Dear Students,
The gorgeous Florida weather is truly refreshing right now, with crystal-blue skies and lush new growth in the trees. I hope you take the opportunity to bring your books outside and soak up some rays.
Yesterday, we held our first Gator Recharge Day where thousands of students participated in a variety of outdoor events and activities. It was wonderful to pause, meet new people and have some fun. I was able to spend the afternoon meeting new students throughout campus, and I am grateful for the many of you who stopped to introduce yourselves as well as join in with your peers. Our next Gator Recharge Day is Wednesday, March 24, and I am so excited for the new set of activities and surprises in store for you. You will not be disappointed! Be sure to follow me (@dr.dmull) and UF Student Life (@ufstudentlife) on Instagram for the many updates to come.
Please know your opportunity to refresh and renew your energy doesn’t stop with Recharge Days. Now is the perfect time to catch a bus from the Reitz Union to visit Lake Wauburg, have lunch at Depot Park, or hit the area’s world-class trails and springs. I encourage you to try something ¬– or someplace – new as you discover more of what UF and Gainesville has to offer.
It’s also the perfect time to give biking a try: March is Campus Bike Month, and the League of American Bicyclists has awarded the University of Florida a gold-level Bicycle Friendly University award in recognition of UF’s achievements in promoting and enabling safe, accessible bicycling on campus. Throughout the next month, the UF Bikes program will host a series of events to encourage cycling on campus. The events include classes to help you ride safer as well as resources to get you ready to ride more. Interested participants are encouraged to visit the UF Bikes website for a calendar of events and additional resources. Be sure to stop by the SG Bike Repair shop, located on the ground level of the Reitz Union, to get your wheels ready to hit the road!
With the start of midterms on the horizon, it is a great time to start focusing more of your time as you prepare to knock out the exams, group projects and/or papers ahead. Proper planning will allow you to better manage your time and any upcoming stressors. It is common to feel overwhelmed, especially when there are many activities and responsibilities competing for your attention. Whether you are in Gainesville or joining us from afar, GatorWell continues to offer a multitude of resources to help you build skills in these areas and create an action plan. Additionally, the Counseling & Wellness Center can provide more in-depth support when needed. Tutoring is also available through Knack, an online platform founded by Gator alumni that provides a network of qualified peer tutors to support you.
I want you to know our staff in the Division of Student Affairs is here and ready to support you and help you create balance this semester and beyond. Please do not hesitate to me or our CARE Area if you need support.
Have a restful and relaxing weekend!
Be safe and be well, Gators.
Dr. D’Andra Mull
Vice President for Student Affairs
Quick Links:
http://www.depotpark.org/
https://studentsuccess.ufl.edu/knack-tutoring/