What I've Learned as a Jag

 

I'm definitely repeating myself when I say this, but my time here at South has taught me so much more than I ever even imagined it would. I walked onto this campus 3 years ago thinking I knew exactly what I was going to get out of my college experience. I thought I was simply here to earn a degree and maybe make a few new friends along the way. Let me tell you, that doesn't even begin to cover everything I've learned and gained since becoming a Jag.

I could honestly probably talk for years about everything I've learned, but what I want to share with you is this: discovering yourself and your passions is not a linear adventure, nor will it look like anybody else's.

This goes for anything: how fast you learn or go through your degree, figuring out what you want to do with said degree, finding your people group and where you feel like you belong...these things take time and patience, and that's okay!

It's important to be aware of this now, before you even step foot on campus, so that when you get here, you aren't comparing yourself and your journey to anyone else. Let your South experience be your South experience. Take time to figure out what you like and what you don't like. Take those random classes that may or may not open a new door of opportunities for you. That's what makes this campus so unique- we all have our own stories, and we're all here to support each other through it.

Until next time, go Jags!
-Bethany

What I Wish I Knew Then

I don't know what it is about the end of the school year, but it always makes me incredibly sentimental and reflective- especially realizing that I only have one more year left after this.

I'm sorry...what??

It seems like just yesterday I was moving into Azalea (it will forever be New Hall to me), both far too excited and way too nervous to finally be a real life college student! Three years have gone by and, surprisingly, I still get just as nervous and excited to move back to campus every year - ready to catch up with friends, see what the new semester holds and what I'll learn. Yes, academically, but also real life things too! Because, let me tell you, these past few years have taught me so much!

If I could somehow manage to write a letter of advice to my 18 year-old self, it'd be a novel, honestly. But the main point would have to be this:

Who you are today is just a fraction of who you'll be tomorrow.  

Every day you learn something new, whether you realize it or not. Every day, you have the opportunity to grow more and more into your best self. College seems to speed up this growth track by a lot. Especially freshman year. That first year out on your own is when you decide who you want to be as individual, without your parents' or teachers' or other leaders' input. There's no more babysitting.

You decide if you want to have a strong work ethic.

You decide if you're someone who makes a great leader, or if you make a great follower (both are important roles, by the way).

You decide who you're going to be. As a student. As an individual. As a learner.

As a sub-point to this piece of advice, I'd have to say to choose to be a proactive learner. If you know you're a heavy procrastinator, figure out a system that works around that (a trick I learned, aside from keeping up with a planner, is to set due dates for two days before the real one). Be on top of things and don't be scared to ask questions!

Out of all the things South has taught me, this is by far the biggest lesson I've learned!

The Final Countdown: Preparing for USA!

Whether we're ready for it or not, spring semester is coming to a close! whirlwind of preparation for the fall...it never ends, does it? But luckily, preparing to move to college is a lot more fun and exciting than struggling to finish final projects and studying to pass exams! Whether you're transferring from community college, or fresh out of high school, here's 5 things I always find are a "must" when getting ready for the fall semester (pro tip: you don't have to wait until the summer to start!!):

Summer is now in sight and we're all just barely holding on until we get there. And with the summer comes a

1. Make sure everything is in place! 

 Okay, so maybe not everything. Nobody's perfect, right? But what I mean by this, is make sure you have any and all forms of paperwork filled out, appointments scheduled and orientation booked. That way, when it does come time for orientation, you glide through and you don't have to worry about scavenging things together last minute. And if you have questions, don't hesitate to ask!!

2.  Get your room ready!
 I mean, let's be honest...if you're moving out, it's one of the most exciting parts of college. But make sure you have everything for your room in place! If you haven't already, apply for a residence hall, and then start investing in all the essentials (i.e. bedspread, decorations, shower curtain) and getting to know your potential roommate. Remember, it's important to have a room before you start buying stuff for it. Another pro-tip: actually get to know your roommate beforehand! Even if it's only the basics. It makes moving in and the first week or two of school a lot less awkward.

3. Don't be scared to reach out to future classmates
After all, you'll be spending the next 4 years together. Get a head start on making new friends! Figure out who's in the same major as you, ask if they plan on joining Greek life or honors society or church or literally anything on campus!


4. Prepare questions!!
Whether it's for your future classmates, your teachers, your advisor or even your mom, it's always good to have your questions ready to be asked away! And you don't have to wait until orientation to as them either...I can't tell you how many emails I sent following up to move in day!


5. Gather all the red, white and blue you own!
 It's almost here. We're in the final countdown of days until you are officially an official Jag! Honestly, I can't think of anything more exciting. All that's left for you to do is get that Jag pride ready to go!

We can't wait to see you on campus! Good luck and finish the year strong!
See y'all in the fall
-Bethany

Spring has Sprung!

Spring has finally made its way back to Mobile and I personally could not be happier about it!
I love the warm weather and all the bright colors it brings...not to mention there's only 26 days of school left, which is reason enough to be excited!

But of course, with the warm weather comes the want (or, arguably, the need) to be outside, no matter what it is I'm doing. My favorite place to go the moment it gets warm enough is sitting outside next to the pool at the campus rec center! Usually, with Mobile's warm weather, I can find myself out there late February or March. As someone that's naturally cold, this is by far the best news and part of what drew me to South, honestly. 

If it's that not-warm-enough-but-definitely-not-cold type of weather, though, I love to grab my Eno and find a spot to hang it - sometimes it's in Sorority Commons, sometimes it's in the center of the traffic circles, sometimes it's in the park down the street from campus...as long as it's outside, I'm good wherever!

If it's warm enough wherever you are, and you're willing to face the pollen, get out there and enjoy the weather!! If not, maybe this could be your excuse to come visit South for the weekend?

Happy spring and go Jags!
-Bethany

Introducing Me

Hey everyone, my name is Bethany Reagan. I'm from Huntsville, Alabama and I'm a new Jag Guide here at the University of South Alabama!

Just some basic facts about me: I'm currently in my third year here at South, and loving every minute of it! I'm a strategic communications major, focusing in public relations and minoring in marketing.


Because of South and the connections I've made, both with professors and friends, I've come to realize that people are a BIG passion of mine! I love to dive in deep and get involved wherever I'm at. On campus, I'm a part of Alpha Omicron Pi, Campus Outreach, the National Honors Society of Leadership and success, work daily with Alumni and can honestly say I have friends in all corners of campus. Within Mobile, I'm a part of Church of the Highlands (which just celebrated it's 6 month-iversary!!), I've babysat and nanny-ed for families that treat me like their own and I've discovered some amazing coffee shops that I don't know how I've ever lived without. If you ever need to find me, try Carpe Diem off Old Shell...it's practically my second home!

I also spend my summers traveling with 27 other people from community to community, putting together a week-long day camp for Kindergarten-8th graders, called Winshape Camps for Communities,. If you ever talk to me for more than 5 minutes, you will most definitely hear all about both camp and South. And like I said before, South has taught me how to really get plugged into and network wherever I'm at. Because of this, I've made some wonderful connections with people all over the country! Just this last summer, I went to 10 different communities, including Chicago and St. Louis, and found Jag fans everywhere I went!

I'm so excited to take on a brand new role here on campus, especially one that lets me brag on my home! The University of South Alabama has come to mean so much to me, providing experience after experience and different opportunities to network and grow.

Go Jags, and I'll catch y'all next time!
-Bethany