Skyelar Rock: Best Places to Eat Around Wooster as an Ohio State ATI Student  

As a college student, finding the best place to eat while not breaking the bank can be tough. Also, the same old fast food and chain restaurants tend to get boring after a while. Whether you’re an incoming or returning student, these local restaurants are guaranteed to become your new favorite. Here I have compiled some well-known favorites among the students at Ohio State ATI, which are also some of my own personal favorites.  

Guerne Heights Drive-In: 1.5 Mi — $5 to $15 

Right down the road from campus, just a short 2-minute drive, is the Guerne Heights Drive-In. Family owned and operated, this mom-and-pop shop offers lunch and dinner items along with their signature ice cream. While they aren’t open year-round, you can enjoy the Guerne well into the fall semester and towards the end of spring semester. One of my favorite specials they offer in the fall is a warm apple dumpling with vanilla ice cream and caramel syrup. The best part? They offer 10% discount with a valid student ID (a.k.a. your BuckID). 

The Barn: 8 Mi — $10 to $25  

The Barn Restaurant is a fond favorite of my friend group; every Tuesday is “da barn” night for us, with an all-you-can-eat bread and soup bar, plus the salad wagon. Yes, you saw right, a salad wagon. True to its name, The Barn Restaurant is a reclaimed and remodeled barn that was owned by a local cattle farmer in the early 1900’s. It’s a rustic atmosphere where the staff is always warm and welcoming. 

Omahoma Bob’s: Downtown (2 Mi) — $11 to $30 

Omahoma Bob’s Barbeque is another family-owned and operated establishment in downtown Wooster, with quality meat products from local producers as well as Certified Angus Beef. Many on-campus events use Omahoma Bob’s for their catering, which is where I’ve had the most experience with their BBQ. They are a student-friendly establishment, offering a 15% discount off your purchase. 

Basil Asian Bistro: Downtown (2 Mi) — $6 to $25 

By far my personal favorite on this list, Basil Asian Bistro has some of the best sushi I’ve ever had! They offer the pan-Asian experience, including Pacific/Southeastern Asian cuisine, Thai dishes, and some traditional Asian dishes like stir fry or General Tso chicken. For a budget friendly meal, stop by during lunch for a sushi roll or classic entrée, which range from $6-$20 

Mariola Italian: Downtown (2 Mi) — $12 to $30 

One of Wooster’s newest editions, Mariola Italian, debuted in spring of 2023. As one of a few restaurants owned and managed by local entrepreneur Mike Mariola, Mariola Italian has high quality food and service. From classic Italian pasta and entrees to their own “Pizza Pie,” the food here is exceptional, whether dining in or catered. Though it may be a bit expensive for an everyday type of meal, this would be a great option for a Friday night dinner or a group get-together. 

City Square Steakhouse: Downtown (2 Mi) — $25 to $50+ 

Though it is a bit on the expensive side, City Square Steakhouse is a high-quality establishment great for date nights, special occasions, and the like. Named in the Top 100 Steakhouses of America, City Square is “Big City Dining, Small Town Feel” right within reach of campus. The service is professional, the wait staff is always very helpful and accommodating, and—not to mention—the food is amazing. If you’re looking for something a little fancier or just want a high-quality steak, I definitely recommend The City Square.  

Alyssa Kiefer: College Survival Tips

College can be an exciting and transformative time in your life, but it can also be overwhelming and stressful. Between juggling classes, extracurricular activities, and social life, it’s easy to become overwhelmed with your responsibilities. However, with a little planning and organization, you can not only survive college, but thrive. Here are some tips to start considering before entering this exciting new chapter in your life:  

Scheduling: A key strategy in college is time management. During your time in college, you will find student groups or hobbies that pique your interest. This goes without mentioning: time for classes and homework has to take priority or precedence over hobbies. After a while, you might become overwhelmed by the amount of work that needs to be done. Buying a planner or creating a digital calendar can help you keep track of class schedules, study sessions, and, of course, the fun that comes after you hit the books. This will help you avoid cramming and last-minute assignments and allow you to keep your days in line!  

Attending class: Attendance is crucial for success in college. Although sleeping-in and daily naps are great, good grades and knowing what’s going on in class are great too. Attending class will help you stay engaged and focused on your coursework while also allowing you to receive materials and knowledge that is offered to you in class. Trust me, naps can wait.  

Organization: There are many ways to stay organized in college. Whether it’s using schedule planners or keeping a clean apartment, being organized will reduce stress and allow you to better focus on your studies. The benefits are endless when it comes to staying organized, and I promise it will help you when it comes to stressful weeks, such as finals week.  

Self-love: While at college, you are making advances and accomplishing huge milestones in your life. Give yourself some grace! Prioritizing your physical and mental health in college is essential to success. Doing simple things such as getting enough sleep, eating healthy, and exercising regularly will not only help your body, but also your mind.  

Involvement: Joining a campus organization or having a campus job can help you meet new people, develop new skills, and add some balance to your academic workload. However, be careful not to overcommit yourself. Choose a few activities that you’re passionate about and make sure you still have time for studying and self-care!  

Asking for help: College can be challenging, but remember that you don’t have to go through it alone. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from professors, advisors, and/or tutors if you’re struggling at any point. There are limitless opportunities for you at college. 

College is a time of growth and discovery, but it can easily push you to your limits. Coming from a college student, I can tell you that we all make mistakes, and it takes time to find what works best for you. It is important to stay true to yourself and your involvements. By incorporating new practices such as scheduling, organization, self-grace, and reaching out for help when needed, you can navigate the challenges of college and come out on top.  

Seth Richardson: How I Serve My Buckeye Community

On a night in October 2002, at the Pike Township Fire Department outside Springfield, OH, firefighters and dispatchers were waiting close by their radios. This wasn’t an emergency they were anticipating, though—rather, they were in preparation for some exciting news. Soon after, they finally received the message they had been eagerly waiting for over the dispatch radio. The Richardson Family, with more than four family members already serving in the fire department, welcomed a son to the family. The department gave a warm welcome over the radio and congratulated Mr. and Mrs. Richardson on their addition to the family. 

Since the day he was born, Seth Richardson has been a standout in the Pike Township “firehouse family.” With his dad serving in the department for 30+ years, mom serving for 10+ years, sister for 5+ years, and two uncles serving as captain and chief, Seth had a deep connection to the world of firefighting. Growing up, he says he was always playing around the firehouse and helping, from cleaning trucks and moving supplies, to riding shotgun during parades and joining as a cadet for 6 years. 

Seth, now a second-year Agriscience Education major at Ohio State ATI, has completed his Firefighter Level 1 training at the Wayne County Regional Training Facility in Apple Creek, right next to the Ohio State ATI beef facility. He started in February 2023, and has completed various trainings in structural fires, auto accident extraction, general hazmat, and CPR/first aid—all in addition to his college coursework. Now that he has received his certification, Seth plans to volunteer at the Wooster Township Fire Department upon returning to school in the fall, which serves OSU ATI’s Applewood Village and the surrounding community.

When asked why he stuck with it all these years, Seth said that he wanted to help his community in the way that he knew best. “I love it; it’s in my blood. It takes a certain kind of person to jump into a burning building with no hesitation.” 

Becca Staley: Things I Wish I Knew Before College

Transitioning from high school to college can be pretty nerve wracking. It feels like there are so many unknowns, and your head is spinning in so many different directions. You’re stuck between wanting to enjoy your last days of senior year, being burnt out and ready to move on, but also at the same time being excited and nervous to go to college. Or maybe you’re still holding on to the life you’ve always known, and not ready to leave it behind. Since experiencing that period of my life over the last year, I thought sharing a few tips on what got me through my first two semesters of college would be helpful to all of you.  

     Remembering that home isn’t too far away.  

Wow, this is a big one. To be completely transparent, this was one of the hardest things for me when first starting school. I felt like I was abandoning my hometown, my parents, my sisters, friends, even my cat! I was so nervous to be in an unfamiliar city, with unfamiliar faces, and it felt like I was completely alone. Now, don’t let that scare you, because it got so much better. Once I realized that my people were just a phone call away, I changed my mindset. I realized that being away for college was such a learning opportunity and a chance to be independent. I made friends that turned into family, and they became the best support system of all. Realizing that college was a learning curve for all of us, we pushed each other to be the best we can be while navigating a whole new lifestyle. So, while it’s okay to be nervous, remember that your loved ones aren’t as far away as they seem and it will all work itself out. 

     There are no study halls in college.  

Now, this one may seem like common sense, but I know I was thrown off when I figured out that I had to do things on my own time. All throughout high school, I really utilized my study halls so that I didn’t have to do my homework in my off time. I had two jobs and was involved in lots of extracurriculars. I didn’t want to have to spend my time at home working on school work when I had just spent eight hours of my day sitting in a classroom. Since transitioning to college, it’s actually more the opposite. I spend a lot more time outside of class being productive doing assignments than I actually do being lectured in a classroom setting. I actually prefer it this way because it gives me the opportunity to get ahead on assignments in my own time. That way I can spend more time with my friends and have fun! 

     You get out what you put in. 

This is probably the most valuable piece of advice I can give you. You truly get out of the experience what you put into it. What I mean in saying this, and to get right to the point, go do stuff! This may seem like a very broad and general statement, but it isn’t. It may be uncomfortable at first, but put yourself out there to make friends. Whether that means inviting someone from one of your classes to study, asking someone for advice or directions, or it can mean simply walking up to someone and introducing yourself. Now, the statement “you get out what you put in” also applies for academics. In college, it truly takes effort to achieve your educational and professional goals. It’s very easy to get overwhelmed and burnt out, but you always have to remind yourself why you chose to go to college and the great things you’ll get out of your education.  

I hope this advice proves to be helpful to you because you can get a little lost trying to navigate yourself in a new place. Remember that it’s okay to be nervous, but be excited too! College can be a great time if you put yourself out there and try new things. And, at the very end of the day, always have fun!