For me, this semester was a whirlwind of highs and lows. As a sophomore here at Florida State University, I thought I knew what to expect, but I had no idea the turns this semester would take. On top of classes, I’m involved in research, sorority recruitment, and registered student organizations, and I felt like I never got a break. The fall semester feels never-ending, and I often get overwhelmed with the increased tasks and events that take place within the first few months of school. However, to celebrate a bittersweet close and much-needed break from academics at FSU, I wanted to wrap this semester up with a little bow (it is the holiday season, after all) and showcase some of the most significant events I can think of that happened at FSU during the Fall 2023 semester.
Weather Delays
Every year, I thank the FSU staff for their generosity and consideration regarding the weather; it’s practically a tradition at this point. Florida is prone to hurricanes, and Hurricane Idalia didn’t mess around. Florida State students got multiple days off at the beginning of the school year due to the weather conditions.
While FSU’s campus was fortunate not to be affected by Idalia, many other Florida cities cannot say the same. The weather is something to always be on the lookout for during the beginning of the fall semester. While hurricanes don’t always hit FSU and students can rest during the time off, it’s often not the same case for other coastal cities.
fraternity and sorority Recruitment
Whether you are involved in Fraternity and Sorority Life (FSL) or not, I’m sure you’ve noticed recruitment at some point. At the beginning of each fall semester, hundreds of women are always running around in full makeup, dresses, and heels, going through the recruitment process. Sorority recruitment, in addition to the groups of men going through their rush process later in the year, is always a sight.
I was on the other side of sorority recruitment this year, but as a first-year student who had never experienced this tradition before, it can be shocking. Regardless of what it looks like, I recommend looking into FSL if you’re searching for more ways to get involved with the FSU community, as they sometimes have more informal recruitment processes in the spring.
Club Involvement
Whenever I’m walking on campus, something is always going around Landis Green or Legacy Walk. There are over 750 Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) at FSU, and the fall semester is such a busy time of year for them. Many fundraising organizations like Dance Marathon, Light the Night, and Relay for Life host fundraising “pushes” on campus to help bring awareness to their cause and encourage students to become involved and donate. Florida State’s Student Government Association (SGA) elections are also held in the fall and are often a big talking point of the semester. These fundraising organizations, SGA, and many other RSOs or small local businesses can be seen throughout the year advertising their clubs or businesses to students, often making this a significant highlight of the fall semester.
FSU Athletics
Last but not least, we can never forget FSU athletics. As always, the fall semester of any sizeable public college centers around game days, and this season tops just about any other. FSU’s football team went 13-0 and ended up being ranked No. 5 in the College Football Playoff rankings, just barely missing their chance for the playoffs. Additionally, Florida State’s women’s soccer team had an exceptional season and recently won the National Championship! The gameday culture here at Florida State is something I always look forward to, and it did not disappoint this fall.
These are just a few small moments within a crazy semester that I appreciate being a part of. So many things have happened over the past four months, and I am genuinely grateful to go to this school and be surrounded by constant love and encouragement from the people I’ve met. As an out-of-state student, I am so happy to call Florida State my home, and I couldn’t have asked for a better semester. My involvement has led me to find new passions, meet new people, and continue to take pride in choosing FSU. Here’s to so many more memories, and that’s a wrap on FSU’s Fall 2023 semester!
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