With nearly 60% of UA’s student population coming from out of state, many new students every fall share the same fears of being in a new place where they know very few people, if any at all.
Despite this, many out-of-state students have found a second home on campus in Tuscaloosa, after experiencing Alabama and the wider Southern culture for the first time.
“Coming to a place where it’s a very everyone-cares-about-everyone culture was definitely an eye-opener,” said Matt Robbins, a freshman from Denver, Colorado, majoring in public relations. “It’s very different from the individualistic culture in Colorado.”
Many out-of-state students say they have found communities through on-campus organizations, such as Greek life, religious groups and intramural sports teams.
“I joined women’s rugby because I needed a group that needed me,” said Tatiana Picquet, a sophomore from Orlando, Florida, majoring in political science. “Having a team that relied on me, that relied on my presence, helped me get out of that freshman slump.”
The primary outlet for joining clubs during the school year is Get on Board Day, which takes place at the start of every fall and spring semester.
“Everybody says it, but join clubs,” said Dylan Bethman, a freshman aerospace engineering major from Chicago, Illinois. “I already knew going into Get on Board Day I wanted to join Crimson Racing, but I have made many friends through other clubs I found while walking around.”
Ella McMurtry, a sophomore majoring in criminal justice and English from Tennessee, said the large population of out-of-state students helped make the homesickness more bearable and ease the pressure in making new friends.
“I don’t feel like an outsider here, I guess because there’s so many out-of-state students,” she said. “I’ve never been like, ‘Oh I’m the one kid that’s not from Tuscaloosa’ or anything.”
Beyond Get on Board Day, rush for Alabama Panhellenic and Interfraternity Council Greek life organizations, which is a draw to Alabama for students across the country, formally begins in mid-August.
“Being 13 hours away from home, I did make a friend group when I got here, but I wanted a home for four years,” said Rex Lemmon, a freshman majoring in mechanical engineering who came from Virginia Beach, Virginia. “For people in the same place I was, I’d rush even if you’re queasy about it because it never hurts, and I’d also look into professional fraternities.”
Lemmon recommended that incoming students should drop any prejudices they have about Alabama before attending.
“The biggest thing that surprised me about UA is I thought this was a pretty dumb school that only cares about partying, but I am humbled every day by how smart and driven people are here,” Lemmon said. “It’s just very inspiring. I am surrounded by successful people here.”
However, even the most extroverted students can begin to feel homesick as the novelty of college wears off. To acclimate, students recommend bringing mementos from home to Tuscaloosa.
“Bring things that remind you of home, or cook things that remind you of home, and do small things that remind you of home while here,” McMurtry said. “Bring things from your bedroom … just bring it to your dorm, small pieces that you can carry with you.”
Out-of-state students emphasized that your experience at the University is only what you make of it, and that a balanced social and academic life is necessary.
“Although a lot of people put emphasis on getting a 4.0, getting dean’s list, getting honors — yes that’s all important, but you’re not going to be able to achieve those things without a balanced mind,” Picquet said. “You have to go out and touch grass. You need to go out and run around sometimes.”
