Dear Prospective Freshman,

Congratulations, you made it. Welcome to freshman year in Riverside North room 203. Whether you’re a group of guys or girls, this is a letter from my roommates and I to you. I have to say, as much as we cannot wait to live in an apartment next year, with a bed bigger than a twin, we will miss living in this dorm together. This place is where we lived on our own for the very first time, it’s where we experienced ups and downs when school and life were just too hard to handle, it’s where we danced and sang the stress away, and made memories that we will always look back on and laugh at.

I remember first moving into the dorm. It was the typical hot Tuscaloosa, Alabama weather outside. My family and I pulled the car up with all of my belongings and volunteers helped unload everything into giant cardboard bins. My mom and I headed up to room 203 and as we unloaded everything, I couldn’t wrap my mind around the fact that this would be my temporary home for the next 9 months. This was it. This was the start of my freshman year of college at The University of Alabama, and I'm not going to lie, it was very intimidating. There are no words to describe the overwhelming feeling you get when you are settling into this new place, but I can assure you that it will be great. The intimidation will subside when you meet your roomies, for what may be, the very first time. You all might become the bestest of friends just like we did, and having your best friend right next door to you, just a couple steps away, is something to be truly thankful for.

Some University advice and hacks that we want to tell you are GO TO CLASS, I know everyone may be telling you this, but seriously go to freaking class. Have fun, but not too much fun; find a balance between your social life and school because I guarantee it is SO easy to fall behind. Hungry before 11PM? Robert E. Witt Activity Center has a market that takes meal swipes on select items including smoothies. You could also use dining dollars but you only get $325 of them per semester so use them wisely. After 11PM? We recommend Jimmy Johns, they deliver until 2AM, seriously the most clutch delivery service of all delivery services. Buffalo Phils, which is a restaurant on the strip, takes dining dollars too. But like I said, use them WISELY. Best place we think to study is the Music room in Gorgas Library, and if you want to reserve a study room on the second floor do it 24 hours in advance. If you're in a sorority get a bag of popcorn from the house to go for a late night snack. Orville popcorn in bed at 2 a.m. makes crying over your exam in six hours a little less awful. If the light is starting to go out in your bathroom, expect it to be a rager in there while showering because the strobe effect will happen until you put a work order in to get it fixed. If you put a work order in, make sure you're home to answer the door because sometimes maintenance comes at stupid o’clock in the morning (in other words, EARLY) and your roommates will get mad if they're trying to sleep in and they have to answer the door.

Room 203b has blue silly string on the ceiling that we have tried to get off, but just know it is not from us. Room 203D echos but all the walls are thin so just, ya know, beware of that. You'll probably always hear the people upstairs, (the girl above me always used to fall out of her bed or something, heard it every morning).

To the new freshman living in room 203 of Riverside North, have an AMAZING year. I guarantee it might just be the best. Enjoy your independence but be responsible. Know that the year will fly by and soon your not so smart actions cannot be blamed on the fact that you're a freshman, so learn from your mistakes and take our advice. Good luck, and welcome to your new home.

Sincerely,

The Past Residents of room 203