050423

Staff WritEr by interviews and character walks to determine the best fit for Tech’s mascot.

April 2023 marked the unveiling of Raider Reds Sydney Aalbers and Nathan Dudley, both of whom served in the program for two years and aimed to make the role their own.

Both Aalbers and Dudley grew up with aspirations to wear the suit and in earning the position brought personality and character to the role of Raider Red.

Bruce Bills, Tech’s head cheer, STUNT and mascot coach, oversees the Raider Red program and described exactly what being in the suit entails.

“Raider Red is Texas Tech costumed public relations mascot, so he goes around shaking hands, takes pictures with fans, greets people at community events, school events as well as all the Tech athletic events,” Bills said.

The selection process for Raider Red is an arduous one; candidates are required to have participated for at least in year in either the High Rider or Saddle Tramp organizations and

Having worked with Aalbers and Dudley for the past two years, Bills is familiar with the work ethic, dedication and identity each brought to the role.

“This year, as the main ones, they really kept the characterization of Raider

student from Burleson studying agricultural communication, started as a mascot for her middle and high schools. With both parents being Tech graduates, Raider Red put a face to her passions, providing a platform that represented her parents’ alma mater and gave her the opportunity to continue in this role she loved.

“Growing up with my

tions that we get to have with people and the places we get to go and being able to represent Tech, it’s given me so much. Being Raider Red is just a small way to give back to it.”

Aalbers’s appearances as Raider Red ranged from weddings to funerals, from church events to marketing photo shoots. Aalbers made over 300 appearances in costume, comparing the role to a full-time, 24/7 job. Despite the commitment, Aalbers emphasized how rewarding the position was.

“Being able to make other people happy and just kind of be a light, it was everything,” Aalbers said. “It’s what the job is all about, and that’s why we want to do it.”

Red and the personality of it alive,” Bills said. “They attend events, they were great in costume to where they would bring their own little personal creativity.”

parents coming to Tech, that’s what I saw,” Aalbers said. “I think growing up and not seeing as many women in the program, that also made me want

As she moves forward, Aalbers will carry her time as Raider Red as both an accomplishment and an opportunity. Her commitment to the role is a testament to both her dedication and passion for Texas Tech, and serving as Raider Red allowed her an outlet for that passion.

Aalbers said. “It’s hard to describe because we get to do so many things and meet so many people, and there’s so many great stories that we all have. I would not trade any of it for the world. I absolutely love it.”

Dudley, a fourth-year Lubbock native studying sports management, grew up with Raider Red appearances and did not miss the chance to make the same impact by taking on the role himself.

sporting events on campus. It brought me and a lot of my friends happiness,” Dudley said. “So when I got the opportunity from being in Saddle Tramps, I just kind of went for it.”

Dudley served over 300 appearances as Raider Red, with events including the New York Stock Exchange and performances at Daytona with the Tech cheer team. Though taxing, Dudley highlighted the reason he kept putting on the suit, even after the most tiring events.

By ARIANA FLORES Editor-in-ChiEf

Caroline Hobbs, a junior animal science student and the 61st Masked Rider, transferred the reins April 21, ending a year-long tenure as the face of Texas Tech’s oldest mascot. Hobbs rode in on Fearless Champion ahead of the first football game of the 2022 season before transferring to Centennial Champion in the midst of her tenure.

“I had a lot of footsteps to follow from past riders, but Fearless helped me. It was nice to have him when I first got the job because I kind of was able to figure out what I was supposed to do as the rider,” Hobbs said. “Then once we introduced Centennial into the program, it was nice because I could show him what to do.”

Despite the difference in age and experience between the two horses, Hobbs said nurturing both personalities was a smooth

“(Fearless Champion and Centennial Champion) had the same spontaneous and loving personality,” Hobbs said. “So, it was cool to see the difference between each horse and how they kind of interacted with people and whatnot.”

Hobbs made her football debut alongside Centennial Champion and head football coach Joey McGuire. The Lubbock native said this debut was special to her because of her history and ties to Tech while growing up.

“Football was one of the best memories you know, especially the first game, running him down, like knowing that I ran a brand-new horse down the field for the first time, along with sharing the field with a new coach,” Hobbs said. “It was just an amazing feeling knowing that we were both going in, between me, Centennial Champion and coach McGuire going in for our first time was kind of surreal.”

In her 303 appearances as the Masked Rider, Hobbs was able to showcase her dedication and love for Tech, while touching the lives of others.

“I saw Raider Red when I was a kid at my elementary school when I went to

“We had to put that suit transition.

“Little kids come up saying I want to be you when you grow up. ... its not I want to be Caroline Hobbs when I grow up, (it’s) I want to be the Texas Tech Masked Rider,” Hobbs said. “Being able to be the one in that position to touch people’s lives and influence kids to want to

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for sure,”

do that when they grew up was such an amazing feeling. You know, being able to share the love.”

One piece of advice Hobbs gave Lauren Bloss, a college friend and the newly named Masked Rider, is to take every moment in, because in a blink it will be the last ride.

“(Caroline) has just been really a friend through all of this and mentor and just has helped me, you know, telling me all about Centennial Champion,” Bloss, El Paso native, said. “What makes him happy, what makes him sad, like all the things about him and just the different details about the job, things that you wouldn’t really think that you would have to remember, and she gave me all

those in a note page.”

The 62nd Masked Rider said Hobbs showed her the ropes in being a part of the Tech community and through endless communication and mentorship, the legacy of being the Masked Rider continues.

“(Caroline) has also been kind of there for me as a friend and just helped me along the way. And even though I still give her a call like, ‘Hey, like, what do you do in this situation? How can I do better?’”

Bloss, a senior animal science major, said. “So, we’re super close. Honestly,

it’s just been like a good friendship, a way to grow our friendship.”

Hobbs ends her tenure with long-lasting memories and what she says is a full Snapchat memories, filled with behind-the-scenes photos of her and Centennial Champion.

“You want to be able to look back and remember, remember all the amazing times you’ve had because it was just such an amazing year and such an amazing opportunity that we were given to fulfill our dream,” Hobbs said.

SEE RED RAIDER, PG. 5

CARLOS GONZALEZ/The Daily Toreador

Tech offers finals resources for students

By AUSTIN WOOD

Staff Writer reach out to campus resources for classes that they know they have difficulty with. So, whether that is the Learning Center, the Math Tutoring Center, any of those they need to definitely reach out,” Hernandez said.

With final exams beginning for Texas Tech students, many university programs are offering support ranging from academic services to lengthening operating hours.

According to the official Tech academic calendar, individual study day was May 3, followed by final examinations beginning today and concluding May 9. While preparing for finals week and even during exams, students can rely on resources provided by University Coaching, the Undergraduate Writing Center, the Student Counseling Center and more.

Claudea Hernandez, a university life coach at the Department of University Coaching and Student Achievement, stressed the importance of effectively utilizing these resources during final exams.

“They definitely need to

MOVING OUT

UC&SA is located in Drane Hall, Room 227, and is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The office will maintain its regular hours during finals, and students can make appointments on the department’s website.

Many students will be required to complete written exams and take-home essay finals, an area in which the Undergraduate Writing Center is uniquely situated to offer assistance. Although in the past the UWC has shortened its operating hours during examination days, this year the center will maintain regular operating hours throughout the course of exams.

The center is located on

the third floor of Weeks Hall and is open Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. through 7 p.m. On Fridays, it is open from 10 a.m. through 4 p.m.

Tracy Givens, director of the UWC, highlighted the support the program can provide when preparing for essay finals.

“We are always here to help, they can come talk to us and we can help give them some ideas about how to do a quick outline,” Givens said. Students can schedule appointments on the UWC’s website and can choose from in-person or online consultations. The UWC’s website also

features resources to help students improve their writing without a consultation, including informational pages and instructional videos.

For students looking to find quiet places to study, both the University Library and Student Union Building will expand their operating hours. The SUB is open from 7 a.m. to midnight. On Saturday, May 6, and the final day of exams, Tuesday, May 9, hours will change to 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.

As for the Library it is open 24 hours a day. Study

Rooms in the Library are available for reservation on the Library’s scheduling portal. For students feeling distressed or dealing with mental health struggles during finals, the Student Counseling Center is available to provide support and mental health services.

The SCC is open Monday through Friday 8 a.m.

through 5 p.m. for scheduled appointments and individuals in crisis. Students seeking to initiate the SCC’s services can utilize walk-in clinic hours Monday through Friday, 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The SCC is in the Student Wellness Center.

Lisa Viator, managing director of the SCC, said students also will be able to utilize the Mind Spa to decompress throughout exams.

“The Mind Spa is open during Student Counseling Center regular hours, and we have a massage chair that is very popular, and we also have VR equipment to help people immerse themselves in a peaceful and relaxing setting,” Viator said.

Students can schedule appointments at the SCC through its website and can call 806-742-3674 with any questions about starting treatment.

Housing, students detail move-out procedures

By CAMERON MAUERHAN NeWS reporter Keep America Beautiful.

The last day for students to move out of the dorms for this spring semester is at 10 a.m. on May 10 or 24 hours after their last final.

University Housing will provide blue bins in every residence hall one week before spring move-out labeled Give Before You Go.

Texas Tech started participating in Give Before You Go in 2014 and has done so every year since.

The Give Before You Go campaign was established to allow college students the convenience of donating items while helping those in need with partnerships with Goodwill and

“The accessibility makes everything really nice,” sophomore residence adviser Toby Szustak of Erie, Pennsylvania, said. “You can hand over all of your belongings to someone in need without having to leave the dorm at all.”

All items placed within donation bins are picked up by Goodwill and sent to different stores around the Lubbock area. Goodwill is a nonprofit social enterprise that includes stores, donations, job training and career and community-based services.

Along with donation bins, University Housing also will provide recycling cans to encourage students to recycle old or unused,

paper, plastic, glass, styrofoam and cardboard.

Many students who live in the dorms enjoy making their place feel more like their living space by buying decorations or carpets. This causes some students to run-out of spaces in their vehicle when packing. The donation bins encourage donating those items that cannot fit instead of throwing them away.

“My freshman year when I moved out I had so much stuff that my car started to overflow, and I still had two boxes,” sophomore pre-law student Ariana Hernandez of Caracas, Venezuela said. “I had to rethink what I really wanted to take back home and ended up donat -

RED RAIDERS? RED RAIDERS?

ing my rug and quite a few other small things to the bins. It was actually an easier walk than to the dumpster.”

Some students moving out of the dorms already planned to give some items away.

“I plan to donate all of my sheets for my bed,” freshman environmental science major Gabriela Garcia of Irving, Texas said. “I don’t really have a need for them after this year and it is better that it goes to someone that could really use it.”

Move-out day can invoke a lot of different emotions, including excitement, sadness or nervousness for what’s next. These donation bins and recycling cans

are provided to try and make that day easier for students while helping the community.

“I felt like I was closing a very big chapter when I first left my dorm,” Szustak said. “The bins in the dorms

made it so simple and made me feel good about how I was getting rid of my stuff too on such a complicated day.”

JACOB LUJAN /The Daily Toreador Connor Hicks, a sophomore from Houston studying cell and molecular biology, prepares for finals on May 1, 2023, by reviewing material from throughout the semester.

@CameronJamesDT

MADELYNN YORKE /The Daily Toreador

As students prepare to move out of the dorms, Stangel / Murdough complex provides stacks of carts to aid students in the process May 2, 2023.

Tech softball wraps up historic regular season

By ANDREW FALLON SportS rEportEr

As the Texas Tech 2023 softball regular season comes to a close, the team matched its preseason poll ranking, coming in at sixth place on the Big 12 standings. However, they made historic strides throughout the course of the season under first year head coach Craig Snider.

Most notably, the program broke its single season home run record in

helped my career tremendously.”

The Red Raiders finished the season hitting 73 big ones and 286 RBIs. Despite the historic hitting season, Snider said his takeaways come from the culture within the organization.

“I thought we got a lot better this year, but honestly, the big thing this year was really trying to establish a great culture,” Snider said. “We’ve had a lot of fun, but you know, I

RED RAIDERS

Vooletich steadies hobbled Tech baseball

ter, she’s scary up there,” Snider said. “(Her teammates) respect her ... . When she’s swinging it well, we all go.”

Although the Red Raiders ended their season with a series loss against No. 7 Oklahoma State, they were able to shell out a win with a walk-off RBI from junior infielder Arriana Villa. The win was the Red Raiders’ first over the Cowgirls since 2018.

Villa spoke on the win and the progress the team has made over the course of the season.

“I mean, it feels good,” Villa said. “I’m a junior, in my freshman and sophomore year we have not even come close to beating this team so it just shows the progress that we made along the way with this coaching staff and with this team. So it’s super exciting knowing that we competed with the (seventh ranked) team in the nation.”

By CHRIS WILLIAMS SportS Editor

home run against Baylor at Rocky Johnson Field on April 14, 2023.

their series opening contest with the Iowa State Cyclones.

Sophomore outfielder Demi Elder, who hit the record shattering homer, said her hitting has vastly improved under Snider.

“I think last year, my last coach didn’t coach me at all,” Elder said. “So actually having a coach come in and care about me and caring about my swing and caring about defense and all the traits that you bring to the softball field means a lot to me and has

think it’s obviously establishing our core values of what we want the foundation of this program to look like and I think we’ve done a really good job.”

Three players who finished outside the doubledigit home run column with nine, but leading the pack was senior first baseman Ellie Bailey.

Snider has been complimentary of Bailey all season, who finished inside the top 5 in single season home runs with 16.

“She’s a fearful hit-

The Red Raiders will now look forward to the Big 12 Tournament, which kicks off May 11 in Oklahoma City. Snider said he wants his squad to fly under the radar heading into the postseason.

“So you don’t want to show them too much,” Snider said. “You want to take a loss, that’s OK. Because what’s gonna be important for us moving forward is the Big 12 Tournament and making the run during that championship.”

@AndrewFallon DT

Injuries have come in bunches for the Texas Tech team as it continues its quest for a sixth Big 12 title. First went the pitching staff, as Sunday starter Bo Blessie missed nearly two months of the 2023 season with arm discomfort and key bullpen piece Derek Bridges didn’t see action until Game 26. Then went the outfield, with junior center fielder Dillon Carter and sophomore right fielder Owen Washburn missing a combined 37 games due to significant arm injuries. As far as the field is concerned, Zac Vooletich has provided a key boost in multiple positions for head coach Tim Tadlock as he attempts to work through an increasingly shallow roster. The senior from San Antonio has filled three positions on the field for the Red Raiders, second base, right field and designated hitter, while also being a regular selection in pinch-hitting situations. His most popular role has been in right field, where he has started seven games on the season, mostly in lew of Washburn’s injury.

“It’s been huge. I mean, you lose Dillon (Carter) and Owen (Washburn), (second baseman Austin) Green was out for a little bit,” Tadlock said of Vooletich’s recent performances. “He’s taken it and ran with it, which is what you want to see a guy do.” A consistent stretch of playing time — highlighted by a string of 10 straight

starts from April 7-19 — has resulted in improved play from Vooletich who transferred from Navarro College in 2022.

Vooletich has recorded hits in 11 straight games, the secondlongest active streak on the team behind Kevin Bazzell’s 12. Six of the 11 have been multihit performances and Vooletich has batted 19-44 (.432) over the stretch. The utility player attributes his performance at the plate to simply “getting comfortable.”

“I think just slowing the ball down, seeing it out of the hand.

Elementary stuff, really, but sometimes you take those for granted,” Vooletich said after Tech’s series win over North Dakota State. The Red Raiders will likely look Vooletich’s way as they face an uphill climb on the conference standings. Tech sits fifth among its Big 12 peers with a 9-9 record in conference play and recently slipped from D1Baseball’s Top 25 rankings for the first time since March.

Students!

Looking for a place to store your stuff? Or park your car over the break?

60% off units if you prepay 2 months and $20 off a month for parking.

JACOB LUJAN/The Daily Toreador

Freshman outfielder Kailey Wyckoff celebrates Alanna Barraza’s go-ahead

Fifth-year senior Zac Vooletich

Fandoms promote community, positivity

While May 4 is seemingly just another spring day, for Star Wars fans, it is a time to unite the fandom and celebrate the beloved franchise.

Although fandoms are popular among their niches, outside of the community, many look down upon fandoms as ‘crazed’ fans. However, it is important to note that any fandom, whether popular or not, are communities that should be appreciated and uplifted.

According to an article in the Subcultures and Sociology section by Grinnell.edu, a fandom is a term used to describe communities that fixate on a shared interest. Whether it be a favorite TV show or K-Pop group, fandoms come together in numbers to embrace their passions.

Analyzed in a master thesis from Western Michigan University on comic book fandoms, stigmas surround-

SATIRE

ing the topic prevent creative expression and the unification of community that fandoms provide.

Recognizing that these groups use their creativity and togetherness to build their passions, why are fandoms on the receiving end of backlash?

In fandoms, there is usually a movie, book, musicians or interest that people look up to and enjoy. However, some of the fandoms can turn people away because of their lack of understanding.

For example, the furry community, a group of people who dress as animal-creatures, have found criticism for their appearance.

Much like the dedicated names to fandoms, such as Harry Potter lovers known as Potterheads, furries come together to celebrate their love for animal cosplay.

Noted in an article by Psychology Today, the furry

fandom promotes inclusivity, welcoming all their members with a non-judgmental attitude.

While many see furries or other fandoms with negative perspectives, it is important to note that these are just people enjoying what they love.

If sports fans can exist in peace, why can’t people with

niche passions do the same?

Although fandoms exist to celebrate their delight, they can become toxic from within.

In another article by Psychology Today, fandom hate and competitiveness with other groups can lead to toxicity throughout the community.

Whether you’re chronical-

Best ways to fail looming finals

• Stay up late to study. The hours between midnight and 5 a.m. allow for the best retention.

• Ignore sleep, there’s no time for that.

ciate you thinking of them so close to summer.

• Procrastination enables more creativity.

• Go on social media often, maybe there are helpful TikToks on the topic.

You’re going to take the exam regardless.

• Starvation feeds intelligence. • Do all your studying the night before. It will be fresh on your mind.

Jules Cervera is a public relations major from Grand Prairie.

ly online or do the occasional scroll, if you happen upon pages about rappers Cardi B or Nicki Minaj. You can easily find a plethora of nasty comments towards the two fandoms, known as the Bardigang and Barbs, respectively.

More so, the fandoms pitting the two women together, along with other factors, led to a real-life altercation between the women at an event in September 2018. It is insane to think an online feud resulted in people getting hurt, something that fandoms do not exist for.

For the Star Wars fans, the racist backlash from fans towards the movie’s actors Kelly Marie Tran and John Boyega

exposed the underbelly of hatred that allows people to spew negativity.

Tran discussed how the intense reactions felt like unwarranted harassment.

Though the franchise defended her, it was still not enough to hold the fandom accountable for their views and actions.

When it comes to the dark side of fandoms, it is up to the leaders of the franchise or members of the music groups to call out negativity and spread positivity.

Having a dedicated interest can be fun, especially when you find a community of people who share it with you. However, these spaces should be for promoting inclusivity, not acting with exclusivity. Especially for outsiders who judge fandoms before understanding their passions.

It is officially the kickoff for finals week and it is that time of the year students need to prioritize effective study habits. Without further ado, let’s get cracking on the most helpful tips and tricks for finals season:

• Drink Redbull instead of water. It increases your heartbeat, amplifying focus.

• Go to that party. Exams will still be there the next day; they’re not going anywhere.

• Email your professors with any and all grade requests at the last minute. They appre-

• Take a beneficial skip day, it’s just review time in class anyway.

• Teamwork makes the dream work. Make sure to collaborate with friends on your exams.

• Don’t do practice tests.

• Pick up more shifts at work so you have money to pay someone to take your test.

• Bring a cheat sheet to your exam.

@madisoncotteydt

Flores says goodbye, continues DT legacy

“You don’t know journalism.”

An individual once said this to me during my collegiate career at The Daily Toreador . As a student working day in and day out, trying to refine my journalistic ability, it stuck with me.

From the minute I walked into the newsroom as a high schooler recently accepted to Texas Tech, I wanted to become editor-in-chief at the campus paper.

My time at The DT started as I stepped on campus, working as a sports reporter covering women’s soccer.

with zero connections whatsoever.

My third year with The DT changed everything. I started as the copy editor and moved to sports editor as the Fall 2021 semester began. I cried tears of distress when I learned about leading a daunting section like sports. Thousands of readers were counting on me, a young woman who didn’t know every detail about Tech football, to deliver the best content possible.

The Fall 2021 semester proved to be the biggest learning experience.

It was here I learned I had a love for teaching others and writing features, stories that stuck with you even after you were done reading.

When the opportunity presented itself in December of 2021, I was unanimously voted by the Toreador Media Committee to be the editorin-chief, the leader of this amazing publication.

Taking over the publication mid-semester with little advance notice was not easy, but I was determined to carry on the legacy of The DT to help make it to its own centennial in 2025.

days and nights in the newsroom were worth it.

I met many lifelong friends in the newsroom and have worked with the brightest and most talented students on the Tech campus. Every person who comes through the newsroom doors carries the legacy of The Daily Toreador ; one I am honored to represent

Watson, my advisers, mentors and teachers, thank you for making me who I am today. I am an award-winning writer because of your guidance in the newsroom.

To Chyna Vargas, Toluwani Osibamowo and Tea McGilvray, you guys have been my rock. I am thankful to have met lifelong best friends at The DT

Sports Editor Chris Williams sports@dailytoreador.com

Opinions Editor Jules Cervera opinions@dailytoreador.com

Multimedia Editor Wyatt Adams photo@dailytoreador.com

Digital Content Manager Kierra Eyiuche online@dailytoreador.com

Copy Editor Madison Vidales copy@dailytoreador.com

BREAKING NEWS Email dailytoreador@ttu.edu, call (806) 742-3393 or tweet information to @DailyToreador.

CORRECTIONS

DT strives for accuracy and fairness in the reporting of news. If

calling (806) 742-3393 or emailing dailytoreador@ttu.edu.

When I started, I was extremely timid, wary of the upperclassmen who worked in the newsroom. In my sophomore year, I had the same routine, covering sports and learning what I could to better myself as a journalist.

Every day I walked into the newsroom, the only thing I wanted was to be editor-inchief. It was a goal I worked toward long and hard. I knew it would benefit me, a firstgeneration college student,

I learned the inner-workings of leading a newsroom, refining my craft and persevering through hardships, disbelievers and my own insecurities.

Every day was a learning experience and a new opportunity to grow as a leader, journalist.

The DT has been the best part of my college experience. The things I learned and covered at Tech are unparalleled.

Now with my chapter ending at The DT , the memories I will carry in the newsroom will last forever. From late print nights to being the storyteller for Tech’s Centennial celebrations to the countless laughs I’ve had sitting at my desk, these are moments I will cherish.

I end this farewell with the same quote I used in my first article in The DT, “With great power comes great responsibility.”

To Chris, Wyatt and Carlos, thank you for being great co-workers and friends. Your jokes always made my day and always made me smile.

To Maddy and Jules, your creativity and bright personalities were invaluable to the newsroom.

To Marianna & Kierra, I am so proud of you and know you will lead a great newsroom.

Arianna Flores will graduate with her undergrad in May 2023.

...

only thing I wanted was to be editor-in-chief.”

From traveling to Austin for the Tech’s State Capitol Day, to leading the publication to its first national Gold Crown award in its 98-year history, to winning my own Gold Circle award, the long

These words ring true four years later as editor-in-chief of this long-standing publication.

EDITOR’S NOTE

My final thank-you:

To Sheri Lewis and Andrea

To the future staffers of this newsroom, thank you for keeping the legacy alive. As The DT moves toward its next 100 years I am so happy to see its continued success.

Madison Cottey is a media and communication major from Austin

FAREWELL

@JulesCerveraDT

Zoe Taylor/The Daily Toreador

Carlos Gonzalez/The Daily Toreador

Arianna Flores poses with the newspaper at a state convention. Spring 2023 editorial board poses together May 1, 2023.

Sydni Oviedo/The Daily Toreador

CAMPUS

Academic support offered to students

By MARIANNA SOURIALL Staff Writer

Sweaty palms, warm ears, weak stomach: are some of the symptoms one might experience after receiving an undesired grade. Students are taught from the beginning to strive for excellence, but not many are aware of what to do when they fall short.

Texas Tech offers various academic tools for students wanting to better their academic career.

“If the grade is a D or an F, they have that option to retake that course and grade replace,”

Student Success specialist Eli Harzill said. “If it is a C or above, their options are more limited. … They can retake the course if they

want to, but it won’t grade replace. It will just average out.”

An averaged grade can look like receiving a C the first time a class is taken and an A the second time to average out with a B on the transcript.

If a student is grade replacing, they may independently register for the exact same course and the replacement will occur automatically if the system registers a student who has been in the class for more than a year. Moreover, a student wanting to average out a grade is encouraged to speak with their academic advisor.

Savannah Trevino, a first-year psychology major from Lubbock, described her experience after receiving a poor grade to be dis-

STUDENT EXPERIENCE

heartening.

“It’s disappointing, and I have a hard time accepting criticism.” Trevino said. “I really strive to do good and so I will say it’s a bit disheartening, but usually it just makes me want to try harder, study better or go into office hours to get the help that I need.”

To improve in a course without retaking it, students are encouraged by the Center for Student Success to speak with their professors and take advantage of the on-campus tutoring centers.

Angelo Campos is a third-year geoscience major from Post. Campos said for any student feeling embarrassed to ask for help that there are many students who are struggling the same way so no

one is alone. “I would use the Drane Hall tutoring center in order to ask for tutoring or assistance to help me understand my subjects more, and then I would talk to my professors more often,” Campos said.

There are many factors that can reflect poorly in an academic sense. For first-year kinesiology major John Tittle from Amarillo, taking advantage of the freedom college offered led to an undesired first semester academically.

“I had a fun first semester of partying too much, and so I had a lot of really poor grades,” Tittle said. “It kind of sucks having to see how poorly I did in that area, feels rough.”

Though after self reflection,

RAIDER RED

Tittle began to work towards achieving better grades. Similar to Campos, Tittle uses a tutoring center.

“I ended up getting tutoring from TECHniques Center, which has helped a whole lot and mostly learning how to balance my time,”

Tittle said. “I felt like I could do it by myself, and then I realized I needed some help. It was kind of awkward having to do it at first because it’s stressful and a little embarrassing having to go and say, ‘hey, I need help with this’ but I mean it takes a few seconds to be vulnerable, and then the outcome of it is a lot better than what most people expect.”

Senior, freshman recount highs, lows of college experiences

By NATHAN KENISON Staff Writer

As the school year draws to a close, Texas Tech students old and new are reflecting on their college experiences thus far, offering varying perspectives on what college life is all about.

Ryan Wise, a first-year biology major from Frisco, said his freshman year has been a uniquely transformative experience.

“Your first-year of college takes a long time. Like it’s long, it’s a lot. This past year was the longest time of my whole life,” Wise said. “I feel like I’ve lived my entire life twice in one year, and I’ve changed completely.”

Sergio Arellano, a fourthyear psychology major from Irving, agreed that freshman year can fly by, but said that his perspective changed as his graduation date approached.

“Time felt like a roller coaster,” Arellano said.

“The buildup during freshman year was really long and slow but the ride going down was fast.”

As a first year Tech student, Wise said he especially enjoyed the freedom and flexibility afforded by the less regimented college environment.

“(in high school) I had to follow a set schedule, not set by me but by someone else. And I had to graduate on time,” Wise said. “Now, here in college, there’s none of these rules. I can graduate in two years. I can graduate in seven years. Whatever I do, it’s up to me right?”

Although adjusting to the college lifestyle can be a major life change, Wise said his first year was surprisingly stress-free.

again at college,” Wise said. “Which is ironic because you know, you’re given your own dorm, your own place. But you don’t have nearly as many responsibilities as you do when you’re in high school.”

Conversely, Arellano’s first year coincided with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, making his early experiences at Tech more tumultuous than freeing.

Time felt like a roller coaster.

“COVID was the worst. A lot of things Tech students … got to experience were extremely limited,” Arellano said. “Having to attend classes online while still having to worry about making friends was also difficult.”

He advised new students to reach out to their peers as soon as possible.

“Make friends in your classes! So many people share common interests so don’t hesitate to start a conversation,” Arellano said. “Depending on your major, you’ll most likely see people from your old classes in your next course, so it’s a great way to meet people and start study groups to help with exams and homework.”

Wise agreed, adding that picking the right classes can be equally important as picking the right friends. He encouraged incoming freshmen to be cautious and thorough when scheduling their semesters.

“We had to put that suit on for sometimes hours at a time. I did the Houston rodeo, I was in it for about five and a half straight hours, in Houston, in the humidity,” Dudley said. “Those are the days where it’s just like, ‘I don’t think I ever want to get in the suit again.’ But then you have the next event and you see that it’s an elementary school, or you see that it’s a retirement home, and you’re like, ‘That’s gonna be so much fun.’”

During his two years as Tech’s official mascot, Dudley dedicated countless hours to learning the role, representing Tech and preparing the rising Raider Reds for the upcoming year. Dudley offered his advice to these next students, encouraging them to embrace their time in the suit.

“Don’t take it for granted.

Two years seems like a long time, 300 events seems like a lot, but it’s really not,” Dudley said. “The place in my house where I used to have the suit, there’s so much space there now.”

Though their time as Raider Red has reached its end, both Aalbers and Dudley can attest to the joy the role brings. Far more than just representing Tech, those in costume have the opportunity to serve the institution that has inspired them, and reach audiences in a memorable, meaningful way.

“They teach you to grow up in high school, and then you go back to being a kid

Despite these difficulties, Arellano said forming a network of fellow students in similar areas of study allowed him to succeed both socially and academically.

“Research all your professors when you choose them, immediately and always,” Wise said. “And I think the syllabi for every class are online, right? So look at the syllabus for the class you’re choosing. It really does pay to be prepared.”

“It was very bittersweet, but it was more sweet,” Dudley said. “It was so much fun, especially because it meant something a little bit deeper to me than just getting to have fun while in the suit. It meant giving back to this community, giving back to this university … . There’s definitely been ups and downs with it, but nothing I would change.”

SERGIO ARELLANO

@NathanKenisonDT

Jacob Lujan/The Daily Toreador Ryan Wise plans to complete his education at Texas Tech.

@Marianna_SDT

@AynsleyLarsenDT

Jacob Lujan/The Daily Toreador Sergio Arellano plans to apply to medical school to further his education.