Starting out on your own in a new environment can be harrowing for anyone, but it can be especially difficult to manage finances and sanity amidst trying to juggle classes and social life.

Last semester, for students like me, was the first semester attending UNA. I found there were many recourses that were able to help me out, but I did not find them until the end of the semester. Below are three amazing places that I found to have been the most helpful.

The Feeding the Pride food pantry on the ground floor of the Guillot University Center is available for students to visit as many times as needed. The pantry is to ensure all students, on and off campus, have food security. They are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. for students with a valid Mane Card.

The Pride’s Pantry on Wood Avenue inside the Center for Women’s Studies is a facility for students who are having a hard time budgeting for personal care. They can provide students with products for not only men and women, but also for infant care. Their products range from shampoo and cologne to women’s sanitary items. Student do not need to make an appointment. All they ask is for students to fill out a demographic sheet and a checklist of items needed. Students can visit any time from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and are able to visit once every two weeks.

Student Counseling Services on 555 Oak View St. is a safe place for students to come and speak with a professional one-on-one about anything that is concerning them. Students can call at anytime to set an appointment.

They are open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., and while the center prefers for one to make an appointment, they also accept emergency walk-ins. The staff is willing to work with anyone, whether it be once a week or as many times as needed.

With these three resources, among others, the University of North Alabama proves to be one of the most helpful and resourceful campuses in the nation.