Photo courtesy of Juliana Morales.
First-year students’ perspective on their first semester at UTampa.
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By Carla Morales
TAMPA, Fla. — The transition from high school to college can be one of the most impactful and life-altering moments of an adolescent’s life. Living on your own for the first time can be something that takes an extended amount of time to get used to and will never be easy, no matter how much time you have spent living alone.
According to The University of Tampa’s enrollment data, the school welcomed 3,400 full-time undergraduate students in the freshman class for the 2025 fall semester. That said, there are many different students’ points of view at this time of the year regarding the class difficulty levels, adaptation to the campus, and the journey of finding one’s people.
The average class size at UTampa consists of 21 people, which is a significantly low amount in comparison to a large public university. This class size is extremely beneficial for students who find success in forming a connection with their professor to be able to ask them questions when needed.
As a freshman myself, coming from a small charter school where my graduating class consisted of 74 people, I benefited greatly from this small class environment, as that is all I had grown up with. The semester can be seen through a different lens from students coming from a private school in comparison to a regular public school.
Kodie Malone, a class of 2029 student at UTampa, reflected on her time at Paul VI High School in Haddonfield, New Jersey, when asked about her class experience coming from a private school.
“I think the workload and teaching style from my private high school created a smooth transition to the school environment at UTampa,” Malone said. “Especially with the small class sizes, UTampa’s classes feel really similar to my high school experience.”
Riley Langenderfer, a UTampa class of 2029 student, said, “I think that my experience in the classroom has barely changed since being in public school. The class sizes are pretty much the same, and if I make an effort to talk to my professor, I am definitely able to create a relationship with them very easily.”
As UTampa is 110 acres with 72 buildings, there are countless options for students to call their official “study spot.” But how does one find their personal study spot?
Coming from personal experience, it takes much trial and error. Many of us can agree that when one is in a place dedicating many hours to studying, a study spot must be comfortable.
The key to finding one’s personal favorite study spot is to try several and assess which spot helps you to focus on your work the most. Additionally, since UTampa is considered to be a small campus, it is very simple to walk short distances and be able to find indoor and outdoor seating options.
Ethan Jadan, a class of 2029 student at UTampa, said he likes studying in ICB.
“My favorite study spot on campus would have to be the study spots in the ICB building. I can get coffee whenever I need an energy booster to keep me going, and I find it peaceful there,” said Jadan. “I came across this study spot when I first visited the Starbucks there.”
The most important factor that shapes one’s experience within a semester at UTampa is the relationships formed. When someone is finally on their own in the real world, it can be intimidating to get out there and meet “your people,” but it is especially important to get involved — whether that is joining clubs or participating in Greek life.
Sophie Fonseca, a class of 2029 student at UTampa, is a member of Zeta Tau Alpha. When asked about whether joining a sorority has helped her social life, Fonseca had many positive things to say on the matter.
“I think it definitely has, I’ve met some really sweet girls, and it has helped me get out of my comfort zone and through sisterhood and philanthropy events,” Fonseca said.
Although joining clubs and participating in Greek life sounds like the only way to create a social life on campus, taking time to get to know the people who live on your floor is equally important.
Juliana Morales, a freshman at UTampa, chimed in regarding making “floor friends” in her dorm.
“For me, it was very easy to make friends on my floor because the close proximity made us naturally spend time together, whether it was studying in the lobby or just bumping into each other in the hall,” Morales said. “As freshmen, I feel we are constantly searching for new friends.”
The transition to life at UTampa unfolds differently for every student, yet there are common ways to connect for every student to accommodate them nicely. From navigating small class environments to discovering the ideal study spaces and forming meaningful relationships, each factor contributes to a student’s sense of belonging while being on campus.
The different perspectives shared by many freshmen this year reflect both challenges and the ease of their transition during their first semester of university. As this group of students embarks on the upcoming semester in the spring, they are able to explore opportunities, build more connections, and lay their foundation for a fulfilling and successful four years at UTampa.