck ‘em!
 

Incoming Freshman,
                             
Congratulations! Earning the Terry Scholarship is something you should be extremely proud of, it’s an honor and an extraordinary blessing to all of us. 
 
Here are some helpful hints to aid you on this journey of becoming a Red Raider…
 
Bring rain boots. Or snow boots. Or something that works for both. The weather in Lubbock is crazy! As a panhandle native, I thought I knew what to expect weather-wise. I was so wrong! While Lubbock has lots of beautiful sunny days, nothing can prepare you for the instantaneous flooding that takes place when it rains or the amount of dirt that can blow through the air. I would recommend downloading a reliable weather app on your phone that will alert you when severe weather is expected. There is nothing worse than unexpectedly trenching through knee high waters after a full day of class.
 
DO NOT buy books brand new. I was too shy to post on the Terry Facebook page about books my first semester, and really wish I would have. It is highly likely that there is at least one Terry who has taken your class and has the book you need - just ask. Maybe they'll share notes too!
Don’t be afraid to ask questions about other things on the Terry Facebook page either. It’s a really great resource!
 
Get to know your roommates, and make your common area home-y. Murray is one of the best dorms to live in, and the living room space is an added bonus that most freshman don’t have. Take advantage of it!
 
Have your mom, grandmother, sister, or whomever review laundry room etiquette and show you how to work Murray's washer and dryer before they leave! I know this sounds dumb, but you would be surprised how many people don’t know that drying their clothes on high heat for all 180 minutes is not a good idea. And please, do your laundry.
 
If your class has SI sessions, just go. Trust me, they have them for that class for a reason! Reading the textbook for said class can also be very helpful. If you have difficult classes, you may struggle more than you expect at first, and that’s totally okay. Your college courses will likely require you to learn new study habits that are different and more extensive than what you may be used to. Don’t worry, you’ll adapt quickly! Don’t be afraid to ask for help either, everyone around you wants you to succeed.
 
Try new things and get involved on campus! Texas Tech has clubs and activities for everyone and everything. Be brave and jump right in to whatever interests you. Participating in things you enjoy is one of the best ways to make new friends who share similar interests. There is always something to do around here, and that’s one of the most fun aspects of college.
 
The Terry Scholarship is such a blessing, so don't let it become a burden! At first it made me feel pressured to do better and be better than all my peers, but that isn't the case at all. Being a Terry Scholar doesn't mean you don't have room to fall, it just means that you have a huge group of really great people to catch you. Also, don't be disappointed if you aren't instant best friends with all of the TTU Terry Scholars. We are an extremely diverse group, from many different backgrounds and with many different interests. You may not hit it off at first like you expect, and that's okay! You will find your people, Terry's and others. No matter what, the Terrys will always be there for you if you ever need it. 
 
These tips are just a fraction of what your college experience will be like. In just a few short months, you will get to rediscover yourself and how you do daily life, and most of that has to be experienced and learned on your own. It’s beautiful, stressful, exhilarating, interesting, and exhausting all at once! No advice can really prepare you for the greatness you will soon experience.
 
Good luck Red Raiders and Terry Scholars. We cannot wait for you to be here. Welcome home!  

Callie Hawkins