What to Expect

Coming to UT is probably the only thing on your mind right now...right? You probably have most of your living arrangements worked out, you've gone over your schedule a million times in your head, and you're already picturing what your professors look like. Now you just need to get there. For this post I wanted to just briefly touch on a few random things you can expect out of life at UT and the things I've learned throughout the years:

• Freshman year is a blast, but always remember why you are in Tampa. School first, then fun. I think Freshman year was one of my favorite years, but I also know a few people that didn't make it past Freshman year because they had too much fun. 
• Always take a taxi when you go out. The taxis line up on the weekends in front of Vaughn. $3 a person if you have two or more people. 
• Learn your way around Tampa whether you have a car or not. Knowing where you need to go for your basics is important. It gets annoying when someone asks for the 5th time how to get to Publix. Tampa is SO easy to get around, if you learn early it will be even easier. 
• Take advantage of your surroundings. You are about to live in an amazing part of Florida. Go to the beach, go to the professional sporting events, buy concert tickets, lay out in the park, bike ride on Bayshore....do it all and make the most out of your four years.

         This is me riding my bike on Bayshore ---------->                                                                       

• Don't use a tray in the cafe. I used a tray freshman year, you'll want to use a tray freshman year...but you'll learn quick they take up A LOT of room at the table. I hate to say it will be a dead giveaway that you are a freshman, but it will. Kind of trivial but just a tip.
• Get to know your professors. Use their office hours. Take advantage of going to a small school. The more professors you know, the more likely you'll get the help you need down the road.
• Networking is key. Honest to god its not what you know its who you know. Meet everyone you can and make sure they remember you. You may not think that criminology professor is important now, but 3 years from now they might be the person who could get you that job you always wanted. 

    This is me at the Super Bowl in Tampa. These are other UT   students I'm with. We used networking to get a job with the NFL while they were in town. It was an AMAZING experience..and I got paid!  --->

• Go to as many UT sporting events as you can. Not only is it great to have school spirit but you will meet a lot of interesting people. Plus, since our school is so small there is a good chance you will know at least one person on every team.  
• And I guess my last tip is to get your best grades Freshman and Sophomore years because the higher your GPA is in the beginning the better. Junior and Senior years are killers when it comes to classes, so when you are taking your easier classes in the first 2 years, get great grades to start that solid foundation with your GPA.

If I think of any more that seem important I'll let you know!

Have a great weekend!