They say other people know us better than we know ourselves. Our friends can predict what we’re going to do before we even get the stupid idea to do it in the first place, and when you need to ask mom and dad to ask for a few extra bucks, you already know how the conversation is gonna play out before you send that text (because obviously you have a cool mom).
Surprisingly, though, this concept applies to universities as well as people. I know, I know — universities aren’t people. Corporations are, but the two are basically the same thing for the purposes of this article, jafeel?
This summer I took a class at Florida Atlantic University, better known simply as FAU, in Boca Raton. If you’re unaware, Boca is essentially Manhattan’s Upper East Side, but with palm trees. The town is characterized by high-end shopping and Lamborghinis, Bentleys and Maseratis parked outside. Everyone is either Jewish, retired or both, with a few exceptions here and there, and every corner has a bagel place/deli, pizzeria or kosher supermarket. The takeaway is this: Boca is no college town.
I love Boca — it’s my home — but for college, it’s not so much fun. Rather than the grimy bars that make up Midtown, Boca has the uppity bars of Mizner Park, where obnoxiously complaining about the customer service in an attempt to get free drinks is a sport.
Unlike Gainesville, people apparently talk to each other in class at FAU. I don’t know if it this is because it’s summer and classes are smaller, but I talked a lot with the people in my classes. Those conversations started off casual but quickly moved on to Larry David-esque medium talk once they learned I go to UF. Suddenly, they’d tell me all the stereotypes associated with UF students and Gainesville. Apparently, this is how outsiders see our world:
Nightlife
I don’t think we are thankful enough that we live in a college town where nightlife is dominated by a crowd aged 18 to 24. For schools in “real” cities where “real” adults live, all the bars and clubs are 21+, which leaves freshmen, sophomores and a whole lot of juniors out in the cold looking for sketchy house parties or simply just staying in. Bars outside of college towns also don’t offer 25 cent wells or free drinks for ladies on Wednesdays. Happy hour, when they’re lucky, is maybe a $4 beer. Ouch.
Via: redorbit.com
Smarts
People know us as the best school in Florida. Even though it might seem like the girl sitting next to you in Cultural Anthropology can’t pronounce the name of the course you’re both in, she was still somehow smart enough, or at least resourceful enough (which requires some intelligence), to get into the most prestigious school in the state. People automatically assume you’re a lot smarter than you may actually be when you say you go to UF.
Resources
I never really thought about the accomplished professors we have here until someone in my class at FAU said, “You guys have like crazy professors doe.” Eloquently put, sir. We really do have some notable faculty members, particularly in the sciences. And many of our colleges, like the College of Journalism, are top-ranked in the nation. Basically, we have some of the smartest people in the world feeding us knowledge at UF.
Via: kulfoto.com
Sports
How many schools are as baller at ballin’ as UF? Not many kick ass both at basketball and football (minus this past season, but it happens). And I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention our women’s softball team, even though that apparently escaped everyone’s consciousness within 24 hours. We’re literally taking classes with the next Matt Bonner and the next Tim Tebow. I mean Aaron Hernandez. I mean, just a good NFL player. With no rap sheet. And not only do we have talent, but we have an incredible fan base. There really is nothing like an SEC game day, especially if you actually make it to the game.
We’re All Friends
Apparently, we get along better than students at other schools. Everyone seems to think we all get along, which is mostly true. UF can get super cliquey, much like high school, but when you’re elsewhere and learn someone goes to UF, you form an immediate bond over long nights at Club West and blackout nights in Midtown.
If you’ve ever had one of those moments of doubt, wondering if you made the right decision going here, just stop. Everyone else out there is jealous of us, be grateful. Go Gata.
Featured photo courtesy of: justincaseyouwerewondering.com
