FSU has a lot of resources. Like, a lot more than you realize when you first get here. The difference between knowing about them and actually benefiting from them is whether you slow down enough to use them.
This is something I wish someone had explained to me earlier, instead of just listing resources in a syllabus or a welcome email.
Student Organizations
Venezuelan Student Association
One of the biggest turning points for me was getting involved with student organizations. I cannot stress this enough! As a junior, I became the event coordinator for the Venezuelan Student Association (VenSA).
I didn’t expect it to matter as much as it did, but VenSA completely changed my experience on campus. Being in a space where people immediately understand parts of your background, humor, language, and more, makes the campus feel smaller in the best way.
I made some of my closest friends through this organization. Not in a forced way, but in a real “we ended up staying after meetings just talking for hours” way. It also gave me something to look forward to that wasn’t just classes or assignments. This kind of community is honestly one of the most important resources FSU has, even though it’s not always advertised that way.
Her Campus at FSU
I also write for Her Campus at FSU, which has become another unexpected outlet for me. It made me realize that I like having a space where I can write about things that feel personal but still connect to other students. It’s different from academic writing because it’s more human, and it lets me reflect on experiences like friendship, campus life, or just being in your early twenties and trying to figure things out.
Undergraduate Research
Next semester, I’m starting a Directed Independent Study (DIS) in psychology. A DIS is basically a way to do more specialized, research-based work with faculty support, and it’s something I didn’t even know was an option until I started looking into opportunities outside of the standard class list.
It made me realize how many FSU academic paths some students never hear about unless they actively search for them or talk to professors.
The Student Union
Beyond academics and organizations, there are also the everyday things on campus that people overlook completely, and the Student Union is one of them. They have bowling and billiards, which is one of the easiest ways to take a break without leaving campus. It turns into one of those “just one game” plans, and then you end up staying way longer than you planned to. Also, FSU has a bar on the ground floor of the Student Union. If you’re 21 or older, check it out!
FSU Libraries
FSU’s libraries, Strozier and Dirac (and technically, we have an Engineering library), are another one of those underrated resources. Not just as a place to study, but because of everything you can access through it. You can check out laptops, chargers, whiteboard markers, books, and more! If you’re missing something, there’s a good chance the library can fill in the gap temporarily. I didn’t realize how useful that was until I needed it.
The FSU libraries also have free individual or group study rooms, which make such a big difference, especially during finals week! You can reserve group study rooms for up to two hours per person, and the individual study rooms, which are first-come, first-served, are for up to four hours.
The only thing to note here is that the help desk closes at midnight, so these items (including the keys to the individual study rooms) need to be returned by 11:50 p.m.
Wellness resources
There are also wellness resources that students don’t always take advantage of. Counseling services are available on campus, and even though people sometimes think they’re only for major crises, they are there for everyday stress, too. College is overwhelming in ways that build up slowly, and having a place to talk through things makes a bigger difference than one might expect.
FSU has a massage chair on campus (yes, you heard that right)! By appointment, you can reserve the chair for 30 minutes at a time, which can help reduce some of the everyday stress (or, in my case, finals stress). I went three times during finals season, and wow, it was amazing!
FSU also offers group fitness classes: barre, mat Pilates, yoga, cardio dance, spinning, and more; perfect for working out in a fun and friendly environment!
There are supportive academic resources, like discounted testing for ADHD and ADD, which can make a huge difference for students who have gone years without clear answers about focus or attention struggles. Having access to that kind of evaluation at a student-friendly cost removes a barrier that a lot of people would otherwise never get past.
Student Discounts
Even things like student discounts outside of campus end up becoming part of your routine. Streaming services, software, apps, and other subscriptions often have student pricing if you verify through your school email. It isn’t glamorous, but it adds up over time and makes student life a little more manageable financially.
Over time, I’ve realized FSU isn’t just a place where you take classes, but more like a system that only fully works if you engage with it. The resources are there, but they don’t automatically become part of your experience unless you seek them.
As a college girl going into her senior year at FSU, I wish someone had told me all of this earlier. So, as your self-appointed big sister, I encourage you to take advantage of these resources while you’re here.
In your twenties, especially in college, the goal isn’t just to get through college; it’s to actually build something while you’re here.
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