University of Florida | Student Reviews | Best College

Student Profile

Natalie

Class: Freshman
Major: Journalism
Gender: F

High School: Northeast High School
Transfer Student: N

Big Picture

The diversity of people hands down is the best part of the school. There are so many different kinds of people here, that no matter what your into you'll find your niche. Interacting with such diverse people has helped me grow and expanded my views on things that i've never thought of before. UF's campus on paper seems huge-but in reality its not that big AT ALL. Most classes are fifteen minutes away from the major dorms on campus. At first the campus seemed so overwhelming, but having been here for two semesters already, i can navigate around campus like a pro. When i tell people I go to UF, their reaction usually somewhat consists of them thinking i'm really smart. Which to a certain extent is true,but you need more than brains to succeed here. Most of my time on campus is spent at my sorority house (since all my meals are there, and friends for the most part) or at library west. Its basically impossible to study in a dorm there are too many distractions, and the 3rd floor of the library is the perfect quiet i need to study. Gainesville is most definitely a college town, but has some disadvantages. There isn't many things to do that aren't alcohol related, besides a movie theatre or the campus bowling alley (which in my opinion is kind of lame). I wish there was somewhere to play mini golf or go kart, on the nights when i need a break from the bar scene. The cool thing about Gainesville being a college town is the bar scene though. Right across from the stadium on University Ave, is what is called Midtown. Midtown is home to Swamp (probably the most fun yet strictest bar) and other fun bars. Midtown is also infamous for cops, and written arrests. Then if you go further down university you reach Downtown, which features more nightclubs and fun restaurants. I don't have much to say on UF's administration, i have yet to have to interact with them. There is a TREMENDOUS amount of school pride especially during football season. The friday before home games is filled with drunk gator fans packing midtown. The biggest controversy on campus recently is the introduction of minus grades (which is the worst idea ever) next fall.

Academic Life

Professor interaction is so difficult as an underclassmen. Usually you'll be in huge lecture classes, and although your encouraged to go to a professors office hours, realistically he/she probably won't have much time to get to know you well enough to write you a recommendation letter. My favorite classes so far have been the easy gen ed requirements such as theatre appreciation, wildlife issues, and age of dinosaurs. Most of my core classes are difficult and these classes are stress free, and an easy a! One of my favorite parts of class, is discussion. I love the intellectual conversation that goes on. Usually there are alot of controversial things going on on-campus, such as speakers, displays, debates, and you can always find students engaging in arguments/discussions. Students are very competitive, considering its a large campus and everyone wants there "voice" heard. The department of Journalism and Communications, has one of the BEST faculty on campus. (No exaggeration) The professors are cool, and down to earth and the advisors are extremely helpful unlike in other majors.

Student Body

As i previously mentioned, UF's campus is extremely diverse. I've had the opportunity to interact with all kinds of people which is unique to UF. No student would feel out of place here, with 50,000 students your bound to find friends. Alot of students dressed comfortably for class- tshirts and workout shorts, or prissy sorority girls dress prim and proper. Four tables in dining hall- Greeks, Pre Meds, Liberal Arts Students, and the black fraternaites/spanish groupies. You can't really dictate where most students are from- i find that alot of students are from south florida or jacksonville. All kinds of financial backgrounds are seen, depending where you do. If you go greek- students tend to be of higher income, students who live oncampus other than freshman year tend to be of lower income. Politically speaking the campus is diverse, although I tend to see more liberal students and faculty. You hear more from democrat students and controversial topics than conservative.