What Auburn University is like in the Summer

During the Summer, most college students head back home. However, some students stay in town to participate in local internships or to take in-person classes. This is my second summer staying at Auburn University, and the most common question I get is “What is Auburn like in the Summer?” In summary, it’s hot, life is slower, and it’s beautiful.

It is Hot!

Being born and raised in Houston, TX, I am used to hot summers. But living so close to the Gulf of America creates a sticky, humid heat. Auburn, being more inland, has more of a dry heat. The sun seems so close when beaming down on you. If you walk anywhere, you sweat gallons. Hence, it’s important to always stay hydrated and limit time outside in direct sunlight to avoid sunburn and overheating. While being hot, it surprisingly rains a lot! I end up always carrying an umbrella with me wherever I go. With that being said, the rain cools the summer heat, so it is always much appreciated.

Less Upperclassmen, More Incoming Freshman

To state the obvious, there is a significant decrease in the number of college aged kids and young adults. However, Auburn University is far from a ghost town. This is most likely due to the closeness of the cities of Auburn and Opelika. Downtown is much more relaxed, there is limited traffic, and life just feels slower and more relaxed. Although on limited occasions, with roughly 12 Camp War Eagle sessions and an increasing number of admitted students, parts of campus and the dining halls at certain times on certain days are nearly packed. Most of the time, such packed areas are easy to avoid, so it doesn’t ruin the relaxed, slow feel of life on campus in any way.

It’s Beautiful

Although Alabama has unexpecting, fluctuating summer weather patterns with being insanely hot or insanely wet, Auburn is really beautiful. Auburn has such bright blue skies, lush greenery, and becomes nearly overrun with squirrels and birds. It’s a little too hot some days to simply walk, but riding a bike around campus is so refreshing when it provides a breeze when riding into the wind. It also allows you to explore campus and all its beautiful spots that are typically crowded with students from August to May. With the beauty of summer, my friends and I love to play sand volleyball at The Rec or pickleball at the pickleball courts on campus at sunset when the weather gets a little cooler. We also visited Chewacla practically every other weekend to swim in the cool lake or hike the shaded paths. One other aspect of enjoying Auburn in the summer is pool parties! The Rec and practically every apartment in the area has a pool. Not much is better than ending a long week with hanging out with friends, swimming, and eating burgers made on an outdoor grill.

In conclusion, Auburn is completely different in the summer than it is during the regular school year. With fewer students, a slower pace, and plenty of sunshine, it becomes the perfect time to explore campus and the city while enjoying the quieter side of the community. I encourage everyone to visit Auburn over the summer! Whether you are taking summer classes, working nearby, or just spending a weekend, summer in Auburn provides a unique opportunity to appreciate the campus and town in a new way.

Be Well, Auburn.