What It's Like to Live Where You Go to School

Story by: Lamaria Miles, ASMS Senior from Mobile County

ASMS is Alabama's STEM Legacy High School and offers its students world class learning, research, and leadership opportunities while being a residential school. Our students come from all over the state of Alabama to live on our beautiful campus. Our students range in year from new sophomores and juniors to our returning juniors and seniors. We asked a student from each of our grade levels about their experiences at ASMS and how they feel when living on campus where they also go to school. Here is what they had to say:

Evan Mellett - Sophomore from Baldwin County, Alabama

Evan Mellett is a new sophomore from Daphne, Alabama. Evan has been living on campus for about a month, and we asked him about his experience as a new ASMS student so far. Evan told us that he felt very welcomed while moving in. From his perspective, Move In Day ran very efficiently and effectively with our JBLA student leaders helping move students in. He also says it was a very pleasant experience to have creative liberty over his dorm. Evan told us that dorm life can be very interesting, and the dorm activities are very enjoyable. He gave the example of how residents of the boys dorm recently played a giant game of tag where the boys had to tag one another with post it notes. Evan also finds that having a roommate helps you out and keeps you accountable and on track. He explains that the dorms help build a community on campus, and you do not feel alone while being away from home. The ASMS faculty members also work hard in building the on-campus community for our students. Evan says, "Teachers understand that we are responsible, and we are treated like young adults. Our teachers recognize who the students are and form connections with us." In his free time, Evan describes that he likes to spend time in our ASMS Student Center, watch movies with friends, work out in our gym, or hang out at the pool on campus.

Felix Cheng - Junior from Mobile County, Alabama

Felix Cheng is a returning junior from Mobile County. This is Felix's 2nd year as an ASMS student, and we asked for his perspective as a returning junior. Felix said that moving in was much easier this year since he already knew what he needed to bring and what he didn't. Felix is also a Peer Advisor in the Residence Halls, so he was able to get to know all the new students on Move In Day and start to connect with the rest of his hall early on. He finds that being able to be involved with dorm life is very fulfilling when he provides meaningful experiences for his classmates. He gives the example of when he ran the boys dorm game of tag and hosted an exciting event to kick off the year. Felix finds that the involvement on campus is very great from participating in events to using the campus facilities like the ASMS Student Center. He also believes that living on campus is great because all your friends live with you to hangout everyday. In his free time Felix enjoys spending time in the ASMS Student Center with his friends and learning new skills while on campus. According to Felix, "ASMS is a great place to learn new skills."

Alexandria Sheffield - Senior from Dallas County, Alabama

Alexandria Sheffield is a Senior from Dallas County; This is her 3rd year at ASMS. We asked for her perspective as someone who has lived on campus and attended ASMS for 3 years. Alexandria told us that moving in gets less difficult year after year. During her 1st year she had brought many items that she did not need, so for her next move in, she had knowledge of what she would and wouldn't need to bring. To Alexandria, living in the dorms is interesting in a good way. She explains that you always have someone whenever you need it, and it is great socially because you never have to be alone if you don't want to be. She also describes that living at ASMS means you are never bored whether you are more introverted or extroverted. Alexandria states, "Living on campus is probably one of the most beneficial things here." She is able to get help with her classes in and out of designated school hours. She says, "At ASMS you also find your people and find yourself." She finds that you can be yourself 100% of the time here, and she does not have to change her personality for in school and out of school. The ASMS community to her is amazing. In her free time, Alexandria likes to have meetings after school, work out, hang out with friends during meal times -- especially in the ASMS Student Center -- and play volleyball after study hours. She also enjoys how ASMS has many different clubs, classes, and research opportunities to fit every student. She personally enjoys her humanities classes, history research projects, and clubs like Model UN.

ASMS is the only public school in Alabama where the entire student body goes to class together and lives together on campus. From our students' perspective, this living-learning model is at the heart of our culture. Evan, Felix, and Alexandria show us that ASMS is not only an amazing school, but it is also an amazing place to live.