Florida Southern is a hub of energy on a beautiful campus; it may be expensive but you definitely get your money's worth. The professors are some of the most kind and caring individuals and so are most of the students in the student body. I had high expectations of college and I was sure they would be dashed once I got here, but FSC completely lives up to those expectations!
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
If you need more financial aid from the school don't be discouraged. Ask about it and contact the financial aid office, if you genuinely need help they will do everything to get you the money you need.
Once you get on campus get involved in something! The organizations here are fun and active and will only enhance your experience (and we all know the college experience is half of what matters in college).
Do things out of your normal comfort. If you're a jock go see one of the awesome shows in Buckner or attend a music concert or recital or go to our awesome art gallery! If you're a nerd that doesn't get out of your area of nerdom much then sign up for the spring water skiing class (Rodger [the water skiing instructor] is amazing and hilarious) or go to a swim meet (They get pretty intense) or go on one of the many outdoor recreations trips (we have swim with the manatees and deep sea fishing and paintball and all sorts of fun trips for little to no cost), dare I say it? join greek life. There's so much to do and in college you really should expand beyond your comfort zone and test the waters; FSC offers an expansive amount of options and is a great place to learn about you!
Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
It really depends on what classes you take, but in general the classes are not an easy A for the average student. If you did well on your AP exams you shouldn't have much of a problem in your first two years. But I do hear that those science courses can be difficult (Organic Chem is supposedly hard. I don't have to take anything like that, but I think I remember my roommate saying it was a tedious class). However, I have heard of no one serious about their major doing particularly poor because of the difficult and I know professors are always there to help as is the student learning center.
Describe the dorm life at your college.
It can get a little rough sometimes because parts of the school are quite old, but in general it's not bad. The female freshman dorms are better than the male freshman dorms (sorry guys). However, upperclassmen dorms are really nice and in Wesley and Nicholas the most you will share a bathroom with is 4 and the bathroom is just for your little nook (or you can luck out like me and only share the bathroom with your roommate). Once you become a junior and if you have good GPA you can live in the off campus apartments, which are really nice. I lived in the Lake Morton apartments for a few months and loved it (I moved out because of roommate situations, not the apartment).
Tip: - Ask for the show room your freshman year. You get $500 from the school and get a nice, big room (with an a-mazing lake view- for the girls. I've never seen the guys show room.) and all you have to do is keep it clean and let a few tours gawk at your room every day. I did it and I miss that room! Haha.
Describe the food and dining at your college.
The caf (cafeteria, if you couldn't guess. AKA: Wynee's Bistro) is nothing to write home about. The breakfast is pretty good and the cold sandwich/ wrap/ pressed sandwich area makes life pretty good. Every so often you get a really good day and stir fry night is usually looked forward too along with catered nights (we've had Chipotle and Sonny's BBQ along with some others that I can't remember). There's always a fairly large salad bar with rotating and seasonal toppings and on Sundays it often is shared with the make your own Sunday bar.
The undercaf (AKA Terrace Cafe) is general fast food fare. The quesadillas are a favourite as are the chicken sandwiches and grilled cheese. I try to not eat there often (mostly because I never gained a freshman 15 and I never plan to) but it's good to grab things late at night or when you really need something quick.
The Mocmart is like a little convenience store. It's a bit overpriced, but if you live on campus you'll have a full meal plan your first year and generally enough points to spare. All sorts of things can be found here and usually if they don't have it you can request it and they'll get it.
The Grill Master... oh, the Grill Master. Easily the yummiest spot on campus, but it is often packed. And I mean line twisting down a ways packed. It's well worth it for some good food that is cooked right when you order it. (Hot breakfast sandwiches before early classes on cold days are the best.)
TuTu's Cyber Cafe has some of the best staff on campus. Period. No argument. They make going there completely worth it and make Starbucks beverages better than Starbucks (I seriously can only drink coffee from TuTu's now). The sandwiches are just cold cuts and are pretty good for pre-prepared cold cut sandwiches. Every so often a really good special shows up and is worth eating at least a couple times that week. By far the best part are the DELICIOUS big cookies. They're soft and gooey and amazing when put in the microwav...
What’s there to do for fun at your college?
Go water skiing, bike around Lake Hollingsworth, take a run around the lake, go see a show in the theatre (you'll see me there), go see a student recital, go to a concert, go to the art gallery, join intramural sports, check out camping equipment and go camping, explore the niche shops and yummy restaurants in downtown Lakeland, go see a movie at the Cobb, go to Yogurt Mountain (because it is the most delicious place on earth), go to a sporting event, sun yourself by the pool, shoot hoops in the pool, get a workout in the wellness center, go to ZUMBA, go to yoga, AB ATTACK, go on one of the outdoor recreation trips, play pool in the rec room, check out cornhole equipment and play that with your friends, go to community living events such as the fall festival, the farewell festival (where we throw a gigantic carnival that is completely free to students [including food and games] to wish everyone a good summer vacation), greek life, join a club, bake something in the 4th floor kitchens of Wesley and Nicholas, play sand volleyball in the courts behind Dell, go ghost hunting on our highly haunted campus, go to the worship events, or just hang out in the common areas!
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
FSC gives you your money's worth. The professors are excellent and the services offered (tutoring, physical training, outdoor rec, career advice, tech center, ect) are all handy and top notch. Everyone I know misses FSC when on break and can't wait to go back!
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
There are many urban legends about the campus and a ton of supposed ghosts. The most haunted building currently is Buckner Theatre.
Our president, Dr. Kerr, is only ever seen is school colours. She is always wearing at least red.
In Edge hall one of the classrooms was used to film the classroom scene in Water Boy with Adam Sandler.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
Looking for a close- knit community of friendly students and staff with professors that care and will remember you (and will remember you even long after you graduate). Everyone here really cares and genuinely wants to give you the best college education and experience that they can.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
There are so many clubs and so much to do here that there is no way you couldn't find something to suit you.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
I'm not involved, but I'm very good friends with many people who are (in fact, one of my best friends is the president of his fraternity) and they love every minute of it. Even if you don't think it's for you, give it a try and you might be surprised because Greek life is different here in the best way possible.
How would you describe campus safety? Do you feel safe on campus?
The campus is completely safe and to make it extra safe we are given button that, when pressed on both sides, set off alarms and immediately alert the campus security to your live GPS location and shows your picture and basic info. So, if an emergency ever happens (and I'm nearly 100% sure it hasn't- if it did, everyone would know since it is a small campus) you will have security there in very little time.
Besides emergencies and general safety, security has golf carts and are happy to give you a lift if you're injured or it is late at night and you have a ways to walk (this is especially nice for us females). They have even asked if I wanted a ride when it was cold and when I was running in a dress with my heels off because I was about to run late to call backs (and would have if they didn't give me a lift). They're all really nice and are always there to help.
Florida Southern is a hub of energy on a beautiful campus; it may be expensive but you definitely get your money's worth. The professors are some of the most kind and caring individuals and so are most of the students in the student body. I had high expectations of college and I was sure they would be dashed once I got here, but FSC completely lives up to those expectations!
If you need more financial aid from the school don't be discouraged. Ask about it and contact the financial aid office, if you genuinely need help they will do everything to get you the money you need. Once you get on campus get involved in something! The organizations here are fun and active and will only enhance your experience (and we all know the college experience is half of what matters in college). Do things out of your normal comfort. If you're a jock go see one of the awesome shows in Buckner or attend a music concert or recital or go to our awesome art gallery! If you're a nerd that doesn't get out of your area of nerdom much then sign up for the spring water skiing class (Rodger [the water skiing instructor] is amazing and hilarious) or go to a swim meet (They get pretty intense) or go on one of the many outdoor recreations trips (we have swim with the manatees and deep sea fishing and paintball and all sorts of fun trips for little to no cost), dare I say it? join greek life. There's so much to do and in college you really should expand beyond your comfort zone and test the waters; FSC offers an expansive amount of options and is a great place to learn about you!
It really depends on what classes you take, but in general the classes are not an easy A for the average student. If you did well on your AP exams you shouldn't have much of a problem in your first two years. But I do hear that those science courses can be difficult (Organic Chem is supposedly hard. I don't have to take anything like that, but I think I remember my roommate saying it was a tedious class). However, I have heard of no one serious about their major doing particularly poor because of the difficult and I know professors are always there to help as is the student learning center.
It can get a little rough sometimes because parts of the school are quite old, but in general it's not bad. The female freshman dorms are better than the male freshman dorms (sorry guys). However, upperclassmen dorms are really nice and in Wesley and Nicholas the most you will share a bathroom with is 4 and the bathroom is just for your little nook (or you can luck out like me and only share the bathroom with your roommate). Once you become a junior and if you have good GPA you can live in the off campus apartments, which are really nice. I lived in the Lake Morton apartments for a few months and loved it (I moved out because of roommate situations, not the apartment). Tip: - Ask for the show room your freshman year. You get $500 from the school and get a nice, big room (with an a-mazing lake view- for the girls. I've never seen the guys show room.) and all you have to do is keep it clean and let a few tours gawk at your room every day. I did it and I miss that room! Haha.
The caf (cafeteria, if you couldn't guess. AKA: Wynee's Bistro) is nothing to write home about. The breakfast is pretty good and the cold sandwich/ wrap/ pressed sandwich area makes life pretty good. Every so often you get a really good day and stir fry night is usually looked forward too along with catered nights (we've had Chipotle and Sonny's BBQ along with some others that I can't remember). There's always a fairly large salad bar with rotating and seasonal toppings and on Sundays it often is shared with the make your own Sunday bar. The undercaf (AKA Terrace Cafe) is general fast food fare. The quesadillas are a favourite as are the chicken sandwiches and grilled cheese. I try to not eat there often (mostly because I never gained a freshman 15 and I never plan to) but it's good to grab things late at night or when you really need something quick. The Mocmart is like a little convenience store. It's a bit overpriced, but if you live on campus you'll have a full meal plan your first year and generally enough points to spare. All sorts of things can be found here and usually if they don't have it you can request it and they'll get it. The Grill Master... oh, the Grill Master. Easily the yummiest spot on campus, but it is often packed. And I mean line twisting down a ways packed. It's well worth it for some good food that is cooked right when you order it. (Hot breakfast sandwiches before early classes on cold days are the best.) TuTu's Cyber Cafe has some of the best staff on campus. Period. No argument. They make going there completely worth it and make Starbucks beverages better than Starbucks (I seriously can only drink coffee from TuTu's now). The sandwiches are just cold cuts and are pretty good for pre-prepared cold cut sandwiches. Every so often a really good special shows up and is worth eating at least a couple times that week. By far the best part are the DELICIOUS big cookies. They're soft and gooey and amazing when put in the microwav...
Go water skiing, bike around Lake Hollingsworth, take a run around the lake, go see a show in the theatre (you'll see me there), go see a student recital, go to a concert, go to the art gallery, join intramural sports, check out camping equipment and go camping, explore the niche shops and yummy restaurants in downtown Lakeland, go see a movie at the Cobb, go to Yogurt Mountain (because it is the most delicious place on earth), go to a sporting event, sun yourself by the pool, shoot hoops in the pool, get a workout in the wellness center, go to ZUMBA, go to yoga, AB ATTACK, go on one of the outdoor recreation trips, play pool in the rec room, check out cornhole equipment and play that with your friends, go to community living events such as the fall festival, the farewell festival (where we throw a gigantic carnival that is completely free to students [including food and games] to wish everyone a good summer vacation), greek life, join a club, bake something in the 4th floor kitchens of Wesley and Nicholas, play sand volleyball in the courts behind Dell, go ghost hunting on our highly haunted campus, go to the worship events, or just hang out in the common areas!
FSC gives you your money's worth. The professors are excellent and the services offered (tutoring, physical training, outdoor rec, career advice, tech center, ect) are all handy and top notch. Everyone I know misses FSC when on break and can't wait to go back!
There are many urban legends about the campus and a ton of supposed ghosts. The most haunted building currently is Buckner Theatre. Our president, Dr. Kerr, is only ever seen is school colours. She is always wearing at least red. In Edge hall one of the classrooms was used to film the classroom scene in Water Boy with Adam Sandler.
Looking for a close- knit community of friendly students and staff with professors that care and will remember you (and will remember you even long after you graduate). Everyone here really cares and genuinely wants to give you the best college education and experience that they can.
There are so many clubs and so much to do here that there is no way you couldn't find something to suit you.
I'm not involved, but I'm very good friends with many people who are (in fact, one of my best friends is the president of his fraternity) and they love every minute of it. Even if you don't think it's for you, give it a try and you might be surprised because Greek life is different here in the best way possible.
The campus is completely safe and to make it extra safe we are given button that, when pressed on both sides, set off alarms and immediately alert the campus security to your live GPS location and shows your picture and basic info. So, if an emergency ever happens (and I'm nearly 100% sure it hasn't- if it did, everyone would know since it is a small campus) you will have security there in very little time. Besides emergencies and general safety, security has golf carts and are happy to give you a lift if you're injured or it is late at night and you have a ways to walk (this is especially nice for us females). They have even asked if I wanted a ride when it was cold and when I was running in a dress with my heels off because I was about to run late to call backs (and would have if they didn't give me a lift). They're all really nice and are always there to help.