The overwhelming response you get when you tell someone you go to Texas Tech is: "There is nothing to do in Lubbock, it's in the middle of nowhere." The best part is that 95% of the people who say that have either never been to Lubbock, or have only driven through it. Well i'm here to give the city some justice and prove that there is much more to Lubbock than a campus and dust storms.

1. We're known for our killer coffee shops

Coffee is an essential for any college student, so thankfully Lubbock has some of the coolest places to go get some studying done, and grab a wedding cake latte all in one sitting. A few of the fan favorites in the city are J&B Coffee, who is known for their unique flavors, and the ample study space really draws the students in. Yellow House Coffee is a well visited stop as well, and Sugar Brown's Coffee is most recognizable as the spot with the iconic "Made in LBK" mural on the side of the building.

2. You don't need to worry about losing touch with the trends

You may think that when you move to a country town in the middle of West Texas that your wardrobe is automatically going to take a hit, fear not! Lubbock has some of the best boutiques that bring in clothes from all around to make sure you'll be looking hot for those game days in Raiderland! TC Elli's and Chrome are two of the most popular, that are right by campus, and carry some of the absolute cutest clothes from brands like Free People, Show Me Your Mumu, and Ray Ban.

3. Adventure is never far away

If you are looking for places to hike, or some outdoor adventure, it's no shocker that Lubbock isn't necessarily the best place to go. The area is known for being pretty flat, so the scenery isn't ideal all the time! However, Lubbock is located in a unique spot where you are only a couple hours away from some of the prettiest places in the country. Palo Duro Canyon is roughly an hour and a half from campus, and is the second-largest canyon in the United States. There are 13 different trails ranging from 1 mile, to roughly 7. Monahans Sandhills State Park is also not a far drive, and features 3,840 acres of sand dunes to camp, horseback ride, and even sand surf on.

4. We know how to kick it old school

The Stars and Stripes Drive-In Theater is a family owned and operated movie theater that keeps the time-old tradition of drive-in theaters in full swing. They have been around since 2003, and the theater features a 50s themed cafe with dinners, deserts, drinks, and snacks to enjoy during your feature. Now even though this theater projects an old school feel, the movies are far from that. Stars and Stripes shows all of the latest films like Finding Dory and Ghostbusters. If you are looking for something to do in town, then forego the average movie theater and try a night out at Stars and Stripes.

5. Have no fear, we have your sweet tooth fix here

After those late nights out in the town, the endless hours spent in the library, or just because you're feeling it, Lubbock does not shy away from providing just about every treat to satisfy your taste buds. Depending on what you are in the mood for, you are bound to choose one of the following three. If you are feeling a little classy with your dessert you might want to try out The Choc'late Mousse Pie Bar. Pie Bar is a customizable dessert shop the specializes in mousse and espresso. The mousse flavors vary during the time of the year, and guests can select their pie crust and mousse to create the perfect pie parfait. Next up is Sheridan's Frozen Custard, Sheridan's specializes in customizable custard that comes in just about any form, flavor, or topping imaginable. From New York Cheesecake to Rice Krispies, Sheridan's prides them self in serving just about anything you can dream up. Last up on the list is the Arrogant Texan. If you are searching for that old school candy shop with the sodas in glass bottles and candy from long before you were born, then this is the place for you. The Arrogant Texan is a vintage candy shop with a blast from the past on some of the biggest names from back in the day. Also, it doesn't hurt that they serve Amy's ice cream which being from Austin makes me feel right at home! Not only is this place perfect for dessert, but the Arrogant Texan also has a spot that is a BBQ restaurant. So, if you're looking for dinner and dessert, then the Arrogant Texas is your one-stop-shop in Lubbock!

6. Texas Tech University

The final and BEST reason that Lubbock has my heart is because it is the home to Texas Tech University! For being such a large school with an enrollment of roughly 36,000, the whole city of Lubbock surrounds itself around the school and creates a community feel. Tech fans are loud, proud, and truly have found their place in Lubbock. Texas Tech is home to the fourth best baseball team in the nation as of this past season, and pitcher Davis Martin finished the year 10-1. This tied him for the most in the Big 12, as well as tied him for the most nationally among freshmen. Men's Tennis finished first in the Big 12 regular season championship, and ranked overall 11th at the end of the season, which was a school record. Besides sports, Greek life is very popular, with 12 sororities and 24 IFC fraternities. No matter your interests, there is a place for you at Texas Tech.

Lubbock locals are full of passion and pride for their town, and there is much more than meets the eye. These people genuinely care about the school, and the students, and it is no surprise that there is a billboard in the town reading "Friendliest City in America." If you find yourself out in West Texas, make sure to try out the local cuisine, and attend a Texas Tech football game to get the full experience of Raiderland. I could not imagine myself in any other town, and I am so lucky to spend my four years at none other than Texas Tech University.