To start things off, here are some pieces of advice for surviving at Ohio University.
Welcome back, Bobcats!
I never thought I’d say it, but after a quiet summer here in Athens it’s been refreshing to see the hustle and bustle of the school year returning to campus.
To all of the freshman bobkittens: welcome to our beautiful university. Hopefully you will create many memories during your time on this campus.
To start things off, here are my pieces of advice for surviving at Ohio University:
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Be wary of what you need and when you need it. Many of you have already attended your first class of the semester, and I’m sure that you have a list of textbooks burning a hole in your wallet before you even set foot in the bookstore. I am one of those people who like to get everything done on syllabus day. While this isn’t a bad idea, I have mistakenly spent obscene amounts of money on “mandatory” textbooks that were never opened. If possible, use your first week to determine how book-intensive the course will be before shelling out the cash. Sometimes you can even find someone who is willing to go in on half of the cost and share some of the more general textbooks.
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GO TO CLASS. When I was preparing to make my move to Ohio University three years ago, I received a lot of conflicting information regarding the difficulty of college courses. The opinions ranged from, “Oh, they’re so easy!” to “They ruined my GPA.” Admittedly, I have also experienced both ends of this spectrum. The difference between passing and failing? Attendance. Regardless of what your syllabus mandates, don’t skip class with the mentality that you have so many “free” days to burn. I have done it and it has never ended well.
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Work is important, but you must also allow yourself to play. Get out on the greens, walk around uptown and see what all OU has to offer!
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Bobcat football is awesome.
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Be careful. Know what you’re getting yourself into and stay out of compromising situations. Not that it’s ever a good idea, but tarnishing your record freshman year is fairly pointless.
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Exit your comfort zone. Being in a new place with hundreds of new faces can be intimidating – or very exciting, depending on your personality. Don’t be afraid to meet people. If you can introduce yourself to a random roommate and a group of their closest friends/relatives – a.k.a. their moving party – you can do the same around campus. It may be awkward at first, but you’ll get better. I promise.
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Take a deep breath. Slow down. I have spent the last three years rushing, anxious to graduate and get on with my life, to the point where I have missed out on much of what makes up the college experience. Trust me, the next four/five/six years of your life are going to fly by. Don’t try and expedite the process.
I think my man Robin Williams said it best in Dead Poets Society:
“Carpe diem. Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary.”
Olivia Hupp is a senior studying english literature and creative writing. What’s your advice for incoming students? Email her at oh994610@ohio.edu.
