College can be tough, but many agree that with friends everything goes a little smoother. That was the case for a group of students who decided to start a WhatsApp Messenger group.
Students started posting and commenting on the Facebook page, UTRGV Students, a group made by the university. Junior interdisciplinary studies major Priscilla González took the initiative to create the WhatsApp group.
She posted her Snapchat username in UTRGV Students, and received feedback from other students to start a chat group.
“I started making the group chat and then, like, people started being interested in it,” González said.
The group chat was created about three weeks ago.
“We started [the group] Sept. 11,” said Johanne Hernandez, an interdisciplinary studies junior.
The name of the WhatsApp group is UTRGV lit, and as of now has around 200 students, according to González. The numbers are constantly changing.
Group members recall their first meeting took place at Khan’s Grill located on University Drive in Edinburg.
“It was 17 or 20 of us … and we got along really good,” said Jesus Reina, a mass communication sophomore.
Reina posted a picture of their first gathering in UTRGV Students, and the group received more interaction from other students wanting to join.
González decided to start something that she likes to call a “picnic.” Students reserve a room in the library, usually from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and they can come and go to hang out between classes.
“The main dates are, like, Mondays and Wednesdays … but honestly, the group is free to, like, make [the reservations],” she said. “We are there all day because some of us have a big gap [between classes].”
Students who attend these picnics bring food they can share and just hang out.
The group of friends mostly meet in Edinburg and some come all the way from Rio Grande City and Elsa.
One of the things that characterizes them is that they try to help each other out.
“Since we are a big group, we should go and support [others],” González said.
Students wishing to join can ask for an invitation link in UTRGV Students. Every student is welcome to join.
There are some simple, but important rules that must be followed, such as having a public profile and picture; no fights or offending others; and paying attention to all group administrators.
González has advice for students who are looking to make more friends at the university.
“It’s all about communicating. … Don’t be afraid to talk to anyone and be yourselves,” she said.
Maria Gomez, a senior majoring in rehabilitation services, encourages students to not be shy about it.
“Don’t be shy. … It’s your college years,” Gomez said. “Take school serious, but not way too serious. Enjoy, have fun.”
Marco Castillo, a mechanical engineering sophomore, said he enjoys that there is respect among the group.
“I like that everything has been super respectful,” Castillo said.
He said that if there is any issue with one of the members, they quickly resolve it and move on with no incidents.
