University of Florida Top Questions

The most popular student activities here at the University of Florida seem to be supporting the sports teams (especially football and basketball by going to the games) and partying/drinking. Unfortunately, the organizations most conducive to the above lifestyle are fraternities and sororities. Most males and females who are coming to UF without many friends join Greek organizations to make friend-making and "fitting in" easier. The friends that I have made here at UF (non-Greek) find this rather sad because we have done just fine in friend-making and have done so without the forced, insincere "well if I'm in this sorority, I gotta be nice to HER and be friends with HER, and pretend I like HER" (a risk you always run in frats and sororities). People party A LOT, and frat guys, sorority girls, and UF team sports players tend to rule the school. To me, forming a true, genuine friend group of which you are happy to be a part is a much more impressive and amazing accomplishment, and I am so lucky to have that and to confidently say partying can be fun, but it's not all it's cracked up to be.

Definitely a lot of kids join fraternities and sororities. When I rushed I gained a lot of respect and admiration for the Greek system. Joining a sorority or a fraternity is definitely a very popular student activity and is an easy way to make friends and have things to do. I decided it wasn't for me, and because I go to such a diverse school, it wasn't a problem! I joined other organizations and am now President of Red Cross Gators!

A lot of kids join fraternities and sororities. I rushed but I decided it wasn't for me. I am actually President of Red Cross Gators on campus. Some students leave their doors open. The majority of my section in my dorm do because we all know each other and its relatively small (not more than 30 or 40 kids). My roommate and I always lock our door when we leave, but that's not the norm in my dorm. It depends what dorm you are in, to be honest. I live in an upperclassman dorm, Murphree, where pretty much everyone is a sophomore and like I said, we all know each other. Sometimes we watch games together in our common area and we make meals together. We are a very friendly section. If you are in bigger dorms that aren't as intimate, I would imagine more people would lock their doors. In some dorms, like Hume, I think the door locks automatically so you have no choice. Athletic events are most popular, guest speakers are definitely popular with societies, and theater is popular too. You can meet people to date in all different places. It's usually at parties and social events that romantic relationships most often pick up, though. I met my closest friends that I've made here through a mutual friend at a party. If I am awake at 2am on a Tuesday it is probably because I went out to a bar or a club. Homecoming and Gator Growl happen every year! Woo hoo! It depends on the people, but I'd say on average a person goes out twice a week. Some way more, some way less. Fraternities and sororities are pretty important, especially if you want to get in student government. But you don't have to join one to make friends. If you are more inclined to party, you should probably join one so you can meet people to party with and have a lot to do. Last weekend I went to my friend's birthday party on Friday and just went to dinner and movie on Saturday night with a friend. You can do a million things without drinking. You can go anywhere -- even to parties, clubs, etc -- and not drink. But if you want to go to a movie, a theater, an art show, a concert, gambling night, or whatever else, you can do that too. Off campus I buy groceries, do errands, hang out at my friends' apartments, go to restaurants, etc. I do a lot off campus.

There are so many things going on, it's not even possible to list them all. There are tons of sports and recreation activities. My own personal favorite is Lake Wauburg. There's also a few Rec Centers and Outdoor areas to play volleyball, soccer, etc. There's ROTC, Christian Groups, Intramural Sports, Dance Clubs, Gamers, Academic-related organizations....all kinds of things! A lot of people go out on the weekends and party. And there's always a ton of people at the gym or the lake. Many groups put on dance routines or shows, and there are tons of interest-related activities such as telescope night at the observatory. I would definately suggest the dorms the first year. You meet SOOO many people when you live on campus. It's really a great opportunity.

There is always something going on in Gainesville. Yes the party scene is popular on any night, even a Tuesday. Most students can be found either downtown at a club or at Midtown at a bar. However, for students who don't drink, UF offers several sober activities to participate in; like GatorNights a free movie and popcorn that is shown every Friday. Athletic events are always huge. Football, basketball, and baseball games are always packed, but then again it is the Gator Nation.

There are a lot of student groups and organizations to join on campus. The most popular event though are probably the fall football games in the Swamp, our stadium. There are religious, cultural, hobby, interest and activist groups as well as a large greek community with each frat and sorority having a slightly different style to offer students. I think that a student's social life in Gainesville, on and off campus, varies depending on which group pf people they choose to invest their time in. Many students spend their weekends "going out" while others have found groups and friends that provide and alcohol free environment to have fun and build relationships. Students really choose what role the groups and activities play into their college life here at UF.

Greek life is definitely a HUGE thing here at UF. However, if you decide not to go Greek, there are still tons of other things to choose from. Sports clubs, academic clubs, general interest clubs... you name it, we've probably got it. And if by chance you've got a club idea in mind we don't have, you can start your own!

There are a TON of organizations at UF, and it's my understanding that you only need a few people to start your own organization if none of them suit your needs. I was involved a lot with CRU over the past year. CRU is short for Campus Crusade for Christ. CRU is a massive organization on campus. They have weekly worship on Thursday nights, and people hang around afterwards to socialize / hit up Mochi. My schoolwork kept me from attending regularly this semester, but it is a lot of fun. Athletic events are a bit deal here in the Swamp. The football team had an awful season, so naturally basketball is bigger than usual. The basketball team is great, and I don't mind a bunch of riled up fans. I love Gator basketball! There are lots of pre-registered students at most every game, and it is very competitive trying to get there early enough to sit down in the lower section! The dating scene is probably the thing I know the least about. In my experience, there is unfortunately a lot of people just looking to hook up and have fun. They don't want to be in relationships. I guess a lot of people like that at this age, but I really don't. So I don't date much as a result. I suppose your mileage in the dating scene will vary depending on your needs. If I'm awake at 2 AM on a Tuesday I'm probably going to the IHOP down the street with some friends. One of the greatest things about college is setting your own crazy, zany hours. Since the IHOP is 24 hours, it's a great place to go when you get the munchies or want some place to hang out. There are clubs down in midtown, and a handful of other places to go, but I've never been much into that scene. I hear it's expensive, and not all it's cracked up to be anyways. People seem to party here an awful lot. Maybe not on campus so much, but I live off campus and I hear about a lot of parties. Sometimes I go, but there tends to be a lot of sorry drunks there. I've also had a lot of run-ins with drugs in this town / party scene, which is something I've never dealt with prior to college. I guess drugs are everywhere there's a lot of college kids though. Off campus what I tend to do is climb at the Gainesville Rock Gym. It's a lot of fun, and great exercise. It gives me something to build up and work on that has nothing to do with school. It's my own thing. I also end up just hanging out with friends a lot at their apartments. We'll watch Netflix or play a board game. Nothing too crazy after all, we're all on a budget.

Students in Greek life are most popular. Greek life is huge at UF.

I think partying is big at this school but I try to avoid it.