Laura JagGuide

Hey baby Jags! The fall semester has officially come to a close at the University of South Alabama, and as I reflect on the past 4 months I realize how thankful I am to be surrounded by people who motivate me to be my best self and encourage me when I am at my breaking point.  First and foremost, my family has stayed by my side every step of the way. They constantly assure me that they are proud of me and that I am more than capable of being successful. Through every breakdown and phone call at 10 pm crying because I am overwhelmed, they remind me that the first step to getting back on my feet is getting on my knees. They pray for me and love me through everything, and I am so grateful for the motivation they give me.  The friends I surround myself with in Mobile are also a constant source of encouragement. Whether it be my sorority sisters letting me know they're praying for me before a big test, my roommate cleaning the apartment because she knows I'm stressed, or my b...

Hey baby Jags! Getting involved on campus is so important to getting fulfillment out of your college experience. Coming from a mid-sized high school where I was extremely involved in almost every club and organization we had to offer, I knew coming to South I wanted to keep that same energy and try to make a difference on campus. Joining Greek life was one of the easiest and most fulfilling ways I was able to get involved. Being able to participate in other sorority and fraternity philanthropy events, the outside community service you could do with your sisters, and our personal philanthropies allowed me to start giving back to South and the Mobile community as a whole within weeks of moving on to campus.  I also joined a few honors societies and a Pre-Physical Therapy club in order to meet other students who were dealing with the same curriculum and had the same ultimate goals that I did. We have an abundance of clubs on campus that are waiting for eager freshman to come...

As the holiday season approaches, specifically Thanksgiving, I find myself reflecting on all I have to be thankful for. Coming to the University of South Alabama and becoming a part of this family has been a blessing from the beginning. As a student at South Alabama I am most thankful for the professors and advisers that have helped me and influenced me along the way. All of my professors throughout my semesters here have been invested in my education and success. I have never felt like a number on this campus. I have been able to make connections with professors who would be sure to call on me by name and follow my progress to make sure I was on track to success. I had professors who personally e-mailed me and encouraged me to stay focused and continue to thrive while offering me letters of recommendation for scholarships if I ever needed them. I feel so fortunate to attend a campus where I am truly apart of a family. This Thanksgiving, I am thankful for the Unive...

Moving away from home to a campus where I did not know anyone was difficult, but joining Greek Life at South Alabama was one of the best decisions I have made. During my freshman year, I went through formal recruitment and joined Kappa Delta Sorority. I found a home away from home and a family in over 100 girls who support me, uplift me, encourage me, and pray for me daily. Being in KD has changed me in the most positive ways. I was able to find a group of wholesome, genuine girls to surround myself with and I was able to get more involved in the community. We work with the Girl Scouts of the USA as well as Prevent Child Abuse America. Locally, we work with the Penelope House which provides safety, support, and protection to women and children dealing with domestic violence. We are also committed to building confidence in women and girls. Spreading confidence throughout our chapter as well as across our campus inspires me to build more confidence within myself and be an example to ...

Hey baby Jags! You are all almost through the first semester of your senior year and trust me, things are just going to continue to become more overwhelming as time marches on. The end of high school can be stressful, but it is also extremely exciting getting to close one chapter and start a new one. There were a few things I did personally to help me prepare for my transition to college and they definitely decreased my stress levels. First, TOUR CAMPUSES. If you are unsure about where you want to attend or you're stuck between two colleges, go visit each one. When I walked on the campus of South Alabama all of my doubts were erased and I felt at home automatically. Trust me, when you know you just know. Second, SCHOLARSHIPS. My entire second semester of my senior year was dedicated to finding and applying for scholarships. There are many scholarships throughout your community that you probably don't even know about. Go to your guidance counselor and they can help le...

Hey baby Jags! Getting used to being in college and on your own is rough. Let's be real, we basically all have to ball on a budget out here. The good thing is that South Alabama and companies throughout Mobile offer perks just for being a Jag. All you have to do is flash your JagCard and you get discounts on discounts on discounts. My favorite perk is our discount movie tickets at AMC Theaters. All you have to do is visit the Jag Productions window in the student center and you can receive a $5 movie ticket. I love going to the movies but usually my money is spread thin from check to check, so being able to go to the movies for a discounted price is extremely beneficial for me. I also love that you can get discounts at many of the nail shops near campus. On select days, multiple nail shops offer you discounts on mani/pedi's, eyebrow waxing and more. Ladies, you know you have to stay slaying around campus. Gentleman, you know your feet probably need a good scrub every ...

Hey baby Jags! It's the most wonderful time of the year: Homecoming at USA! The week may almost be over but I feel like it's just getting started.  I'm looking forward to Friday and Saturday the most. Friday we will be having our homecoming parade through campus then our pep rally on the Mitch steps. One of my sorority sisters is on the Homecoming Court so we are all looking forward to going to support her in the parade. After the pep rally, I'll be going to the NPHC Step Show. This is one of my favorite events to attend every year because I have absolutely no rhythm so I love to watch people that do. It's always a lituation.  Saturday we will be taking on Louisiana-Monroe at 4 o'clock at Ladd. I can't wait to cheer on the Jags and I'm hoping for a huge crowd to support our football team after their win over Troy.  I can't wait for you all to experience your first college homecoming.  Love & light xx Laura