Looking Back: Four Years at Florida State University

By Max Berman on July 31, 2016

When I first began school at Florida State University, I had never been able to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I prepared myself for a long, grueling journey – something that wouldn’t end anytime soon and leave me on the brink of independence. With that time finally upon me, I almost couldn’t believe it. Packing up the last remnants of my apartment and saying goodbye to the city that has given me a lifetime of memories is not as easy as I thought it was going to be. Reminiscing about the past has given me some useful insight on what I wish I had done as well as hadn’t done while I was a freshman, all the way to my closing semester.

The first semester away at University can be daunting and feel overwhelming. New environments and new people mixed with an unsettling feeling of unfamiliarity as you try to distinguish between what’s up and what’s down. The one important piece of advice I would give to any freshman is to try your hardest to become friends with your roommate and suitemates, as it just generally makes your life much easier and your college experience that much more enjoyable. Seeing that I had older friends who had houses and apartments, I found myself away from the dorm for days at a time, only to pop in to shower, change clothes and then head right to class. If I could go back and do my freshman year over again, I would engage more with my roommate, as well as try to participate in the on campus activities that are provided throughout both semesters for freshmen. Whether it be pizza nights or pajama parties, the dorms are always hosting something exciting and vibrant, trying their best to get a sense of community in a place that initially does not feel like home. It was the end of my second semester in the dorms before I finally attended one of these events, and had I known how fun and engaging they were, I would have been there every week. Even though it sounds cheesy, campus activities are something that really bring people together and make college that much more enjoyable.

Image via Wikipedia

Along with this, I would have utilized some of the amazing facilities that our campus offers, and not only the obvious ones. While everyone knows that Leach is the main workout facility, there’s a state of the art gym right in the Health and Wellness Center where you can work out in style and privacy. I had stumbled upon this my senior year, and was kicking myself for not knowing about it earlier, even though it’s clearly spelled out on every Florida State website. Our campus also has an incredible movie theatre, which during the week screens some older, well known movies such as “Fight Club”. You’re also able to attend screenings of grad students movies that were created right in the film school, and preview them before anyone else in the world. Even Club Down Under I never went to all of these years, and then they booked Elle King and I just absolutely had to go. Who would have known that one of Tallahassee’s best venues is hidden right in our Union? While it may seem like I’m just shamelessly promoting our school, I just think it’s something we all unintentionally do when we get comfortable – say we’ll go somewhere or check something out and then four years later you’re graduated with no time left at all. While you’re exploring yourself as well as your passions, you should take advantage of all the experiences you’re able to have here, and there’s definitely something for everyone’s interests and needs.

Image via tallahassee.com

Tallahassee may be a smaller city, but if you take the time to explore and look carefully while you’re here – you’ll find some gems that are hidden throughout the area. It took me until my Junior year to attend First Friday, something I now wish I hadn’t waited so long to do. Railroad Square comes alive the first friday of every month to celebrate art and culture, where you can also grab a drink, shop apothecaries and get your palm read. If you’re into parks, Tallahassee is home to some of the best natural open spaces in all of Florida. You can head down to the Miccosukee Greenway if you’re in the mood for vast fields and paths that wind through the deep woods. Smaller parks dot throughout the city as well, and there’s some of the most incredible headstones in the downtown cemetery. While this may all seem like stuff to put on the backburner after you’re done partying yourself out, it’s important to have a mixture of fun, as well as experiencing local culture and a different way of life. While we may still be in Florida, Tallahassee has a different vibe than down south. It’s a slower way of life, a place where you can get to know your local neighborhood clerk or bank teller. It’s the feeling of small town living within Florida’s capital, and it’ something that takes more than four years to completely experience. Looking back, the main advice I would have for someone going into the University is to slow down, look around and really step back and experience everything that University life, as well as city life has to offer you.

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