I started out college at The University of Central Florida not knowing anyone. I was originally born and raised in New Hampshire. While I had been to Florida on multiple occasions growing up, I did not know what to expect. Surprisingly I was not scared. I was excited. My transition was a little rocky. I coped with the move by staying overly busy socially. So, since I am about to graduate, I see it fitting that I write a letter to incoming freshman to help them see what they can expect and know what resources they have available to them right from the start.
Dear Incoming Freshman,
You've made it! You are at the final stretch of your schooling career. College is so much different from high school in so many ways. How can you make the most of it? Let me try to help you out. Every college is different, and my letter will be more catered to those who are starting out at UCF, but other colleges will have similarities.
Here are some tips:
1. If you can, take summer classes during the Summer B term.
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When I got into UCF, I was told that I HAD to come for the Summer B term if I wanted to attend the University. I was devastated. I had a long-term boyfriend at the time and he did not have to come for this time, but I did!? I was furious. I tried getting my boyfriend to come with me, but he had something else he wanted to do. I didn't want to be alone and I didn't know what this meant for us.
I am a strong believer that everything happens for a reason. The Summer term was so much fun. It really helped me get acclimated to UCF without having a campus full of people. I had a smaller class size, so I made a best friend and got a new boyfriend (I and the boyfriend I mentioned before had ended things 6 months before I came to UCF). I had time to learn how to take a college class without worrying about extra circulars all at the same time. Also, UCF requires you to take summer classes at some point during your college career. So, in my opinion, the best thing that you can do is take classes during the Summer B term coming into your freshman year.
2. Join clubs right away!
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I was in the Marching Knights my freshman fall semester. It was a good time, but I realized I did not want to continue with marching band anymore. It took too much of my time for what it meant to me. I did not join any clubs in the Spring. My sophomore year fall I finally started doing more things. However, I joined too many things all at once. I think the best way of going about joining clubs is picking a couple that REALLY interests you. Then, go to the first meetings and see if they still interested you. Pick 1 or 2 depending on how much time this will take up. Then, really put your all into that 1 or those 2 clubs that you really enjoy. This will help you get the most out of the clubs. I found that half-assing (excuse my french) a bunch of different clubs just becomes stressful and then you really don't get what you could out of it.
3. Know what resources you have.
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Some resources that you may find useful at UCF:
1. Discounted tickets for things around Orlando such as Disney can be found at the SGA Ticket Center.
2. The UCF Mobile app has a map of the campus and shows you where you are! This is great for the first few weeks of school.
3. The Student Union has scantrons and blue/green books that you can get for free 1x a day.
4. SEPS is a number you can call if you feel threatened on campus at night.
5. SARC and SI are tutoring centers that have tutoring for many of the difficult classes at UCF.
Other resources can be found by looking up what you need and typing UCF after. There are SO many resources at UCF, I advise you to use them as they are super helpful.
4. Have fun, but not too much fun!
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It is important to be open to trying new things, but you have to be very careful! I feel like such a mom saying this, but some people are not educated and that is when dangerous things can happen.
A few tips if you are going out:
a) You should have a sober driver.
b) You should count your drinks and know how many drinks you should drink in order to be safe. Also always watch your drink so you know what you are drinking.
c) Say no to drugs--you never know what you could actually be getting. I have heard so many scary stories from friends.
d) Eat before you go out and drink water before, during, and after being out. Your hangover will thank you.
Other things you can try besides going out:
a) Activities through the Recreation and Wellness Center (RWC). There are fun trips all over the U.S. and even outside of the U.S. that they offer at the RWC.
b) Cheap concerts through the CFE Arena. Sometimes there are even free concerts held at the CFE Arena! I saw Jesse McCartney for free and had such a blast.
c) Campus events. Sometimes the school will hold parties at the leisure pool or game nights at the RWC that are super fun!
d) Events through different clubs. There is puppy yoga this semester that I am going to that anyone can sign up for.
