South! Alabama

We're the pride of the red, white, blue!

Loyal, strong and faithful

To our alma mater true!

South! Alabama

We will cheer you to win the day!

For it's J-A-G-U-A-R-S

For U-S-A!

For anyone who lives in or around South Alabama has heard The University of South Alabama’s Fight Song (the lyrics listed above). With that, I am here to talk about college. This new and exciting life that many young adults look forward to with eagerness and timidness. I am one of these young adults who just graduated from high school waiting for the day I begin this new life. As well, I am excited and scared with the other new and upcoming college students are feeling. I do have some advice that I have kept hearing and wish to share with everyone.

1.Don’t Be Alone-Join A Social Group/Club

When my college orientation was beginning, the dean spoke to the group of freshmen there. He advised us to be apart of campus life. He continued to say that if you are participating in a club, it improves your academics, I will be a part of campus life as I will be joining the marching band which is a wonderful way to be a part of the campus. With that activity, I will have the opportunity of speak to at least 250 other members who love the activity that we will be doing. However, I am not here to say do marching band. I am here to say join a club. A college or university has many more choices when it comes to organizations ranging from religious to debating topics. People do have the option of participating in a fraternity or sorority which is another great way to get involved with student life on campus. The new clubs and people give a person the opportunity to create study groups or simply relax from the struggles of school. Simply, do not be in the shadows. Grow to find you and expand your characters. Essential for the workforce.

2. It’s Not the Work, It’s the Pace.

This one is real important for everyone. For people who have graduated high school and did the AP or IB programs have a good idea about workload and pace and how to handle it. (I am more biased to IB as I was an IB student so I do think many IB students can manage the pace and work, but biased). Let’s be truthful; the work will be simple in terms. However, you will have to make time to do your work/study and complete them on time. With that, you will be responsible for your work. There will be now English teacher running down that hall to tell you to finish your essay from two weeks ago. There will be a nice fail on that grade slot. You have a fair warning.

3. Follow The Syllabus.

You know that piece of paper at the beginning of every class during high school that you used to figure out the supplies you needed for class and threw it away. Yeah, keep that. It should tell you the test and what it is on. Keep the Syllabus. Make the Syllabus your friend. Even lamented the syllabus if you want.

4. Make Time For What You Need.

This goes along with Tip #2 but is its own advice. When you are out in the college world with parties, football games, and everything that is more fun than your education, you tend to lose focus on why you are paying for college in the first place. Please do not take this as you needed 100% of your focus on school work because you will burn yourself out. Also, do not do anything else, but your school work because you will fail. Find that perfect balance in your life between what your need to do and what you want to do. It can be delicate so do not get caught up in several things. So to expand on Tip #1 only do a few activities that you can manage so you will have time for school, fun, and sleep.

5. Have Fun

This one is simple to follow. This is college and these years is where you mold yourself and not copy and paste someone life. Your individuality will be powerful in college in later in your life.

Hopefully, these five tips helped you. Enjoy your college and good luck in all your endeavors.