As an out-of-state student and product of a SEC-loving household, I came to The University of Alabama with only their football record as a first impression. Before committing here, I had only set foot on campus three times, including orientation, and I had never officially toured. Needless to say, I really had no idea what I was getting myself into when I decided to attend UA. However, the school really has exceeded my expectations and shown me how fun and exciting college can really be!

I have loved my first month here as a student and new resident of Tuscaloosa. There are so many things about this campus that I have grown to love and appreciate over the past four weeks. Without further ado, here are six of the many things I have learned!

1. “Roll Tide” means everything.

Here, everyone uses Roll Tide like native Hawaiians use aloha. It means hello, goodbye, I love you, I hate you, and everything in between. I’ve even heard it used sarcastically as a response to how someone’s day has gone. During football games, it is inserted into many popular songs, such as “Sweet Home Alabama”. It may be the slogan for the sports teams, but it is a catch phrase the entire student body incorporates as part of their slang.

2. Football is actually a way of life.

I’ve always known that Alabama fans take football seriously, but I had never fully realized the extent of this love until my very first game day on the Quad. As a part of the Million Dollar Band, I had the pleasure of getting to witness the sheer number of people that come to our campus for games, tailgating and celebrating hours before the game even begins! It feels like absolute chaos, but in the best way. Football makes the entire university buzz, and Saturdays are now much more special.

3. The weather is unbelievably hot, but the classroom buildings are freezing.

I’ve never seen so many sweatshirts in August, especially in the ninety-degree heat, but after going into some of the buildings on campus, I understand why college kids dress in layers. To make up for Alabama’s sweltering, oven-like temperatures, almost every building is kept like a meat locker. I’m certainly not complaining about the AC, but it was a struggle at first to find a wardrobe that could transition from the desert to the tundra in a matter of minutes.

4. There is a restaurant for literally everything.

The actual city of Tuscaloosa is basically the university, the public schools, and at least a hundred restaurants. In addition to well-known chain restaurants, T-Town has more local places, like Buffalo Phil’s and Dreamland’s Barbeque, and some restaurants known exclusively in the South, like Milo’s and the Shrimp Basket. Most places take dining dollars, too! It’s a smorgasbord of options for every foodie. Now, if they would only get a Steak n’ Shake and a Blue Coast Burrito, they’d have it all!

5. Biking from class is a must….. until you get pulled over.

There seems to be traffic from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., and parking is virtually nonexistent, so many people choose to bike to class. When I heard about this option at orientation, I scoffed. I didn’t think the campus felt that big, and besides. Who was going to drag their bike all the way from home? I am ashamed to say that I am incredibly wrong about bikes. The campus is huge, and unless you want to walk twenty minutes to get anywhere, they are a good option. Keep in mind, though, that the UAPD does give tickets to unlawful bikers....

When you end up on the campus Snapchat story, getting pulled over on your bike, don’t say I didn’t warn you!

6. UA means family.

I was a little anxious after moving in on campus, coming into such a large university with only a handful of people from my hometown. However, I realized very quickly that most everyone is friendly and willing to help someone out. I felt very much at home within the first few weeks, finding a group of people that really cared about me and wanted to see me succeed. I even saw a stranger share her umbrella with someone who was caught in a freak downpour after class. So far, I like what I see from the student body.

Going to college here has been great so far, and I’m really excited to see how the rest of the semester turns out!

Roll Tide!