For many NSU students, starting college means moving away from home for the first time. For some, this transition means coming to a new state. Like any new place, there is a lot to learn and appreciate about living in South Florida. Here are some tips and recommendations for making the best out of your Floridian college experience.
Hurricane season
It’s no secret that Florida is notorious for its hurricane season. For someone who hasn’t yet been through one, experiencing a hurricane can be scary and overwhelming, but having a plan in place can make it a lot less stressful. You never know when a hurricane is going to happen, but you can be prepared by making a plan of action for when it does. Arranging a safe place to stay, keeping some bottled waters and non-perishables in your car or room and signing up for local weather and NSU alerts can help you to stay informed and safe if and when the time comes.
Be prepared, rain or shine
Every year, thousands of tourists flock to South Florida to enjoy its warm waters, sandy beaches and tropical climate, and lucky for NSU Sharks, being at NSU means getting to live here all year long. While there is plenty of time throughout the year to soak up the sunshine, as the saying goes, you can’t have sunshine without a little rain, and Florida’s weather is no exception. Unless you want to get soaked in a spontaneous rainshower while walking to class, I recommend investing in a good rain jacket, an umbrella or even better 一 both. The number of times you’ll be thankful to arrive dry to class while your classmates shake off their wet clothes and drenched hair will make your purchases worth it.
Stay up to date on COVID-19 guidelines
One of the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic has been staying up to date on the vast number of different regulations and rules that vary by city, county and state. Make sure to stay informed by checking the local updates for information about mask mandates, businesses operations, social distancing measures and more. You can also stay up to date about COVID-19 policies at NSU by visiting their official website, and by viewing the resources listed on page 3 of this Orientation Issue.
Get out and explore
NSU has a beautiful and engaging campus where students can do everything from study by the pool to wander through the Medicinal garden, but you also won’t regret leaving campus from time to time to discover what else South Florida has to offer. From beaches and nature parks, to a vibrant nightlife scene and sporting events, South Florida truly has something to offer everyone. Next time you find yourself bored on a weekend afternoon, instead of staying in your room, get out and explore everything the local spots have to offer. If you like being outside, taking the Shark Shuttle down to Fort Lauderdale Beach or visiting a local park can be the perfect way to spend a relaxing afternoon. If you are up for something more adventurous, try any number of Florida’s popular water sports like kayaking, paddle boarding or jet skiing. Feeling artsy? Check out the NSU Art Museum in Downtown Fort Lauderdale or make the short drive to Miami where you can walk around the cute, artsy districts until your heart’s content.
Do some wildlife research
Like any new location, Florida comes with its own array of critters and wildlife to keep an eye out for. If you are on campus, you’ll likely see iguanas, racoons, lots of different species of birds and even the occasional turtle or snake. Travel west of campus and you might even get the chance to see an alligator. Whether you love all types of animals or would rather keep your distance from anything that crawls, creeps or slithers, doing some research about local wildlife never hurts. You might come across some cool new facts and find out which animals to steer clear of.
