Each fall at UF marks the beginning of a new era as another group of recently admitted Gators arrive on campus. These students can look forward to defining moments that will be etched in their minds and will live on long after they walk across the stage on graduation day.
For me, the fall of 2006 was characterized by the annual football buzz for the year, primarily consisting of talks of Tim Tebow and Percy Harvin, an 8 a.m. Bugs and People lecture with professor Barfield and yearning to get involved.
As a freshman on a campus of more than 52,000, my usual compass was out of whack. If navigating to class wasn’t difficult enough, the ever pressing “How do I get involved?” question seemed too much to bear. I tried to digest the alphabet soup of organizations, but I couldn’t begin to decipher the difference between the C.S.A.I. and the C.L.S. Not to mention, there are more than 900 student groups that I could potentially join.
Yet, by sifting through the student information guide, Gator Times, and wandering around on the third floor of the Reitz Union, I soon discovered that there is place for everyone. You simply need to play to your strengths. If you get involved in things you are genuinely interested in, the rest will follow.
Some of you may want to get involved in Student Government. Allow me to offer you an important piece of advice: Do not get discouraged. I thought SG’s Freshman Leadership Council or Student Alumni Association Florida Cicerones would be the best options for me. I applied for both and was not selected.
While both are truly phenomenal organizations, in hindsight it was the best thing. Had I been chosen for either one of the other two, I may never have continued to search for things to get involved in and missed the opportunity to discover organizations that better fit my interests and skills. Ultimately I got involved with the Accent Speaker’s Bureau and Florida Blue Key’s Legislative Day.
Specifically within SG, there are a wide variety of ways to get involved in whatever you may be interested in. If you are technologically savvy, we have a Technology Cabinet and other technological positions within agencies that could further develop your skills. Music enthusiasts may find SG Productions a great fit. This group plays an active role in planning concerts and hosting artists such as John Legend, Slightly Stoopid and Lil’ Wayne. And those of you with interests in politics, debating or parliamentary procedure, SG Senate could be an area for you to thrive.
Just so you know, SG at UF plays a tremendous role in making sure you have a fabulous collegiate experience. It directs your student activity fees into recreational sports programs and facilities, the Reitz Union and hundreds of student organizations. This allows for everything from intramural sports to new food options in the Reitz Union to be made possible.
We are all truly blessed to attend the best university in the nation. Whether you have one semester or four years remaining, cherish the time you have at UF. You have a unique opportunity to excel academically and hone your extracurricular activities. Welcome to new Gators and welcome back to the returning Gators. I am honored to have the opportunity to represent you for the next year and will continue to work on behalf of all students at the University of Florida. Go Gators!
