On February 28th, the University of Florida will release its admissions decisions to applicants around the world regarding their acceptance to the Class of 2024.
Just two years ago on February 9th, 2018, I anxiously refreshed my laptop in the hopes that decisions would be sent out early. When the time came, I was overjoyed to find out that I was going to be a Gator.
I’m well into my sophomore year and have found myself reflecting on my freshman year quite a bit.
While I enjoyed my freshman year, I have come to enjoy my sophomore year much more and am excited for the rest of my time here at UF.
As I’ve thought about how my freshman year played out, I’ve realized a couple of things that would have been helpful tips or reminders to my freshman self.
On a campus with over 900 buildings and nearly 40,000 undergraduates, it can seem impossible and overwhelming to navigate at first.
To this day, I am still discovering new places and buildings I’ve never noticed before. Personally, that’s one of my favorite things about how large UF is; there’s always something new to explore!
When it comes to clubs and organizations, there are plenty to choose from.
Sometimes, meetings and events fall on the same nights and you may end up having to choose between them.
Clubs and organizations are very accepting and will always welcome you with open arms, whether it’s your first time at a meeting or you’re a returning member.
There’s always something to do on campus, whether it’s a special event being hosted in Plaza of the Americas such as Grateful Gator Day, or an event being held on the Reitz North Lawn such as the Study Abroad Fair.
One of the best ways to stay updated on what’s happening on campus is to pay attention to student-run UF Facebook pages and other people’s social media, as members of organizations often share posts about upcoming events!
In addition, The Gator Times is a weekly newsletter sent to all students via email that includes events and ways to get involved on campus.
Helpful tips
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Don’t get too comfortable with your routine. If you happen to walk into Marston Science Library in your first week of classes and decide to make it your new study spot, that’s fine! But I definitely recommend visiting each library at least once to give yourself some options. Some days, it may be difficult to find a seat at Marston. However, if you have familiarized yourself with some other great study spots such as the Education Library or Smathers Library, those days when you need to study will be less stressful. Nothing is worse than planning to study or do a ton of work only to find that the room you love to study in is full, so having a back-up is always good. In addition, it helps you explore the campus a bit more! I also recommend finding different ways to get to your classes, as there are hidden paths between buildings and shortcuts all over campus.
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Remember to get some exercise. Between classes and club meetings in addition to deadlines and upcoming exams, finding time to work out can seem impossible. Even if you just do a quick 15-minute workout or some light yoga before bed, getting your body moving is the best thing when you’re stressed.
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Don’t be too hard on yourself! There’s a fine line between caring about your grades and only caring about your grades. If you don’t do well on an assignment or exam, remind yourself that you’re learning! Make changes to improve your study habits to find what works best for you. The point of college is to gain new knowledge, not to automatically know everything!
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Recognize when you need a break. While heading to the library for eight hours on a Sunday may seem like the way to get all of your work done, know your limits and respect them. Get up and walk every once in a while take a snack break every so often. Don’t force yourself to work for a long time without a break, because you may end up burning yourself out before the week has even begun.
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Don’t be afraid to change your major (many, many times if needed!). Don’t settle for something that your heart doesn’t want. It may sound corny, but I did not enjoy my major throughout my freshman year and thought I would be fine just pushing through it. Over the summer, I realized that I really did not enjoy what I was doing and decided to switch majors. Since then, I have truly enjoyed all of my classes and am grateful that I recognized that I didn’t love what I was doing after my first year rather than after graduation. Also, try to take some classes that interest you but are not related to your major every semester. This gives you a good opportunity to explore other subjects you enjoy and potentially find a minor you want to pursue.
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Don’t be afraid to talk to people! Your classes and organizations will likely hold most of your future friends, so talk to people before and after classes or meetings! I’ve made some of my best friends through organizations such as Her Campus and the Pre-Legal Honor Society, but that wouldn’t have happened if I didn’t put myself out there and take the time to engage with others. While it may seem overwhelming or intimidating at times, people are very friendly and are likely also looking to make new friends!
Over time, you will find what works best for you and your schedule.
College is such a transformative experience, and I can confidently say that I grew more as a person and as a student during my freshman year than any other period in my life.
It can be very difficult at first, but with time college will get easier.
Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and try to put yourself out there as much as possible.
Find the groups and organizations that truly interest you and become friends with the people in them!
With no time, you will find your own space within the University of Florida, and we are so excited to welcome you in the fall!