You wake up, and it’s move-out day, the last day of your childhood. You are leaving the place you’ve called home for years, the community that feels like family and the friends you’ve known for as long as you remember. Everything is starting over for you. Gainesville is waiting.
To compare Key West and Gainesville is to compare an island and a swamp, a rooster and a bison, or a Conch and a Gator.
Leaving the small community of Key West to attend a large state university can be daunting. Key West is unique, and going from a small town where you recognize every face to a place where everyone’s a stranger can certainly be intimidating.
Attending the University of Florida (UF) is a dream for many, but leaving a city with just over 26,000 people for a campus of over 55,000 students requires some preparation.
“It takes some getting used to. … I have never in my life seen so many people around,” said Logan Kirchner, a freshman at UF who grew up in Key West. “It’s definitely different from Key West.”
For Theo Dorel, a Key West native who graduated from UF in 2022, the necessary adjustments revealed themselves the moment he stepped on campus.
“UF is extremely different from Key West,” Dorel said, “In general, people are in more of a rush. … Once you experience life outside Key West, you realize just how true the phrase ‘island time’ really is.”
But life at UF need not be overwhelming for long. New people provide new opportunities and relationships.
“The school is huge, but you always feel like an individual with how the staff treats you,” Kirchner said. “The community and people here are so kind, and everywhere I go, someone holds the door for me or strikes up a conversation.”
“My favorite thing about UF was finding like-minded people with curious minds and a desire to be the best version of themselves,” Dorel said.
Both Dorel and Kirchner advise incoming students to be ready for the academic challenge of the nationally ranked Top-5 university while remembering to balance work and fun.
“Create a balance,” Kirchner said, “School is important, but so is making friends and doing things for yourself. … Don’t be afraid to just sit down next to someone and start talking.”
“Keep a very open mind and be honest with yourself,” Dorel said, “You will be pushed hard academically, and balancing that with your mental health can be challenging.”
The transition to a Gator lifestyle can be daunting for first-year students.
Dorel’s biggest challenge at UF was self-confidence.
“I struggled to separate my self-worth from my academic performance,” he said.
Kirchner struggled to find balance early in his college life,
“Living on my own, learning how to study and making friends was very stressful,” he said. “My first semester, I worked way too hard and didn’t stop to take care of myself.”
Both students overcame their early challenges by doing what they enjoyed at UF.
“I never realized how important time outside was for me until coming to college,” Kirchner said, “Now I can confidently say nature is part of my study plan.”
“I loved playing sports, attending sporting events, the Springs and just hanging out with my friends,” Dorel said.
Going to a football game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium or playing intramural sports with friends are just two of the countless activities that allow students to escape the challenging workload. Those looking to study, relax or socialize also have access to serene nature preserves around campus.
“Nothing compares to the nature-related activities here in Gainesville,” Kirchner said, “All you need is a blanket or hammock, and you can relax or study in the nature reserves or other spots around campus.”
At UF, there is something for everyone.
The transition brings new experiences, challenges and opportunities. Ultimately, the Gator Nation is a large new family that embraces its newcomers with support, friendship and community.
(Editor’s Note: Dylan Olive graduated Key West High School in 2021 and is currently majoring in journalism at UF.)
