The Bama Balance S03.E02: Has the Honeymoon Ended?

[00:00:00] Speaker A: This show is not a substitute for professional counseling, and no relationship is created between the show host or guests and any listener. If you feel you are in need of professional mental health and are a UA student, we encourage you to contact the UA Counseling center at 348-3863. If you are not a UA student, please contact your respective counties crisis service hotline or their local mental health agency or insurance company. If it is an emergency situation, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room. [00:00:41] Speaker B: Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the Bama Balance Podcast. Real stories about college students, mental health, and episode two. Right. Of the season three. [00:00:51] Speaker C: That's right. [00:00:51] Speaker B: I'm not gonna lie. It's all running together in terms of what episode season. Because it feels so routine. [00:00:59] Speaker C: Yeah. [00:00:59] Speaker B: That. It's just what I. It's like. It's what I do. So now I'm like, wait, I got to remember which one we've done. But I'm excited. I feel like we're still kind of getting in the swing of things. But how do y' all feel? Beginning of the semester, football this weekend, all the things. [00:01:14] Speaker C: Oh, we're going to talk about football. Absolutely. All right. [00:01:17] Speaker B: You don't have to predict it. [00:01:19] Speaker D: Yeah. [00:01:19] Speaker C: Okay. [00:01:19] Speaker D: Last year. [00:01:20] Speaker C: Let's talk. [00:01:21] Speaker D: We can't predict stuff, but we can talk about it. [00:01:23] Speaker C: Okay, well, let's. Let's talk. Talk, then. [00:01:25] Speaker D: I'm pretty excited. [00:01:26] Speaker C: I feel good. [00:01:27] Speaker D: I feel good. Real good. No, I think there is a lot to look forward to this year. [00:01:34] Speaker C: Yeah. [00:01:34] Speaker D: Especially after last year. You know, things didn't necessarily go our way. [00:01:39] Speaker C: Yeah. [00:01:40] Speaker D: Although it was a great season. We're back here, and the campus is already starting to pick up some, like I said last episode, going into these games, like, the whole vibe around this place just elevates. And that's pretty cool to watch. So it definitely makes me feel good. I'm excited. [00:02:01] Speaker C: There's, like, some energy in the air once, you know, football season is here and, you know, anticipation of that first game and then the rest of the season, what that's going to look like. You know, there was a lot of relief. I'm not. Not going to lie. I had a lot of relief when. When starting quarterback was named. So that felt good. [00:02:22] Speaker B: I'd be lying if I said I didn't either. [00:02:24] Speaker C: Right. [00:02:24] Speaker B: Or I didn't. Yeah. I agree with that sentiment. [00:02:28] Speaker C: So that. That felt good because, you know, there was, I mean, just some great talent that we could have gone with and I. And I. And I'm happy with the choice. I think that Keelan will do a great job, and I have a lot of confidence in our. In our defense this year. I look so I'm looking forward to it. I'm excited about it as well. And we have such high standards here for winning at the university. [00:03:00] Speaker D: Yeah. I mean, I see podcasts all the [00:03:02] Speaker B: time, [00:03:04] Speaker D: and it's like, if Alabama doesn't go nine and three, like, is DeBoer fired? [00:03:11] Speaker C: Right. [00:03:12] Speaker D: Like, how lucky are we to hold somebody for people to think that we hold people to that standard? [00:03:19] Speaker C: Such a great comment. [00:03:20] Speaker D: Like, there's a ton of teams out there that would die to go nine and three. [00:03:25] Speaker C: Yeah. [00:03:25] Speaker D: And here we are, third year of a new coach. He's had time to settle in. And I mean, truthfully, you know, I mean, if it doesn't go well, something could happen. [00:03:36] Speaker C: Yeah. [00:03:36] Speaker D: But I love Coach DeBoer. I think he's a great pick. [00:03:39] Speaker C: But you know what is not doing well. Because really, the last two seasons have been winning seasons. We just. Just haven't finished out those seasons in the way that we've been accustomed to. [00:03:47] Speaker B: Well, yeah, I mean, that's the thing. [00:03:49] Speaker C: I mean, we made the playoffs. We just didn't go. [00:03:51] Speaker B: We just, you know, I think it's. The sentiment around here is usually championship or bus, which I think, you know, coming. That's just what it was for Saban, and I think that's for Saban. Like, it wasn't like that. We just had those expectations for him. I think that's the expectations he earned because of his success. So, I mean, I think one. The game is different, but today, obviously. [00:04:11] Speaker C: Right. [00:04:12] Speaker B: So the expectations do have to be shifted a little bit, and I think most of the fan base has done that. But I do think he's. I mean, I think he's the guy. I think Deborah is the guy. [00:04:21] Speaker C: Oh, agree. I. I don't agree. [00:04:22] Speaker B: I. I don't. I can't think of a coach I'd rather have. Whether it's because I don't think there's anyone better or if I do think that coach is better, I probably don't like him that much. You know, like Kirby or Stone names out there. But, yeah, but, yeah, I think it's. It's. I, like, I think he's the man. I think he's the guy for the [00:04:43] Speaker C: job, you know, and the more I think about it, how. I don't want to say unlikely choice, but of all the choices or of all the candidates that, you know, pundits or social media folks were putting out there, I don't think we saw Calyn DeBoer's name anywhere in that list. So there's something about him that, and I trust Greg Burns decision. [00:05:07] Speaker D: And that's another thing. If you look at him and his higher path. [00:05:12] Speaker C: Right. [00:05:14] Speaker D: I mean, debatably, we have best basketball coach in the country and he pulled him out of thin air, middle of [00:05:22] Speaker C: nowhere, see him coming. Right. [00:05:24] Speaker D: So I am, I fully believe in. [00:05:27] Speaker C: Yeah. [00:05:28] Speaker D: Greg Byrne. [00:05:29] Speaker C: That's right. [00:05:29] Speaker D: So whatever decision he makes is good enough for me. [00:05:32] Speaker C: I, I agree. [00:05:33] Speaker D: There's a reason I'm not making this. [00:05:35] Speaker B: Yeah, exactly. [00:05:38] Speaker C: No, I agree. Yeah. I'm looking forward to this season and I don't want to get into, I don't want to get us into a rabbit hole discussion about, you know, recent developments with other teams, might be bringing in pro players and all that. That's a whole other episode for another [00:05:52] Speaker B: day, a new podcast, talk about all that. But no, I'm excited. I think like Brooke said, the energy around this place shifts when it's about to be a game day. So. [00:06:04] Speaker C: Right. [00:06:04] Speaker B: I feel you start to feel it a little bit and I'm. [00:06:08] Speaker C: You do. [00:06:08] Speaker B: I'm excited. [00:06:09] Speaker C: You do. And then, but then also, you know, part of it is also this, you know, particularly for new students is this as we were talking about earlier, this honeymoon period of being here and getting caught up in all the excitement and you know, there's, there's, there's a lot of sort of polish and shine still for a lot of new students. The university. [00:06:30] Speaker D: Absolutely, no doubt. [00:06:31] Speaker B: Well, on that note, stick around because we're going to talk more about that honeymoon period phase, whatever one wants to call it in our next segment. We'll be right back. This is the BAMA Balance. [00:06:58] Speaker D: Wvuafm Tuscaloosa. [00:07:01] Speaker A: This show is not a substitute for professional counseling and no relationship is created between the show hosts or guests and any listener. If you feel you are in need of professional mental health and are a UA student, we encourage you to contact the UA Counseling Center center at 348-3863. If you are not a UA student, please contact your respective counties crisis service hotline or their local mental health agency or insurance company. If it is an emergency situation, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room. [00:07:42] Speaker C: Welcome back everybody to the first segment of the BAMA Balance. We are here to, to talk about the honeymoon phase that happens for a lot of new students and even continuing students too. But you know, I think there, it does feel like there's this honeymoon phase still that, that happens with the first couple weeks of classes, everybody's still getting settled into their routine. Plus, or all these weeks of welcome events that happen. We just came off of get on board day. We'll be running right into the beginning of football season. So how can you not sort of stay in love with the university, particularly as a first year student? [00:08:24] Speaker D: You know, see, I'm probably not the best to ask this question to because I was probably in a honeymoon phase like literally all year when I got here freshman year. [00:08:34] Speaker C: Yeah. [00:08:34] Speaker D: But like, I think it is very true what you said. I think after the first football game, first home football game of the year is when it really like dies off. [00:08:48] Speaker C: When it gets, you know. [00:08:49] Speaker D: Yeah. Because then chances are you're going away the second week, nothing here this weekend. Then you turn around next week and you may have your first test or something like that. But I mean, I. It's definitely a thing like even for me in my masters right now, like, I came back here excited to see my friends and was like, all right, yeah, school, we'll handle that when we need to. Like, now I'm sitting here like, all right, here we go. It's time to. Time to buckle up. Yeah, but that is a tough thing to. Especially for freshmen because they're new here. You know, they're still fixing up their dorm room, getting new coffee makers or whatever. [00:09:31] Speaker B: New. Yeah, like the, like for a lot of people. Because I feel like I hear this all the time about a kid who's coming here and they only experience they had in Tuscaloosa was they toured the school. So there's so much of the city they haven't seen. Like, I feel like it's just a lot like even as someone who grew up coming here to visit family or go to football games, like, there was still a lot of the city I hadn't seen that I got. It's. And I can't even imagine for those who are less indoctrinated, but it, like what it, what it's like those first. Just to take all that in. [00:10:03] Speaker C: Well, that independence and being on your own. Yeah. Right away from family, you know, kind of a new home, maybe a new place. If you haven't been to Tuscaloosa before or particularly if you're not from Alabama. [00:10:18] Speaker D: Right. [00:10:18] Speaker C: It's. It is an eye opening experience and you know, and rightfully so, you know, it's easy to get sort of drawn into the honeymoon phase. And I think, I think that's a good thing. Right. So, you know, fall in love with a place and fall in Love with what the experience is going to be. Make friends and get, you know, become engaged in things that you enjoy. [00:10:41] Speaker D: My dad, when I was about to come up here, told me, like, if he could tell me one thing that he learned from college, like, there's always going to be somebody that'll do something with you every night of the week, whether that's good, not great. But he was like, you have to decide when you want to do those things. [00:11:02] Speaker C: Oh, that's good. [00:11:04] Speaker D: I mean, it. Realistically, it can't be every night. [00:11:06] Speaker C: Right. [00:11:08] Speaker D: I mean, you're here for school. That's what you're here for. You have to pass classes. And I've seen case over case where you know, freshmen get here and they have way too good of a time. [00:11:19] Speaker C: Yeah. [00:11:20] Speaker D: Disregard the fact that they're here for school. [00:11:22] Speaker C: Right. [00:11:23] Speaker D: Well, now they're back at home at their local community college, which is not nearly. [00:11:27] Speaker C: Was it in their plan? Wasn't in their plan. So how. How. How closely did you kind of align then with your dad's advice? Which sounds fantastic. Thank you, Brooks's dad, for that. [00:11:45] Speaker D: Yeah. And I'd say first, you know, first several weeks. [00:11:50] Speaker C: Yeah. [00:11:51] Speaker D: There's really not a need to, like, you kind of can do whatever you want. [00:11:55] Speaker C: Yeah. [00:11:55] Speaker D: You know, freshman classes are not that difficult within the first four weeks. Typically, you're getting oriented to college, like, so I'd say, you know, you can do whatever you want during the end, kind of. But, like, there will be a certain point where that first test comes whether you're ready or not. Here it comes. And there's going to be a lot of them after that. So you're going to learn real quick. [00:12:19] Speaker C: Yeah. [00:12:21] Speaker D: You know that this is what you're here for. You better pass your classes so you can stay. And that's what I wanted. I wanted to be. [00:12:27] Speaker C: You wanted to be here. Did you have, like, an awakening at that at some point where you go, oh, dad gone. I need to buckle down. [00:12:35] Speaker D: I think on my first, like, week of test freshman year, I had, like, four tests in one week. [00:12:41] Speaker C: Yeah. [00:12:42] Speaker D: And I was like, oh, my gosh. And in high school, like, I'd study, but it wasn't like I was, you know, pen to paper for five or six hours a day. But when you have four tests like that, you know, you kind of have to study each day a lot for one of those tests. So I think that that woke me up a little bit. [00:13:02] Speaker C: Honeymoon was over at that point. [00:13:04] Speaker D: Yeah. It was. It was time for the real world. [00:13:07] Speaker C: Yeah. [00:13:07] Speaker D: So. But I mean, I agree. I got. I got caught up in it myself. I'm not sure. [00:13:13] Speaker B: I mean, I would say. Yeah, I think my. The wake, like, the moment where I was like, oh, was my first astronomy test. [00:13:20] Speaker C: Okay. [00:13:21] Speaker B: Was less than prepared. [00:13:24] Speaker C: Okay. [00:13:25] Speaker B: And it was like, okay, yeah, well, maybe, you know, I'm doing all these fun things, but let's. Let's actually study because it's important. [00:13:35] Speaker C: Maybe the school thing is important. [00:13:36] Speaker B: Maybe the school thing's important. You know, I'm here for, I guess, for that reason, so let me do that. But, yeah, I think I certainly. Those first few weeks, I mean, it was. I mean, I think, like, you kind of said you. You can get away with it those first few weeks. And in a lot of ways, I think you should do it those first few weeks, especially as a freshman, because it's the only time where you'll have the bandwidth to meet as many people as you probably should try to meet in order to find your people. [00:14:07] Speaker D: Right. [00:14:10] Speaker B: Because, you know, I quickly learned, especially, you know, after freshman year, how important personal bandwidth is in order to, like, be successful. [00:14:20] Speaker C: Okay. [00:14:21] Speaker B: But it's also easier to. To, you know, take on more things when. When you already have people that you are doing things with or you're already associated with organizations that you want to be associated with. [00:14:31] Speaker C: Yeah. [00:14:31] Speaker B: So, I mean, those. Those first four weeks, it's. It's great. And it should be like that because you should try everything and meet everyone. But the reckoning always comes. It really is. I mean, it's like, okay, well, it's like, right as the weather changes, you're like, oh, right. [00:14:51] Speaker C: So I think you're waiting for a change of weather. [00:14:53] Speaker B: Is that I'm saying, like, it typically happens right as the weather. [00:14:56] Speaker C: Right as the weather changes. That. Okay. I. [00:14:58] Speaker B: Seriously, that moment of at least. Maybe it's just more symbolic in my head, but it's like it got colder outside. And also I'm having to maybe pay more attention to school. Of course I love the change in [00:15:10] Speaker C: weather, but, you know, but that doesn't happen here for months. It's true. [00:15:14] Speaker D: It probably won't happen until the end of October. [00:15:17] Speaker C: So you tell. [00:15:18] Speaker D: You're pushing the finals week. [00:15:21] Speaker C: Yeah. [00:15:21] Speaker B: An extended 100% relative change in weather. Instead of 100. It's like 80. [00:15:25] Speaker C: Okay, I got it. I got it. I was thinking Edward had an extended honeymoon period. What did you. Let me ask you this. Did your dad or your parents give you any sort of similar advice as Brooks's dad did for managing the transition as a freshman and that Honeymoon period. [00:15:41] Speaker B: I just. I don't. I don't think it was as, like, focused as that piece of advice, because I think that's. That's a really good of, like. Yeah, you can. [00:15:54] Speaker C: There's. [00:15:54] Speaker B: There. You can find ways to be busy or to be with people every night of the week. There's always going to be someone to do something with. [00:16:01] Speaker C: Okay. [00:16:02] Speaker B: But I think for me, it was just my parents would. Would constantly remind me before I got here, and then as they were, you know, were helping me kind of get settled in, it was. It was always like, it's nothing you can't handle. [00:16:20] Speaker C: More sort of confidence. [00:16:21] Speaker B: Yeah. I think that's more so what it was, especially, you know, freshman year, because I think there are certainly classes later in school where you're like, okay, this actually. I actually need to get tutored for this or something. But definitely freshman year. I mean, it's all stuff that, you know, I think anyone can handle. [00:16:39] Speaker C: Yeah. [00:16:40] Speaker B: So I think that was more. So the. The advice from them that helped with the transition to school in general. [00:16:48] Speaker C: Was there something in. During that honeymoon period that you found yourself involved in that sort of kept you in the honeymoon period rather than. Or that delayed that reckoning? [00:17:03] Speaker B: Maybe sga. [00:17:04] Speaker C: Oh, really? Oh, well, I. Because you were fyc. [00:17:07] Speaker B: I was fyc. [00:17:08] Speaker C: Right. [00:17:09] Speaker B: And I think just being. Because that. That's a lot of time. It's a lot of. Yeah. I mean, it was. I got to meet new people every week. [00:17:18] Speaker C: Right. [00:17:18] Speaker B: And it kind of, I think, made that whole first semester. I mean, I still have friends from my FYC class or cohort or whatever they're called. I don't even remember. But, yeah, I mean, I think that that was just a way in which I got to keep meeting people and keep. Keep things new, that I was getting, like, kind of new input. Um, but, I mean, it really was that first astronomy test. That was brutal. [00:17:47] Speaker C: That was your reckoning. [00:17:48] Speaker B: I just remember feeling so like I. I looked at everything and was going, I have no idea what this is Like, I am just like, this is. I was like, I don't think we learned this. I don't think we did anything homework related to this. I was just. I was. I was thinking, no, this is cruel and unusual punishment, and I need to talk to my professor. [00:18:10] Speaker D: I think that's honestly, like, a good thing. Yeah, absolutely. You know, like. [00:18:16] Speaker C: Yes. [00:18:17] Speaker D: I mean, you have to get punched in the mouth at some point. [00:18:19] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:18:20] Speaker D: And, you know, I would rather it have happened to me in that one week where I Had a lot of tests than happened to me junior year when I'm trying to, you know, make my way out of here. [00:18:32] Speaker B: Exactly. [00:18:33] Speaker D: And, and I think everybody probably does [00:18:36] Speaker C: get that wake up call and, and still does I again, freshman year, that first quiz was a chemistry quiz. It was basic chemistry quiz. But I thought I knew it well, you know, didn't think I knew it all. Apparently I didn't know it all. So that was my great awakening there. It's been. I. So I think yes, the honeymoon period is great, you know, particularly as a, as a first year student or new student here. It's a great period of time to get to make friends, get involved and get to know the university, be excited about the stuff that's happening and at the same time know that that honeymoon period doesn't last forever, that there is a great reckoning that is out there for you. And so I guess be mindful of that. And, and also how do you, how do you maintain a balance between, you know, enjoying some, your, some of your social life and academic life and, and balancing all that out? And we can get more to that when we go into our next segment, but we're going to take a break here. This is the BAMA Balance. [00:19:55] Speaker D: Wvuafm Tuscaloosa. [00:19:57] Speaker A: This show is not a substitute for professional counseling and no relationship is created between the show host or guests and any listener. If you feel you are in need of professional mental health and are a UA student, we encourage you to contact the UA Counseling center at 348-3863. If you are not a UA student, please contact your respective counties crisis service hotline or their local mental health agency or insurance company. If it is an emergency situation, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room. [00:20:39] Speaker D: What's up guys? Welcome back to the BAMA Valance. I guess we're going to open up with a point Dr. Perez made before we took the break. And that's just about like academic and social balance. I feel like personally as a freshman that is very important to get a grasp of and get a grasp of quick because after all like the habits you build in your first year, the habits you're going to keep throughout the rest of your college career. And, and I think I partially contribute my parents to it. Like I was big on and I still am. I call my parents once a day, normally at night. But like throughout my freshman year they were good about like, hey, like, remember you have schoolwork to do. Like, and it's true you've got buddies that May be going out and hanging out, doing whatever, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday. But like, for me, that's not. I can't be successful doing that. And that's something I had to learn. You know, it kind of stinks having to tell people, like, look, I'm gonna sit tonight out. But at the, at the end, having a good academic and social balance, like, is what, what allows you to stay at this school and more importantly, be successful coming out of the school. [00:21:56] Speaker C: I think, Yeah, I imagine too, that again, that after a time the honeymoon period wears off and you do have to sort of buckle down. But, but just like you said, Brooks, you know, there, there have been times when you had to sort of, sort of back out on. On doing some of the things some other guys are wanting you to do. And, and I imagine, though, that that that comes with some respect too, that others respect you for that because they know where your priorities are, they know what you're trying to accomplish. And, you know, props to you on that. [00:22:28] Speaker D: Thanks. [00:22:28] Speaker C: Yeah. Yeah. Edward, what did you do when. So when the honeymoon period wore off for you? How did you. Is that thunder? Could have been. Oh, it is thunder. So we're, We. We are hearing a little bit of thunder. [00:22:43] Speaker D: Yeah. Sorry. [00:22:44] Speaker C: Sorry. I didn't know what that was outside the office. And Edward Edwards never heard thunder before, maybe. [00:22:51] Speaker B: Yeah, I guess. [00:22:53] Speaker C: But no one. Did the honeymoon period wear off for you and what did you do to sort of buckle down? [00:23:00] Speaker B: I mean, I think it. Yeah, like, like I said that first test, but also, I mean, if I'm being real in a lot of ways. I mean, you said it earlier, but like, that the first semester for me too, was in a lot of ways just like a whole, like nothing was really that difficult. And I was just so happy to be there finally. And I think for me, like, being the youngest of four kids and all your siblings going before you, and that's what you see and that's what you're so excited for. I mean, I was just so happy to be there. I think no matter what happened, that, you know, short of actual disaster emergency that first semester, I don't think anything would really pull me out of that. But I mean, the second semester definitely had its moments of. I think because the. Something about January, it just being cold and I'm, you know, I enjoyed the cold, but only so much of the cold. [00:24:03] Speaker C: Yeah. [00:24:03] Speaker B: And it's. That's right around the time where I'm sick of the weather. I'm probably sick in general. And then I think just going like having classes, you just got. You were just home for Christmas. Like, I don't know. There's just so much about that mentally that I think can. Can mess with people. And I think that's, for me, where it became more. A little more real. And it was new classes and, [00:24:28] Speaker C: you [00:24:29] Speaker B: know, having to relearn, which happens every semester, but it hadn't really happened to that degree previously because I'd only been there one semester. But, like, having to relearn every syllabus and get the new schedule and I think all. Just the whole combination of things, that's really. For me, January was. Is always never fun. [00:24:46] Speaker C: Yeah. [00:24:46] Speaker B: But I think that's part of where I kind of was like, all right, well, let's, you know, time to step it up. Time to step it up. And then, Dad, I think throughout February, too, just because that's been. A lot of things became real and, you know, right. You start to realize you can't do everything, so you have to make choices about where you want to be. And I think that was where, for me personally, I felt, okay, I got to be a little more intentional about how I'm spending my time, because I realize now my time is not as limited as it. Or is not as unlimited to. Obviously, it wasn't unlimited to begin with, but it wasn't as open as it was previously in the first semester. [00:25:29] Speaker C: Kind of realizing your limits in some ways. [00:25:31] Speaker B: Absolutely. [00:25:32] Speaker C: What you can do and what you can realistically do and be involved with. And I would also say that, you know, that honeymoon period happens for every student at the beginning of each year. Now. Now you might realize, you know, the need to buckle down to get, you know, down to business earlier. But, you know, I think that that honeymoon period happens, and I think that, you know, over time, you also learn how to balance out so, you know, academic needs or demands and. And kind of social life. You know, the one thing I think that is also. That is a part of that is not only time management and how do you study? Well, but. But what? You kind of alluded to this in terms of involvement in a lot of things. How do you. How do you manage to get rest? I mean, all of that stuff, even now coming back as a grad student and Brooks and as a senior now, Edward, how do you manage to. To protect your rest? How do you manage to get good sleep? [00:26:43] Speaker D: I think thinking back on my. In what y' all just talked about, I'm gonna throw it back for a split second. But thinking back on my four years undergrad, I think I was in a steady honeymoon phase all the way through. [00:26:56] Speaker C: Huh. [00:26:57] Speaker D: But I think I was able to do that because I had some sort of balance between academic and social abilities. And I think most people that are in love with this university find that balance and it makes it a better experience for them because they're experiencing it all four years. [00:27:14] Speaker C: Yeah. [00:27:17] Speaker D: And sleep does go along with that, I think. I mean, you can't, you know, [00:27:23] Speaker C: you [00:27:23] Speaker D: can't be good at academics if you're not sleeping. [00:27:26] Speaker C: Right. [00:27:26] Speaker D: Like, I'm just going to be brutally honest with you here. Nor do you have energy to do social. [00:27:32] Speaker C: You can't function, really. [00:27:34] Speaker D: Right. [00:27:34] Speaker C: Yeah. [00:27:35] Speaker D: So I think that's very important. And I love sleep. I've told you all about this. [00:27:39] Speaker C: Sleep is great. [00:27:40] Speaker D: I honestly love sleep. So, like, I don't have a problem, you know, turning out lights early, having a nine o' clock night. But I always, in the back of my mind, I'll always try to get eight hours of sleep. And I can tell like, if I don't get eight hours of sleep that the next day I'm a little out of it, a little bit more tired when I wake up. [00:27:59] Speaker C: Right. [00:28:01] Speaker D: But like, when I hit eight hours, my body kind of wakes itself up [00:28:04] Speaker C: and I'm ready to roll and you're ready to roll. [00:28:06] Speaker D: So, yeah, I think just making sure that like, you're telling yourself, like, hey, I've got to eat. [00:28:11] Speaker C: You got to have food, got nutrition, right. [00:28:14] Speaker D: And you got to sleep. It's like you're going to take the act the next day. Like, teachers preach that. All right, eat a good meal and get some sleep. That's, I mean, that's life, you know, [00:28:24] Speaker C: One of the things we've looked at just from our, the data we collect through our Alabama model is the range of hours of sleep that students say they're getting. And it ranges from no sleep to seven to 10 hours. So it goes like, I think no sleep, one to four, five to six, seven to nine or. Yeah, seven to 10 hours of sleep like that. What would you guess is the. Is the most frequent range of amount of sleep that students are saying they're getting? That makes sense. [00:29:10] Speaker D: Four to five. [00:29:11] Speaker B: Yeah, I would say five or six. [00:29:13] Speaker C: It's actually seven to ten. [00:29:15] Speaker D: Really? [00:29:15] Speaker C: Yeah. Now, I just looked at the data the other day and was thinking that I was surprised too, but it's also a mixture of graduate students. [00:29:25] Speaker B: True. [00:29:25] Speaker C: And so we haven't looked at by academic standards. [00:29:29] Speaker B: I wonder what that would look like if you pulled only freshmen. [00:29:32] Speaker C: That's. That was my. That was my interest, too, because we. There are a number of them who said that they got no sleep. Now, again, it's sort of a snapshot in time, but. But it'd be something to kind of take a look at, I think, also, like. [00:29:48] Speaker D: And, Edward, you can probably testify to this too. Probably. You, too, Dr. Perez. Like, when you're living in a dorm, I felt. I always felt like I did not sleep as good because there's a lot going on. Like, and I mean, as much as you're in your own room and stuff, but, like, you can still hear people in the hallways. You can hear people outside. Like, I personally slept so much better the last three years of college because I was either in my own house, but not a lot of people running around in the hallways. [00:30:17] Speaker C: Yeah. [00:30:17] Speaker D: Or surprisingly, in the fraternity house. Like, Mondays, Sundays through Wednesdays. Like, those are good nights of sleep. Thursday starts weekends. That's a little rough. But other than that, I mean, seriously, I think. I think dorm. Like, you have to prioritize that in the dorms. [00:30:33] Speaker B: Absolutely. [00:30:35] Speaker D: Like, I was in. In the realm of. If I heard somebody in the hallway, like, I'm up for another hour. [00:30:42] Speaker B: So, like, this was a very. Maybe it was just unique to where I was living, but I. [00:30:49] Speaker C: The. [00:30:49] Speaker B: My window of my dorm was right next to the parking lot. And, you know, it's the athletic dorm, and there's a lot of sports cars down there, and they really like to just rev the engine. [00:31:02] Speaker C: Wow. Yeah. [00:31:03] Speaker B: Which is. Hey, I'm all for it. But there were multiple occasions where I would wake up at, you know, if I went to bed at 10 or 11, I'm waking up at 2, because they're out there revving it up, you know, all the football players and basketball players. I mean, which. Hey, if I. If I had a car like that, I'm not saying I wouldn't do that. Absolutely. [00:31:26] Speaker C: Your car doesn't do that. [00:31:27] Speaker B: My car does not do that. And maybe it was some engineers, too. Who knows? [00:31:31] Speaker A: But. [00:31:32] Speaker B: But. But to add to your point. Yeah. Like, dorms. Yeah. It's just not as good sleep. [00:31:38] Speaker D: And [00:31:40] Speaker B: you just never know what's going on in the halls. [00:31:42] Speaker D: And. [00:31:43] Speaker B: And it was. Yeah. [00:31:44] Speaker D: It's just. [00:31:46] Speaker C: It's not. It's not. [00:31:48] Speaker B: It's not as home. I think feeling like you're at home helps with you being able to sleep. [00:31:54] Speaker C: So what do you do now to. So how much sleep do you get now? [00:31:57] Speaker B: Like, on an average, not as much last night as I should have. But I think generally, I. If I'm not getting seven or eight hours. Something unprecedented has happened in terms of my schedule. [00:32:12] Speaker C: Okay, what have you done then to. To maybe not assure but to. But to try as much as possible to maximize the number of hours that you are getting sleep. [00:32:29] Speaker B: I just think it's you know, making myself go to bed. [00:32:33] Speaker C: Like a routine. [00:32:34] Speaker B: Yeah, just like a routine. And, and having certain things. And I also think like I used to a lot more be, you know, before I go to bed I'd watch YouTube or scroll on social media. But I think I like started reading more before I went to bed, which there have been multiple times where I fell asleep while reading because it's not as you know, for your brain, it's a different kind of stimulating to the point where you're not like keeping yourself up to keep yourself up. It's you know, something that takes practice in ways. So I think like that helps. That's a great practice to not, you know, take forever to get to sleep. And also I think monitoring like stuff like caffeine like. [00:33:16] Speaker C: Yeah. [00:33:16] Speaker B: You know, I think I stopped drinking coffee or energy drinks later in the day because I was starting to realize. I think that's. That is keeping me from going to bed before midnight because I'm having you know, a cup of coffee at five in the afternoon. Which you know, sometimes you need that. [00:33:32] Speaker D: Yeah. [00:33:33] Speaker B: If you have something that night. But you know, but if, but if I just have that and all I'm doing that night is like studying or just hanging out with people, not doing anything, super physically active. Then it's just I'm. I get, you know, I can't, I can't. I'm not tired. So I think just stuff like little, little stuff like that. [00:33:52] Speaker C: Yeah. Good sleep practices Sleep hygiene I think is what they call it. [00:33:55] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:33:56] Speaker C: What do you do Brooks to. [00:33:58] Speaker D: This year I actually started reading. [00:34:00] Speaker C: Okay. [00:34:00] Speaker D: Like that's something I've tried to. Cuz I. I kind of faded away from. Honestly couldn't even tell you like other than my Bible, I'm not sure. Or a devotional book. I'm not sure the last time I could tell you I read a book. But we're starting that back up so. [00:34:15] Speaker C: No, it's good. But. But also I mean you know, reading a devotional reading Bible, something that kind of gets you focused or settled in. [00:34:23] Speaker D: Yeah, I do that every morning. [00:34:24] Speaker C: Yeah. Yeah, do that. [00:34:26] Speaker D: Drink coffee, kind of just wake up. But used to. And honestly my last two years of college I tried to limit like. Like you were saying, like get off my phone. So I'd like, try to put my phone up like an hour before I want to go to sleep. [00:34:46] Speaker C: Right. [00:34:46] Speaker D: Normally I'm watching some sort of TV show. Not a big movie guy. I like movies. Not big movies at night. I can watch movies during the day. [00:34:58] Speaker C: Okay. [00:34:58] Speaker D: But movies at night make me want to stay up and watch. [00:35:01] Speaker C: Yeah. [00:35:01] Speaker D: So I'll limit myself to like one episode of a show that I'm watching and that normally is, you know, like 45 minutes. Well, that other 15, like I'm. I'm trying to fall asleep. [00:35:12] Speaker C: That's good. No, that's. [00:35:14] Speaker D: But this year we're going to try to. Try to read some. [00:35:17] Speaker C: All right. So excited for that. That's a great. That's a great habit. A great practice. I know that. So one of the things I do is I, I don't check email after work when I get home. Now, unless there's something important that. [00:35:33] Speaker D: Right. [00:35:33] Speaker C: I know is coming, then I'll check it. But other than that, I avoid that because then it's. It puts me back into that business [00:35:41] Speaker D: mode or I feel like that kind of shuts it. [00:35:43] Speaker C: Yeah. [00:35:44] Speaker D: Just what I mean. [00:35:45] Speaker C: Right. I might check my personal email, but even then I'm not, I'm not on any kind of electronic device. [00:35:53] Speaker D: How, how, how much sleep do you try to get per night, or. [00:35:57] Speaker C: I try to get at least, at least six. And so I usually go to bed, gosh, maybe by 9 or 9:30. Because then I'm up at 5. 5 or 5:30. [00:36:13] Speaker D: It's our early morning summer. [00:36:15] Speaker C: Yeah. [00:36:16] Speaker D: It was not fun, right? [00:36:16] Speaker C: Yeah. [00:36:17] Speaker D: Yeah. That'll make you appreciate going to bed at 9 o'. [00:36:19] Speaker C: Clock. And you know, even now somebody asked me this in terms of. Because I was, I was telling that I slept in last weekend and he said, what? You know what, what's sleeping in? What time did you get up? I got about 7, 7:30. [00:36:33] Speaker D: That's how like my dad and granddad are. I'm like, y' all are ridiculous. [00:36:38] Speaker C: Just sleep in. Just sleep in. But, you know, it's kind of tough after, you know, after you have a sleep rhythm and a sleep pattern that. No, actually I kind of like. I think that's how I became a morning person as a grad student. I was not a morning person as an undergrad, but as a grad student, I was a morning person because I got up to study and I realized, oh, we get much more work done if I get up earlier than usual and get some studying done and I can ease into the day and then enjoy the rest of it. [00:37:09] Speaker D: For six weeks this summer, I had to wake up at 5:30 for my internship or eight weeks, I guess. But like when I got here the first few days and when I went home for a week like my body was still waking up at 5:30, yeah, I'd doze back off. But I mean Normally around like 6:15, yeah, I try to get up and up and move. But yeah, I think there's a lot of stuff as a freshman you can do to better your honeymoon phase. I don't necessarily think it's a bad thing to be in a honeymoon phase all four years. [00:37:41] Speaker C: I love the way you put that. [00:37:42] Speaker D: If you're doing it the right way. [00:37:43] Speaker C: Yeah, I agree. [00:37:44] Speaker D: If you can find that academic and social balance, I think that's great. Along with that you've got to have some, some rest. That's what keeps your motor going, allows you to do those things. So. But I've really enjoyed talking about those two things. So if you are on your honeymoon as a freshman, beware. It's coming to an end here soon. But you can extend it by creating a balance in your life and get back to it and you can truly love this university like a lot of people do. But we'll be back with our wrap up segment. This is the BEM Balance. Wvuafm Tuscaloosa. [00:38:37] Speaker A: This show is not a substitute for professional counseling and no relationship is created between the show host or guests and any listener. If you feel you are in need of professional mental health and are a UA student, we encourage you to contact the UA Counseling center at 348-3863. If you are not a UA student, please contact your respective counties crisis service hotline or their local mental health agency or insurance company. If it is an emergency situation, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room. Foreign. [00:39:19] Speaker C: Hey y'. All. [00:39:19] Speaker B: Welcome back to the Mama Balance podcast. I think this has been a really, I've enjoyed this episode a lot. I think we kind of, you know, as, as is often the case, we came in with not a great understanding of what we were going to talk about but you know, figured out, I think a really good thing to end up talking about. And yeah, I thought it was a great episode. [00:39:42] Speaker C: Yeah, I enjoyed it. I think it's, I think the, you know, the fun part is, is starting off cold and then really sort of digging into whatever we, whatever we find useful for us and hopefully you're able then to share something useful with everyone else. [00:39:59] Speaker D: I feel like everything we talk about, like we, most of the times like we'll have a somewhat idea of stuff to talk about and we all just kind of bring it together and we're like, all right, we can piece that with that. [00:40:10] Speaker B: Yeah, exactly. [00:40:11] Speaker D: Then as we talk like it just gets like we're able to figure out more to talk about. More to talk about. Yeah, it kind of just rolls. [00:40:17] Speaker C: Yeah. I love it because, you know, there are questions I think about as we go along that I never would have thought about if we had predetermined it. [00:40:28] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:40:28] Speaker C: So I kind of like sort of. I agree. Our on the fly process. [00:40:34] Speaker B: Well, we have. [00:40:37] Speaker C: Oh yeah. The A book. Yeah. So we were. So we were talking about SGA's resurrection of the A book. And if you're not familiar with it, the A book is a resource book that is available to all students. SGA kind of resurrected it after some years now and it's a really valuable resource that for students. And I got my copy during. I guess it was get on board day. Yeah. And so it has a listing of all the kinds of resources on. On campus, you know, including, you know, the critical dates that students would be. Would need to know, some of the academic resources and health and well being resources here at the university and also things that you might want to do in Tuscaloosa, things about Tuscaloosa you might want to know. So it's a really. It's a really cool resource. And I'm not sure if they. If SGA has any more hard copies available, you may want to stop by the SGA office to check it out. But I know that they're coming up with a digital version of it here soon. And so check SGA to find out whenever that's going to be released. But it's called the A book, the Official UA SGA Student Guide for the Campus. And it's a great resource. I'm glad they did that. And again, I think it dovetails nicely with what we were talking about in terms of managing that balance between academic demands, social demands and other personal kind of demands too. It's, I think. And you know, one of my takeaways is again, something you mentioned, Brooks, about how. The ability to continue to have a honeymoon during all your time here, here at the university each year kind of have. It's. How do you continue to have your love affair with the university? [00:42:46] Speaker D: Yeah. [00:42:47] Speaker C: You know, every time you. Every time you start your year, I [00:42:51] Speaker D: feel like you have one too. [00:42:53] Speaker C: That I have one. [00:42:53] Speaker D: Yeah. I feel like you're in a constant honeymoon. [00:42:56] Speaker C: I love it. [00:42:56] Speaker D: I mean, just like As a. You know, that's something that I pick up on night people like. [00:43:01] Speaker C: Yeah. [00:43:01] Speaker D: I can tell if they're happy, if they enjoy what they're doing. And you're definitely the definition of that. [00:43:06] Speaker C: Yeah. Well, I appreciate that. I appreciate that. I really. So I love the time of year when students come back to campus because. And summer's great, too, don't get me wrong. But there's a definite energy when students come back on campus. And the anticipation of that energy, it's just great. So I do love it here and to see the kinds of changes and the news that comes back from students who are returning to campus is great. And just a couple weeks ago, Edward shared some news with us. You're an uncle. I am Edward. [00:43:42] Speaker B: I am an uncle. [00:43:42] Speaker C: So I know we didn't get a chance to celebrate that, so congratulations with that. [00:43:46] Speaker B: Thank you. [00:43:47] Speaker D: Your uncle name gonna be? [00:43:49] Speaker B: I. I think like just Uncle Eddie. Uncle Edward. Just some, like, uncle. Some version of my name. [00:43:55] Speaker C: Yeah. [00:43:56] Speaker D: Uncle Eddie is a character now. Yeah. [00:43:59] Speaker C: Yeah. [00:43:59] Speaker D: You got a lot to live up to if you're Uncle Eddie. [00:44:01] Speaker B: Which, you know, there obviously that, that, there's, that, there's. That comes with it. But I, you know, I, like I told my sister, you know, I'm just going to teach her all the curse words and get her riled up, and that'll be my job. [00:44:15] Speaker C: What's her name? What's your name? [00:44:16] Speaker B: Charlotte. [00:44:16] Speaker C: Charlotte. I love that name. [00:44:17] Speaker D: That is a good Southern name. Very. [00:44:20] Speaker C: Do you have a nickname yet for her? [00:44:23] Speaker B: I don't think so. I don't think my sister wants there to be a name. [00:44:27] Speaker C: But as an uncle. [00:44:28] Speaker B: But as an uncle, you know, I probably will just think of something completely unrelated to her name. [00:44:32] Speaker C: Yeah. [00:44:32] Speaker B: Call her that. But, you know, there's that. I have this, you know, my sister, so she loves National Treasure. My sister does. I think she named her daughter after the ship at the beginning. [00:44:46] Speaker C: Secret lies with Charlotte. [00:44:48] Speaker B: That's my suspicion. She's yet to deny it. [00:44:51] Speaker D: So there you go. You know, you're on to something. [00:44:54] Speaker C: I think. [00:44:54] Speaker B: I think that's. That's why. But yeah, that was. That was a fun development. And they're both doing good. [00:44:59] Speaker C: Good. [00:45:00] Speaker D: Great. She. [00:45:02] Speaker B: They actually, they were both. They left the hospital yesterday. [00:45:05] Speaker C: Okay. [00:45:06] Speaker B: So I think it was two. Two weeks in the hospital. [00:45:10] Speaker D: The real question is, how fired up are your mom and dad? [00:45:13] Speaker B: My mom, I think she stayed for a week and a half. Like, I don't. She might still be there. At least. At least she probably. If she was. If she was There until they went home. She was. [00:45:21] Speaker D: She left. [00:45:22] Speaker B: She got home yesterday. I mean, gosh, they are so happy about it. And it was. It was a surreal experience. Just like holding. [00:45:30] Speaker D: Yeah. [00:45:31] Speaker B: You know, holding my niece. That was crazy. [00:45:32] Speaker C: That's fantastic. [00:45:33] Speaker B: Hopefully, first of all, of. Of many nieces and nephews. I mean, I got three older sisters, [00:45:38] Speaker C: so, you know, there's time. [00:45:40] Speaker B: There's, you know, it'll. I think it'll be a lot of fun. [00:45:44] Speaker D: Uncle Eddie. [00:45:44] Speaker C: Uncle Eddie. Isn't it great? That is awesome. That is awesome. I love. What's the first football game you're going to bring her to? Well, that's the question. [00:45:54] Speaker B: I think I'll be fighting my brother in law for that, but whichever one he. That my sister and brother in law bring her to. [00:46:00] Speaker C: Okay. [00:46:02] Speaker B: Which I don't suspect she'll be at any this year, but. [00:46:05] Speaker C: Yeah, who knows? [00:46:07] Speaker B: Maybe she'll be at Ohio State when they come into town. [00:46:09] Speaker C: Oh, oh, when is that? [00:46:11] Speaker B: 20? 28, I believe. [00:46:12] Speaker C: Is that when it is? Dang. That's not too far away. [00:46:15] Speaker D: Be nuts. [00:46:16] Speaker C: Wait, 28 is when they come to town? You got to be kidding me. [00:46:19] Speaker D: 28. Then we go to them in 29, right. [00:46:21] Speaker B: Or it's the opposite, but 28. 29. We have a home. [00:46:24] Speaker D: It's a home and away or. Yeah, home and home. [00:46:27] Speaker C: You're right. I just didn't realize it was that close already. [00:46:30] Speaker D: I would definitely try to make that drill. [00:46:32] Speaker B: Oh, absolutely. [00:46:34] Speaker C: Heck yes. [00:46:35] Speaker D: Their place. That'd be an awesome road game. [00:46:37] Speaker C: Oh, my gosh. [00:46:38] Speaker B: Right in the shoe. [00:46:40] Speaker C: Yeah. You could dot the I for him, Brooksie. [00:46:44] Speaker D: There you go. [00:46:46] Speaker C: Right there on the field. [00:46:48] Speaker D: You know, as we were talking about earlier, Harvey Updike. [00:46:51] Speaker C: That's right. Stuff. [00:46:52] Speaker D: So he did it, correct? [00:46:53] Speaker C: That's right. Is that guy on the field? He's.in the eye. [00:46:58] Speaker B: Absolutely. [00:46:59] Speaker C: Well, that's great. That's great, Edward. Congratulations with that. And maybe we'll have Charlotte on the podcast at some point. [00:47:06] Speaker D: That'd be awesome. [00:47:07] Speaker C: Wouldn't it be good? [00:47:07] Speaker B: Yeah, maybe she'll take over in 20 years. [00:47:09] Speaker C: Maybe. Maybe you never know. [00:47:12] Speaker B: But yeah, this has been a great episode. We appreciate y' all tuning in. [00:47:15] Speaker D: We'll be. [00:47:16] Speaker B: We'll be back next week talking about something or. Or with a guest. I don't remember the moment, but we'll be back next week. So we will see y' all then. You've been listening to the Bama Balance. I'm Ed Felton. [00:47:27] Speaker D: I'm Brooks Barbri. [00:47:28] Speaker C: And I'm Dr. Tony Perez. [00:47:29] Speaker B: And we'll see you later. [00:47:46] Speaker D: Wvuafm, Tuscaloosa this show was not intended [00:47:50] Speaker A: as a substitute for professional counseling. Further, the views, opinions and conclusions expressed by the show hosts or their guests are their own and not necessarily those of the University of Alabama, its officers or trustees. Any views, opinions or conclusions shared on the show do not create a relationship between the host or any guest and any listener, and such a relationship should never be inferred. If you feel you're in need of professional mental health and are a UA student, please contact the UA Counseling center at 348-3863. If you are not a UA student, please contact your respective counties crisis service hotline or their local mental health agency or insurance company. If it is an emergency situation, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.