<p>Hey everyone. I'ma prospective freshman at UF and people seem to recommend paying the $25 fee when you apply for housing soon. I just wanted some opinions about their dorm experiences or off-campus housing experiences.<br>
I thought about Lakeside, but doesn't anyone know how far away it is from typical freshman classes? What is the quality of Hum for single-suites?</p>
<p>I visited UF for the AA Shadow Day in October and I was blown away by everything but the classrooms and dorms. Well, those blew me away too, but not in a good way. They don’t seem to be as technologically advanced in the classroom as others I’ve visited, and the dorms I saw (Broward or something like that) are freaking tiny… I’m 6’8" so it may just be my perspective. The person I was shadowing gave me a UF snuggie with a condom in it though >_></p>
<p>not sure what you expect classroom-wise Dnerd.
elaborate?</p>
<p>as far as lakeside goes…some people say that if you are going to live that far off then you might as well live offcampus, thats one perspective.</p>
<p>i live at keys and it has a very similar layout to lakeside…except that its on stadium rd.</p>
<p>the room is great, but im a simple person.</p>
<p>I loved living oncampus, but expectations are different for everyone. Some people expect luxury hotel rooms as dorms. Those people need to live off campus or go to FGCU. Also if you cant follow the housing rules then off campus is probably better option.</p>
<p>Pay the $25 if there is a chance you might live oncampus.</p>
<p>Personally, Lakeside is far. One of the reason I liked living on campus since I was close to my classes. So I could leave right before the class start or come back and take a nap, eat, or study when I wanted.</p>
<p>Definitely pay your $25 dollar housing fee if there is any chance at all that you will be going to UF and living on campus. So many people I know that came in this year submitted their money late, and were given less than third choice dorms. Peronally, I have disliked my experience living in a dorm but I think that can be attributed to the living arrangement and roommates.
Lakeside is far, but nice. If I had lived there, I feel I would have enjoyed dorm life much more than I do now, or had I lived with someone I know. Something, they don’t tell you also is that the “doubles” in the Murphree area are not normal doubles -they are actually two single rooms connected by a shared space (I wish I had known this before since I would have requested a double there)
I would suggest living off campus. It is cheaper, better living conditions, etc. and going to class is just as easy. For most apartments getting to campus is an easy 10 min bus ride.
Go Gators!</p>
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<p>Ditto.</p>
<p>I think it has a lot to do with your personality as well. Living off campus your first year, you might miss out on some social opportunities or the types of connections you make by being around a lot of freshman and you may have to work a little harder to get involved and avoid isolation. Doesn’t phase me much, but it might make the transition harder for others. Personal space/accomodations, greater freedom, and cost make it such a better experience for me and I couldn’t fathom living in a dorm. Sure you may have a psycho roommate and some serious issues every now and then that come along with living independently, but it only helps with maturity and preparing for “real life”.</p>
<p>I mean, the two classes I went to (Intro to Arab and First Year of Florida) were really small, used old desks that I’ve only seen in detention rooms, and were very, very, crowded.</p>
<p>Lakeside is definitely way out of the way. Another thing is that Lakeside is EXPENSIVE. You’re paying somewhere around $700 a month if you break it down that way. My friend that lives there always has a hard time getting back late at night when we all hang out. </p>
<p>I was really worried about going into a traditional double as a freshman (almost to the point of living off campus), but I am SO GLAD I did. I’ve made so many friends and the location is PERFECT (I’m in Rawlings Hall now). Yes, they are older facilities, but that’s only really bothered me…like…once.</p>
<p>As much as you hear it bashed, Broward is the ideal freshman dorm. But wherever you live, you get used to the quirks and oddities. </p>
<p>(But hey, I’ll recommend Broward also because that’s where I’m assigned to be an RA next fall! And let’s face it, I’m going to be the coolest RA EVER :))</p>
<p>I currently live in Mallory and I love it, it wasnt even one of my top 3 choices. I live in a permanent triple and let me tell you its small. But I’m a guy and I have awesome roommates and my hall is social and pretty much crazy. I have to say im glad i chose not to live off campus freshman year because yeah it sucks being in such a small space, but you’re close to your classes and you have alot of people around you to meet and socialize with. I say go with dorm life freshman year just to get the experience because there is nothing like it. I just got lucky with 2 incredible roommates</p>
<p>Are the beds bunkable at Florida, and do you recommend bunking them since the rooms are so small?</p>
<p>Yes the beds are bunkable. Every inch of space is necessary, so value them.</p>