When people discover I’m a Gainesville resident of 10 years, they often look surprised then sympathetically say: “Wow, you must get so bored over the summer.” And I would vigorously nod my head in agreement.
Until recently.
What took me many years to realize is that a college town like Gainesville provides the perfect environment to build relationships with a diverse group of peers. The summer makes it even better since there are less students on campus and more time to spare. So if you’re in town for the next two to three months, here are some recommendations for how to get the most out of your summer in Gainesville:
Friendships
Obviously, if you and your close friend are both in town over the summer it’s the perfect time to hang out. Use the next few months to try unique activities and explore the hidden gems of Gainesville together. If you and your girlfriend are huge fans of wine tasting, spend an afternoon at Half Cork’d, a wine and tapas bar in downtown Gainesville. Or if you want something more active to do, drop by the Gainesville Rock Gym and learn how to climb and belay for an excellent price. More of an arts and performance person? Go catch a show at the Hippodrome Theatre. All of the mentioned activities are close to campus and an enjoyable way to spend the summer with your good friends.
New acquaintances
We all have people we’ve met once or twice and instantly liked. But we never had the opportunity to get to know them on a deeper level. Now is your chance! Message that person and tell him or her you would love it if you could both get to know each other better. Too many people have a fear of being viewed as “creepy” when, chances are, it’s incredibly flattering to the person you’re contacting. Since this is a person you’re not close to yet, it’s best to go to a quieter place with little distractions so you can both talk in peace. Try going to the TOP for dinner and, if the night goes well, stay later for drinks. Since it’s the summer, it’ll probably be less crowded. In addition, if you end up running out of things to talk about, at least you’ll be able to gush about how delicious the food is. Or head to the Midnight Café & Bar for a fun and relaxed atmosphere. Depending on which day you go, there might be trivia or live music to make the night even more memorable.
Dating
Believe it or not, summers in Gainesville are the prime time to find a date. The best place? Your classes. For some reason, many people are incredibly opposed to searching for options in their classes when it should be one of the easiest places to find a cute date. Since summer classes usually require you to meet everyday, it’s an excellent opportunity to establish a relationship with the attractive person sitting next to you during lecture. Initiate conversation and suggest study dates. As stated in HerMANual’s article “How To Find a Boyfriend in College," don’t pass up any opportunities! If you’re really that against meeting someone in your classes, take a group of your single friends and head to upbeat places such as Rockeys Dueling Piano Bar or Gator City where it’s easy to mingle with strangers.
Although you may feel bummed to be stuck at the University of Florida this summer, being in Gainesville can truly be a fun experience if you give it a chance.
