You’re about to attack an army of savage barbarians.

They stand 7 feet tall, are bloodthirsty and carry weapons far superior to yours. Oh yeah, and you’re outnumbered 3 to 1. But you’ve got to do it. If you don’t, they’re going to invade your village soon and destroy everything you love, including your family.

Standing on the shores of their land, you look back at your men who are all shaking in their boots. Each one of them being careful not stray too far from the boats as they await your command.

You’re grateful for those boats. They’re your safe haven. You can still turn back you know. You could also start the fight and run back to the boats if everything goes awry.

Suddenly you realize that you’re doomed to die unless you take decisive action as a leader. You walk over to the boats and burn them. Some of your men faint in a total panic; others begin splashing water on the boats to try and put the fire out.

But it’s no use. You’re stuck here.

Crap.
​
Now what? You’re men look at you with an eye of desperation and sheer dependence. The only thing to do now is march forward and find a way to make it work.

That's why we burn the boats when we land on the beach.
Because the only way out is through

You want to win at "doing" college. I want you do do well too. That’s why I’m here with you. But you’ll never win if you’re taking a half-baked approach.

If you’re going to build a legacy, set the standard, leave your mark - you need to burn the boats. .
It's pretty easy to bail out of a course (especially an "easy A" online course that no one even knows you signed up for). Easy to quit your job, not follow through with your commitments, or give up on a relationship.

In the moment, walking out is precisely the best short-term strategy. Sometimes this place is too hard, too unpleasant, too much...

The thing is, though, that the long-term strategy might be the opposite. The best long-term approach might be to learn something, to tough it out, to engage with the challenge. Because once you get through this, you'll be different. Better.

We always have a choice, but often, it's a good idea to act as if we don't.

The only thing to do now is march forward and find a way to make it work.

by Megan Foltz Crawford

​So, you’re going to college. Are you nervous? You should be. College is a huge opportunity! But, it gets better! You are a Terry Scholar! Howard Terry was blessed with a football scholarship to the University of Texas and then wanted to pass his blessing on to all of us! The only thing you must do is give back. Simple enough. You’ve obviously have had experience giving back, since that was one of the requirements to being a candidate for a Terry Scholarship. (Know what the requirements are because you will be asked at orientation.) But, wait have you thought about yourself? There is a Terry type, one who cares about others and only wishes to make the world a better place.

“The greatest risk any of us will take, is to be as we are.”  -Cinderella
 
I came to college with the idea I had it together, and my entire small town also thought I had it together. That wasn’t the case. I was an emotional mess and held everything in. I mean everything. I only told people what they needed to know and I did not need help from anyone. I was wrong. I didn’t even know myself, because I had never shared my true self at the risk of others judging me. Once I meet my Terry family (Shout out to y’all!) I was finally able to open up and be the person God wanted me to be.

“Let’s start by taking a smallish nap or two…” -Winnie the Pooh

​Eat right. Exercise. Sleep. Take time for yourself. Now you repeat that 3x in your head. (I know you didn’t do it, do it now.) College can be hard and stressful. I won’t sugar coat it. But, you will not be able to handle it if you are not at your best. Emotionally or physically. I’m about to sound a little bossy, but you need to hear this. I understand there is stress and you don’t want to talk about it. You really should though. Tech has a mind spa that is centered around reliving stress and it’s FREE! Need a good gym, or a nice swim, the Rec is FREE! (These are covered in your tuition, so instead of getting everyone else sick go.) A short-needed nap is also, FREE.  A trip to the clinic on campus to see a real doctor or talk to a therapist, is again FREE. Healthy delicious food can be found on campus. You cannot be yourself if you are not healthy. And I shouldn’t have to say this, but please sleep.

“Ohana means family. Family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten.” -Lilo & Stitch 
 
Even though you left for college, you are still a part of your family back home. I don’t care if you’ve made a completely separate life for yourself. It is so important to call those who have cared for you and got you to this point in your life.

“You’ve got a friend in me.” -Toy Story

​Yep, that’s right. Nice to meet you I am Megan Crawford, and I am your friend. (If you want me to be, of course.)  This is where I found myself and those like me, who shared dreams like mine, who’s pasts where like mine, and who did not judge me. Now I know, new town, new people. Not that easy to do. Well, you got me, that’s a start and Heather purposely puts all Freshman Terry’s in Murray on the same floor, so on move in day you have no choice but to follow her and meet all your Terry neighbors. (She basically forces you to be friends, but it is a good force.) You would not leave your room if it wasn’t for her. Welcome week is full of fun things to do, but you know you won’t want to go unless you have someone to go with. That’s where all your new Terry friends come in! Whoo! Before you know it you’ve found a family!

​“If you don’t think, then you shouldn’t talk.” -Alice in Wonderland

​You are an adult and you have the opportunity to make the right choice. This should be a clear message, but here are a few reminders. Don’t cheat. Don’t post anything anywhere you wouldn’t want your mom (or Heather) to see. Do not be afraid to call someone if it means your safety or someone else’s. Don’t go anywhere without telling someone. Look both ways crossing the street. Know where the blue emergency lights are on campus. Treat others the way you want to be treated. Illegal crock pots in the dorm are one thing, but other illegal things are more trouble. Do your homework.  Go to class. (Even your 8 am) Use sunscreen. Do not get a pet dog (Heather will find out.) Learn to budget! (ask Heather or Christy of help. Please.) The back of your Raider Card has safe ride numbers, also FREE!

“Adventure is out there!” -Up
 
Join something. Anything. Go to church. Go to a basketball game. Get a job. Run for an office. Rush. Join a club. Start a club. Play intramurals. Meet new people. College has so many opportunities and you’re most likely missing out. The Terry Foundation is a great place to start and your Terry family is too! The websites www.ttu.edu/campus-life/studentlife/student-organizations.php and orgSync are incredibly helpful tools.
 ​

There you have it. Six simply rules to survival. 

​Your happiness is everything, but your studies are a pretty close second.  These are the bare basics, but I felt they deserved to be shared. I am beyond excited to meet you all. (We are already great friends, remember?) I wish you the best of luck here in Lubbock and for the rest of your endeavors. And please come by say hi, I’ll be in Murray too!  
 
Lots of love, best wishes, hakuna matata,
Megan Foltz Crawford

by Bruce Wilson

 
You must also know that the high expectations of family, former teachers, and your community that rest on your shoulders are the product of your many successes and as such should be regarded with pride. However, when these successes become your whole world, they become a very load to bear. Remember that despite carrying the whole world, even Atlas had to stand somewhere, and he had to have a horizon to look towards. Do not let your former failures or glories become the heaviness of self-doubt or contentment. You have a whole new world before you. Your challenges and obstacles may seem to tower before you, but they should not be allowed to block your from looking towards your goals. Rather, they should be a vantage point, a checkpoint; you must only dedicate yourself to conquering them.
 
In doing so you may stumble, you may have to pause for breath, you might even hit the ground. But never let yourself fall backwards, and never, ever give up.
 
There will be helping hands along the way (your fellow Terrys among them) to steady you when you falter in your journey, but the journey is yours alone. No matter how heavy your burden, how slow your pace, do not look away from your destination. With time, effort, and dedication, you will reach your end goal-- and have the memories of every laugh, tear, smile, defeat, and victory to look back on. 

by Tyler Seale

by Bruce Wilson

by Stephen Perry

​One of my life goals is and has been since I was in Junior High was to graduate from Texas Tech. I, like many others, have taken an unconventional path to that goal, and because of that I now find myself in a position to give a few pointers.
 
The first of which is that I made one of the best mistakes ever by not going straight into college from High School. For me, and probably many others out there, I wanted to both experience the world and go to college. Not that it is impossible to do both simultaneously but I think I would have fallen in love with the idea of traveling if I did it during college and dropped out.  Instead, I joined the military and gained countless experiences that helped shaped me into the person I am today.
 
Another nugget of wisdom I wish I knew before coming back to college is what exactly the “Terry Family” really is. I have a family of my own, and as a non-traditional student I immediately said to myself “Self,” (cause that’s how we all do it, right?) “you don’t have time or a need for the Terry Family, I mean I’m sure they are great and all but…” BIG MISTAKE! The Terry Family is more than just a bunch of people getting together for some meetings and saying the superficial “Hello” or “How are you?” It is a group of people who genuinely care for each other and are ALWAYS happy to help you with anything. Coming from the military I have a relatively jaded view of the people/world we live in, and of course any group with have those people but the Terry’s are exceptionally awesome! I have only been in school for a semester now and I can tell you already that I will keep in touch with more Terry’s than I will any other group.
 
To sum it up into a few words I’ll close with this; When you hear “get involved” don’t look for a reason to not dive in headfirst with the Terry Family. That is a mistake, especially for my fellow transfers. Despite having experienced a little bit more of life outside the comfort of home, the one thing you should have learned by now is that the people in your dugout is what makes the difference between a losing team and a championship team.
 

Hours ago Lubbock Police Department (LPD) Chief Stevens help a press conference discussing Lubbock's support of the Dallas Police Department. He started by talking about the kinds of “unparalleled” people that we have here in Lubbock, saying he doesn’t know anywhere else that has it this good. He attributed that to the fact that we support each other and work together as a community. Watch here
 
As a community of Terry Scholars, we have it good too. We work together and we support each other. One of our community needs some support. Mike Ruiz, a 2014 Transfer Scholar, is a member of the LPD. This morning Officer Ruiz said it was an emotional day for the department as they mourn, reassess, and plan. As the day went on, people from the community came to the station to drop off items showing their support. The briefing room tables were quickly covered with cookies, doughnuts, flowers – outward symbols of community support.

As a Terry family we have supported Officer Ruiz as he pursues his bachelors, explores study abroad, supports a wife who is in Medical School, and raises a family. We have helped and encouraged him as he pursues his educational goals. Achieving those goals will make him a better officer, a stronger civil servant, and a more compassionate leader. We continue to support him on campus and in uniform.

by Paige Williams

1. Orientation and Choosing Classes
   1. Sign up for the first orientation

i.You will get first choice at freshman classes.
ii.Orientation crew will still be excited about new students, and excited to be part of the crew.

1. Consider coming to orientation without your parents.

i.I brought my mom and it was great sometimes, but it made the process more difficult and stressful.
ii.Don’t let your parents pick your classes.
iii.Everyone is different, if you think you can’t do it without your parents don’t hesitate to bring them along.

1. Consider what buildings your classes will be in and where on campus they are.

i.One thing your advisors don’t mention when you are picking classes is considered where the buildings are on campus. There is nothing worst that choosing classes ten min apart that on different sides of campus.

1. Consider having breaks in between classes.

i.The two to three hour breaks is when I get the most homework done.
ii.This is also a great time to finish up homework for the afternoon class that you were too tired to finish the night before. (I have never finished an assignment ten minutes before class started, wink, wink.)
iii.Perfect time for that mid day nap if you live in the dorms.

1. Don’t listen to everything your advisor tells you.

i.Advisors have so many students to take care a lot of the time they don’t have the perfect answer for your individual needs.
ii.My best advising has come from older students with the same major, and they will tell you exactly what professors to take by there experience, most advisors will tell you all the professors are great (News Flash: They aren’t).

1. Don’t take all your hard classes all in one semester.

i.Unless you want to have a miserable semester composed of no social life and sleep deprivation.
ii.Write out you plan to graduate and try to sprinkle blow out classes throughout your hard semester so you don’t go crazy.
iii.No sleep, enough said.

1. Don’t take all your easy classes in one semester.

i.If you take all your easy classes in one semester you will be forced to take all your hard classes in one semester later on.
ii.See above.

1. Consider taking online classes not relevant to your major.

i.Arts and sciences majors especially have to take a lot of classes that are not exactly relevant to our degrees, so it is a good idea to get with a few of your friends and take those classes online. The will be easier and less time consuming.
ii.I am taking Political Science online currently and I have worked a total of approximately 1 hour on it and I’m done with about 3 lessons.

1. Consider testing out of classes not relevant to your major.

i.Again Arts and Sciences have a lot of classes irrelevant to your major. If you think you have the skills to CLEP the class jump on it. It will save you a ton of time and money.

1. Buy the books you know you will need before class starts.

i.Many people will tell you to wait until the first day of class to get your books.  I did that first semester and almost went crazy trying to get books the first week.  This semester I looked at my book list and bought the books I knew I would need for the semester. It was a lot less of a headache.
ii.I have never ordered a book online, I would probably have a mental breakdown, but I have seen others who have and nothing is worse than not being able to your homework because your book hasn’t come in yet. Moral of the story: order online with caution.

1. Getting Involved
   1. Make as many commitments as you can handle as long as you are enjoying them.

i.Be involved in the school, but don’t be involved to the point where you are miserable.
ii.If you can manage your time and are enjoying yourself, go for it!

1. Don’t continue with an organization if it makes you miserable, no matter how good it looks on you resume.

i.If you get involved with an organization and hate it, just quit.
ii.Your time is too precious to spend on something that’s not enjoyable.
iii.There are too many organizations on campus to spend with one that is not making you happy.

1. Get involved with organizations relevant to your major.

i.This will make you more marketable in your career field.
ii.You should enjoy these since it is relevant to your chosen field.

1. Get involved with organizations not relevant to your major.

i.This will show that you are well rounded.
ii.Take something that you love from high school or an outside passion and join a related group, and just have fun.

1. Relationships with Professors
   1. GO TO OFFICE HOURS, especially if you are having trouble in class.

i.Professors are always willing to help.
ii.You will see yourself improve in class.
iii.This will put a name to a face if you are in a large class.
iv.Don’t show up before the day of a test or a week before the end of the semester.

1. Don’t be afraid to email your professor.

i.I have email my professors more times than I can count, and they are always more than happy.

1. Learn how to write a professional email.

i.Always address your professor as Dr. or Professor in your email at all times. Better to flatter than under acknowledge.
ii.Don’t email the day before a test asking for help or copies of notes. It won’t go over well.
iii.Be Professional, you are emailing a professor, not your buddy from summer camp.

1. Ask professors who know you personally for a recommendation letter.

i.Ask professors whom you know your name and who’s class you enjoyed.
ii.Don’t ask a professor for a recommendation letter if you made a poor grade in the class.

1. They are here to help you learn, but they won’t do the work for you.

i.They will help you as much as they can, but will not give you answers.
ii.Professors are not teachers; they are they to give you the information, it is your job to learn the material.

1. Don’t go asking for help a week before finals.

i.Professors won’t be very nice if you failed all your exams and never came to class, and come in a week before finals asking for extra credit.

1. Study Abroad
   1. It’s never too early to start thinking about study abroad.

i.The best time to study abroad for most major is spring or summer of your sophomore year, junior year classes become too specialized to study abroad.
ii.The earlier you start is the easier it will be to get all the paperwork together and plan your graduation with study abroad included.

1. Get a passport.

i. You never know when a chance to go out of the country will happen and you don’t want to have to wait 4-6 weeks.

1. Don’t wait too long to decide to study abroad.

i.Once you get to be a junior study abroad becomes difficult due to specialized classes.

1. Don’t be afraid to explore a new place on your own.

i.The world isn’t safe, but don’t let that stop you. Go. Explore. Adventure. Learn.
ii.The world isn’t safe. Be cautious at all times.
iii.Your parents will worry about you whether you are 15 miles away or 5,000 miles away.

1. Other little bits of advice
   1. Don’t be afraid to change your mind.

i.Better to change your mind freshman year than senior year, and a lot easier to change now than in 10 years.

1. Make a professional college resume.

i.I would say this is one of the most important things you have to do the first semester of college.
ii.Should only be one page, and only one.

1. No one in college cares if you won jv district tennis freshman year of high school.

iii.Only include high school things if they are very impressive or relevant to position.
iv.Make a basic resume that you can change if to fit an array of positions you may apply for.

1. Find a older student with your major to mentor you.

i.My best advising has come from older students with my major, They have been where you are and have great insight on professors and classes, and might even have old notes.
ii.Having a mentor gives you someone to ask questions, and give encouragement when you don’t know what you are doing with your life.

1. Volunteer.

i.Help others, and have a great thing to add to your resume.
ii.Keep track of all volunteering, shadowing, and internships you do.

1. You think you will remember all of the times and dates you volunteer, trust me you won’t. I tried.
2. Apply, Apply, Apply.

i.Newsflash, you won’t get everything you apply for so the more you apply the better chance you have to receive an award or position.
ii.Apply for positions as soon as possible so you don’t have to rush. I have extensive experience with application deadlines, and it is not an enjoyable experience.
iii.Use old essays if possible, will make writing 10 application essays a lot easier.

1. Don’t send the same essay to the same organization twice.
2. Give honest answers on applications and in interviews.

i.Review committees don’t want to read about how you volunteer with the homeless every Saturday, when you really sit in your pajamas watching Netflix.
ii.The more honest and personable you are the more likely you are to get the position.
iii.Interviewers want a hard worker that can be an asset to the organization, not a robot that can recite an answer word for word.

1. Have a go to professional business outfit, and a business casual outfit.

i.Digging in your closet at midnight to find something to wear for that interview that was moved to tomorrow that was supposed to be next week is a nightmare.

1. Consider how casual or professional the event/interview will be, and when in doubt always go nicer.
   1. As Oscar Wilde said, “ You can never be overdressed or over educated,” but it is somewhat embarrassing to show up to a casual interview for a summer camp in a suit and tie.
2. Save everything.

i.You would be surprised all of the notes from high school, and previous semesters that you can look back at and have a better understanding of concepts.
ii.Save every essay you write, because prompts repeat, and you will often be able to piece together a completely new essay from all the things you have already written, and save a lot of brainpower.

1. Live in the dorms if at all possible.

i.Living in the dorms, has possibly been my favorite part of college, you meet you best friends, and what is better than catching a nap in between classes or rolling out of bed 20 minutes before a class and making it with time to spare.
ii.Dorms are a great transition from living with your parents, to living by yourself with roommates in an apartment.

1. Don’t be afraid to go to the rec.

i.You are paying for it after all.
ii.Yes, you won’t be the most fit person there, but most people are just like you with the goal of just getting more in shape.
iii.Avoid the freshman 15. Enough said.

1. Read your Tech Announce.

i.That being said, just read the titles unless something catches your attention.
ii.Most of the time it is useless (like how to purchase Sesame Street Live tickets (Has actually been on the Tech Announce)), but sometimes you find a really awesome event or opportunity that you would not have known about otherwise.

• Use a planner.

i.When you barely have time to sleep, a planner is a great way for you to remember due dates and upcoming events.
ii.I love to color code my planner depending on the event/due date and it really helps me get a overall picture of what I have on my plate that week.

1. Network.

i.It really is about whom you know not what you know.
ii.Find people and resources the will help you on your journey to success.

• Find a place on campus you love to study at.

i.I personally like to study in my room and at the Barnes and Noble at the SUB but hate the library, but it depends on who you are and how much background noise you can handle.
ii.It can be in your dorm room, the library, the SUB, or the math building. The list goes on and on. Just pick an environment that gets those creative juices flowing.
iii.When you get to this place, you know it is an environment where you can get things done.
iv.Consider Internet connection when finding your go to study area.

• Get enough sleep.

i.I am still working toward this one.
ii.How can you ace that math test tomorrow if you have stayed up until 3 am every day for the last week.

1. Don’t forget to have time for yourself.

i.If you want to watch a Netflix episode a couple of times a week, do it. You are working hard on classes and deserve a little time to enjoy yourself and relax.
ii.This can include anything from dinner with friends, going to the rec, video games, reading, Netflix, or whatever else you do for relaxation.

1. Go to sporting events.

i.Even if sports aren’t your thing, get some friends together and make an appearance, odds are you will have fun.
ii.Football games are awesome no matter who you are.

1. Throw tortillas (I have not, but I really want to, they are one of my favorite parts of football games).
2. A lot of people dress up for football games, but games are just as fun in shorts and a t-shirt, and more confortable.
   1. If you want to dress up, do it. I commend you.
3. Make time for a social life.

i.Grades are important, but the majority of your college memories will come from the time you spent with your friends.
ii.Of course you can keep up with high school friends, but there are over 30,000 people on campus, so go make a new friend.

1. Be yourself.

i.You are no longer defined by who your parents are or who you were in high school.
ii.Go be who you want to be.

1. If that means reinventing yourself, do it. If it means being a better version of your high school self, do it. No one is telling you who to be and how to live, so do and be what you want.

By Kristina Hahn
 
Well-being is often thought of as only pertaining to physical health. But it isn’t just physical; it’s also mental and emotional. College is rough, hectic and incredibly stressful. It’s important to take time out for yourself. All of this, and then some, is something that I wish I could have implemented in the beginning of my college life.
 
Physical Health
Make yourself a routine and give yourself 3 days out of the week that you will for sure exercise. Exercise has been shown to have some pretty important benefits to a person, all of which are vital for any college kid.

I’m not going to preach it like I’m yo’ momma, but, eating well is truly important. Sure, you might not gain the Freshmen 15 since Tech is so ridiculously huge and you could walk off anything terrible you ate a lunch, but, remember: what you put in is what you get out. If you find yourself in a stressful situation and then you have a cookie in your hand, switch that out for some strawberries or a banana. It is best to eat fruits instead of processed sweets. I switched to drinking a fruit protein shake when I had a craving while doing schoolwork.

Filling my body with crap left me tired and feeling gross. The better you eat, the better you will feel. It takes a few weeks, but you will overall feel much better.

Some ways you can eat well in college is to invest in a crock-pot and scour Pinterest for recipes. Pinterest is an amazing resource for a lot of clean, healthy crockpot recipes that are ridiculously easy to make. So easy a caveman could do it!

Invest in a multivitamin and a probiotic. Obviously, I’m not a doctor…nor am I even pre-med. I’m purely going off what my mom has told me to do since basically infancy. Multivitamins will help make up anything you might be lacking in your diet, and probiotics will build up the good bacteria in your body so you won’t get all the cyclical sickness that seem to plague Lubbock around test time. Every year, it’s been the same stuff because we tend to sleep less and not eat a balanced diet. When you sleep, your body has time to repair itself, which is essential to healing. Best way to deal with it is to prevent it!
Make sure you sleep!
 
 
Mental and Emotional Health
Just because you’re in college doesn’t mean you can’t have time for fun. It is important that you do so! Make sure you go out, paint the town red (within reason, of course) and bask in those moments when school isn’t the only thing on your mind. The trick here is balance; don’t let your academics suffer.
Emotional health ties in with your mental health (duh). If you find yourself buckling down under the stress, take a time out in a way that best suits you. Some suggestions are going to the gym, immersing yourself in a favorite hobby or embrace the latest craze and grab a coloring book and color away. If you feel yourself slipping, know that your Terry Family is ALWAYS there to help you in any way that we can.