I LOVE UF, but the only thing that worries me is that it seems to be at least an hour and a half away from anything. I’m also from up North, though, so I’m not too familiar with the area. Are there any larger cities close by? And do students regularly visit the beach? I wanna make sure I’m not going to school in FL to never see the beach!
It’s about 1 1/2 to 2 hours to reach the beach or cities like Orlando, Tampa, Daytona and Jacksonville. Going to the beach is something to do on the weekend.
UF has several clubs and student organizations that focus on outdoor recreational activities, for example:
https://www.studentinvolvement.ufl.edu/TRiP
I really recommend that you join a few clubs/groups (like TRiP) as a freshman, no matter which university you end up choosing. It’s a great way to get engaged with the campus, make new friends, deal with stress and have some fun.
Good Luck!
Don’t forget about the springs. I’m from Fl so the beach isn’t as big a deal but nothing beats floating down a crystal clear spring on a hot summer day. Ichetucknee Springs State Park is less than an hour away.
It’s definitely doable to go to the beach, but it just takes a little more effort. It’s not like it’s right down the street or anything. But I have to agree with @oldbull2 - the springs are awesome in the warmer months. Usually all the students head out there to lounge and float down the river. It’s so much fun and that’s only a short drive away.