Freshman perpsectives -- what do they think of Tech?
By Swathi Nath Campus Life Staff
Fall quarter brings many opportunities for students at Georgia Tech. With the beginning of school comes football, parties, and a chance to meet new people. While upperclassmen are reuniting with old friends and settling into their accustomed routines, the freshmen are trying to make sense of the chaos for the first time.
Now is when many freshmen begin to form their own opinions about Tech. How has Tech treated these rookies? Today, freshman share their views of Georgia Tech as they begin their long educational endeavor.
Freshmen agree that anyone who wants to can get involved at Tech. Students are involved in almost every club imaginable, from SGA to the Environmental Forum, from Hall Council to the Puerto Rican Society. They all noted that most interests are represented here. However, each student deemed a different activity important.
One student who places an importance in developing leadership spends a lot of time with Hall Council. This student also works with RHA, which she says is a wonderful way to help plan activities for her peers. It allows her to get involved and help to improve the Georgia Tech campus.
Another freshman says that he enjoys the African American Student Union, and still others say that they enjoy the Swarm.
When asked to decide which activity was the most enjoyable, many students had difficulty choosing.
Tito Del-Valle, who is involved with many organizations on campus, states that he enjoys all the clubs but feels that his fraternity, Chi Psi, is the most important to him. "Being a pledge, I get to make a whole set of new friends, develop leadership skills, and have a chance to develop friendships with the brothers that hopefully will last a long time."
Some students who have an interest in music mention the Georgia Tech Chorale as a favorite activity. They feel that the new director, Dr. Bill Caldwell, is wonderful. To these students, Chorale is a great way to express their artistic side--something they don't often get to do at Tech.
Some students seem to feel that there isn't much diversity on campus. Others say that unless you like to party, it is hard to get into the social life. However, most students feel that Tech offers a wide variety of opportunities. All you have to do is take the initiative and get involved.
One thing that freshmen seem to agree on is the level of school spirit that Georgia Tech expresses. Most freshmen have enjoyed the football games that they have attended. "Being at a home game and seeing the school spirit makes the Tech campus home," DuQuay Allen said.
Some freshmen mentioned that the level of school spirit made them proud to be a part of Georgia Tech. Still others commented on the Swarm, saying that this spirit club was loads of fun. The general attitude is that the fun the football games and other campus activities bring compensates for all the hard work required to succeed at Tech.
Most freshmen find Tech challenging academically, but not unbearable in respect to what they expected when they enrolled here. Mira Rao says that Tech is hard but that she enjoys it because it is "current with the times and the technological advancement taking place in the world today." Many students commented on the Co-op program and that they thought it was a great way to gain experience.
Through various interviews, it became evident that though this campus is geared toward engineers, it is possible to pursue other majors. As Todd Tomlin puts it, "I'm a Ramblin' Wreck from Georgia Tech and a hell of a Businessman!"
The main complaint from the freshmen was the food, mainly Brittain. It was noted that there were times when Brittain had no food and that it often served the same food over and over again. The general consensus on that topic was that Brittain could use some improvement. On the upside, students had many positive things to say about Woodruff. Sharon Selick notes that "Woodruff has a much better selection" and almost every student that has eaten at Woodruff recommends every student to experience it.
The freshmen, though still soaking in everything around them, are enjoying the Tech experience. The key is getting involved in order to meet as many new people as possible. The Tech campus holds many opportunities so take advantage of them.
