Ohio State University-Main Campus Top Questions

Calm down!! It is a alot easier than what you think it will be. Sure it is going to be scary and stresfull, but thats life. The sooner you accept it for what it is the easier it becomes. You also have to remember that there all kinds of other students that are going through the exact same "ordeal" as you. Use that to your advantage and make friends be relating to this common transition in a young persons life. Another thing is that you are going to make mistakes, you are going to mess up, and you are going to lose friends and maybe even make some enemies, but in the long run everything is going to be alright and you will find your own path.

If I could go back in time and give myself advice as a high school senior, I would tell myself to work harder during high school. I thought at the time that I would be fully prepared for college, since I took many Advanced Placement courses in high school. However, I didn't take much time to really learn and understand the material, I didn't develop a real study habit, and I didn't put much effort into school, since I didn't have to. After getting to college and realizing how far behind I would have been without the AP classes, I am glad that I took them, however, I wish I would've worked harder, realizing that they would only put me on par with other students.

Do not think that you are superman. College is hard, and should be treated as such. Don't overwhelm yourself with difficult classes. It isn't worth it. Also, take advantage of all the opportunities available too you. Tutoring, office hours, involvement fairs and the works. There is plenty to do other than just hit the books and it all adds to your character. Never miss an opportunity.

When I think back on myself as a high school senior, I remember all of the excitement I had to take the next big step in my life by going to college. I was nervous that I would not succeed as others had before me and nervous that my life would change in ways I was not ready for. So the advice I would give to myself would be to just relax, trust in my talents, and to take in as many new experiences as I can while I am branching out into the real world. Sometimes I will be challenged passed what I think I can handle, but I should keep my head up and push through each obstacle and fear, because I am likely to gain more knowledge from dragging through the tough times than from sliding through the easy ones. Give yourself a pat on the back every once in a while and give yourself a break when needed. Have fun, branch out, and do not limit yourself to any one thing. Now is the time to discover what you really want from life, so go out and take it. College is where your dreams are launched.

When I was a high school senior, I was very anxious about being away from all of my friends and family and being overwhelmed with living on my own and harder classes. Now that I have survived my first semester of college, I would tell myself that this is not a permanent situation. I have been able to go home a lot and still skype my best friend all the time. The classes are not as hard as I assumed, because in college, you get to study what you are passionate about. People and the media make college out to be a lot more scarier than it actually is and I would reasssure myself, as a high school senior, that I am a very responsible person who can make adjustments. I worked up myself a lot more than I needed to be. College is not so scary if you choose to embrace all of the positive aspects, like meeting new people and being able to discover myself with no pressures around.

Knowing what I know now, I would tell myself as a high school senior to relax a little bit and not worry about the rest of high school but focus more on what college is the best choice for me. Now that I am halfway done with my first year I have had some second thoughts and so I would tell myself to analyze the benefits of each of my choices more in depth than I actually did. Also I would tell myself that no matter how bad I want to get away from home then it is nothing compared to the feeling of actually being away. As many times as I wanted to get away from the house I find myself now wishing more and more that I could go back whenever I want. I would tell myself to consider that option. Also I would tell myself to get involved more in my final year of high school so that I could use that as a stepping stone to get involved in college as well. Ultimately I would tell myself that no matter what I choose to remember to stay positive and have fun!

College can be a great time in one's life. However, the problem most students face when transitioning from the high school setting to the college life style, is the one-on-one face time with teachers. I was always asking questions in class, and trying to get my teacher's assisstance on just about everything in my high school classes. Now that I know that professors in college are less one-on-one and more of the figure-it-out type, I would have been less needy in high school. I feel that if I had more self initiative to do things on my own in grade school, that I would have had an easier first few semesters. I would like to tell all my underclassmen friends that are still in high school, that once they reach a university or college, all of that convient help goes out the window. One other thing I wish I did in high school was finding a single way that I like to study. If i had my own way that I studied every time, I feel that tests and other forms of college work would be easier and less foreign to me.

If I could go back in time to talk to myself as a high school senior, I would encourage myself to take more AP classes and to enjoy the benefits of high school. I realize now that college is so much more complex and accepting than high school was. I would tell myself that my friends and family will always be there to encourage me and make me a better, stronger person. I would tell myself not to stress out because everything is going to work out and I will absolutely love the decision I made to attend The Ohio State University. I would let myself explore my options but to realize where I end up is exactly where I am supposed to be. The best advice I could give myself is to live in the moment because life passes you by so quickly.

You create your own happiness. You meet so many new people, so don’t be afraid to put yourself out there, or take the time to get to know someone new. Don’t be afraid to try new things and take chances. Go to a club you know nothing about, maybe you’ll find your new passion. Go to a professors office hours, just to talk about there research, they’re people too, and you can enrich your experience at OSU. Sometimes, things don’t work as well as you like, you can study all night and still not do perfect, but in the end, it will all work out if you try your best. You might not know exactly what you want to do with your life, but that’s okay. Explore, find out what you enjoy. Just don’t underestimate your potential. Don't waste any time, make the most of each day and each opportunity. You'll meet people in college, who will be your best friends, were all a little more grown up, and these people will support you and love you and stand by you. Laugh, Love, Live and Demand Success from yourself.

Dear Pauline of 2009, I am writing to you from 2011, a winsome woman of the world with wondrous wisdom to impart. You are probably nervous right now because you don't know what to expect from college. You are probably worrying about how all of your junk won't fit into your dorm room and how you are going to answer a question wrong on the first day of class. I know how much you desire to make friends and to learn about everything you possibly can. So do it! Don't come here if you are just going to sit in your room all day and mope about because no one invited you anywhere. Don't come and expect exciting things to happen to you. Be exciting! Talk to your French partner. Write a poem for your roommate. Get lost in huge bookstores and roll down the one hill that exists in Ohio. Let your hair down and worry less about schoolwork and more about lifework. Above all, love those around you with the kind of selfless love that sets the tree of your heart on fire. Let go of your fear. Love, Pauline of 2011