This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at FSU chapter.
1. This campus is not nearly as huge as you think.
2. It is also one of the most beautiful campuses to ever exist.
3. You run into kids from your high school and hometown far more frequently than you had ever imagined.
4. No one actually dresses up for class.
5. Lectures before 11 a.m. are rough.
6. School spirit here is unlike any other.
7. “Syllabus Week” takes on a whole new meaning; it is considered the holiday following Christmas.
8. FaceTime is extremely important.
9. FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) is very, very real.
10. Living without pets is awful. 0/10 would recommend. You will even devote a 5-hour drive home to see them.
11. A phone call with your mom or dad can cure almost anything.
12. The above also applies to Gumby’s pokey sticks.
13. You will develop a greater appreciation for your hometown (love you, Sarasota).
14. Tailgating is everything. State ball is everything.
15. You will feel the need to buy every garnet and gold or Seminole-inspired article of clothing for an endless supply of game day apparel.
16. Doak S. Campbell Stadium is a kingdom and Jimbo Fisher is the royal king.
17. You will wonder what to do on Saturdays once football season is over.
18. A hurricane can hit and the libraries will close but the bars will not.
19. Don’t take your health for granted- you will be affected by the Tally plague several times (I blame The Strip).
20. All roads lead to Strozier. There is no feeling of community greater than that experienced in Stroz at 3 a.m. among the other victims of procrastination.
21. While it’s important to stay focused and make good grades, it is okay if you are not 100% certain of what you want to do with your life. There is plenty of time.
22. Contrary to popular belief, you’re not actually “adulting” your freshman year of college. In fact, you are a baby.
23. You’re out at night and don’t know where to go? Pots.
24. If you think you had a bad caffeine addiction before, just you wait.
25. You will daydream of home-cooked meals. Suwannee gets old real quickly.
26. Living in a dorm is not half bad – in fact, your roommate can become your best friend.
27. You will meet some of the brightest people you have ever met.
28. You will also meet… well, the opposite of that.
29. The list of opportunities and organizations on campus is endless; there really is something for everyone.
30. It is completely normal to go out on a Monday night. And a Tuesday night. And really, any night of the week for that matter.
31. Your Friday schedule will revolve around Happy Hour.
32. It is so crucial to explore beyond the campus and town.
33. While it is fun to go out, it can be equally fun to stay in and lay low with friends.
34. Most things about college that you are told in high school are inaccurate.
35. When you’ve lived 10 minutes away from the #1 beach in the country for your entire life (shout out to Siesta Key), being landlocked feels unnatural.
36. First semester goes by in the blink of an eye.
37. Without even realizing it, you grow up significantly within a short interval of time.
38. Florida State is the best university in the entire world.
39. It feels damn great to be a ‘Nole. Go Noles, baby.