Where I Live: TCU went from dream school to new home for this freshman student
Outside of King Hall, TCU Campus dorm. 2/21/2024
” data-image-caption=”Delayna Zepeda poses outside of King residence hall, TCU campus dorm, Feb. 21, 2024. (Hanna Landa | Fort Worth Report)
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By Delayna Zepeda
Texas Christian University, in my eyes, is one of the most spirited yet peaceful campuses to call home away from home.
I will never forget the day I stepped foot on the main stairs on Stadium Drive and walked under the archway where you immediately see the campus commons — such a picture-perfect view.
Fast forward months later, those same commons are now my front yard. I live in King Hall, which is one of the dorms that outlines our campus commons.
Everyone always has different dorm life experiences, and I consider myself a pretty lucky freshman, as not all get to live right in the center of campus. Getting lucky with location also comes with getting my own room, as well as my roommate, with whom I share a bathroom. Communal showers and I managed to not cross paths, and I would be lying if I said I wasn’t relieved.
My room faces the commons, a great plus. I can look outside my window and see who’s out and about. I can hear music or the laughs from people when there are events in the commons.
Another great plus is that I get to work where I live. I am a community assistant in King, which consists of working the front desk a few hours a week and being available to assist residents who may get locked out of their rooms, have questions, etc.
TCU has a smaller community than most Division I schools, and that naturally makes it homier. Also, you can practically get anywhere on foot in just 10 minutes (talk about a luxury). Chick-fil-A is where I eat the most, and I will never pass up the opportunity for an acai bowl — a frozen fruit smoothie bowl made with acai palm — from Shake Smart in our campus rec after workouts or breakfast.
Studying might not be the most exciting thing, but spots on campus like the intercultural center or library make it something less stressful. Both places are always super calm, and the intercultural center gives off cozy vibes that just naturally take some of the pressure off.
This home away from home provides so much, and although big and scary at first, eventually it became a small little village with friendly faces and places. With my hometown almost five hours away, I couldn’t ask for a better place to be.
Texas Christian University
Total population: 4,300Female: 64% | Male: 36%
Age0-9: 2%10-19: 54%20-29: 35%30-39: 3%40-49: 0%50-59: 2%60-69: 2%70-79: 1%80 and older: 0%
EducationNo degree: 2%High school: 1%Some college: 22%Bachelor’s degree: 33%Post-graduate: 42%
RaceWhite: 59% | Black: 16% | Hispanic: 11% | Asian: 9% | Two or more: 5%
Click on the link to view the schools’ Texas Education Agency ratings:
R.L. Paschal High SchoolW.P. McLean 6th Grade CenterAlice E. Carlson Elementary School – Texas State Historical MarkerDaggett Middle SchoolW.P. McLean Middle SchoolInternational Newcomer Academy
George C. Clarke ElementaryLily B. Clayton Elementary SchoolE.M. Daggett Elementary SchoolSouth Hi Mount Elementary SchoolTanglewood Elementary SchoolWestcliff Elementary SchoolDaggett Montessori SchoolAlice Contreras Elementary
Delayna Zepeda is a freshman studying journalism at Texas Christian University from Rosenberg. She is a reporter for the university’s specialty broadcast shows “The Leap” and “Unscripted.”
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