6 Themes Not to Miss This Semester

If you’re like us in First Year Experience, you love a good theme. Themes can take an experience from basic to amazing, and that’s why the First Year Success Series has six themes to help you have the best first semester ever. Here’s some insight into each of these themes; hopefully you will see some experiences not to be missed!

Theme #1: Academic Engagement and Career Exploration

To stay at Ohio State, you will need to be successful inside the classroom. College requires you to study smarter, learn faster, and think more critically. Once you have gotten the hang of that, you may also want to think about requirements for graduate school, internships in your field of study, or research with a faculty member. Mastering the content in this theme area grants you the opportunity to continue to explore the rest of the collegiate experience–like Welcome Week.

2014 sessions to consider:

  • A+ Research: Where Do You Start?
  • Is Your Major ‘The One’
  • Where’s Woody? Find Woody Hayes in Thompson Library
  • Study Smarter! Memory Tools for Effective Studying

Theme #2: Diversity and Global Awareness

Ohio State is pretty big–over 7,000 new students started here this fall, contributing to a total population of more than 50,000 students. With a community this size, we have people representing many cultures, genders, races, languages, sexual orientations, religions, nationalities, and experiences. Appreciating diversity means more than trying different foods or taking O-H-I-O pictures on a study abroad trip (although those are cool things that you definitely should do). Being a a member of the Buckeye family means learning about different people so that we can all advocate for each other and celebrate our differences. Sessions in this theme will help you begin to explore new cultures and issues, think about studying abroad, and connecting with others who share your identity.

2014 sessions to consider:

  • Take a Stand: A Guide to Learning about Yourself & Peers
  • Study Abroad Expo
  • How to be an Ally
  • International Coffee Hour

Theme #3: Finances

Few things are worse than getting to the end of your college experience and realizing you made poor financial decisions which will follow you long after your time at Ohio State is over. What can you do to stretch your dollar and be smart about how you plan your budget for the next fours years? Go to sessions in this theme to make smart decisions about financing your time at Ohio State.

2014 sessions to consider:

  • LANDLORDS, LEASING & LOTS MORE: Get the 43201 about Moving Off-Campus!
  • Personal Finance 101
  • Budgeting Workshop
  • Extreme Couponing

Theme #4: Health and Wellness

With all of the work you’ll do to succeed in the classroom and all of the energy you’ll put into making friends and getting involved, it’s important for you to find ways to take care of yourself; that may include eating healthy, making smart social choices, or hitting the gym. There are actually nine dimensions of wellness for you to think about as a student. Sessions in this theme will help you consider how you are taking care of yourself in each dimension to live a healthy lifestyle during your time at Ohio State.

2014 sessions to consider:

  • Party Smart
  • Counting Sheep: How Sleep Impacts Your Success
  • The Right Bite on a College Campus
  • Double Dare

Theme #5: Leadership and Civic Engagement

Were you overwhelmed by all of the opportunities you saw at the Involvement Fair or during Community Commitment? Everyone has told you to get involved, but what will that look like for you? You may want to go to sessions in this theme to think about what your leadership skills and styles look like. Then, you can think about what kinds of issues on campus or in the community matter to you, and commit yourself to those opportunities.

2014 sessions to consider:

  • Your Buckeye Leadership Plan
  • Service in Your First Year Experience
  • Becoming a Nut
  • How to Avoid Poverty Tourism

Theme #6: Buckeye Book Community

All members of the class of 2018 read The Glass Castle this summer…what a great conversation starter at a table in Kennedy Commons! Maybe you and your newfound friend will decide to attend one of the many Success Series sessions where you will have the chance to talk about the themes of the book. The book’s author, Jeannette Walls, comes to campus on September 23!

2014 sessions to consider:

  • An Evening with Jeannette Walls
  • A Different Look at The Glass Castle
  • Pastries and Perspective: The Glass Castle
  • What’s in a question? Research questions and The Glass Castle

Are you ready to check out these themes? Visit go.osu.edu/FYSS and register for your Peer Leader workshop before September 12 to learn more about the First Year Success Series from upperclass students!

20 Embarrassing Things You May Do In Your First Year (And Why It’s Okay)

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Being a new student at Ohio State is truly a unique experience. There are dining halls to explore, special lingo to learn, class buildings to memorize and daily routines to configure. It’s inevitable that during this transition into college life you are going to do some things that will make you wish you hadn’t stepped on campus. I’m here to tell you’re not alone, and that every year, first-year students make a few “rookie” mistakes–I was in your shoes a year ago; I sympathize. Next fall, you can laugh about them, learn from them and (hopefully) avoid them in the future. Now, here is a list of some of the classic Ohio State mistakes and (potentially) embarrassing moments you may encounter:

  1. Pull out your map on the way to class the first week….or two.
  2. Wait until winter to learn the bus system (You may regret it come November).
  3. Lock your keys in your room three times in the first month. At least one of these times will be after a shower, and you will have to go to the front desk in a bathrobe.
  4. Refer to the Oval as “the hall.”
  5. Call your professor “teacher.”
  6. Forget your bath towel in your room (HINT: toilet paper will not work).
  7. Try to sneakily watch a video in lecture, failing to realize your computer volume is still on high.
  8. Run out of ways to use your name and graduation year to make new passwords for your Buckeye Link account, and resort to pet names and silly childhood nicknames.
  9. Convince yourself you have found “The One” in September. Break up in October.
  10. Burn half of your phone’s memory recording every single TBDBITL ramp entrance and Script Ohio performance.
  11. Everything on your holiday wish list WILL have the Ohio State logo on it.
  12. Walk away from a cardio machine because you secretly couldn’t figure out how to use it.
  13. Forget to press your floor in the elevator and/or walk the stairs to the wrong floor.
  14. Drop your “unmentionables” on the floor while doing laundry.
  15. Think it’s necessarily to pull the cord on the CABS bus (HINT: it’s not).
  16. Walk into the completely wrong building for class. Bonus points if you actually sit in the completely wrong lecture.
  17. Get General Tso’s chicken from Marketplace…twice in one day.
  18. Sprint across campus once you realize that your classes in Hagerty Hall and Hitchcock Hall aren’t conducive to a leisurely campus stroll within the 15 minute class change period.
  19. Tackle a stack of three food containers, a soft drink, and your room key on your way home from the Union Market. Spoiler alert: You’ll likely spill something at least once.
  20. Wear your lanyard around campus 24/7. Don’t worry: this stage will pass.

We have all been new to Ohio State at some point in time, so know (and believe) that we’ve all experienced our fair share of growing pains as we make this new environment our home. We’re eager to help guide you along the way!

I Wrote This With My Tears

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hello readers, just an emotional senior over here writing a blog post for first-year students with my tears. Casual.

When I think back on the summer before my freshman year, I had a lot of emotions going on. I was beyond excited to finally go to college at The Ohio State University, nervous about leaving my friends and family at home and absolutely terrified because I didn’t know what to expect as a student at Ohio State. My life was going to completely change and I had no idea how I would handle the transition. For you first-year students who are moving to campus in, oh, approximately SIXTEEN DAYS, I imagine you’re feeling similar emotions, experiencing similar fears, and fluctuating between this…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

…or this…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

…or maybe this…

 

 

 

 

 

 

…all while attempting to prepare yourself to start at The Ohio State University.

My situation now isn’t too different. I’m approaching my last semester at The Ohio State University (I’m graduating early in December. Totally not freaking out or anything. Like, it’s fine. BRB, CRYING IN THE FETAL POSITION).

 

 

 

 

 

And guess what? I’m still scared of the unknown. For the first time, my path isn’t directly laid out at my feet. After high school, I had to make the choice of where to go to college, but there wasn’t a question of going. Now, I could look for a job, apply to graduate schools or enroll in a service program. I could also move back home (hi, Mom and Dad!) but we’ll say that’s not an option right now. Three years ago as I was coming to The Ohio State University, I also didn’t know where my path would lead me over the next four years. I could switch my major (and I did); I could join any student organization (or none at all); I could decide who I wanted to be at this huge university where nobody knew me. Though this idea is terrifying, it’s one that first-year students should appreciate because of the opportunities that await you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Really! One of my favorite things about Ohio State is the limitless choices that students here have. No Buckeye will follow the exact same path as anyone before or after them; the combination of academics, involvement, interests and activities that mark their time as an Ohio State student is completely unique. To my incoming Buckeye friends – take advantage of this. Pursue what interests you, whether that is your passion for history that results in a Folklore minor or your love of The Best Damn Band In The Land that sees you at the Lincoln Tower fields on Friday nights to watch their final pre-show practice. It is these things that make Buckeyes love Ohio State in their own unique ways.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can do what you want to do and be who you want to be here at the greatest university, and I am so jealous and so excited that you have the next four whole years to do just that. You may ask yourself this question like little David after the dentist,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But the sad news is, your time at Ohio State will eventually end. As Carmen Ohio states,

The seasons pass, the years will roll…

It’s incredibly true that all of a sudden you’ll be scheduling your last semester of classes and wondering where the years went. Cherish your time on campus, find the friends who will become your family and treasure your memories. I’m taking inspiration from Bilbo Baggins in how I’m looking at the next phase of my life:

 

 

 

 

 

 

You’re doing just the same by coming to The Ohio State University. And hey, if you need to write a reminder to yourself on move-in day or President’s Convocation or the first day of classes, I’ll have the same thing on my hand during Commencement on December 21st:

31 Ways Your First Year is Like Your Favorite Flavor of Ice Cream

Ohio State was founded in 1870 as a land-grant university. 75 years later in 1945, two hopeful entrepreneurs created an international sensation and paved the way for ice cream shops. This sensation is now known as Baskin-Robbins, which originally featured 31 ice cream flavors – one for each day of the month. Oddly enough, these 31 ice cream are similar to different aspects of your first year. Here is a fun and lighthearted list of what you may experience during your first year at Ohio State, represented by Baskin-Robbins ice cream flavors.

1. Creole Cream Cheese: Get ready for a whole new experience.

2. Chocolate: Use campus resources for a rich, smooth transition.

3. Lemon Custard: Like some untraditional flavors, you may need to adjust to some things. 

4. Peppermint Stick: Many aspects will be fresh and new.

5. Banana Nut Fudge: Like the many ingredients in this flavor, there will be so many things to do.

6. Maple Syrup: Love syrup? Get a side with some pancakes at Sloopy’s Diner. 

7. Egg Nog: During the holiday season, be sure to go to Light Up the Lake.

8. Rock ‘n Pop Swirl Sherbet: Want some exercise? Dance to the music at BuckeyeThon.

9. Splish Splash Yogurt: Get your swim on at the RPAC (the pools are amazing!).

10. Amazing Spider-Man 2: See your favorite movie on the Oval with OUAB.

11. German Chocolate Cake: Visit German Village.

12. Baseball Nut: See a Clippers baseball game downtown.

13. Cherry Macaroon: Maybe you come here and find that special someone, that “cherry to your macaroon.” Go for a romantic walk around Mirror Lake (see #2 on this list of romantic places)…

14. Love Potion #31: …and maybe even win his or her heart.

15. Peppermint Fudge Ribbon: If you’re looking to “make ties” you can start by attending the Student Involvement Fair in the fall.

16. Super Yumberry Greek Yogurt: Find out what it means to be in Greek Life.

17. World Class Chocolate: Definitely look for a study abroad opportunity! (I went to Guatemala this past year and it was such a great experience.)

18. French Vanilla: En savoir plus sur l’étude à l’étranger à l’étude à l’étranger exposition!

19. Pistacho Almond: So get crackin’!

20. Chocolate Ribbon: A school like Ohio State is a gift, unwrap that gift and think outside of the box.

21. Rainbow: There is something here for everyone, regardless of background. Find your own “pot of gold” at the end of your journey.

22. Cotton Candy: Have fun and don’t be afraid embrace your childish side.

23. Pineapple Sherbet: Trust me, college is going to be sweet.

24. Lemon Crisp: It can also be sour at times.

25. Rocky Road: There are going to be bumps along the way.

26. Coffee: You may need some energy for those late night study sessions.

27. Strawberry: Stop by for a treat at Thompson Library’s Berry Café.

28. Chocolate Chip: Big or small, no two chips are the same. Be your own person.

29. Peach: Do your best in your classes, so you can be just peachy.

30. Vanilla: Vanilla is standard. Ohio State has high standards for you, but we have faith you can be successful here.

31. Date Nut: And at the heart of it all is a nut that we all love: a Buckeye.

Your first year will be one to remember, so try to make the most of it. Get involved, meet people and take risks. This will be a time that will challenge you, but at the same time will teach you so many things. You will discover more about yourself and make the friends of a lifetime, so get pumped because your college experience is just around the corner!

Stay tuned for Sam’s post, the 33 Things I Now Know About Ohio.

Your Summer Playlist: 6 Songs to Describe Orientation

Hello again, everyone! I’m so excited to be back on First Things First, but I’m especially excited because I get to talk about a few things that I just love: summer, music and Ohio State Orientation.

Every summer there’s a slew of new music released (I’m loving “Problem” by Ariana Grande right now FYI). So whether you’re dancing around your bedroom or driving with the windows down on a summer night, there’s nothing like some good music to make everything right.

Today I’m super pumped to share 6 songs with you that describe the orientation experience. So pull up Spotify or grab your iPod and let’s make a playlist for your summer orientation.

 

1. “Wide Awake” – Katy Perry

When you show up to orientation on that first morning, it is EARLY. Whether you’re traveling five miles or 5,000 miles, it is rarely fun to get up early. However, I encourage you to arise and soak in the experience. This is your first introduction to Ohio State as an official Buckeye. Wipe the sleep from your eyes and enjoy those icebreakers, pay attention to the sessions and ask questions. Make sure that you’re wide awake and ready to make the most of your orientation experience.

2. “Ain’t It Fun” –  Paramore

Like I said before, orientation is probably your first time at Ohio State with your future classmates and peers. HAVE FUN! Why not? To quote the song, “don’t go crying to your mama.” This isn’t a sad time, it’s happy! Talk to as many people as you can, enjoy yourself at the evening activities at the RPAC and laugh as hard as you can during Orientation Night Live (the comedy show put on by the Orientation Leaders). Ain’t it fun? It should be!

3. “Carmen Ohio” – Ohio State’s Alma Mater

Of course I had to sneak “Carmen Ohio” onto this list. Perhaps unlike many other schools across the country, I can honestly testify that Ohio State students truly treasure their alma mater. This song is sung at the end of every football game, after club and organization meetings and at both Convocation and Commencement. The song is all about tradition, friendship and loving your Ohio State home. What better time to learn it than at orientation? (Yes, you will sing “Carmen Ohio” at orientation). This little song is a crown jewel of Ohio State and it continues to give me chills whenever I hear it.

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4. “Call Me Maybe” – Carly Rae Jepsen

You’re going to meet so many new people at orientation. It may be at the opening session, in your small group, at dinner, or a multitude of other places. These people could be the first of your classmates that you befriend. Don’t hesitate to call them (but who am I kidding: nobody calls anybody anymore), text them, or add them on social media. There is nothing wrong with staying connected on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram before school begins in the fall. Who knows, maybe someone you meet could end up being your friend, roommate, or significant other. Call them maybe?

5. “Clarity” – Zedd ft. Foxes

After your orientation, you’re going to have accomplished many things. You will have your classes scheduled, you will have tons of information about different resources and services available on campus and hopefully you will have made some new friends. This is what I call clarity, one of the best feelings in the world. I remember feeling so relieved after my orientation. Although I was initially nervous about my transition to college, after I attended my freshman orientation, this nervousness was replaced by readiness and excitement. I hope you will also achieve a sense of clarity, confidence and excitement for your first year once you’ve gone through your own orientation.

6. “Home” – Phillip Phillips

For so many people, orientation can be scary. You may be nervous about scheduling classes, meeting new people and potentially going out of your comfort zone. But there is no need to worry. This is your home now. Soak in the beauty of the Oval and campus both during the day and at night on your moonlight tour. Ask as many questions as you can. And relax, because this is a place where you will be able to grow and learn over the next several years.

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Welcome home and please enjoy your orientation, this playlist, and all that Ohio State has to offer. To me it’s like a good song that I just play on repeat. I hope the same can be said for you very soon.

Up next, the lovely and wonderful Lisa Combs will be sharing with you something that she knows quite a lot about: love. Her challenge is to list 8 ways that your first year is like falling in love. I’m already stoked to see what she has to say.

Charging my iPod,

Connor