A good student's kryptonite...

So I know that since this blog is for those currently, or considering attending UF, most of you are probably on your game when it comes to school work and whatnot, and that NONE of you have fallen into the nasty habit of procrastinating. At least that's my hope.

But maybe you contracted that age-old case of senioritis (or are still recovering from last year's bout), and it's ok! It happens to the best of us! But now that you're in college, you really should turn over a new leaf.

It is true that in college, there isn't anyone there to nag you about your homework or lean on you about a project due tomorrow that you haven't started, or anything like that, unless you have awesome (or wierd) roommates. So it's up to YOU!

Now, I know that "online lectures" may sound like "Oh I'm pretty busy now (on Facebook, perhaps), but I'll definately catch up on the 17 I've missed later!" But that's not true. And you probably won't... unless you spend four days doing nothing but Stat, watching 10X the normal speed with no breaks in between. Or have super reading/comprehending/memorizing/ staying awake powers.

Take away advice: 1. Kick the habit. 2. Start work as early as possible. 3. Come to realize you are not Superman. 4. If you do find yourself wondering where the time went when a seven page paper is due in two days, don't freak out! Relax. Take deep breaths. It will all work out in the end. :)


And now I'll leave with a wonderfully de-stressing resource. Not to be used as procrastination, of course...
http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/2pelHs/rescomp.stanford.edu/%257Echeshire/EinsteinQuotes.html

Enjoy :)

Paying Fees

I know this is late, and sorry. But those of you who are applying for UF, I admire your determination and Good Luck!

Also a word to the wise if you want a specific dorm that $25 holding fee, I think it was. This will determine your place in line to pick your dorm. The change the way dorms are assigned this year.  You will now get to pick your residence hall and your roommates. Granted you may not know your roommates but still it's best to pay it asap. Waiting till the last minute will only give you slim pickings of a dorm.

We're Slacking!

Sorry everyone for the over-longed period of inactivity. Just shows how active we are in real life.

So many college students are 18 when they enter college, and if you arent, you probably turn 18 in August or early September. Usually, theres nothing to do if your under 18. Hopefully you dont drink, because that is ILLEGAL! (if you do, dont be stupid about it.)

So what do you do!?
Well Im gonna tell you.

1. Make sure you have good friends who understand your condition, and will stick by you.
2. Make sure your homework is done or near done, or you dont have something you Need to study for.
3. Have game nights!! (see future blog to come.)
4. Go to Gator Nights.
5. Bike rides, see what this campus has to offer. You dont need anyone for that, I went on one 2 weeks ago and saw an alligator at/in Lake Alice.
6. Go to the gym.
7. Karaoke. There are many places around Gainesville that offer karaoke, Orange&Brew has it Tuesday nights if you dont want to travel far.
8. Join a club/sport/thing! Recsports.ufl.edu has a list of alot of activities to so check it out.
9. There are classes you can take, like Salsa dancing, Swing dancing, swimming lessons, ect.

There are numerous things to do with out clubbing or partying. If you do find yourself without a way home theres also SNAP (352)-392-7627 , they will pick you up and drive you anywhere on campus.

Work Study: A Love/Hate Relationship

Oh Work Study, how you vex me! When I first found out I had received you, wrapped up nice in my financial aid package, I didn't think you would prove so frustrating! But alas, you did.

If you're sitting there wondering what in the world Work Study is, or if you have an idea, but you're still a bit confused about it, you have now joined the club! Congrats! I wish I could explain everything about it, but truthfully I don't know too much about it myself! So I'll tell you what I can.

The Federal Work Study Program is a grant, I believe, that you may receive after filling out your FAFSA, that is, if you qualify. Basically, you need to be at an financial disadvantage (you don't have money for college). Now that may sound a bit depressing, but in the college world, if you qualify, this is awesome news! It means free money! Now with Work Study, there's a catch: you will need to maintain a job (usually on campus), in order to recieve these funds, which come in the form of your paycheck.

Right now you're probably thinking "Wow! That's so easy!" Well think again. In order to hold down a job, you actually have to find one first. Let me say that again: No, receiving Work Study does not give you your job, nor does it guarantee you will find one. Now that's disappointing, huh?

But it'll be ok! Most people I've talked to say that if you have Work Study and you really want a job, you're bound to find one. Now I'm not saying it's a done deal, but it's some encouragement to hold onto.

Here are some tips for locating a postion:

• First stop: http://jobs.ufl.edu. Sign up, complete an application, and search away! Usually you're looking for part-time, student jobs, on the main campus, but feel free to try new options too.
• Visit different places on campus (such as the library, financial aid office, etc.) and see if they are hiring. To be honest, this unfortunately didn't really work for me, but instead I got directed to the next bullet...
• Go to the libary page on http://ufl.edu/ and look up jobs that way. I found a few that were on the jobs website, and a few that weren't, so it just depends.
• Also, try http://gatordining.com/ for food-related jobs on campus.

Remember: no job is beneath you. Try different things because you never know what will happen. Happy job hunting!

Move In: Resident Hall Style

So I am rooming in Broward in a Triple.
Since I dont live in an apartment I probably didnt need to bring as much stuff as Vanessa and Kristina did, like kitchen supplies, bathroom supplies, closet stuff, so I didnt. Really I tried to bring the bare minimum..and splurged with the stuffed animals. Heres alil list of what I would suggest..and this is only if you dont have a bathroom and kitchen:

• Clothes- just bring your whole wardrobe, leave a few things to wear at home in case you go back home, you wont have to bring clothes.
• Stuff to do your laundry- Detergent, Softener, hamper (possibly another hamper type thing to carry your clean clothes in once washed)
• hangers- bring them from home to save money
• Microwave and fridge- You have to eat.
• Cleaners-febreeze, Lysol, and scented things to make stuff smell nice
• Bedding/mattress pad- You have to sleep.
• Toiletries- and backups.
• and the obvious: laptop/computer, decorations, school supplies

If i didnt mention something, oh well. But if you forget something there are stores up here to go to like walmart, publix, other places that i dont know yet.

UF sends you a bunch of emails about moving in, and quite honestly...they were all confusing. The best advice i can give is ask questions when you get here. Parking is even more confusing, I had thought the parking garages were open  to all those moving in but the decal we were given only allotted for an hour.
Apparently the 1st day is the busiest, I came the second day and had no problem. In Broward you get to use the elevators located on the east and west sides. And its awesome if you have a dolly, they let you rent them if you dont have one.

I had already discussed which beds were whos and closets and desks and such with my roommates prior to moving in. and it make it alot easier knowing what was mine to use. I defiantly suggest doing this with your roommate(s).

Active Roommates! ;)

So if your roommate is busy! ;) It's quite annoying knowing that there busy 3 times a day, n the amt of noise a busy person can make. JUST talk to them. Ask them to like warn you or something. Becauce seriously, you or I really dont need to know what your roommate r up too. And if you r that busy roommate, seriously control yourself. Take it to a hotel. Because I pay rent and i need my sleep at 1:00am.

bikesrus!

Just get one, dont even ask questions. Vanessa, Kristina, n Jill know how helpful they r, n I know how i really need one. So just visit your local bike shop and grab a bike. DONT even pay. jk! But also get a good lock, because bike crimes are high at UF. Remember to register your bike with the UF police department, so if it goes lost theres hope of it getting found back, even if it ends up in NEW YORK! So what should you get on your bike? Get a nice comfortable seat for your glutemus maximus, a cup holder, and a tray at the back or something to put your stuff in. ALso reflectors r important. Riding a bike at UF is like riding a car, there's bike polices. SO be safe n follow the rules! You dont want a bike fine!

GATOR NITES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Are you kidding me! This is like super fun with friends. It’s every Friday nites, well, not every but most just check the Reitz website. They always have free popcorn, soda, movie, n much more! If you’re a freshman, you’re probably going. All you need is your UFID n you can bring friends too! Exciting, right! My dearst friends go every Friday and we all stay till 2am, did I tell you they have midnite BREAKFAST! Crazy right! I know, can’t wait for it again in fallllll! I hope toooo c u there!

FREE PRINTING READ ALL ABOUT IT!!!

DID you know that UF offers students free printing at the third floor of the Reitz each semester, a total of 300 pages. MY dearst and super hero JILL H, told me this secret! It's part of your tuition. SO TAKE ADVANTAGE!!! I did!

WARNING: "CREEPERS!!!!"

Well, I just wanted to warn you to watch your back, sides, n fronts! There are creeps everywhere! Lol jk But always be safe an (girls mostly) carry pepper spray, your fav bat, or just go for the soft spot. ;) If you’re a nite crawler carry a flashlight, a friend (in your backpack, guys tend to be useful for this), n maybe you should consider doing RAD or whenever it’s called. Ask Vanessa or Kristina about it, they know. However, I had a creeper experience, I decided to take a short cut on the way home (bad choice), this scary guy came up to me (I looked around, no one was there). He asked for 50 cent, so I did some quick thinking (NEVER pull out your wallet or purse, they’ll probably grab it and run), I remember I had some lose change in my back pocket so I gave it to him, and he left me alone. THANK GOD! So please travel with friends and be SAFE!!! College is suppose to be a once in a lifetime fun experience, NOT shocking!

LOST (season finale)

I’m sorry to say this is not the season show. But rather a collection of CARLOS’ unfortunate event! MUHAHHA! So I’m heading to my first pre-med meeting (I want to be a doctor, you’re probably like “wow, who will give this crazy his license”) taking route 8. Let’s just say I ended up at Shands on archer, n the bus drive goes “the bus is out of service,” I’m like “what?” So I get out at this strange place, I decided to pop in some tones, and just walk around. I found these really tall power plants that say DO NOT ENTER. I so wanted to enter. But eventually after an hour I made my way back to the Reitz. “Finally somewhere I know” YAY! The point of this is to know your bus routes well and when they stop running. Also if you’re a bus rider, ALWAYS carry a map n bus route thingy. !!!! IN THE END I LEARNED THE BEST WAY TO FIGURE OUT THE CAMPUS IS TOO GET SOOOOO LOSTTTT!!!!!!! BYE 4 now, hopefully I run into you on my planned future losted adventures.

FRESHMAN TATOOS 4 SALE! $$$$

So throughout my first week of college I was a total freshman, I even had it tattooed across my forehead for a political statement, for realZ! I was heading to my class at the Florida Gym after a dramatic change from Turlington. I walked around for let’s say 2 hours. It was quite fun, I got really sweaty; I had that sexy glow of sweat running down my hold body. Yeah, it wasn’t that appealing. However, you know how guys don’t like to ask for directions I eventually did. This really nice UF girl gave me directions; throughout Summer B I realized everyone around me is really nice. It’s not like high school, where they tell u the wrong place to go, everyone is actually glad to help. SO don’t be shy or ashamed that you’re a freshman, be proud, N ask for help!

DEATH by ESSAY!

SO did i tell you i can not spell or write. Well, you probably could notice that from my writing and my D+ on my WOmen STudies first paper. Well, it's ok. So dont jump off a cliff or think the world is coming to an end. Its probably just you over reacting. However, you should probably go to a psychologist person or someone to get that checked out. SO back to what i was saying, I got a D+ on my paper, so at first i was like the above description, but evenually i realized I had to get help. What better way to do so then attend your teachers office hour. MUY IMPORTANTE! They help and look good as you build a relationship with your professor. The professor also knows what they want, n what you suck at. So I also told my best friend/roommate (DUSTIN FINNN) about my failure, he told me UF offers these writing workshops, fooo real they do. I went, there really helpful, they helped me improve my writing from a D+ to a C- to a B. I know from an absolute failure to better. YAY! not really. But i guess. Overall, I ended up with a B in the class :(, but better then a C, D, F or ghijklmnop! SO if your dieing from writing problems attend UF's writing workshops. HOLD ON! they also have math n reading workshops too! It's part of your tutuion i think, so take advantage of it. So i guess that's it for now any Q's plz ask! CYA LATER ALLIGATOR! (yeah, im so corny) haha!

The Moving Experience

Even though I technically moved into the apartment in more than a month ago, I can still fill you in a bit about this whole process, as I (sorta) moved again this weekend. :)

So, you're off to college! You've had that acceptance letter for months now, enjoyed your last free summer, gone to Preview, went home exhausted after Preview, and now you're closing in on the last few weeks, days, hours, before you settle into your new home-away-from-home! But here's the big question: Are you ready?!

Moving is crazy. I'd only done it once before, but really it didn't count because my parents did most of the work. Preparing for college means taking the time to decide just what you want to bring along for the next four years, and if all of it will be practical (and fit) in your dorm/apartment. Granted, you can always go home, of course. So if you really want that desk lamp, nightlight, or dust buster you didn't think you'd need, you can simply grab it when you go home for the weekend or during break. Same concept goes for items you want to bring home. You might decide that your collection of 34 encyclopedias, abundance of Tupperware, or wireless printer really aren't as useful as you would have thought (although, Tupperware is awesome!). Thus, my advice, if you're looking for it, would be to pack what you need, and not what you don't. It's okay to bring some things you would like to have with you, but if you are thinking about bringing something that won't be touched for a year and will likely collect dust in the back of your closet, I would say it might be best left at home. Personally, I could not leave without some books... a bunch of books... but I promise it wasn't my whole library! Ultimately what you decide to bring is your choice.

Okay, so you've torn your room apart, going through everything, and finally settling on what gets to travel to Gainesville with you. Now when do plan to go? If you're moving everything for the first time, I would not recommend coming the day before classes start, but hopefully that's a no-brainer. You'll want to give yourself enough time to move in and get comfortable with campus. Of course, staying in a dorm, I believe the earliest one can move in is the Wednesday before. Even though this may seem odd, it might be best because you'll be able to settle in before the craziness of classes start.

Tip: Come prepared with paper towels, Lysol wipes/spray, all-purpose cleaner, whatever you think you'll need in case the room you walk into isn't exactly what you expected. I'm not saying every room will be unsightly, but if your a germ-freak like me, make sure you pack some cleaning supplies!

Here's another tip: When we first moved in, our friend's mom told us about this great thing you can get at Target/Walmart for your bed. As in hotels, mattresses in dorms and apartments are usually not replaced once a tenant moves out, so whatever was there before you came, chances are, it's still there. This could be dust mites, anything; you can use your imagination for that one. Anyway, for about $20 I believe, you can purchase a vinyl-like mattress bag that you literally place and zip your mattress in. That way whatever was there, stays in the bag, and you never have to touch it. If you haven't noticed before, I like things pretty clean. :)

At last the day has come! You stand just inside you're empty dorm/apartment, itching to fill it will all the wonderful things you've bought and brought. Remember, if you moving in on a busy day, it may take while, but as long as everything's in you're room, you can always move it around later. I don't know how the weather will be on move-in day in Fall, but Summer B saw buckets of rain in the afternoon, so don't get caught in a 3:00 downpour. Also, if you suddenly realize you need more storage containers or something, Walmart, Target and two Publixes are located conveniently on Archer Road.

So relax and don't worry! Moving in is just the beginning. :)

-Vanessa

1st Steps in the Gator Nation

So, I went to Preview July 15th and 16th, this was my 1st time ever setting foot at UF and it was a very good "Ready, Get Set, GO!" type of thing. Preview had a lot of information available to new students, and if you had done the Preview Prep thoroughly, you were pretty much set. Most of preview was there to help you figure out what classes you want to take and should take.

We were put into groups of about 15-20 students and given a preview staffer to help. We sat through at least 3 lectures and met in our small groups 4 times. When we weren't being told about our classes we were informed on how to survive as a college student; safety, rules, conduct, wellness, etc.

We also had the opportunity to become a member of the Student Alumni Association and buy tickets to Gator Growl (the homecoming pep rally). We also received our required reading book, which must be finished by August 20th for the little gathering to discuss the book.

You will stay in Broward hall the night you sleep there, and it is your responsibility to wake up and eat in time to check out and continue with Day 2 of Preview. In my opinion Day 2 was a lot easier to handle than Day 1. A big concern of mine was making friends...or in this case temporary friends. This was also a lot easier than expected. Just remember that everyone is in the same boat as you are and your about to enter college, a little Independence isn't a bad thing.

~Caitlin

Dear Visitor...

Welcome, one and all, to the wonderful inside world of UF! Whether you are reading this blog because you are a new student, prospective student, veteren, loyal friend, or simply because you stumbled upon it by accident, looking for something entirely different, we are grateful you have! For, who knows? Perhaps you may discover some new and interesting things about college life, about the university, about us, and maybe about yourself.

I suppose I should probably introduce myself here, in case anyone wanted some background info: I'm Vanessa, a freshman at UF, and I first started classes in Summer B, rather than in the Fall. I'm living off-campus, which isn't usually the norm for freshman it seems, but it's not uncommon either. So far, I'm enjoying my time here, and I'm quite happy with my decision to come for the summer; I think it will make things a little easier come Fall. Also, contrary to what I first thought, Summer B does not exactly give me copious amounts of free time, so I will try my hardest to post when I can!

College was a pretty foreign place when I first arrived, but life has become a bit more routined now. And as the time goes by, I'm sure we will all learn and grow much more than we anticipated. So if you want to journey with us through the unknown world of college, be our guest! And if there's anything specific we can tell you about, let us know!

Other than that,
Benvenidos a UF! :)

-Vanessa

Welcome to Your Fake Real Life!

If you are reading this blog it's probably because you have decided to go to UF or are trying to figure out if UF is the school for you! (And if its neither of those reasons that's fine too). College is a big step in anyones life and usually a step that requires a lot of adjusting and figuring out what the heck you're supposed to do. Hopefully you make or have some really good friends to help you along (think of this blog as your really good friend if you have not made any yet.)

There will be several authors for this blog. I figured that college life is so different for everyone that by getting a diverse  group of writers, we will be as helpful as we can. You will be able to find stuff like:

• classes we are talking
• what we think about those classes
• college events that we attend
• ways to save money
• things we wish we had know before
• living conditions in apartments and dorms
• study tips (?)
• and personal stories about things we do on campus (pg-13 of course!!)

The authors of this blog are friends from high school, who are lucky enough to be attending UF together as well. I'm hoping to be able to play with the technology on blogger and create an about us page so you can learn a little more about us.

~Caitlin