Savannah JagGuide

I have grown so much as a person in the short three years I have attended South. This year I was lucky enough to move into an apartment on campus with one of the best roommates I have ever had. I learned a new way of studying that has really helped me with test taking. I met some of the smartest, gracious people when I became a Jag Guide in January.  Most importantly, I learned that it is okay to take a long way around. It's okay to not know the answers. I have learned so much about who I am as a person in just a semester and I wouldn't change it for the world. I am so happy I chose South Alabama to be my home three short years ago and I am proud to call myself a South Alabama Jaguar.

I am currently a Junior here at South Alabama. You could say I'm a veteran of campus-life at this point. When I look back to scared freshman baby me, I see just how much I have grown. I have come a long way since then and I am super proud of it. I may have had a rough start, but boy did I learn a thing or two about adulting. The first piece of advice I would give myself is, Don't worry so much . Everything will work out in the end. You have to be willing to allow certain doors to close so others may open. If I wouldn't have done that then so many things in my life currently would have never happened. Seeing it now, if I would have been more open to change freshman year, so many more opportunities would have shown. I am glad I finally jumped out of my comfort zone to try all the new things campus has to offer. Even if it did take some time to get comfortable doing so, that's okay. Another piece I would give myself is, Stop being so hard on yourself . You can only do

 Moving away from home can be wonderful and scary all at the same time. You are now the adult in situations where you need an adult. College is full of all these new experiences and you will grow more and more with each semester. Here are my top five tips and tricks for people who are attending South for the first time. 1.) Talk to your roommate before you move in together. If you talk to them beforehand you will be able to get a better sense of who they are and what they like. It will surely save some headache in the future when you have ended up with two shower curtains and 12 rugs. 2.) Talk to your roommate about the hard stuff and make a roommate contract. Find out if they are a morning person or a night person. If they need absolute quiet when they study or if they like to listen to music. Who will clean what and even who will take out the trash. Once you move in your RA will be able to help you more with a roommate contract, all you have to do is ask. 3.) Look into your Housing C

Whenever you become a student you eventually get tired of the same ole study space. Whether it be the library, the Student center, or your room, you eventually need a change of scenery. At that moment, something magical happens. You find a hidden gem that is peaceful and that space becomes your one in a million secret hideout spot where you will study your hardest and find peace in a time that is not so peaceful, Finals. Today I want to share my secret study space. One that I found my Freshman semester and has been my best friend since.  This spot is located in the back of the Allied Health Building. The quickest way to get there is to walk in the front doors and just walk straight until you're outside! It is a wonderful covered patio with umbrellas over the tables to keep the Mobile sun out of your eyes! This is my most favorite stop to grab a bite to eat and study for an up coming test.