Florida State University Top Questions

Football. You're in Tallahassee and you walk into any restaurant any day of the week, and the waiter will ask you about the football game. Then an older man sitting in the next booth down will lean over and make a statement about a foul call the refs made, but that it was a still a good game. The whole entire Tallahassee economy thrives on it's college town environment and having a lot of school pride definitely helps out. Now, if you're into the whole fraternity and sorority thing, the dating scene is best described by the term "simple." The fraternities and sororities will get together and try to set up a blind date for every person in the organization. It's that simple. You get dates without lifting a finger! I've seen plenty of relationships rise from this! If you aren't involved with that crowd though, there are still plenty of single ladies waiting to be swooped off their feet. As I'm sure you know, it just takes some self confidence and suave! On to more activities. If you don't like to drink there's usually a free movie showing on campus, there's always the bowling ally in the Student Union, and there's usually a group of kids playing frisbee, ninja, or a group LARPing on Landis Green! Oh, and how could I forget! There are tons of clubs to go to, and there isn't a rule that says you must be drunk to enter. I've a few friends that refuse to drink but still join in on Saturday night to run over to 'the strip.' Most partying takes place from Thursday through Saturday. There's always a few smaller 'cool-down' parties on Sunday but other than that, everyone seems pretty focused on school. For some off campus fun, there are some beaches as close as 40 minutes away, and if you like the outdoors like myself, you can always plan a weekend to drive two or three hours into Georgia to get some great backpacking trails and smaller mountains. If you can't drive too far, there are some pretty trails over in Monticello which is about a 20-30 minute drive. There's also the FSU Reservation which has a real nice lake with canoeing, kayaking, beach volley-ball and tons of picnic tables!

There are so many different things to get involved with here at Florida State-it is great! I am involved in a variety of things: club water polo, Student Alumni Association, Student Boosters, Hands of Hope, challenge course facilitating, campus rec, Outdoor Pursuits, a variety of intramurals, and much more. There are a variety of different living arrangements on campus and you can decide how social you want your dorm to be: there are old community style dorms (with ummm…character) to new single person rooms with your own bathrooms, it all depends what type of person you are and what you are looking for. There are so many things to do here at Florida State. Last weekend on Friday I went to work and then to First Friday at Railroad square( a little local art and food festival that happens each month) after that I came home to study for a upcoming finals and then went to bed. Saturday morning I woke up early and volunteered at a local food bank with my roommate, came home and then went to the annual Winter Festival in down town Tallahassee where a few of my friends and I participated in the Jingle Bell Run-such a fun way to get involved with the city of Tallahassee! After the race, I came home, changed quickly, and then went to an Ugly Christmas Sweater Party at my friend’s apartment. Sunday morning started out a little different than most; I took my friend to the Hospital (conveniently close to FSU) because they thought she had appendicitis, she was fine and we headed home. Sunday night ended with weekly Family Dinner with my roommates and friends and then our championship intramural kickball game.

Football games are the most popular athletic events. There is always something to do on campus! We have a movie theater that plays recent movies, a dance theater where dance majors host shows, an auditorium where organizations hold fun events, and more!

Football games are the most popular of all events at FSU but its not the only thing here. As I mentioned before, there's the student cinema where they play actual theater movies every week (although a bit out dated), there is Club Downunder where bands and speakers come to perform. This week the comedian, Steve Bryne is showing up. The on campus restaurants and the Starbucks in the university library are frequent hang outs for students. There are numerous clubs and associations. The Japanese Anime Club of Tallahassee is the one I am most active with. This group meets to watch Japanese animation and discuss the culture and once a year they through a mini convention for the campus. There are also clubs like the Zombies V.S Humans where students role play a zombie hunt and the LARPING club where students roleplays in the knights with swords fashion. My latest campus activity was going to see a student play at the Lab Theater on campus. It was assortment of ten minute plays in 50 minutes all written directed and performed by grad students in the theater and film programs. It there a lot of laughs and some really shock moments. . As for traditions. The first thing they give you when you show up for orientation is a list of campus traditions. Stuff like jumping into the campus fountains that double as swimming pools on your 21st birthday. When it comes to the dorms my experience has been that no one leaves their doors open unless they are the RA. There can be lots of noise at night and if you're on the wrong side of campus then good luck being able to sleep at night. Overall its not bad as long as you're in the right location for your needs. The school is very active one and it can be said that most of the experiences and learning here takes place in the extra activities and not in the classes you take. Its very important to be involved here.

The most active organizations on campus are the Greek organizations and the College Republicans. There are free activities on campus all the time - speakers, movies, comedians, and concerts. Athletic events, especially football, are usually pretty big deals - the student section at football games is always packed. People are usually willing to meet new people. Its always going to be a little difficult your first semester - just remember that everyone else is feeling the same way. Its not hard to meet new people, you just have to put yourself out there. There are always parties on the weekend, and its very easy to meet people there. If drinking isn't your thing, you can go to clubs on the weekends, or any of the campus activities, or poetry events. However, at most of the parties, no one pressures you to drink - FSU students are pretty laid back. Socializing is easier in some of the lower-end dorms like Sally, Smith and Dormin, just because the rooms are so small, people hang out in the hallways and common rooms.

One of the most frequently occurring activities on FSU's campus is the Student Life Center's screenings of free movies. This theater prints a schedule per month and shows new, old, cult and midnight movies for any interested cinephile. Every night of the week except Sunday has at least two showings of a movie, and often there are activities in the lobby while you wait to be seated. Another big draw at FSU is the massive football program. When football season ends, buzz and excitement for the next season begins. The overall school spirit helps unify people and transcend differences between them. In addition to movies and sports, FSU regularly sponsors stand up comedian acts and musical performers in its club, Club Down Under. Also, there are many unofficial athletic (ultimate Frisbee) and artistic (open mic nights) social events, all for all ages. And for personal social relationships, FSU is full of generally nice people. Some residence hall floors all end up uniting to be a small community overlooking campus. And with a predominantly female student body, the dating scene is competitive, but abundant. With all of the events and activities to partake in, a new date can happen every night if one had the energy and free time. The surrounding Tallahassee area also caters well to college interests. Tom Brown park is a great place to exercise or play 18-hole disk golf. There are night clubs and concert venues, including a great civic center only about a mile from campus (where the annual Pow Wow pep rally is held). And a slew of eating establishments featuring global cuisines all in one city.

One of the most frequently occurring activities on FSU's campus is the Student Life Center's screenings of free movies. This theater prints a schedule per month and shows new, old, cult and midnight movies for any interested cinephile. Every night of the week except Sunday has at least two showings of a movie, and often there are activities in the lobby while you wait to be seated. Another big draw at FSU is the massive football program. When football season ends, buzz and excitement for the next season begin. The overall school spirit helps unify people and transcend differences between them. In addition to movies and sports, FSU regularly sponsors stand up comedian acts and musical performers in its club, Club Down Under. Also, there are many unofficial athletic (ultimate Frisbee) and artistic (open mic nights) social events, all for all ages. And for personal social relationships, FSU is full of generally nice people. Some residence hall floors all end up uniting to be a small community overlooking campus. And with a predominantly female student body, the dating scene is competitive, but abundant. With all of the events and activities to partake in, a new date can happen every night if one had the energy and free time. The surrounding Tallahassee area also caters well to college interests. Tom Brown park is a great place to exercise or play 18-hole disk golf. There are night clubs and concert venues, including a great civic center only about a mile from campus (wear the annual Pow Wow pep rally is held). And a slew of eating establishments featuring global cuisines all in one city.

There are many different organizations on campus which help you find the one thing you are interested in. If you enjoy video games, there is a club for it. If you enjoy fighting for animal rights, there is a club for it. I personally found my niche in the campus radio station. I am able to meet fantastic people who share the same interests (whether it is music from the DJs or sports from the Sports department). In the past, my group of friends, all of which I met from the radio station, have taken trips camping and get together on a normal basis to have fun. Sticking with what there is to do on campus, Florida State offers special events in the student union, some of the more popular ones include the “Haunted Harvest” every October where students can dress up, carve pumpkins, and, of course, go watch the Rocky Horror Picture Show at the movie theater on campus. Other events on campus include the “Winter Wonderland” which changes each year. There was an ice rink for skating my first year and fake snow brought in during my second year. Each time, free food and drinks were offered, mainly popcorn, snow cones, and hot coco. Also, each year FSU holds an annual spring carnival in the union where rides are brought in and students and play games to win prizes. All three of the events I have mentioned are open to every one of all ages and bring out a good crowd each time. Furthermore, if the big social events are not your scene, FSU offers a small club on campus which brings in various musicians, all fee to students. Lastly, the football games during the fall semester always bring a big turnout. In a stadium that holds over 80,000 people, fans flock to watch the Seminoles take on whatever school they are hosting. ESPN has voted FSU’s pregame tradition of Chief Osceola and Renegade as the best college tradition in college football. Not to mention the War Chant and the Tomahawk Chop, which gained massive recognition during the 1990s, is still used during every game the ‘Noles play.

Student activities are abundant at FSU, with activities constantly being offered for free in the student union, at Club Down Under, inside our large Civic Center, and of course our legendary football dynasty. There are also several bars right on campus, and on any given night of the week there is always somewhere to go and have a drink ( or 3). Examples of events I have had the pleasure of attending in my time here at FSU have included lectures from guest speakers such as Spike Lee and Anthony Bourdain, free comedy shows from the Waynes brothers premiering their new tour exclusively at FSU, a free Weezer concert with special guest Haley Williams of the band Paramore, Jermaine Dupri and DJ Steve Aoki, an amazing theatre program showcasing several award winning plays, a prestigious dance program offering memorizing ballets, Football, Basketball and Baseball games (all harboring a high attendance and a magnitude of school spirit) Homecoming Parades, Dance Show Cases, First Fridays in railroad square for the art lover in us all, and of course the world Famous FSU circus (with free admission for students during the spring semester). Here at Florida State there is NEVER a night with nothing to do. We offer a plethora of fun and exciting student activities for whatever you might be interested in.

Football is major at FSU, so it's great for any sports fan. Saturday game days are one of the best times to be a student, it's so much fun to see everyone get so involved and cheer on their school. Students are interested in more than just sports though, comedians come to town, artists come town, musicians come to town; we get involved in everything. There are parties practically every night, which is largely popular. That's not all though, there are museums around town, plenty of shopping; there really is just so much to do. If you're not a partier, don't worry, there's still plenty for you to do.