UNT Journalism Major

Some common stereotypes about UNT is that it is strictly a “party school,” it is a commuter school, and it is a liberal college.

Sure, we have our fair share of fun, but what college doesn?t. I believe that people overlook the fact that there are brilliant minds developing here. The students at UNT are no doubt social, but that also attributes to our love for networking, getting together, and being very proactive about what is important to us. As for commuting, UNT does have a nice amount of commuting students, but mostly you will run into the student that lives in one of our many beautiful dorms (I?m excluding Kerr and Bruce Hall from that list). We also have lots of student apartments that are great places to live. I must admit, however, that UNT is a very liberal college. There aren?t really any restrictions on the students here when it comes to letting everyone know how you feel about a certain issue. Fry Street and our campus courtyards are good examples of this.

The most important thing about UNT is its location. Denton, Texas may sound like a very rinky-dink town, but the students of UNT and our neighboring school of TWU have made it everything that could be desired of a college town.
Denton is a very versatile town, there are areas where it is quiet and secluded when you need to get away, and there are areas where you can always run into friends and hangout when your in the mood. There are also tons of clubs littering the streets of Denton. Most of the clubs are busiest and at their social peak between Thursday and Sunday and every other day, there are specials and events to partake in your spare time.
Another great aspect of UNT is our facilities. Our newly built Pohl Recreational Center is totally state of the art and free to students of the university. You can always wake up early, get some breakfast, and start an early workout because the Pohl Recreational Center opens at 6:00a.m. and closes at midnight.
UNT also has 12 residence halls and most of them are very impressive. I personally stayed at Victory Hall, which is across the highway from campus. Victory Hall is one of the 5 new dormitories that UNT has built for its increasing population of students. If the idea of living across the highway bothers you, there is no need to worry because UNT supplies free transportation to its students through the 10 bus routes to various buildings on campus, apartments complexes, dorms, and even to the mall!
If I had to find any drawbacks to UNT, I would have to say that the school spirit is definitely lacking here. Football is key in Texas and our football team is getting better, but by no means are we the UT Longhorns right now!

I would have to say that the core curriculum at UNT is very basic similar to other universities in Texas. You usually will finish these courses by the end of your sophomore year. It is very easy to meet people during the first round of classes because they are probably at the same stage in their college career as you are. Where you really branch off is in your classes that you have decided to take specifically for your major. In these classes, you will meet lots of the people that you will compete with, work with, and possibly befriend. So obviously, in these classes is when you kick up your networking.
I feel that UNT has done an impeccable job in selecting instructors not only for my major, but many others. I always hear students raving about the great advice that their real estate professor gave them, or the information that their economic professor shared with them. These instructors have real-world experience that they are itching to enlighten the next generation with. I personally feel like my professors don’t see their position as a job, they see it as a chance to inspire.
The students of UNT are also very involved in academics. If you find the major that feels right for you and you want to learn more about it and hear from students that have already been there, FIND THE CLUB! I say, “find the club” because no doubt about it, there is one. As I have said before, students at UNT are very proactive about what is important to them, so chances are, they have already developed the club that helps you get your foot in the door, get real world experience, and learn more about the industry you love!

The student population at UNT is very diverse. We have all sorts of people from every different background you could imagine. UNT has students from all over the US and the world. So just because our name is the University of North Texas, it doesn’t mean that everyone here is from the Dallas/ Ft. Worth area.
Our students are very friendly. I have never heard of any gangs or interracial disputes here. The students here see that everyone is different and they embrace it. Our student population is made up of different sexual orientations, economic backgrounds, and lifestyles.
There is a Greek Life here, but only a small percentage of the university’s population is of Greek Affiliation.
The average student dresses very casual and comfy for class. I’ve even witnessed a robe and slippers at a final exam! Basically, UNT is very simple and easy-going like its students.

Okay, I’m not going to lie…UNT students like to drink and have fun! Partying is a well-accepted pastime of UNT students. Visiting the bars on Fry Street or in Downtown Denton is the best way to get out there and get away from the stresses of your schoolwork. Bars are open all week and are always running specials on drinks and events. It’s fairly simple to find a private house party, just make sure you know a lot of people.
Fraternities will occasionally throw a party, but it is very seldom being that administrators are cracking down on drinking on campus.
As a student, you can always participate in intramurals, it’s a fun way to connect with your friends and it’s a good workout!
It’s not all about wild parties though. If parties aren’t your scene, there are lots of movie theatres, eateries, bowling, and not to mention shopping that you can do!

I wouldn't say that there is an uncontrollable amount of drug use at UNT, but there have been instances. My advice, don't be one of these of students, it's a fast way out of here!