7 Signs School Is Back in Tuscaloosa

You don't always need a calendar to know school is about to start in Tuscaloosa. The city has a way of letting you know all on its own. You can feel it in the traffic, see it around town and even notice it on your social media feed. If you've lived here long enough, you know exactly what I'm talking about.

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Every August, Tuscaloosa starts to shift. College students return, K-12 schools get ready to open their doors and football season starts creeping closer. Before long, the routines we've gotten used to over the summer disappear and the city picks up a whole new energy.

Here are a few signs that let me know school is officially back in Tuscaloosa.

The traffic gets real

a group of cars on a street

This one might be the biggest giveaway. A trip that took you two or three minutes during the summer suddenly turns into 10 or 15. I left the gym the other day, and it took me about 10 minutes just to turn onto 15th Street to head home. It didn't matter which direction I wanted to go. Northport, West Tuscaloosa, the University area, every route seemed backed up. Every shortcut suddenly became everybody else's shortcut too.

You start seeing more students everywhere

Group of students taking a selfie in a classroom

Whether it's students from the University of Alabama, Shelton State, Stillman College, Tuscaloosa City Schools, Tuscaloosa County School System or one of the area's charter schools, they're back out and about. One thing I've noticed is that a lot of them are actually pretty friendly. Now, I didn't say everybody became a better driver overnight, but the overall attitude around town feels a little different.

Football practice is everywhere

selective focus photography of American football 14 player

Drive past Central High School or just about any local high school, and you'll probably see football teams out there grinding in the Alabama heat. It's still scorching outside, but that doesn't stop players from getting ready for Friday night lights. Around here, football season starts long before the first kickoff.

Bama Rush starts taking over your timeline

woman wearing black t-shirt beside standing woman wearing black cap

Even if you don't follow it, chances are Bama Rush finds you anyway. Suddenly your social media feed is full of recruitment videos, outfit reveals, viral dances, sponsorships and millions of people watching what's happening in Tuscaloosa. Add in students carrying bags with their Greek letters across campus, and it's another reminder that the fall semester is here.

The Alabama football countdown gets serious

Jason Clark, Getty Images

At some point, the countdown changes from months to weeks. Then weeks become days. Every day somebody is posting, "30 days until kickoff," "25 days until kickoff," or whatever number we're on. Once those countdowns start getting smaller, you can almost feel Bryant-Denny Stadium waking back up.

The U-Hauls are everywhere

A u-haul truck driving on a highway.

Every U-Haul location in town seems packed this time of year. Some people are moving into dorms. Others are settling into apartments or houses. You'll see trucks being picked up and dropped off all day long. It's one of those things you don't really think about until you notice just how many there are.

Northport traffic

cars on road during night time

If you've driven Lurleen B. Wallace Boulevard toward University Boulevard or headed into Northport lately, you probably know exactly what I'm talking about. That stretch can test anybody's patience. Maybe you've got another spot in town that deserves the title for worst traffic, but right now, that's my vote.

Those are just a few of the signs that tell me school season has officially arrived in Tuscaloosa. I'm sure I missed a few. What are the signs that let you know it's back-to-school time? Let me know, and I may add them to the list.