Recommendations on dorms at UF

Vertigo220h
Thu, 05 May 2011 21:36:02 +0000

Even though this is old, I’d like to offer input for any baby Gators looking for it (as this question comes up time and again):
I lived in Jennings initially. I found out I couldn’t deal with dorm life (you don’t get your own kitchen and have to share a bathroom with 40 other people??). Additionally, my roommate was uncooperative and we didn’t get along too well on some basics (e.g. when to go to sleep, when to not turn the television on).
Furthermore, when it came to the “social” aspect of the dorms…it drove me nuts and I was overstimulated. After rushing, and joining a panhel sorority I had more than enough chatting to last me a lifetime in the day. I want to do my laundry, why are you talking to me? I’m trying to study…why…are you trying to talk to me? There were literally people everywhere and everybody was trying to meet everyone. I’m one of those people that comes home from a day of work/school and just wants to unwind in a relaxed environment. Jennings definitely didn’t provide that for me.
I moved to Lakeside after Fall semester of my first year. At first it was great because I got my own room and only had to share a kitchen with three other people. However, I started to note some issues.
I had a 7:30 class and getting to it was a testament to my dedication…January on my scooter at 6:50-7:00 in the morning for about a mile was rough for me. I got through it, though.
The rooms are abnormally small. I now live in an apartment and the space is amazing to me…I feel as though I can breathe. Not to mention the beds are mostly set up higher so it’s kind of precarious to get into/onto them at night…and then off of them again.
The doors slam like NO OTHER. My roommate…well, one of them…was extremely inconsiderate and careless and just let her door slam shut…every…single…time. Ack. I did get ear plugs, but the doors are very heavy and make a huge noise when they shut.
POINT BEING:
If you can handle dorm life, sure, go for it. One of my sisters lived in Broward and love love LOVED it. She knew all of the people, loved her roommate, and now they’re living together in an off-campus apartment.
If you’re worried about the “social” aspect of dorm life, however, I assure you that there is no better way to jump start your social life than to Rush (for a fraternity or sorority). It was honestly EFFORTLESS for me to meet people and it made the campus a lot smaller. Between philanthropies, socials, parties (there is ALWAYS somebody to go out with), hanging out at the house, or just chatting with some of the girls I’m closer to (those which I do consider my actual sisters) I actually had more to do than I possibly could. 175 people were there for me to wave to whilst walking down the road or stop and ask for little things (like directions - yeah, I got lost a lot…) whenever I needed them. Don’t go into a dorm arrangement for the social aspect…go into it because it’s the right living arrangement for you and your personality. :)