Evy JagGuide's Blog

  Getting involved on campus can seem like a massive undertaking. There are so many communities out there that it can seem pretty overwhelming! But the university makes it relatively simple to find a way to get involved.   There is a list on our website that contains all active student organizations. Every year, there is also a club fair often hosted at the student center. That's how I got involved my freshman year! Pinpoint what you like to do or what you would like to do, and there is surely a club out there for you.   The Honors college is where most of my activity lies. We are always hosting plenty of community service opportunities; for example, during Halloween, we do something called Ghouls for Good, where we collect canned goods for families in need. It's a lot of fun and is a great way to give back to the community.   South has a plethora of community involvement in almost every discipline to choose from. All you have to do is keep your eyes peeled! ...

  It's pretty easy to get into a miserable slump once the end of the semester approaches. All at once you're hit with every major assignment and responsibility, and it can get overwhelming real fast. As much as I like to keep my head above the water, sometimes it doesn't feel possible...   But if there's anything I've learned from struggling with tough times, it's that it's all about endurance. Much like I said in one of my previous entries about tackling the college application, the number one driving force that keeps me trucking is the fact that it's not the end of the world. It sure feels that way sometimes, especially if I've got three exams and two papers due all on the same day-- but it really isn't.   Sitting back and taking a deep breath to remind myself that my academic career does not reflect my self-worth really helps put things in perspective. And to get over a mountain of work? All it takes is some headphones, a good playlist, an...

  What is it that I'm most grateful for that South offers me? I think it would have to be our pool of professors. Before I came to college, my impressions of the "college professor" weren't pretty. I assumed based on stories that I'd heard that my professors would be cold and uncaring, that their one class was the most important thing on this earth above all else.   But in my experience here at South, that has been the furthest thing from the truth. My professors generally have been extremely kind and caring to us students, as well as passionate about the work that they do. They want their students to succeed and flourish in their fields. Of course, there will always be outliers in this regard, but they are the exception, not the rule.   That, I think, is one of the most valuable experiences that South offers. A caring hand is what cultivates growth, and South is full of cultivators. Until next time... ☆ Evy Savoie ☆ 

      So you're a high school senior planning to go to college. I remember what that was like! This time of year can feel very stressful, especially if you're looking at more than one potential school. Today I'm going to give you a few tips and tricks for surviving that and making your transition run more smoothly...      First up, make sure that you're paying attention to your deadlines! Here at South, December 1st is our priority deadline for scholarships, meaning that you want to have your application submitted by then if you're competing for a scholarship. Other colleges have different and possibly more deadlines, especially if you're looking to join a specialized program. For example, the USA Honors College application deadline is December 15. Don't procrastinate, especially if what you're applying for requires recommendation letters or essays!   Sign up for the ACT/SAT again! If I could go back and change one thing I did in high school, I ...

  Howdy everyone!   Today I'm turning our scope towards the weekend. Classes (hopefully!) are out of sight but not out of mind once Saturday approaches, so the question is... what to do with that free time?   Since I'm a commuter student, my normal weekend involves lounging at home, catching up on missed sleep and homework. But sometimes you want to go out even if you spend an average of 10 hours in the car a week! You want to see the sights! And I'm happy to say that South has a host of fun things to do and check out, even on the weekends. Relax, unwind, push that homework from your mind...   If you're apart of any sort of organization on campus, there's bound to be activities nearly every weekend that you can participate in. For example, I'm apart of the Honors college, and we are constantly emailed about fun events and seminars that are open invitation to us. The Honors college really likes to pay for and take students to Laidlaw to see student product...

  While there are so many things to do on campus offered to Jaguars, maybe you'd like to extend your scope. Is there anything you could do around good ol' Mobile that's enhanced by your student status, you ask? Well, the answer is yes, and you would be surprised at what kind of perks outside of campus await for us Jaguars.   There are many restaurant discounts available in the area for South Alabama students. Buffalo Wild Wings (Airport Blvd), Waffle House (Old Shell Rd), and Mellow Mushroom (Old Shell Rd), for example, offer a 10% discount for students with a valid ID. And, of course, those aren't the only restaurants that offer special benefits for South students.   But what about outside of the restaurant world? South students get a 10% off discount on storage rentals at A Schillinger Self Storage or Best Lil Storehouse. At Planet AT&T (Old Shell), students can get a 15% off cell phone plans, as well as at least 10% off cell phone accessories such as cases and ...

  Fall break is here, and that means it's time to unwind and catch your breath! Usually I'd have a grand plan for the break, full of excitement and adventure-- but this Fall break, I'm planning on just relaxing (after I get through my homework, of course!). I commute here to South from Ocean Springs, MS, five days a week, which ends up being about 10 hours I'm spending in the car a week! So, I think I'm just going to kick back in my pajamas and stay home. :-)   But Mobile is full of exciting things to do, that's for sure. Personally, one of my favorite stops when the weekend hits is the flea market off of Schillinger. My family and I would go and check it out even when I was a kid, and for good reason: it's a host of strange and interesting knick-knacks. You can find some really cool stuff there. My freshman year I went there and found a bootleg copy of a video game that was never released in the USA or officially translated... but this copy was translated...