UT Knoxville Through a Student’s Eyes | Freshman Experience, Greek Life & Campus
Hi! My name is Gray Tosh, and I’m a current student at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville majoring in Construction Science and Management with a minor in Business Administration. I recently completed my freshman year and am heading into my sophomore year. I know firsthand what it’s like to transition to UT—from moving five and a half hours away from home to finding my place on campus and getting involved in Greek life. That experience has given me a real, up-to-date perspective on both the academic and social sides of campus life. I’m passionate about sharing what life at UT is actually like—from the classroom experience in a challenging STEM major, to student involvement, traditions, and the energy of game days in Knoxville. My goal is to give you an honest, relatable view of campus so you can truly picture yourself here and feel confident in your college decision. I’m excited to meet you and show you around!
About me
- GenderMale
- Current academic yearSophomore
- Age19
- Admission typeAdmitted as a freshman
- Academic focusArchitecture/Design
- Personality typeSomewhat extroverted
- College experience ratingAmazing
Tour type
- Campus tour
- Video chat
Hometown
Dyersburg, TN
Major(s)
Construction Science and Management
Minor(s)
Business Administration
Extracurriculars activities
- Greek life
- Club/Organization
- Job/Internship
- ROTC
- NCAA varsity sport
- Recreational sport
- Student government
- Community service
- Religious/Cultural group
- Art/Music/Performance
- Study abroad
- Other
Clubs, organizations & involvement
I am a member of Alpha Gamma Rho at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Housing experience
- Dorm
- Off-campus house or apartment
- Fraternity or sorority house
- Home (Commuter)
- Other
Describe your college experience
When I think about my time at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville so far, it really comes down to growth, meeting people, and figuring out life in a new place. I came here about five and a half hours from home, so the transition was definitely a big change at first. Freshman year was a lot all at once—living in Hess Hall, meeting new people, and just getting used to how fast everything moves here. It was a little overwhelming at times, but I settled in and found my rhythm pretty quickly. I’m studying Construction Science and Management with a minor in Business, and I’ve liked how it already feels pretty real-world focused. It’s challenging, but in a way that actually makes sense for what I want to do later. Outside of class, getting involved in Greek life helped me meet a lot of people and made campus feel way more comfortable. I’ve also really enjoyed the overall energy here, especially during football season and all the traditions that come with being at UT. Now that I’m heading into my sophomore year, I feel a lot more settled. I’ve figured out how to balance school, involvement, and just normal college life, and it honestly feels like home now.
Tip for future students
One tip I’d give to future students is to get involved early—whether it’s clubs, intramurals, or Greek life. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for help—professors and advisors truly want the best for you and are always willing to guide you. If I could go back, I’d have leaned on those resources even more from the start.
Favorite class
My favorite class so far has been psychology. I loved learning about why we think the way we do—especially with my professor, who was not only brilliant in teaching the material, but also being a DJ. He brought this incredible energy to class, and it made exploring the brain and behavior even more exciting.
Career goals
After I graduate, I want to lead large commercial construction projects, which are incredibly complex and involve a huge range of tasks—from coordinating teams and budgets to managing schedules and safety. I’m really excited to challenge myself and dive into that kind of work to make a real impact.
Ideal way to spend a free night
My ideal way to spend a free night is hanging out with friends—grabbing food, watching a game, and just spending time together after a busy week. Nothing too planned, just relaxing and enjoying the evening.
High school or secondary school
Dyersburg High School, Dyersburg,TN
