The University in West Florida in Pensacola, Florida is a great school to attend; however, there’s always room for improvement, especially when it comes to campus life. Here are a few things students at UWF would put on their wishlists for the 2016-2017 school year:
1. More parking.
The ultimate dream would be a parking garage, but that may stay only a dream during our college careers. That being said, some more commuter parking spots would be the greatest welcome back present we all could ask for.
2. The success of the UWF football team.
It’s almost the moment we’ve been waiting for: the first UWF football game! The home game on September 10th against Missouri S&T will be the first game of many to be played at the Blue Wahoos Stadium downtown; the first Gulf South Conference game is October 1st against Florida Tech. A spectacular first season for this team is all we could hope for this upcoming year.
3. A roommate who isn't awful.
For those living on campus, especially the incoming freshmen, there’s always a 50/50 chance of getting a tolerable roommate versus an intolerable randomized roommate. If you were lucky enough to room with someone you already knew from high school or from your first year here, congratulations… but good luck with keeping your friendship strong when you have to deal with each other’s irritating quirks and habits. This might be a trying time for the two of you.
And for those renting apartments who wait any longer than early August and miss opportunities to live close to campus, maybe a member of the UWF STUDENTS Facebook group will have a last minute opening for you!
4. People learning to drive faster.
Those students who live near major interstates can only dream that people on I-10 or I-110 would go at least the speed limit, especially in the left lane. Increased patience is also an acceptable wish.
5. Snagging the best stuff at Target After Hours.
Coupons that don’t expire any time soon and for restaurants within walking distance are what dreams are made of. Free snacks while you go dorm shopping? Sold.
6. Helpful advisors.
For those moving on from first-year advisors to ones in their major, we want to offer up a prayer that you find someone competent who picks the right classes for you or who, even better, lets you decide your own schedule while giving guidance as a supplement.
7. Not getting a single parking ticket.
This would be a supernatural feat. Even after purchasing a parking pass, you could still catch a fine after finding zero parking available for your approved zone. Will Parking Services find compassion in their hearts this year?
8. A photo-op with Argie.
With football games soon to become a regular thing, now students have even more opportunities to snag a photo with our mascot, Argie the Argonaut. Even rarer than a photo with Argie is snapping a selfie with Judy Bense, the UWF President.
9. Cars pulling out as you're looking for parking spots.
Nothing makes you feel more #blessed and inspires you to tweet your appreciation to a stranger than a moment like this, especially in a time crunch.
10. The "Nauti Market" keeping it up with the good food.
If you did not attend UWF before 2015, you did not experience the Nautilus Market in its rawest, grungiest form. If this cafeteria did not give you bathroom horror stories to tell future generations, you will never know just how good you have it now. Here’s to the Market continuing to diversify the menu and keeping its students happy and healthy!
11. Greek organizations recruiting the best men and women on campus.
Rush. Recruitment. However you refer to it, this is the time of year when Greek organizations start looking at the UWF student community to decide who will be strong, prospective members. On the flip side, these students look at the organizations and seek the one that is the best fit for them. The best feeling is knowing that you made the right choice and that both you and your fraternity or sorority complement each other.
12. Decent wi-fi in the dorms.
ArgoAir is known to be spotty, especially when it comes to getting coverage in the dorms. A technological upgrade would be a pleasant surprise when returning to campus next semester. That’d give good old “Club Lib” a break.
13. Keeping up your attendance streak for 8 a.m. courses.
For those who made the soon-to-be regrettable choice to take morning classes, may you be given supernatural strength to push yourself out of bed so early 2-3 times a week, and may you do it without fail. Brownie points to those who even have the time dress well and are able to eat breakfast before class.
14. Actually using the facilities you're paying for.
Maybe this is the semester you’ll check out the infamous massage chairs you hear about. Maybe you’ll find the time to start swimming laps again at the pool. Maybe you’ll rent a canoe from the gym and paddle the backwaters of UWF, and if dreams really do come true, your Nautilus Card will work when you swipe it to enter the gym on the first try every time.
15. Hoping #BringBackBanas is real... or that it isn't.
Whatever is to come regarding Pensacola nightlife, hopefully it’s nothing but good things. Mugs can be reclaimed as a space for those who’ve at least graduated high school; Fridays downtown can still be as wild as they were with the former hosts of Gallery Night; Seville can one day chill out when it comes to kicking people out in large numbers.
16. Grover's continuing their extended hours.
Last year, the restaurant with the best chicken fingers and wings in the area announced it would stay open even later, and that was some of the best news the foodies of UWF could ever receive. Who knows - maybe they’ll stay open late enough to be the hottest post-game spot since Waffle House?
17. Classes being cancelled in torrential downpour.
If there’s any lesson that can be learned from the “Great Flood” of 2014 in Pensacola, it’s that severe weather should be taken seriously. Severe thunderstorms, flash flooding, and tornado watches should be enough to convince professors and the administration to not take attendance that day.
18. Free food beyond the first week.
I would suggest making good use of your Nauti Market food plan if you had to purchase it, but the first few weeks on campus are chock-full of events where you can find free food. Check out the campus calendar to learn about specific events, or just spend time around the Cannon Greens and you’ll find something!
19. Getting some help on move-in day.
When it comes to practically transferring your entire bedroom from the back of your parents’ car up the stairs and into your dorm, there is absolutely no shame in asking for help. Every move-in day, there will be plenty of students volunteering to help other students move even the heaviest stuff into their new home.
20. Nothing but the syllabus on day one.
If you’ve never felt the wave of disappointment that washes over you ask you crack open a textbook on the first day of class, hopefully you never experience it. Sometimes the first day of class lasts for 5 minutes, other times for the full 75 minutes. May your Syllabus Week be nothing but that!
What are you, fellow Argos, most excited for in Fall 2016/Spring 2017?
