10 Things You Need To Know About Going To A SEC School

There are many things that are important to know when you are attending a SEC school. Keep reading for the top 10!

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1. Go Greek or go home.

The idea of becoming part of a large organization and having “sisters” or “brothers” for life is ridiculously popular throughout the south. Sororities and fraternities in the south are huge. Like over 400 members in one house, huge. The thing is that these mansions can hold that many! Once a member of these intimate groups, you are able to experience everything any Greek member could ever want. Band parties, tailgates, Homecoming and Greek Week Competitions, swaps, date parties, and so much more.

2. Don’t take anything for granted!

Every student, when touring schools, awaits that “at home” feeling everyone talks about. For schools in the SEC, it is easy to experience this emotion immediately. The sunny weather, alluring nature, jaw-dropping Greek Row, and historic buildings all add to the experience of attending an SEC school. If you are lucky enough to attend any one of these schools, make sure to take it all in. Be that person tanning out on the quad, loving life!

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3. Know what to wear.

“The Daily Uniform” aka- Big T-shirts, Norts (Nike shorts nickname…I know, pretty weird) and Chacos. Everywhere. If you have never seen this outfit before, get ready for a culture shock when attending an SEC school. It really is like a uniform. Every morning, open the t-shirt drawer, grab one of the thousands of XL t-shirts, a pair of norts, and slip on Chacos and you’re set for the day. Although they might not be the most fashionable item in your closet, Chacos are definitely the most comfortable shoes you’ll ever wear.

4. Start enjoying football… the religion of the south.

The south is a very religious place… Everyone worships football and it doesn’t even matter if you were a fan of football before. When attending an SEC school, you will learn to be. It’s inevitable. People will travel all over the SEC and even all over the country to come see two SEC teams play an intense game of this beloved sport. Football players on campus are like celebrities and don’t even get me started on the coach. Literally, Nick Saban at the University of Alabama is referred to as “Lord Saban.” There is even a church named after him… It’s intense.

5. Get up for Game Day.

The day everyone waits for all week in the Fall, and when the Fall semester is over, what they wait for all year. Game Days. It doesn’t matter who is playing who, or where, or even when. Saturday mornings, rise and shine, it’s game day. The best day. People start setting up tailgates days before so they have the perfect place on the quad. All fraternity guys ask a girl to be their “Game Day Date.” Guys dress in khaki pants, button down shirts, and a colored tie. Meanwhile, girls wear their favorite school colored dress and cowboy boots or wedges. Students, parents, alumni and local community members unite to support their team. How it goes in the South is, “Drink beer on Saturday and head to church on Sunday.”

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6. Learn to love fried food and barbecues.

When living in the south, barbecue and fried food are the norm. We fry everything. Literally everything. Sorority row is the place to be every Friday for lunch as they host Fried Friday’s for sisters and their guests! Every school in the SEC puts its own spin on traditional Southern food, but in the end, we all relate. We love to eat. Each SEC school has local restaurants that are beloved for their specialty items. And to chase our carb-loaded meals down, what better to have then some sweet tea and lemonade?

7. Understand there is a “relationship” culture.

Unlike the typical college stereotype of drunk, random hookups every single night, it seems as though the norm in the south is relationships. Most people do not go into college planning to settle down, especially earlier on, but often times, it just happens! Don’t get me wrong, plenty of people still fit the regular college experience stereotype. However, compared to other regions of the country, people in the south like to couple up! It must be something in the air…

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8. We enjoy music other than country, too.

If you love a great variety of music, you have come to the right place. We love country, but we love other music too. Fraternities have band parties throughout the year with big artists from all different genres. Don’t be afraid to look off campus as well. Tomorrow World, Imagine Festival, Ultra, EDC Orlando, Voodoo Festival, and so many others are only hours away. Pile in a car with your friends, roll the windows down, take a road trip and go to a festival!

9. You may call them Dagers, but we call them Darties.

When football season sadly ends and spring semester comes around, so does darty season! After a long night out on Friday night, everyone wakes up Saturday morning and rallies. Everyone goes from house to house on the row and enjoys a try at the ice luge. Darties bring everyone together from all over campus. Whether it’s a crawfish broil, pig roast, live musical performances, or just good ole beer, entire lawns are completely filled week after week as darty season rages on.

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10. We value tradition.

The most important, vital thing you need to know about going to an SEC school is tradition. There is a way that things have always been done in the south and they will continue to be done that way. The campus is the country, the fight song is the national anthem, and the students, faculty, and alumni are the people that are a part of it all. Everyone that attends an SEC school is proud to say that they do. Although we are all rivals, we are honored be a part of the best conference out there, the SEC.