Start New Discussion Title: Post:

College Prowler

Computers

FSU is one of the most wired universities in the country, so finding a computer to work on is never a problem. There are several computer labs on campus where you can surf the Internet or print out last-minute papers. I would bring a computer, also, because some days you just don’t feel like dragging yourself out of bed and walking to the library or Union to print something out or to check your e-mail. And you can’t really download mp3s, or play PC games on the campus computers.

Diversity

The population is mainly white, but there are plenty of other races and cultures represented. Many clubs involve people from varying groups. There is definitely some diversity, but not to a great extent.

Drug Scene

There is a drug scene, though it’s kind of hush. People don’t walk around talking about it. If you use drugs, you won’t have trouble finding them, but if you don’t, you won’t have to worry about being surrounded by the drug culture.

Facilities

Despite being an old campus, FSU has done a good job of modernizing equipment and remodeling the buildings. The downside to this is that there’s a lot of construction going on, but once you know where it is, you can avoid it for the rest of the semester. Most people hang out at the gym or the Union. I like hanging out on Landis Green. There’s usually some kind of protest or something going on, and people bring blankets and sit out and study. It’s great on a sunny day.

Greek Life

In my eyes, Greek life plays a major role in the social scene, but this is coming from a Greek. You do not have to join a sorority to have fun in college, but it helps—you meet a lot of awesome people. I definitely recommend going through recruitment, and if you don’t find a house that you are 100 percent sure about, you don’t have to join. Greek life is everywhere at FSU. We are the people in the paper for doing awesome philanthropic work, and also for bad stuff like drinking. The community has mixed feelings about Greek life, but the sororities and fraternities are working hard to get a better image. All student organizations can participate in events like homecoming, but Greeks dominate all the competitions. We always do a lot of service work and have a lot of socials to get to know everyone.

Guys & Girls

There are beautiful men and women here. The guys are incredible, and there are so many different types to choose from. If you can’t find your soul mate here, you probably never will. They are all gentlemen. The girls vary more so. They can be really sweet Southern belles, or they can be snobby, but they’re the types of people you will find anywhere you go.

Local Atmosphere

Although this is Florida, don’t expect to just pop on down to the beach for a little sun and fun. While the Gulf of Mexico is only a 20-minute drive, the few accessible beaches are really not worth it. They don’t call it the Redneck Riviera for nothing. Your best bet is to endure the 45-minute drive to St. George Island State Park. If you are feeling adventurous, Panama City Beach, a spring break hotspot, is 90 minutes to the west. It’s actually perfect for a weekend getaway, and it’s well worth the drive. If you’d rather stay in town, the Seminole Reservation on Lake Bradford is maintained by FSU and offers a clean stretch of sand to lay out on, canoe rentals, and it is only a five- minute drive from campus. It’s not a bad place to spend a Saturday afternoon during the summer months.

Nightlife

There is one club on campus in the student union, but they don’t offer many good night activities—it’s mainly for renting out. There is techno and good dancing at the Late Night Library, a separate karaoke bar and country on Fridays at Stetson’s, and great dancing and good music at Clyde’s. On Tennessee Street, across from campus, there are a bunch of bars and clubs known as the Tennessee Strip. Bullwinkle’s is a 21-and-over bar that was ranked in the top 100 college bars by Playboy magazine.

Off-Campus Dining

Tallahassee has the same old chain restaurants like any town, but there are also a few places that are unique and affordable. I like Hopkins’ Eatery which is really cheap and fast, and Food Glorious Food which has really fresh, almost natural dishes that taste great. The environment is really open and friendly with outdoor seating. There is the Main Ingredient which is very affordable and has a very unique menu. But if you’re into Hooters, don’t worry, Tallahassee has one of those, too.

Off-Campus Housing

It's very convenient. There are apartments on all four sides of the campus. If proximity is your issue, there's a solution to that, and if price is your concern, there's a wide range of apartments to choose from.

Overall Experience

I think FSU is a good school. There are so many things to do, you get a good education for your money, and you make some great friends. I loved going to school here, and my little sister is going to attend next fall.

Parking

Parking is horrible. Some people use the free bus system to get around the parking problem; I usually wait in the parking lot for a space, which can take up to 45 minutes during busier times of the year.

Safety & Security

Another wonderful service FSU provides is the SafeBus. This bus, driven by students, will pick you up from anywhere on campus in order to give you a safe ride home at night. Any student trying to get home does not need to walk alone in the dark. An obvious benefit of the SafeBus is that it provides a safe way home for students that have been drinking and are not in a position to drive. I am confident that the SafeBus has cut down significantly on drunk driving and has prevented an endless amount of potential accidents.

Transportation

The on-campus bus route only runs 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays, which sucks, but it's free, and so is the city bus if you have a student ID. So between the two, you can get pretty much anywhere in Tallahassee. FSU also has buses to south Florida for weekend trips at a great price (about $80 round trip) and is a great alternative to Greyhound.

Weather

It’s hot, like South Florida, but there are no ocean breezes, so it sucks. It’s hot and muggy from April to early October. Then it’s freezing in the winter; you won’t even think you’re in Florida. But I guess if you come from Kansas or something, it’ll be a paradise. Bring any and everything. Sandals, shorts, and tanks are a must. Ladies, bring your bikinis for spring break!

Academics

In my four years, I would say that 90 percent of my teachers were great! I made a lot of great friendships and relied on many for recommendations. You would think that for a big school, it is hard to get special attention, but all of the teachers are very good about making themselves available to you and offering help. If you make and effort to know them, then they will be more than happy to get to know you. If you do go, please make the effort, it helps a lot to get to know them personally. Overall, they were great!

Athletics

Most everyone loves football. It's a state school. Some people actually applied because of the football team. Intramural sports are a good way to stay in shape and meet people. They are often over-run by the Greek system, but if you can get past that or are in a fraternity/sorority yourself, you shouldn't have a problem.

Campus Dining

There are a couple of cafeterias on campus and a food court. It’s enough, but the selection is not that great—mostly fast food. I also tried the meal plan my first semester here, but I didn’t care for it. I’d rather make food for myself or scrounge off my roommates.

Campus Housing

The biggest doubles are in the brand new dorms—Wildwood and DeGraff—neither of which you have to purchase a meal plan for, plus DeGraff is practically off campus because it's on the other side of Tennessee Street. The only downside is that they are all doubles only. The renovated dorms are all really nice, except for the fact that you have to buy a meal plan. Plus, a lot of them have special requirements, like Cawthon is for music majors and women in the WIMSE program, Jennie Murphree is all girls, Reynolds is the wellness living hall, which means no smokers, drinkers, or drug users, Bryan is for freshmen only, and Landis is for honors kids, leaving only Gilchrist and Broward for the average student. All of the renovated dorms are suite-style and have singles, doubles, triples, and quads. Then you have the community-style halls where you have to walk down the hall to use the restroom or shower, but on the plus side, you're more likely to socialize with your neighbors and you don't have to buy a meal plan. Deviney and Dorman are pretty nice—they have a little more space, better furniture—and Kellum and Smith are awful. You can't even move your bed, and you have no closet to speak of. There's also Salley, which is suite-style. The suites have a separate study area that you share with your suitemates, but the bedrooms are so ridiculously small that you can basically only have your beds bunked, and you have to share the dresser and the closet. If you've gotten through one year on campus and decide to do it again you can live in McCollum or Ragans, which are apartment-style and pretty nice. If you get a normal apartment in McCollum, you have to share the bedroom with someone, but it's a two-story apartment with a full-sized kitchen. They also have single "efficiencies" but good luck getting one! Ragans is really nice, but the bedroom is TINY!

Campus Strictness

FSUPD are very strict about underage drinking. You can cry and yell and all that, but they’ll still write you up for it. Sometimes, they’ll just make you pour out your drinks, but if you make a scene, they’ll make tough on you.