Today is the day! Today is the last day to apply to join a Learning Community for the 2017-2018 academic year. Learning Community Applications are due here by 11:59 pm tonight, April 17.

Needing a little inspiration to finish that application? Read a few words from Truman Xu, a first-year student in the Global Business Learning Community…

Hi, my name is Truman Xu! I am a member of the Global Business Learning Community (GBLC) at THE​ Ohio State University. Yes, you have to emphasize THE. I am originally from New York but moved to New Jersey at the start of middle school. To me, Ohio was an unknown land. I didn’t know anything about Ohio or anyone here. It was difficult, to say the least, to attend a college so far from home. However, my transition was easier because of the GBLC.

To be honest, I applied to the GBLC because it sounded like an opportunity for people who were intelligent and successful. I had no idea what the program did or how it was helpful. Now, I emphatically state that my participation in the Global Business Learning Community is definitely one of the highlights of my first year. There are many benefits of joining the GBLC, or any Learning Community, but the benefits can’t be fully captured in marketing materials.

As I mentioned, Ohio was unknown to me. I knew no one and my parents were in a different state. Justifiably, I was scared. In a school of more than 50,000 people, it is understandable to feel lost. For me, GBLC was a guiding hand. It brought together first-year business students. After several sessions of intensive ice breakers, a little community was formed. This little community of business students made the transition into college so much less intimidating. In fact, my now closest friends are in the GBLC too.

Aside from bringing people together, the GBLC does benefit my education. We learn about business etiquette and global business practices. Meetings involve fun activities and guest speakers, some of which are business professionals. Occasionally, there are events outside of our weekly meetings. One of my favorite events was the business etiquette dinner. An instructor taught us how to eat properly in a business setting. We also went to Toronto, Canada to connect and network with a variety of businesses!

Attending college is a huge commitment. It’s understandable to be nervous! Take advantage of the opportunities that surround you and you will be successful. For example, apply to a Learning Community. It helps a large university feel small! Best of luck at THE Ohio State University.

Note: This PSA is not a propaganda, just my personal experiences to inform your future decisions.

Members of the Global Business Learning Community at an etiquette dinner!

Learning Community applications are due in just seven days on April 17, 2017! Don’t delay, apply here now! For more information about Learning Communities, visit this website.

Before you apply, read a short post from Marlena (Harley) McNeal, a first-year student in the John Glenn Civic Leadership Community. In this post she shares with us the ways in which Learning Communities support student success…

There is no denying that Ohio State is one of the largest universities in the country. Along with this comes many resources and opportunities, but if you are anything like me, you might be wondering how to thrive at such a big school. What I quickly learned is that despite its intimidating size, Ohio State has endless ways to help students quickly find their place while growing as a student and a person.

Joining a Learning Community helped me adapt to college life. I entered Ohio State without a declared major but was drawn to the John Glenn Civic Leadership Community (JGCLC) because of its focus on public policy, service, and leadership. At first I was nervous that its focus would be too specific for someone still exploring majors, but I was thrilled to find a group of ambitious students with a vast array of career goals who simply shared the common passion of growing as leaders to impact the world around them.

Early arrival weekend, when JGCLC first-year members arrived to campus a few days before school started, was one of the most memorable experiences I’ve had at Ohio State thus far. Much of it consisted of bonding activities, from icebreakers to rope course exercises. The focus on team building definitely paid off, and in the process it built trust. This weekend also included a service project in Columbus. We explored the John and Annie Glenn Museum and learned about public policy too. By spending time working and learning together, a tight-knit community developed between people who were complete strangers just a few days prior.

Even once classes started and everyone grew busy with school and other extracurricular activities, the close environment in the JGCLC remained. We all shared the same public affairs class once a week, and had plenty of opportunities to participate in events outside of class. We did service projects and were able to take a tour of the Ohio Statehouse. We also just returned from Washington, D.C. During this during trip we visited historical monuments, networked with Ohio State alumni, and connected with members of Congress. We also visited the new National Museum of African American History and Culture.

The JGCLC was quick to make me feel comfortable in my new environment, and even better, it continually provides more opportunities for me to grow!

Some of the students in the John Glenn Civic Leadership Community preparing for Community Commitment, a day of service-learning at Ohio State!

Some of the students in the John Glenn Civic Leadership Community preparing for Community Commitment, a day of service-learning at Ohio State!