Survival Guide to Life at the University of Florida

For those of you who like to get a bit loose on the weekends, here's the ultimate question: Are you a Midtown person or a Downtown person? So let me break it down for you. Midtown is where you go to get a little crazy. And by a little crazy I mean dancing on the bar crazy. Midtown is your stereotypical raunchy college town bar scene. $2 wells, tight spaces, and loud music. Not to mention, they have the best late night snacking food. Pizza, arepas, you name it. Typically, this is a big hot spot for members of the Greek community. And then there's downtown. Now, downtown has a ton of nightlife just like midtown. Can you still have a fun night and get a little crazy there? Of course. However, the vibe downtown is completely different. It has a more artsy, hipster vibe to it. The Hippodrome theatre is located there along with Barcade, the Top, and a music venue called the High Dive. The energy is a bit more laid back and usually reels in an older crowd of students. ...

Fun Fact: The Gainesville area has so many outdoor activities to enjoy. Whether you don't have class or you have a free weekend, there are a ton of opportunities to immerse yourself in the outdoors. Here's a list of my top 5 suggestions: 1) Paynes Prairie Paynes Prairie is a National Natural Landmark located just south of Gainesville in Micanopy, FL. It encompasses approximately 21,000 acres of land, 300 plus species of birds, and wide variety of wildlife such as alligators, bison, and horses. There are various look out points throughout the park, along with various hiking trails and camping sites. For more information, check out their website . 2) Devil's Den Devil's Den is one of the Gainesville area's hidden gems. Located 35 minutes from campus in Williston, FL, Devil's Den is an underwater cave where you have the option of scuba diving or snorkeling. See what all the hype is about with this  article  by Travel and Leisure magazine. 3) The...

Lets face it. From all of the studying here at UF, we need our coffee intake to keep us in tact. But are you sick and tired of that 24/7 Dunkin and Starbucks? Boy, do I have the solution for you! In the midst of Butler Plaza is a little island, or rather a hut in the middle of a parking lot. Bay Island Coffee is one of the greatest craves for all the coffee and food junkies out there. This teeny little hut attracts dozens and dozens of cars packed with hysterical customers each day. On an average Saturday or Sunday morning or afternoon, you can find 6 cars waiting in line at one time. What's all the craze about? The coffee is authentic, one of a kind, and most importantly delicious. They have a variety of coffee flavors, coffee ice cubes, and a selection of breakfast sandwiches. Just always remember to order food first and THEN your drink. So what are you waiting for?? Go ahead and treat yourself to some Bay Island Coffee. I know that's where I'm headed right now! ...

Welcome to Batman's secret UF lair! Every day of the year across from Lake Alice people can watch the bats leave their home at sunset. For years, three bat houses have sat on Museum Road creating a fun and free attraction for students, faculty, and anyone who pleases. Whether you want to take your family or check it out with your friends, the bat houses are open to anyone. Definitely an incredible moment to watch and I highly recommend going to check it out while you're here in the Swamp. It's pretty great. For more information, check out this article by the Orlando Sentinel.

This past Wednesday was the UF Accent show featuring Carly Firoina. Accent is a student run organization that brings influential speakers on to campus throughout the year. Accent is funded by student government, and the cost for tickets is FREE. Tickets are open to all students and can be a great way to hear from some of the boldest names of our time. Past speakers include former President Jimmy Carter, Paul Rudd, and Keenan Thompson. Check out my interview with the Accent Director of Outreach and his recap on the most recent show with Carly Fiorina!