There are almost too many activities going on at FSU to narrow down a list of "most populars". For students in their first year living on campus, the highlights will include football games, events in the union such a cosmic bowling or "Breakfast for a Buck", as well as the socials held in all dormitories for residents to meet, mingle, and network.Simply living in the dorm is an advantage, as often times friendships and social groups will grow out of these floor meetings and parties. Getting involved in any SRO will only pile on the events and educational seminars, whether it's part of an acting guild, an activist group, or a special interest club. There are also intramural sports, activities and free movies at the Student Life Cinema (which plays between 20 and 30 films each semester and is a great place for students to relax without spending any money.) And of course, all FSU team sports, from our rugby league to women's softball to the FSU Seminole football team, are always in full swing.
In my time at FSU, I've been involved with Pride Student union, serving as the Historian on board from 2009-2010. Pride is a wonderful and welcoming community that hosts events from board game nights, to book clubs and knitting circles, as well as camping trips and politicically active excursions (last year, a group of about 20 students travelled to Washington DC to participate in an LGBTQ march on the White House). I've also been involved in student theatre groups, both for The Laramie Project and The Vagina Monologues. Joining any artistically collaborative group is a great way to genuinely network. In addition, I attend meetings and events put on by the Center For Participant Education, which have included a variety of free educational classes: basket weaving and photobook making, an introduction to Mass Incarnation as an economic problem, the Food Not Bombs charity, Dr. Norman Finkelstein, grow your own herb garden, and many other incredible free classes.
Most of my closest friends, I met through special interest SRO's. The SLC's film committee, the LGBTQ center, the Women's Center, the CPE, and of course, my upper level writing workshops. Students who are afraid that the "college experience" isn't their scene, or that they won't fit into a traditional greek life centered university will have no reason to worry. Florida State is very proud and respectful of our Greek Life comrades and all the charities that their brotherhoods (and sisterhoods) bring to the university. However, the greek life population makes up less than one fifth of the universities population, and if you don't wish to be a part of it, there will rarely be an occasion for you to worry. We also have active religious groups, such as the Wesley Foundation, which is not only a wonderful group of students who are very close, but also incredibly accepting of other beliefs and types of students. I remember being remarkably surprised and grateful while working office hours at the LGBTQ student resource center when a group of Wesley active students invited all of us to come to one of their barbeques. It's this attitude at Florida State, one of camraderie and acceptance, that makes one so proud and grateful to attend a school where differences are accepted and embraced.
Off campus, there is a whirlwind of activities and adventures. The FSU Res is a place where you can canoe and do loads of outdoor activities, and most of them are free with your student ID. For those who are less outdoorsy, there are several coffee shops with wifi and bookstores (All Saints, Red Eye, Black Dog, Gaines Bookmine, Paperback Rack, The Book Truck) for the student looking to work or relax quietly. There are plenty of bars and places to meet people or just dance, including Ken's and Potbellies (on campus), which is more popular for greek life students. There is also an incredible music scene in Tallahassee which is somewhat detached from the FSU world, but very easy to submerse oneself in. The Farside is a non alcohol, non smoking, all age venue for student who enjoy the local music scene without the rowdiness of an alcohol fueled party. Students party as much as they want, but there's never been any pressure to party in any circumstance I've experienced.