Written By Gracie Sprague

The transition from high school to college is a transformative experience. As you further your academic journey, coming to our campus, you’re probably feeling excited, nervous, or a mix of emotions. With the right mindset, you can not only survive but thrive during your first year of college! Here is some helpful advice as you prepare to begin your first year:  

1. Be Open to New Experiences: During your college career, I recommend taking time to explore and discover your passions. It’s important to be open to trying new things, whether it’s joining a club, participating in campus events, or being engaged in the college community. Coming to college is a major life transition; embrace the change that comes with it. Being away from home, making new friends, and adapting to the environment is a lot easier with a positive attitude and open mind.  

1. Build a Support Network and Use your Resources: Connecting with others is an important aspect of college life. Here at ATI, we have staff, professors, and faculty who care about you. Familiarize yourself with the support system around you. This system will provide valuable support when you encounter challenges and during your future endeavors. Ohio State ATI provides countless resources to help students succeed academically and personally. Utilize our library, peer tutoring, and learning support to get the most out of your educational experience.  

1. Develop Time Management Skills: At times, college life can be chaotic, with classes, assignments, and extracurriculars. Developing effective time management skills is crucial to balancing it all successfully. Understand your priorities as a college student and create a schedule to achieve your goals for your academic and personal life. By using a calendar on paper or digitally, you can track your commitments and use your time wisely.  

By embracing change, developing effective habits, and building a support system, you can thrive academically and personally. Remember, it’s okay to face challenges and seek out help. College is an exciting chapter of your life. Good Luck and Go Bucks! 

Written By Anita Ruggles

As a Junior in high school, I decided to go to Ehove Career Center for cosmetology with the hopes of attending college after I graduated. That decision was, without a doubt, the best decision I ever made because it prepared me for college as it showed me a whole different world outside of my high school. It also showed me that I could be involved with other things even when I am in school. Furthermore, by getting my cosmetology license during high school, I am now able to make money while I am in college. 

While this decision was a good one, it was hard to make. I went to a very small high school and leaving my small tight-knit community was intimidating to me. I was also very involved at my high school, and I loved going to my small school and seeing the same people every day. However, sometimes you need to take that leap and step outside of your comfort zone.  

Attending college is no different. Just as I left my high school to attend my career center, people are leaving their high school community and the only school they have never known to attend college. Now, on the first day of classes at my career center, I will say I was incredibly nervous. However, when I got into my first class, there were people there that came from the same background as me and had some of the same interests as me. This happens with coming to college too, as there will be people in college that you have never met but you will learn very quickly that they have the same interests and come from the same background as you. 

Additionally, I was very involved in my high school as I was a cheerleader, I ran track and cross country, and I was also the president of my school’s FFA chapter. Going to the career center, I did not know how much I would still be able to be involved with my high school. When I got to my career center, I discovered that I could be involved at both my high school and in my career center. I was able to stay in all my activities at my high school while at the same time I got even more involved at my career center as I was a student ambassador and involved in Skills USA.  

This was also a concern I had when coming to college because I did not know how much I would be able to be involved. But because of my experiences in high school, I knew that I did not have to worry about not getting involved. In college, there are many ways that a student can get involved in many different student clubs and organizations and still maintain their connections at home.  

Lastly, I was fortunate enough to graduate high school and the career center with my cosmetology license from the State of Ohio. This has been a big blessing because I can work and make money while attending school at the same time.