Ohio State University-Main Campus Top Questions

You need to become serious about what you want to do in life. Buckle down and study harder. Don't let anyone tell you you can't do something. Take college prep classes so you can learn the difference between academic writing and research and high school research and writing.

The transition between high school and college is not bounded by only the education level. If I could go back to senior year of high school right now, I would tell myself to be more appreciative of what my parents are doing for me. I would tell myself that I need to value the 18 hour work days my father has as a hardworking truckdriver. Another bit of information I'd tell myself is that I can not enter college with the high school mentality. The material and level of difficulty at Ohio State is far past high school. I would tell myself that I need to prepare for exams a whole lot more than I did when I attended high school. All together, I would tell myself that a change needs to be made, and that college requires a more grown up mentality than high school does.

I would tell myself to focus on studying well, and giving your best effort for every assignemnt no matter how insignificant it may seem. I would tell my senior self that the consequences of failing classes and being lazy in college has a much greater impact on your opportunity to move forward with your education than it does in highschool. And to take the time to do quality work for each class, even if it means you have to sacrifice a few weekends hanging out with friends. Most of all I would tell my senior self to do what you love. Don't overthink the future or let anyone persuade what you really want to learn from school, take risks, learn something you never thought you could, and always keep a positive attitude.

I would tell myself to really consider my values and where I want to go in life. As a transfer student, I have found that just because a place feels right, doesn't mean it is the best fit for you. I would tell myself to really consider my family and personal life as huge factors in the decision making. Also job opportunities and social life.

College life is not guided anymore. You are now seen as an adult who can make decisions on your own. There are also challenges that you have to face. It is not just academic challenges, but many other aspects of life as well. Things like planning the finances and trying to get the money to get through 4 years of college. Could see that there are so many college students around that are balancing their studies and a part time job at the same time to make ends meet, and by seeing that you know that you are stepping into adulthood. You will also meet a lot of people in college: people who will help you, hurt you or deliver to you a lesson in life that you will never forget. Treat everyone you meet in college with sincereity, because it is not just about academics it is also about learning a lesson from every single person you meet. I have learnt so much from the people I have met in college and they open my eyes to things. Lastly, treasure your college life. College is expensive and one is considered fortunate to be able to complete the 4 years.

College is hugely different from high school. You can't expect professors to spoon-feed you information. You need to keep your mind sharp, keep yourself motivated, and have an active desire to learn. That may require taking extra time out of your day to study and teach yourself. You can't just coast through it, easily, like you may have done in high school. You also need to keep an open mind. You may already have your values and character determined by the end of your senior year, but college is your first glimpse at the real world; it's important to keep an open mind to new ideas and opinions and apply those to your own thought process and ideas. Lastly, and most importantly, accept people as they are and be willing to put aside judgement to understand their background and reasons for the person that they are. College is a big difference from high school. Stay focused.

Don't get so obsessed with the idea of going to a fancy private university. You'll be happier if you don't let all your hopes ride on getting into [insert name of crazy prestigious university here].

I would advice myself to appreciate college, to pursue what you love. Make sure to make the right choices specially in spending money and learning to save. Do everything with the best of your abilities and never give up or get discourage.

I have learned a lot about myself and college since I have became a member of the Ohio State community. I think the most crucial information I could have given my past self is to not be afraid to step out of my shell and meet new people. Coming from a rural, hometown country environment to the second largest university in the United States was a real shock. Learning how to take the busses, learning what city blocks are like, walking everywhere instead of driving, all of that was completely foriegn to me. Not to mention, everywhere was wall-to-wall people of whom I wanted to interact but didn't know how to-- I had know the same one hundred kids all my life, and now I knew nobody. I fell I've become accustomed to campus lifestyle, and could kick myself right now for not making relationships with people I have met because I was too unfamiliar with stepping outside of my comfort zone. I would tell the past me to be the charismatic leader I am with friends and apply it to my first few weeks on a campus full of not strangers, but potential friends.

When applying for college, I felt fearless. I only applied for one school in California and the rest of my applications were spread out accross the country because I thought leaving home would be easy. Not being afraid to apply to schools out of state was a great decision, but I wish I would have known the reality of leaving home is a lot harder than I ever anticipated. If given the chance, I would tell myself to embrace my senior year for the aspects that I wouldn't get to enjoy after moving out of state and away from family. Moving to Ohio State after the perfect senior year of high school and most enjoyable summer, I was in no way prepared to leave such great things behind. I spent the first eighteen years of my life in Southern California and there are so many things that I never got to do. Every day is an opportunity and with all the changes we experience in life, some opportunites end so that others can begin. The important thing is that we make the most of the opportunites in front of us while we still have the opportunity to do so.