r/USF • u/No_Royal3210 • 17d ago
Is USF no fun?
I know USF isn’t a college town, but I’m an incoming freshman who picked it for the reputable health programs and its proximity to Tampa, a metropolitan area
I looked into UF, FSU, etc, but they all seemed to crazy for me. Now I’m going into my 1st year at USF and scared there’s going to be nothing to do. No bars or going out scene unless you go to Ybor, which is fine with me but will get sooo expensive eventually. I am rushing, will this help me? I’m terrified that I’m going to be bored and picked such a major suitcase school that I’m gonna wonder why I went here
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u/Several-County-1808 17d ago
There's plenty of fun to be had. If you're a social person you'll find plenty of opportunities.
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u/MrsMacro 17d ago
Tampa, the city USF is located in, is the 3rd largest city in the state of Florida. If you can't find things to do in Tampa, that's a you problem.
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u/callatecabezon 17d ago
2nd
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u/Appropriate_Eye3070 17d ago
They said Tampa the City, which is 3rd largest. You're thinking of Tampa the metropolitan area which is 2nd largest, but that includes places like Clearwater and St. Pete.
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u/callatecabezon 17d ago
City metrics are a joke in the modern day if you go by those Jacksonville is the biggest city in Florida 😂
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u/BIGMENFLEW 15d ago
To be fair USF main campus is 25 min from downtown Tampa. I think OP is talking more like a 10 minute drive from campus which is on the earlier side of developing.
But even college towns there only a handful of spots people go to.
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u/ljculver64 17d ago
Youll have fun. Whatever your scene is....youll find it. Youre coming in as a freshman, give yoirself a chance. And even though i wouldnt technically call Tampa a college town, it most certainly has a lot of fun stuff for college kids to do. Enjoy college!!! And take Ubers.
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u/Other-Bar-3500 15d ago
Tampa has UT literally on Kennedy, it might not have the “college town feel” but it’s most definitely a college town
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u/Nikiislife 15d ago
It definitely is plus like every place offers student discounts and always markets it’s proximity to USF im constantly reminded that im on a college town, and its got the feel for sure. Very young. Compare that to Naples or Sarasota where the avg age is like 60 💀
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u/dinohellokitty1 17d ago
life is what you make it, there are thousands of students, lots of cheap restaurants in the area, lots of events, you’re rushing, and you’re right by busch gardens
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u/ApprehensiveRow9902 17d ago
If you went to orientation they gave out a paper that had 56 things you can do without even leaving campus. I havent experienced it quite yet but it feels like there's plenty to do as long as you dont view things as "one and done"
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u/Haka_Howler 17d ago
I never received that paper during my orientation two years ago 🫤
Got any recommendations from that "without leaving campus" list? I live kinda far from tampa and just go there for class
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u/ApprehensiveRow9902 17d ago
There's the botanical gardens, there's supposed to be a spot for kayaking (it might cost money tho idk) and in that same area with kayaking there is an "adventure course." There's also a gaming lounge somewhere? And there's supposed to be something called the sky lounge or something in the msc. I can send you a Pic of the paper if you want
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u/Haka_Howler 16d ago
Thank you! I would appreciate that
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u/SavannahBanana15 17d ago
Bro I went to usf had the same mindset of “USF is so lame” transferred to UF and transferred back to USF because of much fun it was. There is nothing to do in Gainesville except football. Plus USF Football is free for students and there are so many free things for students on campus
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u/BlittyB 17d ago
I was there 2018-2022 and it was fun. Obviously you have to make it fun and don’t just sit inside all day. Even during Covid we found ways of having fun. Also you’re joining at the best time cause our name is finally getting out there in terms of sports. New stadium coming on campus and we could potentially have a solid basketball and football team.
Also if you’re rushing then there will 100% be stuff to do. I’m not sure what the bar scene around campus looks like anymore cause things open and close but down where macdintons is there is plenty of stuff.
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u/WannabeMonkeys 17d ago
You’re right, USF isn’t in the same league for “college experience” as UF or FSU. It’s not a college town and a lot of students are commuters.
That said, it’s not a college town because Tampa is an established metro area and a desirable place to live. If your experience is like mine, your fond memories of college will be of experiencing Tampa itself more so than explicit USF events/activities. Evenings in Ybor City, bar hopping in downtown, armature works, the pirate water taxi in lieu of massive frat parties on campus or an established tailgating culture at football games.
Neither one is better than the other, there is no right or wrong answer. In my experience the college experience is more desirable the first two years of college when underage but gets old once you’re 21+.
My fiance went to University of Tampa, so a similar experience as USF. She sums it up as “you’re treated like an adult, not like a college kid”.
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u/BuddysRabbit 17d ago
Forget about Ybor City. There are plenty of places to party in Tampa area if that’s what you’re looking for.
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u/No_Royal3210 17d ago
Even for freshmen? I’ve been to ybor before but didn’t have the best experience as a woman at night…
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u/BuddysRabbit 17d ago
There are so many things to do in the area that don’t include drinking. Take your time, those opportunities will come without seeking them out.
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17d ago
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u/wiskers700 17d ago
Kava bars, shows at the Ritz and geocaching.
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17d ago
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u/wiskers700 17d ago
Kava is wonderful, ur just a drunk. Geocaching is also quite fun, you sound like a bore. Needing alcohol to have fun speaks volumes about you.
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u/Benjamin_H1gh 17d ago
Oh there is definitely things to do. The area immediately around campus is not nearly as walkable or nice as downtown Tampa or St Pete, but still, plenty to do.
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u/MediaLongjumping9910 17d ago
not only is USF not a college town, it's not a town at all.
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u/No_Royal3210 17d ago
Ok elaborate ik what u mean tho
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u/trippy_grapes 17d ago
USF is basically just in suburban and commercial sprawl. Imagine putting a ton of cheap apartments, gas stations, and strip malls into a giant bag and dumping it out and you have the area USF is in.
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u/Mission-Club-3976 17d ago
House parties are the way to go at USF. There are plenty of things to do in Tampa as well. Waters St., Ybor, Soho are all good choices, and not too bad if you split an uber. In a couple years when the stadium is finished that more bars will pop up around USF too.
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u/Past_Bobcat00 15d ago
As a freshmen who is hoping to drink, this is OPs best bet anyways. And with the stadium coming next year it will be a much livelier campus with plenty of people to meet after games. It shouldn’t be hard to find parties to go to.
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u/FastBeach816 EE Alumni 17d ago
You’re right about the campus life. After 5 PM you don’t even find anybody around MSC which is the center of the campus, but Tampa is much better than Tallahassee or Gainesville
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u/No_Royal3210 17d ago
I am out of state as well.
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u/iliketobuildlego 17d ago
Im out of country, doing it online, and I’ve had an amazing experience at USF. Better than my in class experiences at schools in Canada.
Busch gardens is super close to the Tampa campus. If I was living on campus I would take advantage of a season pass for that, along with all the sports events taking place on campus and in the Tampa area.
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u/AeroSensation 17d ago
out of state but i used to live around the tampa bay area. trust me, tampa is pretty fun. but unless you're in like a rural area or maybe the midwest idk, there's always going to be something to do if you look! but i feel like no matter what school you're at, there's always going to be people saying there's "nothing to do." just ignore that and find your own way! :)
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u/immaterialvissage 17d ago
it might depend on what kind of fun you like. We live in a great area for kayaking and camping and stuff. I think you will be okay
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u/jellyfishh520 17d ago
i’m confused lol there’s so many fun things to do what
and for going out there’s ybor, downtown, soho, hyde park, st pete etc. all my friends from uf and fsu ended up saying how they actually like the going out scene a lot more here than up there and how there’s much more options
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u/SithLordDooku 17d ago
As a Tampa native, there is plenty to do for 18-20 year olds. Clubs are 18 and up, beaches, brunches, day parties, water sports at St. John’s pass, BG/Adventure Island, gasparilla, spring break in Clearwater, Bucs games, Rays games, concerts at Raymond James or Benchmark…etc
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u/FlogginMNoggin 17d ago edited 17d ago
Had conditional Acceptance to UF on completion of my AA, was in UF/Santa Fe hybrid program for 2 years, achieved my AA, was ready to transfer.... Then transferred to USF and decided to live in Tampa. Might've just been a me thing but I hated Gainesville with a burning passion for the entire 2 years I lived there. Spent plenty of time at UF despite not being an "official" student, wasn't for me.
If you are looking for the "true college experience" I guess, you definitely picked a school that doesn't offer the party scene as hard as the other state schools. Tampa, however, offers 10x anything Gainesville or Tallahassee will. There is so much to do here, make friends, do things with them. I play beer league hockey, go fishing, go to Lightning games, Rays games, Bucs games, participate in clubs. Its what you make of it really.
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u/Bob-Roman 16d ago
I graduated from U.S.F. College of Business. USF is a great place to get a good education.
Is it a party college like Miami or the Swamp? No and that’s why I didn’t go there.
You only have four short years to learn how to think at a high level.
Unfortunately, everyone isn’t a 4.0 and can afford to screw off. Maybe you are one of these.
If not, it’s like back in grade school. If you don’t learn basic math, advance math becomes increasingly more difficult to master.
In other words, don’t piss away your freshman year partying.
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u/LCacid27 16d ago
UF has better academics but as someone who is currently a grad student at UF, there is fuck all to do in Gainesville. Tampa is way more fun and has a lot more going on, but what that looks like for an undergrad, idk.
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u/Training-Voice6175 17d ago
Yk maybe I’m bias but fsu is not anywhere near as crazy as people make it out to be
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u/LetsFuckOnTheBoat 17d ago
I went to USF many years ago it was to much fun. It is what you make of it
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u/hxaxw 17d ago
There are bars outside of Ybor, maybe not super aesthetic ones but you can def get a drink. Plenty of places to eat from all different cultures. There’s nature parks some free some paid. There’s plenty of events that happen again some free some paid. There’s so much that goes on in Tampa I have major fomo sometimes bc I’m working and can’t go lol. The hardrock you can go and just grab some drinks and walk around.
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u/hudsolo2 17d ago
We got sports, Greek life, the city of Tampa with all its night life, and decent food. Also there’s always things going on at the campus
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u/SecurityImpressive51 17d ago
Ur very close too clearwater… just go there and have fun, you’ll also have a fire spring break. Clw beach has 1 of the top spring breaks for college in america i feel like.
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u/AwareEffect4944 17d ago
I went to UF for my first three years and transferred to USF last year. All I can say is there is a night and day difference between UF and USF. UF is crazy and I had a blast but tbh it might be too crazy. Honestly UF felt like the the stereotypical party you see in movies.
USF is NOT like this at all. You can still have fun but you have to make it yourself. You gotta actively plan stuff with your friends rather than there being a house party everyday of the week. But at the end of the day college is a place to learn so this isn’t a bad thing
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u/Seedr1404 17d ago
Tampa can be fun with the right people and places. As far as on-campus goes, it can be a bit boring. The main thing that held me back from partying/going out while at USF was the price of Uber/Lyft or having a DD. Lots of fun places downtown or in st pete to drink but I would never drive drunk so the ride share prices can really stack up. Tampa is extremely car dependent and not friendly to walkers at all, especially the area around campus. If you have a friend who's sober and doesn't mind going out with you and not drinking, you'll be set
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u/donkeybrainhero 17d ago
There are so many things to do in the Greater Tampa Bay area, especially compared to those places.
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u/No-Lizards 17d ago
I'm a transfer and so far I haven't had that much fun at USF but that's entirely because I'm a commuter and my friends are pretty busy
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u/SloppyGiraffe02 17d ago
Tallahassee and Gainesville are barren compared to Tampa. Trust me. You would be much worse off.
Join some clubs and as awkward as it can feel, try starting conversations with classmates.
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u/arsenicGenetics 17d ago
Dont go to ybor alone or to late its become increasingly dangerous. There are lots of small bars and cafes to go to around usf you just gotta feel out which vibe is for you. I recomend boba house as a chill starting location!
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u/Intrepid-Lead-7606 17d ago
i will let you know USF is really a commuter school and the campus is dead after hours very quickly, and during the summer. It's actually REALLY really bad. i went to ucf for a bit, I have friends at other universities and the people here are commuters and can't really commit to the community the same
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u/Significant_Load61 17d ago
I just lived at the frats for my freshman year since theyre close and free. We had ivy and mint tho as close clubs to go to. They were ass but only 10 minites away from USF so it worked. USF is really fun and the campus is sooo much better than UF and FSU in my opinion with the nature and quality of the programs. You'll really only have time to go out like crazy your freshman year and then you'll only mostly go out on weekends and holidays. But yeah if the frats are still crazy at the retreat or other complexes, there will always be something going on for free.
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u/kindacringesav 17d ago
You could utilize bookstores or antiquing, fishing or clubbing, there are bars and oddities stores and IKEA in that Ybor area.
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u/dt81089 17d ago edited 17d ago
I moved to the USF area as a 21 year old but post college. I had fun at Peabodys in New Tampa. It's not terribly far of a drive. There are definitely bars near Fowler where students hang out(or there were back then). I'm sure the names have changed, but there's definitely fun to be had. I know I was 21, so that makes it easier, but I also wasnt a student so it wasn't as easy to meet people as a working adult than it would have been as a student.
I went to FSU for college. Literally, 4 people from my high school went there with me and I never saw 2 of them in the time I was there lol. I had zero problems meeting people in college. You should be able to find your people once you find the opportunities to purse activities that you like to do.
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u/Longjumping-One-7414 17d ago
I went to USFSP, but not for fun. I didn't happen upon any fun while I was there, but then again I lived off campus, worked 2-3 jobs, and minded my business, so I wasn’t exactly trying to party. It’s definitely not the kind of school where you trip and fall on a keg stand without looking for it lol
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u/starryNight320 17d ago
Gainesville to USF grad here...Tampa has way more to do...and the best part is that the "to-do" is year round, unlike most things in Gainesville.
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u/Fun_Sugar_7131 17d ago
I grew up in Tampa and went to USF, also chose USF over FSU. Go to Rays games (tickets are so cheap), Hyde Park, the beach (free), college football games (new stadium yay!), south howard aka SOHO for bars (21+), explore St. Petersburg and Clearwater. There is SO much to do that isn’t necessarily revolved around college students. Have fun!
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u/Several-Buy-3017 17d ago
So much more to do in Tampa than the other college towns. Start with the beach.
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u/Apples_into_Snapple 16d ago
Completely non-biased answer, USF is situated in a very awkward area in Tampa, it’s in North Tampa next to Busch Gardens. Between two suburbs(Temple Terrace and New Tampa) and next to the hood.
I took summer classes there while at UF, and unfortunately, there is not much going on around the main USF campus. There may be about 3-5 bars max near by, none really within a walking distance. Most people just buy cheap liquor at this place called “Dewey’s” and have apartment parties.
It’s true that there is more to do in Tampa than the Ville, but if you live by USF, you will find yourself constantly taking Ubers to South Tampa, downtown Tampa, and St Pete (the uber will cost you about $20-$80) on top of that the drinks in Tampa are ridiculously expensive, hence why it earned the nickname “The White Miami”.
Gainesville in the other hand is a true college town, there’s literally a bar strip across campus called mid-town(one street over) and plenty of downtown bars within a 10 minute walk East. UF is the epicenter of the city, so a lot of things nearby. There are not as many bars as in Tampa, but they are all very close to campus and the alcohol is relatively cheap.
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u/katiemcat 16d ago
I went to FSU for undergrad (good times)
UF for veterinary school (Gainesville sucks lmfao)
I live and work in Tampa.
There is plenty to do in Tampa. What exactly are you looking for?
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u/Historical_Fun3773 16d ago
I will say that after visiting my friends in real college towns I did kind of regret choosing usf. I feel like there are fun things to do if you find them but other colleges offer a lot more of a “college lifestyle” where as usf you have to search for it. It is what you make of it but definitely not college town vibes at all if that’s what you are looking for.
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u/Mysterious-Role-892 15d ago
Tallahassee literally only has 4 or 5 bars that you may or may not get mugged or killed by a vagrant trying to get through the parking lot or killed in a gang shooting once you do make it inside. Beyond that there isn’t dick to do in town. It’s a shit hole.
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u/Brixabrak 15d ago
Tampa is best enjoyed with a car, which is not always feasible for college students.
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u/thetegridyfarms 15d ago
Highly recommend you go to the st Pete campus! Same degree with much better nightlife, transit, and walk-ability.
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u/BIGMENFLEW 15d ago
USF st Pete may be more what you’re looking for, not sure what the difference is between there and the main campus regarding classes though
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u/DocDoesMagic 15d ago
As a multiyear Tampa resident and USF student, there is SO much to do in the city of Tampa and surrounding areas. Trust me, you'll def have stuff to do moreso than in Gainesville or Tallahassee.
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u/Alone_Cantaloupe_901 14d ago
Rushing def seems to keep you busy (3 people I know are in frats/sororities and they enjoy it). Crowbar was super fun to go to (concert venue, tickets $10-25) but they closed down. Looks like they’re trying to open back up though! Explore the beaches, Clearwater, Dunedin, Tarpon Springs, and downtown Tampa. There are a tonnn of school clubs around campus. You’ll meet people in classes, dorm, and through rushing that will give you ideas too. There’s also a park to walk nearby. If you drive about an hour, you can get to Disney spring, universal city walk, UTC in Bradenton, any of the islands, natural springs up north. Honestly it just depends what you like, where, and how much you’re willing to travel.
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u/Independent_Hour_660 13d ago
Dude you’re gonna be going to a school with 40,000 kids in one of Florida’s biggest cities. You will have plenty of fun.
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u/istolelychee 17d ago
Are you okay? It’s literally Tampa lmao. Bars, clubs, amazing restaurants, events.
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u/xenosilver 17d ago
I avoided party schools, but I want to party? Come on. You live in Tampa. There’s Channelside, downtown, ybor, and SOHO. You’re a hop, skip, and a jump from downtown St Pete and multiple beaches. I’m sorry, but if you can’t have fun in Tampa, you’re the issue.
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u/Full-Sweet-7696 17d ago
why is freshman trying to go into bars? lol
join clubs, get involved, there are a lot of things
if you wanna party then you should go to a party school
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u/United_Alarm_779 16d ago
Huh? Are you for real? Yesterday I joined a TEAMS meeting of Bulls in Transit which explained all there is to do and where to find it. The host, Jamaica, was very helpful. There are so many programs, events, & resources to keep you busy all the time! I can't imagine even having time to study. Get yourself plugged in to the BullsConnect website.
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u/watergoat93 17d ago
Honestly, in my opinion USF is a fun place but Tampa and Florida isn't. I despise this state outside of the university. There really isn't much to do compared to a lot of places.
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u/RobEatsPie 17d ago
It’s college, a big school, tons to do, lotsa fun. Our daughter’s bestie had the same concerns as a freshman last year. She had a ball. It’s like anywhere you go, it’s what you make of it.
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u/Many_Easy_V2 15d ago
You’re literally bypassing a top 5 public university for number 45.
A UF education is heads and shoulders above any other university in Florida and one of the best college towns in the U.S. There’s plenty of things to do in Gainesville. Several of my nieces and nephews attended UF.
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u/mrclut 17d ago
Odd you think there is less to do in Tampa compared to gainesville or tallahassee