First of all, congratulations UF Class of 2021! You did it! Almost one year ago, I received the long-awaited acceptance notice from UF. I was elated; I had gotten a chance to go to my dream school. For months after, I tried to imagine what life as a UF college student was going to be like, but never in a million years could I have imagined the life I have now. Here are some things that come along with being a Gator.
Being a Gator means you are a part of a new, exciting environment
Coming from Smalltown U.S.A., Gainesville seemed enormous and intimidating. But as I have spent more time here, I have grown to love this environment. There’s always something happening that’s fun and enlightening, whether it’s on campus or away from it. It’s almost impossible to be bored in Gainesville. Attending UF means that you’ll meet new people and experience new cultures, as well. You can find students from every corner of the globe on campus, which might seem overwhelming, but everyone is brought together by the common desire to learn, a definitive trait of a Gator.
Being a Gator means you’ll see new possibilities for yourself
As a high school senior, you probably have an idea of what you want to be and how you’ll get there. Whether you came up with this plan on your own or were practically forced to by over-eager counselors and parents, the plan is there. A huge part of becoming a Gator is realizing that there is so much more out there than you could ever realize. You’ll talk to other students, alumni, and professors and see that the possibilities of what you can do are endless. Getting into UF means that you have something special, and you’ll see that there are so many avenues where you can take it. When I graduated high school, I thought I wanted to become a pharmacist, but now I’m following my passion as a history major because I see new possibilities for myself. So it’s definitely normal to change your major and your plan because being a Gator means growing as a person and finding new passions and goals.
Being a Gator means you’re a part of the Gator Nation
My favorite part of being a Gator is that I am never truly alone. There are hundreds of organizations to join on campus, an active Greek life, and just great people willing to help. Someone has always taken that class, applied for that internship, or gone on that study-abroad trip that can give you advice and guidance. I am constantly in awe when I look at what Gators have done; the students here are intelligent, driven, and most importantly, collaborative. Any accomplishment by a Gator is a reflection of the Gator nation as a whole. In all kinds of weather, we all stick together.
Deciding to attend UF will be one of the greatest decisions you will ever make; being a Gator is truly something special.
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