Six things to do on campus before the end of the semester
To help you start off your new semester in Aggieland, we’ve put together a list of six things everyone should do before the end of the fall term.
Liberal Arts and Humanities Building
By Rachel Knight ’18 and Alix Poth ’18
The start of a new semester brings many opportunities to embark on new adventures in Aggieland. Whether you’re new to campus, returning for your second (or fifth!) year of school, or have worked on campus for more years than you care to admit, there’s always something new to explore here. To help you start your journey, we’ve put together a list of six things everyone should do before the end of the fall term.
1. Read the College of Liberal Arts Common Grounds book in an uncommonly used space.
There’s no shortage of nooks and crannies to explore on campus, which means there’s no shortage of fun spaces to read this year’s College of Liberal Arts Common Grounds book, Educated. Some of our favorite lesser-known reading spots include the second floor of the MSC, the lobby in the YMCA building, the second floor lobby of the Texas A&M Hotel and Conference Center, and the East Quad behind the Liberal Arts and Humanities Building.
2. Visit The Gardens to destress.
There is nothing like a little fresh air after a long day inside classrooms and libraries. Since June of 2018, campus visitors have enjoyed taking a stroll through the beautiful Leach Teaching Gardens on west campus. When you visit, you’ll discover seven acres strategically designed for both outdoor teaching and demonstrations. No matter what time of year you visit, you’re sure to feel The Gardens calming effects as you take a stroll, water the plants, or read a book.
3. Explore a collection in Cushing.
You’ve likely heard about the Game of Thrones collection in Cushing Memorial Library, but did you know Cushing has other fascinating collections in their archives full of little known facts about Kyle Field, the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band, local history, and even the College of Liberal Arts? The librarians are kind, friendly, and helpful, which makes exploring a collection pleasant, informative, and fun! Plus, the second story reading room doubles as a great study space.
4. Cheer on your fellow liberal arts students as they compete in athletic events.
The Aggie spirit is always present on campus, but it is palpable at Texas A&M athletic events. Attend a sporting event like a volleyball match, swim meet, or football game and cheer on your fellow Aggies and liberal arts students.
Texas A&M Athletics
5. Learn about the traditions displayed in Spirit Plaza.
Located between the Coke Building and the YMCA Building, the newly constructed Spirit Plaza highlights the solemn Texas A&M traditions of Muster and Silver Taps. It also focuses on the Aggie Honor Code and our Core Values of respect, excellence, loyalty, leadership, integrity, and selfless service to others. No matter how familiar you are with these traditions, Spirit Plaza is well worth a visit.
6. Grab coffee at Starbucks in the MSC, because you just might run into your favorite faculty members there!
We all need a little pick-me-up from time to time, and the Starbucks in the MSC Barnes & Noble bookstore is a favorite destination to grab a quick cup of coffee for several College of Liberal Arts faculty members. When you visit this coffee shop, you just might find yourself rubbing elbows with one of your favorite faculty members – including Dean Matthews!
