Why Chattanooga? Because the Mocs Rock

If I had $1 for every time I got asked why I chose Chattanooga, I would be considered a millionaire. Honestly, I can’t count on 10 hands how many times I got asked that over Christmas break. I know I blogged about why I was choosing to attend the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga last year, but I realized that I was just going because it was my dream; that was basically the only reason. Now that I’ve been here for a few months, I feel like I can appreciate my decision more.

1. Jimmy Fallon loves the Mocs.

If you’re a UTC student and you haven’t come across the video of Jimmy Fallon talking about his love for Scrappy, then you must not really be a UTC student. It may seem small to people who don’t go to UTC, but it’s Jimmy Fallon! He owns a mug with a Power C on it! We are famous.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mn6qva6ZS2s

2. UTC is like its own little town.

There’s Chattanooga, then there’s UTC. We are in the center of downtown, but we are like our own community. A community where when you’re walking to class you will almost always see a familiar face and if you don’t see that, then you see someone that looks so happy it will rub off on you as you walk by. If I could compare UTC to anything it would be the town that Gilmore Girls is set in. You don’t know everyone, but you always have someone to sit with in the University Center while eating lunch. Speaking of the UC, have you ever talked to some of the ladies that work in there? They are some of the sweetest people you will ever meet. We may be like our own little town on campus, but the city of Chattanooga is very student friendly. For example, many restaurants offer student discounts and $5 movies on Wednesday at the movie theatre! The city incorporates the students as much as they can whenever possible.

3. Not trying to brag, but we have the best dorm options.

Some may see our dorms & say, “Ehhhhhhhhhhhhh,” but then they go to other schools and see their options and they’re like, “Ewwwwwww.” Basically, majority of the dorms on college campuses are suite style. Meaning, there is a hallway and then there are rooms that are typically shared between two people. Then, they have a community bathroom on the end of the hall for the whole hall to share. Please tell me how pleasing that sounds? If you think that is cool, think about shower shoes and then reconsider your answer. At UTC almost all of our dorms are apartment style. For example, I live in a dorm and I have my own room, but I have 3 other suite mates that I share a bathroom, kitchen, and living room with. Some dorms have washers and dryers in them. Now you’re probably thinking, “Ohhhhh, Ahhhh.”

4. You’re pressured into appreciating the outdoors.

I am not saying this is a bad thing, in fact it’s a good thing. In Chattanooga, there are basically two mountains: Lookout & Signal. And between those two mountains, the hiking opportunities are endless. You may try to make up all the excuses in the book, like you are lacking the proper materials...which brings me to my next point…

5. Do you know what the ARC is?

It may stand for “Aquatic & Recreation Center” but really it’s so much more. Allow me to explain: there is a pool, a waterslide, a lazy river, hot tubs, fitness classes, weight room, treadmills, basketball courts, wait there is more...a rock climbing wall. Let’s not forget about the Rental Center where you can “rent” literally anything you need for outdoor activities for free. FREE? Basically. When you check out your desired item(s), you give them a check for like $50 & when you bring back your item(s) in good condition, you get your check back. So yes, free, unless you lose it in the river or something. That sucks for you. What all can you rent? Backpacks, bikes, canoes, climbing gear, Kayaks, snowboards, tents, paddleboards, etc. Also, if you crave traveling, the ARC understands and wants to help you out. The staff goes on trips that students are free to go for free with a $20 deposit check.Check it out, homies. If you’re trying to fight off that Freshman 15 but hate running on the (D)readmill, their fitness classes are pretty sweet. There’s Zumba, Yoga, Spin, Ballet, Pilates, Kickboxing, Bootcamp, etc. You know, maybe you just hate everything about working out, and that’s cool...we may have the building just for you.

6. Have you seen our new library?

I understand that working on your fitness isn’t for everyone and that’s no big deal, because we have a killer library. Yeah, it has books and computers and that’s cool. The Starbucks makes it & late night study dates a little better. The study rooms are a 10/10 recommend. Say you have a paper coming up and you know your professor is a tough grader, take it to the Writing Center and they will proofread, help you write it, give suggestions - for FREE. It also has a 3D printer that students are welcome to use so they can make phone cases for every day of the week or whatever. What if I told you that you could rent a GoPro in the library? You probably wouldn’t believe me, but you can. Therefore, even if you don’t think libraries are for you, you’ll probably spend some time in there.

7. The events are banging.

We have this super cool organization on campus called, CAB, our campus activities board. They put on events a couple times a month that students are free to attend. Movie nights (with popcorn provided), concerts, Glow in the Dark dodgeball, Battleship in the pool, etc. Even if you think the event is a drag, why wouldn’t you go if they provided FREE food and it’s better than staring at the wall in your room. Just saying. For example, I went to a poetry reading they had a couple of months ago and I got some high quality chicken tenders & free tickets to a movie. You can’t tell me that doesn’t sound sweet. The best thing is that this is only one organization on campus, there are so many more to choose from that offer events to attend.

8. The gas is cheap.

Last year, Chattanooga was named the city that had the cheapest gas in America. Even now, gas is $1.49. Honestly, that’s pretty nice. Now you really have no excuse for not going up the mountain to see the scenery because the gas is just so cheap.

9. Cookout, Taco Mamacita, Cheeburger Cheeburger, etc.

For the people reading this from West Tennessee, Cookout is the cheapest fast food you will ever encounter. For $5, you can get a burger, a quesadilla, and a drink. Add $1 and then you got yourself a milkshake. Unbeatable, people. Taco Mamacita? Just go. Same for Cheeburger Cheeburger.

10. You’re close to ATL, Nashvegas, & Knox.

I’m not saying that you would want to, but if you HAD to, you could get to these 3 places pretty quickly. Wanna go to Atlanta to see a concert or go to Six Flags? You’ll be there in about 2 hours and 27 minutes. Wanna go shopping at Oprymills in Nashville? You’ll be there in about 2 hours and 6 minutes (considering the time change). Wanna go cheer on the Vols in Knoxville? Not sure why you would want to because the Mocs rock. But if you wanted, you’d arrive in like 2 hours and 3 minutes. However, Chattanooga is good enough to stay.

I may be bias, but I think Chattanooga is a pretty solid option. It’s not too big for you to feel like a baby fish, but it’s not small enough for you to run into people from your high school every day (or ever). So, if you’re looking at colleges, give us a visit, I promise you won’t regret it and you’ll get free stuff. Yes, the parking may suck, and cafeteria food is pretty gross, but these things are avoidable. Pay the extra money and get a reserved pass, get the meal plan that has more Mocs Bucks. Problems = solved.

GO MOCS!