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University of Florida

Student Perspectives

Abigail Davis
The Thompson Earth Systems Institute at UF helped me merge my love of science and writing
Thursday May 28, 2026
When I arrived at the University of Florida, I was torn between majoring in environmental science or journalism.
Samia Alamgir
My multiple sclerosis diagnosis sharpened my purpose as an occupational therapist
Wednesday May 20, 2026
I started the University of Florida occupational therapy program with the goal of helping others reclaim their lives.
Christian Jubran
How UF Law is sending me to the U.S. House Judiciary Committee, and why I'm ready
Tuesday May 19, 2026
I grew up in Jacksonville, knowing I wanted to work at the intersection of law and government.
Business students
How five UF business students faced 7,000 international competitors and took home first place
Wednesday April 15, 2026
From mid-January to mid-March, the five of us competed in the Bridgewater x Metaculus Forecasting Contest — an international tournament where participants assign probabilities to macroeconomic and geopolitical questions and get scored on relative accuracy.
As a first-generation college student, UF helped me pave the way to leadership in law
Tuesday March 31, 2026
I was born and raised in Parkland, Florida, the daughter of parents who moved to the state from New York in their early 20s.
Whether I’m planning dinner parties or fixing smiles, my organizational skills make me a better orthodontist
Tuesday March 24, 2026
I love planning dinner parties. I envision a successful dinner party to have a room filled with the aromas of a home-cooked mezze platter, falafel, kebabs and rose-olive-oil cake, and subtle lo-fi music mingled with the giggles and chitchats of my guests. My love for creating such perfection, even for a single dinner party, is the foundation of my passion for planning and organization. 
We built the first liquid rocket engine in UF history
Tuesday March 17, 2026
“Do you want to build a rocket engine?” Those are the words that started this journey 2.5 years ago in the middle of Turlington Plaza at UF. At the time, there was no engine or test stand; they were both concept sketches, clean-sheet designs, CAD models and Excel spreadsheets. Even as freshmen, we knew the opportunity to help build a liquid rocket program from the ground up was something we could not pass up.
How growing up at UF shaped my love of technology
Thursday March 12, 2026
Growing up, my family and friends always told me I’d make a great engineer. When I was a baby, my mom, Barb, would sit me on her lap while she worked on our family computer. At age 4, I had mostly free rein over the internet, discovering creators like iJustine, who defined what it meant to be an influencer with technology content. But my favorite thing to do was visit my mom at work in UF’s IT department.
I found a community at UF that makes the long M.D.-Ph.D. journey worth every mile
Tuesday February 17, 2026
Working toward an M.D.-P.h.D. at UF, and spending the better part of a decade as a graduate student, is a massive commitment. It is also an incredible opportunity. 
UF football players walking on the field
From the South Florida gridiron to Southeastern Conference sidelines, being a student coach for the Gators is a dream come true
Wednesday December 10, 2025
I always knew I was made for football. Growing up in the football hotbeds of Miami and Fort Lauderdale, I started playing the game when I was 4 years old. I dreamed of one day participating at the collegiate and professional levels, and I came to realize that I wanted to make a career out of it.  I had long said that, whenever my playing days were over, I would get into coaching. Much to my surprise, that opportunity came sooner than I ever could have imagined. When it came time for college and I decided to attend the University of Florida, I leaned into the football contacts from my childhood in South Florida.
Carson Duke with Friends
How my summer internship with the Savannah Bananas changed my career trajectory, and my life
Wednesday December 10, 2025
My recent summer internship as an entertainment and promotions intern with Fans First Entertainment, the company that owns the Savannah Bananas baseball team, was truly one of the most impactful experiences of my life.  The UF Department of Sport Management played a big role in me getting the internship, navigating the experience and now having new applicants express their interest to me.
Isabel Bequer with friends after the championship
Basketball showed me what it means to be a Gator
Wednesday December 10, 2025
On the day of the 2025 NCAA National Championship in April, all of the UF campus was humming with energy.  Walking to class, I saw tons of people decked out in orange and blue and basketball merch. The streets around campus were packed as students camped out for hours, trying to secure somewhere to watch the men’s basketball game. My friends and I were having busy days, so we decided to watch the game from home, but the location did not take away from the excitement.
Yasmeen Mujtaba and her friend, Radia, at the Hearts for Henna “Mocktails and Mendhi” event
As a nutritional sciences pre-dental student at UF, here’s a snapshot of a day in my (very busy) life
Wednesday December 10, 2025
When I first came to UF from Fort Myers, I knew I wanted a major that aligned with dental school prerequisites while also deepening my understanding of human health. Nutritional sciences helped me better understand the human body, and following the dental track allowed me to use my skills while connecting meaningfully with my community.
Coffee with friends
On a student budget? Here are eight ways to maximize the Gainesville Gator experience
Wednesday December 10, 2025
If you’re new to UF, you’ve probably figured out your dorm and class schedule, but what about everything else – like where to eat on a budget, hang out with your friends or study off campus? Don’t worry, I’ve done the heavy lifting for you, and based on my research, I’ve created a guesswork-free guide to navigating UF on a student budget.

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