Even if it’s your first semester at UF, you’ve likely already discovered that campus is filled with many kinds of people. What you might not have realized is that some of those people have a lot in common with your grandma’s favorite TV Land rerun.
If you’ve never seen The Golden Girls, you definitely should. It’s full of laughs, heartwarming moments and even some strong examples of feminism. If you have seen the beloved show, you’ll get what I mean when I say that Dorothy, Rose, Blanche and Sophia can easily represent a few of the people you’ll meet while at UF – especially if they’re from Miami!
Rose
Rose is loveable but often a little clueless to how things around her work – just like your favorite freshman friend or maybe your freshman self. If Rose were a student at UF, she’d always pull the cord at The Hub. She’d ask, “Where is Little Hall?,” while standing right in front of it. “Isn’t Krishna free?” Rose would ask while standing in the line to pay for Krishna Lunch. Freshmen like Rose are always happy to share stories of exciting times they had back in high school (St. Olaf) with their new UF pals. Still, for all their faults, these students are some of the kindest people you’ll meet. They’re always down to be your study buddy in Marston or share their Good Life Smokin’ Notes with you. They’ll grow out of this phase, too. Roses have to “bloom” into the Gator they’re meant to be.
Blanche
Blanche is the perfect Southern Belle. That means that as a student at UF, she would be a great addition to any sorority house. She’s all about hospitality and poise. The Blanches of UF have the best game day outfits – probably old Gators T-shirts that they magically transformed into chic tube tops. They always put on a big smile at whatever event their sorority is hosting and are sure to be welcoming. Blanche definitely has her flirty side too, though. If Blanche were a student at UF, and you were sitting behind her in class, you might catch her swiping through Tinder. She’s always on her way to a date and loves to flirt when she’s out at Mid. That’s part of what makes the Blanches of UF so fun to go out with. It’s easy to feel more comfortable when the person you’re with is a natural in social settings.
Dorothy
Dorothy definitely seems more grounded than the rest of The Golden Girls. As a student at UF, she’d be the most serious studier you know. A Dorothy only goes to the silent floors of the libraries and has never changed her major – not even questioned it once. She’d be an expert at avoiding enthusiastic tablers in Turlington, saying “no thank you” rapidly or just shooting them a look that says “don’t you dare talk to me.” If you had Dorothy in your class, she’d never be worried about an upcoming exam. She doesn’t use Study Edge. In fact, she probably works for Study Edge. While the Dorothys of UF might seem a little intimidating at first, they’re great to have in your friend group. Their grounded nature certainly comes in handy for shutting down ridiculous ideas. (“No, we’re not going out to Mid tonight. You have an 8:30 tomorrow”). They’ll happily offer homework help, and they might even send you a link to the Quizlet they made if you ask nicely.
Sophia
The Sophias of UF are the classic final semester seniors. They tease all the other UF Golden Girls, but they’ll always be there for them in the end. Getting them to come to class and do their assignments is like pulling teeth – just like getting Sophia to get out of the house to go to a doctor’s appointment. The Sophias of UF take up new hobbies and join clubs just for the fun of it, rather than trying to build their resume. (Think Sophia in this classic scene where she decides to learn magic tricks.) Psychology Club? Sure. Outdoor Adventure Recreation? Why not. The last semester of your college career seems like a good time to start rowing crew, right? You might even spot a Sophia trying to complete all the traditions in their F Book right before they graduate. They always say what’s on their mind, no matter what. They’re about to leave UF, so how can there be any consequences?
While not every person you meet at UF will fit these types exactly, they probably remind you of at least a few people you know. If you’re still unsure, take it as an opportunity to pile on the couch with your closest gal pals and binge watch The Golden Girls. Don’t forget the cheesecake!