I wish I could say that I have a love-hate relationship with going home from college for the summer, but for me, it's really just a hate relationship. Having a break from classes is nice, but it'll never beat the feeling of setting foot in Tuscaloosa. From the beautiful campus, parties, great food, to the friends you'll have for a lifetime, if you're still not sad about leaving Bama for the summer after reading this, then maybe you should go to Auburn...
1. Football Games
There's something special about waking up on a Saturday morning in Tuscaloosa on game day. Whether it's the sea of crimson and white on the quad, "Mr. Brightside" blaring in Bryant-Denny Stadium, "Roll Tide!" being heard from every corner of campus, or our amazing football team, game day in t-town is always a good time.
2. Darties
For those who don't know (yes, I'm talking to you, mom), a darty is a day-party. Other schools have their versions of darties, but honestly nothing even compares Alabama's. Live bands, day drinking at 1 p.m., all your best friends, and puppies galore all surrounded by a tarp in the front yard of a frat house: what else could you ask for?
3. Crimson2go
Crimson2go is the greatest and worst thing to ever happen. The ability to have anything from Buffalo Phils, Moes, or Zoes Kitchen delivered within minutes has really taken a toll on my bank account. RIP to my credit cards. However, at the same, the ability to order a BurgerFi cheeseburger to a frat party at 12:30 a.m. makes my negative balance totally worth it.
4. Rounders
This is 100% the place I miss most. Imagine all your best friends packed into a three-story bar, surprise guest appearances by Luke Bryan, with cold air and confetti being blasted in your face along with flashing lights and EDM music: that's Rounders. #GetRounded
SEE ALSO: What T-Town Bar Are You?
5. Quick Grill
After Rounders kicks you out at 2 a.m., Quick Grill is always a must. I know there are plenty of restaurants at home that serve cheeseburgers and messy fries, but there's something special about that dirty, little shack across the street from Rounders. I'm sure it's given you food poisoning before, but once you first go that one drunken night, its hard to stop going back.
6. Dixieland Delight
Blaring Dixieland Delight at home just isn't the same as it is in Tuscaloosa. Especially since no one gets as excited as we do to scream about spending your dollar.... "ON BEER!"
7. T-shirt Tuesday
The transition from spending Tuesday nights in a t-shirt at Red Shed to spending it on your parents' couch is depressing. For those of you who don't go to Alabama, going out on a Tuesday night might sound insane and irresponsible, but no worries. Alabama students are all about being responsible and safe. We only go out a mere 7 days a week, and we're always sure we're in the boom boom room during tornado warnings.
8. Act Card Dining Dollars
"What do you mean Atlanta Dominos doesn't take CWIDs as a valid form of payment?" Having $350 automatically put on your Act Card ever semester to solely spend on fast food around campus is a blessing we all take for granted and don't appreciate till we get home.
9. Band Parties
"Who do we want to go see tonight? Waka Flocka, DJ Escobar, B.o.B., Asher Roth, Travis Porter, or Lil Yachty?" Friday night band parties are always something to look forward to at the end of the week, and vital to making sure you wake up Saturday morning already buzzed for the football game. Listening to someones Spotify playlist in their parent's basement doesn't even compare to Friday nights at Bama.
10. College Friends
Out of all the things listed above, nothing beats how much you miss your college friends (except for maybe Rounders). Don't get me wrong, I'm sure your so happy hanging out with your high school friends again, but, for me, being away from my college friends makes me feel like part of my soul is missing. College friends are your ride or die and your family and you can't wait to get to back to T-town and be together again.
See you August, 23rd, T-Town, and Roll Tide!!!
