Staying Connected During Summer

Staying Connected During Summer:

Continuing Students vs. New Students

Continuing students can stay in touch by taking summer courses, orchestrating summer club activities, and  organizing major meet ups. 

1.  Summer Classes

There are plenty of interesting classes to take over the summer semesters. You can knock out electives and gen eds. Take some easy classes to keep your brain going so you won't have to jump start it come Fall 2019 like an old car. You can even take a trip abroad (which qualifies as summer classes). How about a summer vacation in Taiwan or Italy? 

2. Summer Club Activities

 Pick a few in town club members and organize a beach trip or go see a movie. Do some volunteer work together like a neighborhood clean up. Officers can meet up and plan out events for the falling fall semester (there's plenty of empty to rooms to use on campus). If you are in a language club (like me), get together and practice by watching a foreign movie or ordering food. You don't have to lose touch because school is 'technically' out. 

3. Major Meet Ups

It's always good to have connections. You never know when they'll be useful in later missions. Meet up with some people with the same major. Ask for advice on which professor to take for that one anatomy or politics class you have to have but DO NOT wanna take. You'll end up with friends in your next few classes to study and trade notes with. This is especially useful if you decide to play hooky. We won't tell your professors, I promise. 

New incoming students have a bit of a difficult time staying in touch with a university they haven't been to, so how about a jump starting a way to connect. You can connect by attending orientation (the sooner, the better), visit the USA Bookstore on campus, and stay in touch with your recruitment counselor and first-year advisor.   

1. Orientation 

First and foremost, orientation is already required, so why not go ahead and get going. Orientation allows you to meet some students going into your major, so make friends before class starts. You get to pick your classes before other students, but if you wait too long, you'll just have to play with what you are dealt.  

2. USA Bookstore

Our bookstore sells more than just textbooks. We have plenty of South merchandise you can buy like travel cups, sweatshirts, hats, and more. We also have what every college kid needs: sugar and caffeine. Oh! Right across from the bookstore is our food court, so you can grab something from Moe's or Chik-Fil-A while you are here. 

3. Counselors and Advisors

After orientation, you will get to meet your first-year advisor. Trust me, they come in handy. When you are unsure about a class or a certain degree route, they have the answers (or at least a way to get them).   


 See You in Time for Tea!

 

Top 5 Summer Things

Top 5 things to have or do during summer:

5. Group Activities

Going to the movies with friends is always a fun summer activity. Movies like Child's Play, Godzilla: King of the Monsters, and Lion King are coming out this summer. Gather you squad, order popcorn, and enjoy the newest cinema masterpiece.

4. Adventures Outside

Why stay inside all summer? Take a walk through Langan Park or enjoy one of the many local festivals. You can take an art walk in May and race a Dragon Boat in June.

3.Pick a Book

Journey to the local library or bookstore. Pick a random book and read it while you tan or travel. Adventure into more than one place during the summer. Try When the Emperor Was Divine by Julie Otsuka and discover how a Japanese-American family survives World Ward Two in the United States.

2.Downtown Mobile

Enter a bit of local history with Fort Condé. Explore the Mardi Gras museum and learn about the biggest party in Mobile, Alabama. Above all, go to the Exploreum. There you can explore human anatomy, build a virtual roller coaster and ride it, figure out how gravity works by pulling your friends into the air, and you can even visit Genghis Khan.

1.Visit the Beach

No summer is complete without a trip to the beach at least twice. Enjoy the water and warm sand with your friends. Eat local seafood and visit local boardwalks. Do not, under any circumstances, forget your sunscreen! You'll thank me later. 

Knock Knock!

Who's there? 

Your friendly neighborhood JagGuide!

My name is Kayla. I am finishing up my second year at the University of South Alabama as we speak. I am majoring in International Studies with a concentration in Asia. Feel free to ask any questions about our Wonderland here at South. 

 It's been a pleasure.