Stepping Out of Her Comfort Zone: Aja Childs

Southern University is known for its beloved Louisiana traditions, with Southern being an HBCU and top school in Louisiana, there’s no doubt that you’ll see some new faces walking around. Every year, Southern University welcomes students from all over the country with open arms as they share their traditions with new incoming Jags. The Student Spotlight would like to highlight one of our out-of-state jags and let them share their experiences at Southern University and A&M College. Our featured Jag, Aja Childs is a sophomore majoring in nursing from Birmingham, Alabama.
The question was asked, “Being an out-of-state student is an experience in itself, so what has the experience been like?”
Childs replied, “The experience for me at Southern has been up and down, especially my first semester, coming far from home all alone was new but I was ready for my new start, started meeting new people and figuring out my ways in life without my parents.”
Being able to leave your hometown and explore is such an exciting and freeing opportunity, especially as a young adult. One thing that Southern is known for is their traditions and culture. People from all over enjoy coming to Southern and learning about the traditions on the Bluff. Childs stated, “The foods, the culture, music, Mardi Gras all that is a new tradition for me that I’m growing to love.”
With new traditions and experiences come new people. Coming to an HBCU from out of state means that new friends were made. They could be local or further than you. Another question that was asked was “Have you found your new circle of friends?”
“I’ve found my circle at Southern, we’ve all grown an unbreakable bond that feels like family. I feel like I’ve known them my whole life.” Finding that perfect friend group will make your experience feel like a home away from home. It’s important to surround yourself with people that’ll make you feel like you’re at home.
“Coming from Alabama, I didn’t know much about Louisiana, but it’s so different from my hometown.” When moving to different states, you have to remind yourself that it’s going to be different and you may have to make some changes in order to adapt.
“I didn’t realize that we had Mardi Gras break until I came to Southern, and I find that so cool,” Childs declared.
Not only do you have the holidays to look out for, but you also have the foods and music to enjoy. “The seafood down here is the best seafood I’ve had so far, and the music here is so different from what I was listening to at home,” stated Childs.
Many students from out of state can agree when they say that taking that big leap into independence was the best decision they’ve made. You learn so many life lessons, discipline, and make the best experiences. “I’m glad to take the opportunity to step out of my comfort zone and go to school away from home. I don’t regret any part of it.”