College students all around the country are ready for the summer to end and for school to start so they can be back on campus. It's no different at UL, where you never know what you might see. Students are ready to see their friends, get involved on campus, and even see how many alligators escape the swamp.

UL Students are...

1. Ready to see old friends and make new ones.

Students come back to hang out with friends they have known for a while and friends they met last semester. They are excited to hang out in their "spot" on campus, whether it's the union, the quad or somewhere in between. Students also want to make new friends, so they talk to other students in class or at the many different events on campus.

2. Ready for football games.

UL may be a smaller school, but there's no shortage of passion or energy at UL football game. Students and fans tailgate before the game and dance to zydeco music or the newest and hottest music. You can smell the gumbo and jambalaya from a mile away as students hang out with their friends and chow down. As it gets closer to game time, students fill in the stands, and they get ready for the wild ride of emotions of a football game. There's nothing like a Saturday night at Cajun Field.

Photo Credit: Megan Louviere 

3. Interested to see how many alligators will escape the swamp.

One of the most unique and coolest things on campus is the swamp by the student union that holds fish, turtles, and even alligators. The alligators like to play games and escape in any way they can. Last semester, there were at least four or five alligators that climbed the wall and escaped. Now, it may have been the same alligator every time, but who knows? We may have a Cajun Houdini on our hands.

4. Excited to be involved on campus.

A lot of students are involved on campus in many different organizations, whether it's a Greek organization or the biology club, there is something for everyone. Students make a lot of memories and friends because they are involved on campus. I know that when the fall semester starts back, I can't wait to be a peer mentor to the incoming freshmen.

5. Looking forward to getting back into a structured routine.

When the spring semester ends, some students shut off their brains when it comes to school stuff and they don't do a whole lot during the summer. They fall out of the routine they have while they are on campus, and when the fall semester starts, they are more than happy to get back into that routine. It could be going to class, hanging out with friends for a little bit to have lunch with them and then going to study or go to work.

Photo Credit: University of Louisiana Lafayette