Ohio State University-Main Campus Top Questions

What should every freshman at Ohio State University-Main Campus know before they start?

KeAira

First, I want to emphasis how important it is to perform exceeding well in all classes. Although the transition to college can be a challenge, you have to battle through the obstacles and finish off strong. Your friends will not always be there to motivate you; instead, you have to find the dedication and motivation within yourself. Furthermore, you have to use the many resources around campus to your advantage. Remember that the professors and teaching assistances are all there to help you succeed. Next, do not give into peer pressure. Though this may seem like common sense, it can sometimes be easier than you think. However, you are much wiser than to be fooled by such trickery. Lastly, do not forget that education is the key to success.

Liz

If I had the opportunity to give my high school self advice about college, I would not speak of commuting from a community college in order to save money or even to study harder. Instead I would tell myself to do everything in my power to enjoy the overwhelming and wonderful college experience as a whole. Through all of the stress and change I would not trade the experiences I was fortunate enough to gain or the friends I made for anything, I would only try to truly cherish the memories I made. Knowing what I know now about college, I would tell my younger self that there are a myriad of resources waiting to be explored and utilized in order to reach my full potential, and that all I will have to do is go and make that discovery. What matters most is to fully discover who you are as a person, the kind of people you thrive with, the nooks and crannies of your new city, all that your university has to offer, and what is going to ultimately make you happy in life. Do not stop until you make these discoveries and enjoy each to the fullest.

Briana

On this day last year, there were many things on my mind. It was time to study for finals. I was still undecided on what I wanted to major in at college. Soon, I will never see the faces I saw everyday in the halls. Everything was bittersweet; I was thrilled to start a new chapter of my life, but I desperately wanted to hold on to what was familiar. However, I was too distracted to focus on anything. The only thing I cared about was getting my classmates to like me. I have just finished my first year of college, and I am no longer the person I was in high school. I was so concerned on what people thought of me. I want to tell my high school self that all of that worrying was a waste. Cliques don't exist anymore. You will make great friends who will like you for you. It doesn’t matter who you were high school. We have bigger things on our minds; we are all focusing on the present in order to create our futures. The people who support you during your journey are the only friends you’ll ever need.

Seth

Make as many friends as you can and take advantage of the resources that OSU provides for you. There is a lot you can do to be social, since you won't really know anyone. Join a club, find a house with some other people, even go to some parties and hang out. You don't have to spend time at a job or at home if you decide to live there. Save some money, but have fun. It will be an experience you'll want to have.

Kaelyn

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, knowing what I know now, I would simply tell myself to slow down, to not get so anxious over the small things and to make time for those who truly matter. Dont sweat the small stuff, have fun, and remember who your real friends are. Once you graduate from high school, the things that used to seem important arent anymore. Its not about who has the most expensive shoes or who ate with who at lunch. Its about maturing mentally and emotionally, expanding your horizons, experiencing new things, and meeting new people. Sometimes things dont always work out the way we plan for them to, and life is hard, so just play the hand youre dealt and smile. No moment lasts forever so make sure you cherish the special ones, and remember that youre a strong, independent, young woman who has the world before her that she needs to take full advantage of and never give up. Take my advice and youll not only be sucessful, but youll be happy.. Because in the end, thats all that really matters.

Jamie

Dear High School Self: Do what you're afraid of. When you move off to college and everything is suddenly different, it's easy to gravitate towards things and people that make you feel comfortable. But you don't want to be comfortable. Comfort will not make you grow, challenge will. Challenge yourself to join the club you think you don't belong in. Take the dance lessons you're afraid of failing at. Take harder classes, find new and interesting people to talk to that you wouldn't ordinarily approach. Get lost in your new home and figure it all out. It took me half of my college experience to finally break away from the same group of friends and start doing things I wanted to do but was uncomfortable with. My fondest memories are of events that only happened because I refused to listen to my fears. If you face your fears to do what you want to, there's no way you can fail! The only thing you need to be afraid of in college is letting yourself down, because there are so many opportunities waiting for you. You just have to take them!

shaun

As I picture myself sitting in a class of over 20 students listening to my teacher reitterate herself about the importance of college, I tend to look away or doze off into a far away place. flash forward 10 years later I'm currently 30 yrs of age and just finishing my sophmore year wishing that 10 yrs ago if i knew that all i needed to do was concentrate, stay focused and keep with the values that I have put fourth for my life college could be much easier and I could have been done by now. those things of course I would have told myself, but now its a different day and I have now grown to know that those things are true and I hold them dearly to my heart. I always remember to remind myself of those things now which allows me to push fourth and obtain the career that I could have possibly had by the age of twenty five, but I also remember later is always better than never.

Allison

Be open to new experiences and opportunities. College will provide you with a newfound freedom but do not abuse the freedom, rather embrace it to better yourself. It is ok to not have a plan for your future and if you think you do, be open to new possibliities because you will learn so much more about your likes, dislikes, and your potential during your first few months as a college student. Stay busy. Taking advantage of the numerous opportunities on campus like part-time jobs, clubs and organizations, and listening to guest speakers you will learn how to accurately manage your time and improve your study skills while enriching your social life. Ultimately, try new things but never forget who you are and where you came from because it is those values that will lead you to success and keep you on the right path.

Stephanie

Take a good look at the campus. Go for a tour and see how the enrolled students act. Are students talking with others or more independent? Do the professors that you interact with impress you as insightful and interested? Can you see yourself sitting in the classrooms, getting around the campus, studying in the library, living in the dorms, etc.? Consider both inside and outside of the classroom environment. You will be attending that school for (most likely) four years so you need to be ready to make the commitment to an environment that best suits your needs and mindset. Take financial aid into consideration, but make sure you fit with the school more than the financial implications of the decision. It might be more beneficial to take on greater debt for a school you love than to be unhappy in a school you settled for because it offered the most financial aid. GET INVOLVED! People who match your interests might find you, but realistically you will have to simultaneously pursue those relationships. Find activities that interest you to keep a good balance between studies and recreation. Stay focused and don't sweat the small stuff! Learn, Live, Grow.

Melissa

I would advise myself not to dwindle on the little things because when it comes down to it, that history test that I studied all night for and didn't do as well as I had hoped is a memory that has diminished. What matters is surrounding yourself with people who are truly there to help you succeed and bring you happiness. Leaving home and going off on your own puts a lot more into perspective. We begin to filter out meaningless relationships and replace those with people who genuinely have your best interests at heart. If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to never try to impress anybody else or change yourself simply for the sake of another noticing. As cheesy and cliche as it appears, being yourself is all that matters. I would tell myself that the people who try to change you are the same ones that will be filited out of your life.

Patrick

If I were capable of going back to high school, I would tell myself to apply for more scholarships, and take more advanced placement classes. College is expensive, and the less money that you have to spend, the better. The workload is already enough to stress yourself out, the last thing you need is the burden of figuring out how you plan on paying for college. Save some of your money, because it goes away very quickly when you are living on your own. Your parents will not always be there to support you, so get ready to support yourself, because you will learn very quickly that high school is far from the real world, and you need to be prepared the best you can be before it is too late.

Stephanie

Hey self! The next four years are going to fly by. You may not think so now, but it'll go much faster than high school - like a hundred times faster. It's going to be a transition, but you'll get through it. Lean on family and friends, make new friends. Be willing to stretch, to grow, to change your views, to do things you never thought were possible. Be open. Be brave. Be yourself. Be adventurous. I don't want to give away what to expect, because surprises are half the fun. You'll end up somewhere you didn't expect, but it's okay because you'll know, looking back, that this is exactly where you belong. Don't forget to smile and laugh and love. Good luck! Love, Your Future Self = )

Nichole

I would have liked to tell my high school senior self to work harder in classes so i would have the work rate needed for all the harder college courses I have taken. I would tell myself to play my hardest and have fun my senior season of soccer so that I would have had more offers for soccer at the college level. I would tell myself that hardwork pays off and you only get what you put out. Have more confidence in yourself, you're capiable of anything you need to achieve.

Larry

I would let my self know that I should not take a break from my education. I need to start going to college right out high school and even try to take some class as well that will make my college life a lot easier. I would even said that I need to do every thing I can to save money so i can be able to make it finanshially so I do not have to realy on any one. And to get in to a industries that is not seasonal as well. That i realy need to think about what I want to do in my life time. my only regreat I have right now about going to school is that I wish that I started to go to college right after I got out of college.

Aaron

I am currently a third year veterinary student at The University of Illinois. My transition from high school into my undergraduate career was intially overwhelming, to say the least. My GPA at the end of my first quarter at Ohio State was a 2.5 - my counselor at the school actually advised me to chose a new career path. This was a very difficult idea to comprehend, so I was able to focus on my academics while still embracing my undergraduate career, and I graduated from Ohio State with a 3.6 GPA. I would advise myself as a young 18 year old to study hard, even in the first quarter. I would make myself understand that the college experience as a whole is an experience that you should enjoy, but understand and embrace your educational experience as well.

Savannah

High school Savannah, you are NOT as cool as you think you are. Just because you have many friends in high school does not mean you are going to be the "bee's knees" in college. You are going to expect the next four years(+) to be the time of your life, and you are going to think that making friends will come easily, but making new friends is hard. It's going to be difficult for you to get out of your comfort zone, so I am going to give you the best advice anyone can give you: get involved! Join the yoga club, (I know how much you enjoy yoga), keep your dorm room door open, and go eat with someone random. Even go to those "dorm floor get-togethers (no matter how lame they sound), because I promise you will make friends that way. And if you choose to be your stubborn high school self, and expect people to come to you, then you are severely mistaken, and you will feel as lonely as ever. Do not expect things to be like high school; get out of your comfort zone and enjoy the newness!

Kat

I would tell myself this: Dear Kat, This is you from the future. I am currently in my second semester here at The Ohio State University, and I have some advice for you. First off, text your friends more. Even call them sometimes. Your three closest friends are all going to different colleges, and it will be hard to keepin touch. I miss them dearly. Also, please make sure to develop better study habits. It will kill you in college when you put things off until the last second and have to work all night when all you want to do is relax. Please, apply for more scholarships, because the grant money you will get will not cover all of your tuition, and mom and dad need more help. Finally, save some of that money you got for graduation. I can't even remember what I spent it on, but it would have been much more helpful now, since I'm trying to find a new job and am really tight on cash. FInally, please, love yourself and just be smart. Sincerely, Future you.

Taigar

Apply for all scholarships! Money is always available, you just need to apply yourself and go out and find it. Also, look for ways to make yourself a more rounded person. Being more rounded helps not only with colleges but it also helps with jobs. Participate and volunteer for anything and everything, get your name out there because there is always someone watching and or recruiting in some way or another. Plan ahead with all of your schedule planning and college planning. Figure out what you want then begin making an overall goal. Once you have your goal figured out you then can start to figure out what steps you need to take in order to reach that goal. All of those steps will help you to adapt in case something does not go as planned or if you didnt need a class or even if you didnt get into a specific class. Having a plan will help you think clearly and find other options in place of whatever has happened. Lastly, get to every class at a minimum fifteen minutes early. Getting to class early allows for time to ask questions and to get to know your teacher.

Casandra

If I were able to go back in time and encounter myself during my senior year, I would certainly advise myself to get up and apply for scholarships. I know I would also explain to myself the importance of enrolling for school earlier than I did last year, because financial aid was an extremely long and ugly process. Additionally, I would also instruct myself to have a little more fun and to enjoy all of my family members and their support because college takes up a lot of time and effort. I initiated school like everyone else I knew around me but, when I reached 7th grade I departed to an online virtual school where I obtained lessons to teach myself. I was able to complete two school grades in one year therefore achieving admittance to High School at the age of twelve. In the middle of my eleventh grade I decided to return to the virtual school. Resulting in my Graduation from High School at the age of fifteen. Lastly, I would tell myself to never give up because the reward in the end will be worth everything.

Samantha

If I could give advice to myself as a high school senior, I would start off by saying, "Relax!" Coming from a military family, I was well prepared for the college transition, even though I did not know it yet. I moved nine times in 18 years and attended six schools total. I was extremely nervous about making friends and fitting in. It turned out that making it into the Sport and Wellness Scholars Program was one of the best things that had ever happened, other than getting into The Ohio State University, but I was uneasy about my decision at the time. Other than telling myself that I was ready to tackle this challenge, I would also like to tell the high school me to save more money. I work hard to keep myself in school and saving more when I was younger would have helped out a lot now. In conclusion, I would like to be able to tell myself to save money, to enjoy the last months in high school, to reassure myself that I made the best decision possible and that I could never thank my parents and other family enough for everything they have done.