By NATHAN WITT/Editor in Chief
Between quizzes, projects, reading assignments and tests, it can be easy to get so busy you forget the other part of the college experience. We understand the feeling. That’s why we put together this list of events that are too good to miss. This story was originally written for our Patriot Pulse magazine. To read more like it, read the digital version here or pick up a copy of your own at any orange newsstand on campus.
1 Homecoming
Homecoming is a full week packed with things to do. There’s free food, competitions, a golf cart parade, a guest speaker, a formal dance, the highly-competitive Mr. & Miss UT Tyler contest, and they always find a way to squeeze something funny in there, like last year’s “Goat Yoga.” The only way to know the whole schedule is by keeping an eye on the UT Tyler website.
2 Destress Fest
Finals can be stressful. Don’t panic, you’re not in it alone. The Office of the Dean of Students hosts a wellness event every Wednesday of the school year, but on the last Wednesday before finals, they take over the entire campus for a giant event. The sprawling event from last year included free BBQ, live music, a bounce house, a petting zoo, free massages, community resource booths, TheraPets, and yard games.
3 Chili Cookoff
Few things are more Texan than a good ol’ fashioned chili cook-off. UT Tyler hosts a legendary annual competition. This battle of the bean is usually paired with live music. The chili cook-off is a fun way to spend an afternoon with your friends and decide among yourselves who the real winner is.
4 Midnight Breakfast
The Student Government Association hosts a breakfast for dinner at the end of every semester. As the name suggests, the event goes from 10 p.m. to midnight. It’s free and always includes additional entertainment and activities like karaoke, free swag and yard games. Midnight Breakfast is one of the biggest events on campus every year.
5 Trunk or Treat
Trunk or Treat is just as fun for the students as it is for the kids. Greek Life partners with East Texas Crisis Center for Halloween and takes over multiple campus parking lots to offer a safe alternative to door-to-door knocking. Everyone decorates their cars and dresses up in costumes. The event isn’t limited to Greek Life. Any group, club or organization can sign up and share their carload of treats.
You can RSVP to these events and more on Patriots Engage today!
