Southern Secrets for College Girls

Hey y'all! The Girls Go South crew here with a special blog post for all you college girls navigating campus life with a touch of Southern charm (or wanting to learn more about it!). As Northern transplants who moved South for college, we've discovered these Southern secrets through trial, error, and lots of laughs along the way. Here's what we wish we'd known from day one!

Embracing Southern Hospitality in College

When we first moved from up North, we were blown away by how differently people interacted here. Southern hospitality isn't just holding doors open—it's a mindset! We quickly learned that making friends meant being the one to invite classmates over for homemade dinners or study sessions with snacks. Creating that warm environment in your dorm or apartment will build you a support system that feels like family when you're miles from home.

Girls Go South Tip: Keep extra snacks and drinks on hand for impromptu gatherings. You never know when your study group might turn into a three-hour heart-to-heart!

Sweet Tea: The Southern Social Currency

We can't stress this enough—learning to make sweet tea was a GAME CHANGER for our social lives! Back home, we'd offer coffee or soda to guests, but down South, sweet tea is practically its own food group. Our Northern tastebuds were shocked at first (so much sugar!), but now we're converts.

Our Foolproof Recipe: Brew 4 tea bags in 2 cups of boiling water for 5 minutes. Remove bags, stir in 1 cup of sugar while hot, then add 6 cups of cold water. Serve over lots of ice with lemon slices!

Getting Involved in Southern Campus Traditions

Coming from Northern schools where sports were just... sports, we were TOTALLY unprepared for how seriously Southern colleges take their traditions! Football isn't just a game—it's an all-day event with tailgating, dressing up, and knowing all the chants and cheers.

What We Learned: Don't skip the big games, even if you're not a sports fan. The energy is infectious, and these shared experiences create the strongest friendships. Plus, the tailgates have the best food!

Southern Style on Campus: What We Wish We'd Known

Our first week on campus, we showed up in our Northern outfits and immediately stood out. Southern college fashion is its own unique blend! Some essentials we quickly added to our closets:

• Sundresses that work for class AND game days

• At least one pair of cowboy boots (they go with EVERYTHING)

• Monogrammed items (backpacks, jewelry, pullovers)

• Rain boots for those sudden Southern downpours

The biggest difference we noticed? Southern girls somehow look perfectly put-together for 8 AM classes, complete with makeup and styled hair. The "rolled out of bed" Northern look was definitely not the norm!

Cooking Southern Comfort Food in Your Dorm

One thing we missed most when we moved South was our favorite hometown foods. But we quickly fell in love with Southern cuisine! Even in a tiny dorm kitchen, you can master these simple Southern staples that will impress your friends:

• Banana pudding (no cooking required!)

• Pimento cheese (perfect for late-night study snacks)

• Biscuits (the refrigerated ones work in a pinch!)

• Proper grits (the secret is lots of butter and cheese)

Finding Your Southern Support System

College can be overwhelming anywhere, but being far from home adds another layer. We found that joining organizations with Southern roots helped us adapt faster:

• Church groups (even if you're not religious, they're incredibly welcoming)

• Sororities (yes, they're different down South!)

• Community service organizations

• Cooking clubs

These groups became our home away from home and taught us so much about Southern culture beyond just the stereotypes.

Decoding the Southern Dialect

Y'all, we could write a whole blog post just on Southern phrases we had to learn! From "bless your heart" (which is NOT always a compliment) to "fixin' to" (meaning about to do something), the language differences were real.

Our advice? Embrace the dialect but don't fake it. Our authentic Northern accents saying Southern phrases always get a laugh, and that's part of our charm!

Staying True to Your Roots While Growing Southern Branches

The biggest lesson we've learned through Girls Go South? You don't have to abandon your Northern identity to embrace Southern culture. The most beautiful thing about college is creating your unique blend of where you're from and where you are.

We still celebrate our Northern traditions while embracing new Southern ones. This cultural fusion has made our college experience richer than we ever imagined!

Finding Balance: The Southern Way

One thing the South gets right is the work-hard-play-hard balance. While academics are important, Southern culture emphasizes community and rest too. We've learned it's OK to close the books sometimes for front porch gatherings or weekend road trips.

Our Final Southern Secret

The most important thing we've learned as Northern girls in Southern colleges? Keep an open mind. Whether you're from the South or just discovering it, college is your time to explore new perspectives and experiences.

Some of our favorite memories have come from saying "yes" to things that seemed strange at first—from mudding in pickup trucks to eating boiled peanuts at baseball games to two-stepping at country bars. Each new experience has shaped who we're becoming.

Have you discovered any Southern secrets on your college journey?

Follow along on Instagram @GirlsGoSouth.Pod, New posts every week!

Girls Go South is a podcast created by friends who relocated to North Carolina for college, sharing our journey of discovering Southern culture, food, fashion, and adventures!