8 Ways Your First Year is Like Falling in Love

We have reached the 8th day of Ohio State orientation and in honor of this 8th day, I will share with you the 8 ways your first year is like falling in love.

1. The Butterflies

When first falling in love you may feel anxious, nervous and excited — what we commonly refer to as experiencing “the butterflies.” These butterflies are the similar to the feelings that students have before they enter their first year of college. Many students begin to feel anxious and excited as they think about their classes, their roommates or simply adjusting to a new lifestyle, unlike anything they have ever known before. Being nervous is normal. However, I encourage you to approach your first year with an open mind and to experience the new things available to you. This “leap of faith” toward your newfound love (Ohio State, of course!) can make your freshman year truly amazing.

2. Speed Dating

Falling in love requires finding the right person. When falling in love, you may search for “the one” or the person who is the right fit. This involves trying new things and learning about different people, similar to the Involvement Fair, which is held on the Oval on the first Sunday of Welcome Week. There are over 700 student organizations represented on the Oval with members eager to speak with new students about that club or organization. These groups gather there with the sole purpose of sharing their passions and interests with incoming students, hoping to create a connection. Like dating, it is a time for first-year students to learn about different student organizations and find the right path of involvement.

3. Your First Date

When going on your first date, one of the biggest decisions is deciding where to eat. Just like a date, your first year offers many dining options at the university. Some of my favorites include the Ohio Union, Kennedy Commons, Fresh Express and Mirror Lake Creamery (voted the best “cheap date” location on campus)!

4. The Honeymoon Phase

The honeymoon phase includes the early stages of a relationship when everything feels exciting and new. This can be compared to the first six weeks here at Ohio State, when first-year students start to make their connections and begin to adjust to their new lives and environments. My piece of advice for you is to stay on campus as much as possible during these first six weeks to take in the excitement and to develop these new relationships.

5. The First Kiss

In love stories, the “first kiss”  is a magical moment, symbolizing the love and connection between two people. It’s a moment full of beauty and understanding and one that is not easily forgotten.  This “magical first kiss moment” is similar to another magical moment during your first year at Ohio State. It’s the moment where you become a part of the Ohio State family and truly understand what it means to be a Buckeye. This could be the first time you sing “Carmen Ohio,” the first time you connect with your roommate, when you join a student organization, or even your first year orientation.

 6. The First Fight

Love can come with some bumps in the road. Problems arise and fighting happens but sometimes this is what makes relationships healthy. These disputes can offer opportunities to learn, grow and develop. Your first year may not be perfect, but challenges will serve as a way to grow as you begin to learn more about yourself and more about the world.

7. Sharing living space

A big step in a relationship is making the decision to spend more time with that person. Eventually some couples spend so much time together, they begin to learn the intricate details about a person (their cleanliness, daily habits, etc.) similar to moving in with your roommate during your first year. This could be one of the first times you learn how to cohabitate with someone and what it’s like to be away from your home and your family.

8. The Moment You Say “I Love You”

This is the special moment where two people express the feelings and emotions that have been developing for each other. Realizing how much you love a person can be similar to recognizing your attachment to your university. For me, I realized that I’ll always have a place for Ohio State in my heart because of my wonderful memories here and the simple fact that I am and always will be a Buckeye for life.

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Check out our blog on Friday to read our 10th day of orientation post from the amazing Alante’ Ward…he’ll discuss the 10 types of people you meet during your first year!

High FIVEs and Other Ways to Meet New Buckeyes!

It’s hard to believe that the first week of orientation is wrapping up today…it’s been FIVE days of fun and learning, that’s for sure! It’s also been a week of making connections. One of the most important parts of orientation is just meeting fellow Buckeyes, both new and old. So in that spirit, I want to share with you FIVE ways to meet new Buckeyes at your orientation.

High Fives. Literally.

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Okay, you may be wondering where I am going with this and if I could be serious. I am! It may not actually be high fives, but you will have the opportunity to interact with a small group of students throughout your program and there is nothing the Orientation Leaders (aka Team Red Polo) loves more than a good icebreaker. Don’t be too cool for the icebreakers — everyone is doing them these days and it gives you a chance to get to know other first-year students and to find some common interests. You never know what you may learn from someone and you could meet your future best friend who also likes that one thing you thought no one else loved like you!

Mingle while you munch

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Join the Orientation Leaders and other first-year students in the Ohio Union around 5 p.m. to grab dinner and hang out before the evening session. It’s a great way to relax and meet students outside of your small group. For those of you staying in Morrill Tower for the night, introduce yourself to the other students on your floor and make plans to grab breakfast in the morning. This is all good practice for when you are on campus in the fall — many students find it easy to manage their time and friends by doing things like grabbing a bite to eat and catching up at the same time.

RPAC games

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There is nothing like some healthy competition! Stick around for the evening activities, especially RPAC games, in order to reconnect with your small group. This is personally one of my favorite activities as an Orientation Leader because I really get the chance to get to know my small groups better. It’s all good fun and there are activities for everyone to participate in while being cheered on by new friends!

It’s as simple as introducing yourself

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It may seem awkward to turn to a stranger and introduce yourself, but everyone is in the same boat. Many new students are just as nervous about making friends or meeting new people as you may be. Most likely, your neighbor is going to be relieved to have someone to chat with instead of sitting there in silence waiting for a session to start. Furthermore, you are going to find yourself in groups of people who share the same study areas as you — you may find that you’ll see these students in the fall because you’ll be taking many of the same classes if you share the same major. Even if you don’t see each other in class, you are bound to run into each other in the residence halls or walking across the Oval. Why not get started getting to know each other now?

Follow up and ask questions

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Alright, I might be diverging from the whole “new Buckeyes” piece of this blog challenge, but just hear me out. Plus, these Buckeyes are new to you (that counts, right?!) At orientation you have the chance to meet some great upperclassmen as well as professional staff members at the university who want nothing more than to see you succeed in your first year. From your Orientation Leaders, to Hall Directors, to the Ohio Union staff and everyone in between…start making those meaningful connections! We know that you most likely will still have questions when you leave campus, so make sure you are asking for answers! Everyone is more than willing to give you their contact information so that you can use us as resources throughout the summer and your first year. I’m still in contact with my Orientation Leader and a few people I met at orientation because I remained in contact! Don’t let those resources go to waste.

That’s all I got…I hope that this has been helpful to you as you begin to plan your orientation visit. Orientation is the beginning to a wonderful journey as a Buckeye, and it’s my hope that you use these tips to find some people who will be apart of your journey.

Make sure you check back here on Monday for what I’m sure will be an excellent post from Connor MacDowell. His challenge? To tell you about SIX songs that describe the orientation experience. Get excited…I know I am!

Traffic lights: A guide for First Year success

Two days of orientation have passed and now we’re here at day three. With that comes three tidbits of information for students to utilize during their first year at Ohio State, using a traffic light analogy.

RED: It’s true that through all of the opportunities and resources available to first-year students, there are some boundaries and things that students should avoid. One thing that I would discourage a student from doing in their first year is skipping class! Although you may accidentally sleep through an alarm, just like unintentionally running through a red light, keep in mind one thing: classes in college are fast-paced and rigorous. Attending class can make a huge difference in your success in college and your final grade. That being said, professors know the difficulty of the material and offer additional resources to students outside of class such as:

  1. Office hours: hours set aside for students to meet with their professor in his or her office and ask questions about class content
  2. Review sessions: meetings held before large tests or exams in order to review content that may be included on the test
  3. Teaching Assistants: people pursuing a professional degree in the content related to your class who assist the professors, offer their own office hours and teach students during recitations (smaller classes affiliated with a lecture)

Each resource works to ensure students are able to understand the material completely and thoroughly. But if you are forced to miss a class, the last thing you should do is PANIC! Many professors have policies in place regarding class absences and acceptable excuses. They will be as accommodating as they can to make sure you succeed, so make sure you do everything possible to be present, and communicate if for some reason you are unable to attend class.

YELLOW: Everyone has his or her own comfort zone but I’ve been told that nothing ever grows in a comfort zone. In your first year at Ohio State (as well as the years to follow), stepping out of your comfort zone is crucial to developing as an independent and unique individual. For those who may feel more comfortable surrounded by groups of people, I challenge you to step outside this protective layer of friends. Do not be afraid to take on a meeting, project, or initiative solo. Many new students are nervous to participate in activities by themselves, but taking it upon yourself to be proactive can pay off in your personal independence, belief in yourself and expansion of your knowledge. When coming to Ohio State we are all heavily concerned about our social life, but don’t be afraid to be comfortable with yourself and take that time necessary to recoup, learn your personal strengths and make some quality “me-time.”

GREEN: Now that we got the hard part out the way we can delve into being proactive and outlining what a student should definitely take on and do in their first year. Although every first-year student is going to hear this a billion times, I cannot stress enough the importance of GETTING INVOLVED on campus. Even making it all capital letters doesn’t do it justice. Every student has heard how getting involved can benefit your social network, allow you to gain leadership experience and be a part of something with a purpose and goal. Although all of these points are true, in addition, when you get involved on campus you can benefit from everything Ohio State has to offer, especially real world experience. Each student organization is almost like a small business and every one has responsibilities to ensure prosperity and success with their goals. These experiences are prevalent throughout Ohio State but each student club on campus offers a variety of lessons and experiences for students to apply after graduation and that is an invaluable opportunity that no one can pass up.

Hopefully the information above helps if you’re an incoming first-year student, especially if you are anxious, nervous, or scared about your transition from these summer months to your first semester as a Buckeye. Granted, these tips are not finite! There is so much Ohio State has to offer and a multitude of decisions that students will have to make during their time as a college student.

I hope you get started in the right direction on your path of success during your time here at Ohio State. Go Bucks!

Friday’s post is going to come from Mackenzie Hogan; she will describe five ways to meet other first-year students at orientation as your college journey begins to unfold!

37 Things First-Year Students Experienced This Year

With finals occupying your brain (along with the distraction caused by Ohio’s long lost friend — the sun), it may be difficult to find time to reflect on the moments and milestones that shaped your first year. In an effort to help with that process, fellow FYE staff member, Nicole Craven, and I have provided a condensed overview for your reflecting pleasure.

37 weeks. 37 thoughts. All in 90 seconds or less.

  1. Aug 15 How am I ever going to fit this stuff into one car?
  2. Aug 22 Thank goodness I have this OSU mobile app — no one knows I am a new student.
  3. Aug 29 How do I get off of all these student organization email listservs?!?
  4. Sept 5 Got on the CLN, thinking it was the CLS. Again.
  5. Sept 12 Another day, another free event. #StudentPerks
  6. Sept 19 Got my group project assignment. Everyone but me is from Cleveland.
  7. Sept 26 That chemistry exam did NOT go as anticipated.
  8. Oct 3 This curve thing is glorious.
  9. Oct 10 Will there ever be a day when there isn’t a line at Courtside Cafe?
  10. Oct 17 It’s Homecoming Week! Go Buckeyes! Beat the Hawkeyes!
  11. Oct 24 Our marching band is better than your marching band. #Moonwalk #Viral
  12. Oct 31 So, is dressing up for Halloween like a thing in college?
  13. Nov 7 11:57 p.m….two minutes left to submit my Success Series reflection. Let’s do this.
  14. Nov 14 Just registered for spring semester. No classes until 9 a.m. Yesssssss.
  15. Nov 21 So excited to have a 4-bedroom house on Waldeck next year with 15 of my closest buddies.
  16. Nov 28 Happy Thanksgiving! T-minus 48 hours until we play TTUN!
  17. Dec 5 Only three finals stand between me and the Big 10 championship game. #Undefeated
  18. Dec 12 Done with finals. Done rooting for the Buckeyes. #Defeated
  19. Dec 19 Home for break! It’s great to see these hometown friends!
  20. Dec 26 These hometown friends have got to go.
  21. Jan 2 New year, new semester. Ready to return to my second home!
  22. Jan 9 Never in my life have I been so cold.
  23. Jan 16 Seriously.
  24. Jan 23 So many Uggs. So much North Face.
  25. Jan 30 Welcome, new President Drake! That OSU mobile app is clutch.
  26. Feb 6 I should start using the RPAC again.
  27. Feb 13 Ready to experience my first BuckeyeThon this weekend!
  28. Feb 20 Just saw Aaron Craft walking on campus. #ManOfSteal
  29. Feb 27 Study? Netflix? Netflix.
  30. Mar 6 Excited to be building houses in Florida in a few days with my Buck-I-Serv group!
  31. Mar 13 The blisters. Oh, the blisters! #HammerNovice
  32. Mar 20 Shadowing a cardiologist this summer. Scooping ice cream on the side.
  33. Mar 27 My fraternity brother won an award at the Denman Undergraduate Research Forum!
  34. Apr 3 Just finished a paper comparing Woodstock to Coachella. #GenEds #HistoryofRockAndRoll
  35. Apr 10 Oh. So THIS is Oval Beach. #70Degrees
  36. Apr 17 I’m running out of ways to spell Hogwarts when changing my OSU password. #Every90Days #BobGribben
  37. Apr 24 Two finals down, 67 meal blocks to go.

Tips for SUMMER!

At this point in the semester, your brain may be thinking (perhaps during inconvenient times, like when studying for your final exams) about the endless possibilities of what is to come this summer. While you relax and let your brain rest with fun activities like bonfires, swimming, sun, friends, family, grilling, etc., I want to remind you that college extends past your first year.

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That’s right, you get to come back to campus as a knowledgeable sophomore! Ohio State works hard to communicate and prepare you for a smooth transition in the months before and throughout your first year. Your summer after your first year is a little different. The university is sending you messages about important dates and deadlines on a less frequent basis. If you truly wanted to, you could leave for the summer and be completely separated and removed from the place you called home for the last nine months.

Now, don’t stress and think that the only way to stay connected and have an easy transition back is if you literally stay here all summer. While that may be possible and convenient for some, there are definitely other opportunities and ways to stay involved. I am here with tips for making an easy transition to your second year!

Stay connected with your Ohio State friends

This summer, it is very likely you’ll be separated from the new friends you made this year; however, this doesn’t mean you have to be disconnected. Consider setting up a GroupMe account. Here, you can all chat and stay updated in one, continuing conversation throughout the summer. Staying connected in this way will allow you to keep updated so when you do come back to campus your relationships can pick up right where they left off.

Volunteer

Volunteering is a great way to stay connected for so many different reasons. First, it can be a great opportunity to come back to campus. There are several organizations that still look for volunteers in the summer months and work really close to campus. You could benefit the Columbus community and also pop back, check up and take a walk around campus in one activity…and what is better than that? To make the experience even more enjoyable, you could even involve your friends. Send out a text message through your new GroupMe account and make a friend date out of volunteering!

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Review

Yes, I know it is summer and I fully understand that the majority of us do not want to spend it studying or dealing with academia in any way. However, you don’t want to forget all of the information you just spent the last nine months mastering, do you? So even though it may not be most fun, reviewing a bit of the information in the summer may be a good idea.

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So how can you make this happen? We all have unique morning rituals that usually involve eating. (If your ritual doesn’t, it should: breakfast is the most important meal!) I have found that this is a great time to be a little productive. My mornings were pretty basic: woke up, drank a cup of coffee, and then ate breakfast. Before my cup of coffee I was often dysfunctional, but afterward I found that I could focus and had some convenient downtime while eating. Eventually, I figured out that I could fill this with some reading. I designated Monday and Tuesday morning as my days and on those morning would spend my time eating and skimming over my lessons and notes from my classes. On the other days, I would forget about school and either watch TV or read a book. Soon it became part of my schedule and I was surprised at how easy it was to do every week. Everyone has a different schedule so it is up to you to decide how many days and when the timing would work. Coming from personal experience I can not tell you how much this simple task helped prepare me. Keeping your brain active, specifically with information that pertains to your next school year, will truly make the transition back into the rigorous college curriculum that much easier.

Summer is great for so many reasons, but it is not just limited to only family and vacations. As you can see there are some easy things that you can be doing for school, too. Before you know it, August will be rolling around and the semester will be starting up again. Be as prepared as possible to take on campus as successful second year students.

5 Things I Learned in March

We are now at the point in the semester where we are all counting down the days until finals are over and summer is here. I don’t know about you all, but I think the past three months have flown by, especially March. With March coming to a close, I thought it would be a great time to reflect back on the past 31 days and take those lessons with me as I head into April.

1. Things aren’t always predictable. 

If you’ve been on any form of social media or watched television lately, then you’re probably aware that March Madness is in full swing. I’m not one who follows basketball religiously, but it is always fun to have some friendly competition through creating brackets with my friends and my family. This year was especially exciting because it was the first year that participants could enter the Billion Dollar Bracket, where you could win a billion dollars if you created a perfect bracket. Over 11 million people entered the Billion Dollar Bracket and just after the second day no one was left. With eight upsets in just the first round, I think it is safe to say that despite how sure we are that something might happen, life always manages to throw us curveballs. Whether it is your March Madness bracket or something else, it is important to keep things in perspective when unpredictable situations are thrown your way.

2. No matter how long you’ve been at Ohio State, there is always something new and exciting to experience.

One thing I love about Ohio State is that there is always something going on. While it is easy to aware of the big events happening around campus, curiosity and a mindset of adventure can help you find something new going on that you may have never heard of before. It is important to keep an open mind as you attend something for the first time as well as when you look for things to do around campus. A few weeks ago, I was grabbing dinner with a two of my friends in the Union when we saw a sign outside of the Performance Hall for the Multicultural Greek Council Variety Show. Needless to say, walking into the Union , that was really the last thing I expected to do. We decided to go watch and had a great time seeing the different groups’ performances reflecting their cultures. Your time spent at college moves quickly so if you don’t stop and look around every once in a while, you might miss it.

Check out this video from OSU Genesis, Ohio’s Premiere All Male Fusion Dance Team! They are just one of the many unique student organizations at Ohio State!


3. Having time away to recharge is important.

I think it is safe to say that everyone’s favorite part of March was Spring Break. Let’s face it, nine straight weeks of classes can get to be a bit draining. Spring Break was the perfect time to take a step back and get away from it all for a while. Whether you went camping in Florida (like me), went skiing in Colorado, or just went back home, those nine days of break were just what we all needed. Coming back from Spring Break, I felt recharged and ready to get back into my weekly routine. Although stress comes with being in college, it is great to know that we have those opportunities to relax and rejuvenate.

4. Ohio is still confused about our current season.

Nothing says “spring” like waking up, looking out your window, and seeing a fresh layer of snow covering the ground. This past month we’ve had it all: rain, snow, and 60 degree weather. It seems as though Ohio is having an identity crisis and we are suffering because of it. Just keep checking the weather forecast because you never know what it will be like walking around campus!

5. You can definitely overcome the mid-semester “slump”.

At the beginning of the semester, it seems as though everyone is so determined, eager to learn, and ready to push through the next 14 weeks. But suddenly there becomes a point in everyone’s semester when we lose this focus and hit the mid-semester “slump”. At the time, it may feel as though you’ve hit a wall, but don’t let that discourage you! Looking back, we have already completed 11 weeks of classes, which means that there is only less than one month left. If you’re feeling a bit down about the semester, keep your head up and be proud that you have powered through the last three months. You only have one month left of your first year of college, so make the most of it!

Tips to Help You Remain SANE in the Homestretch to Finals

We’re at that point in the year where we can see the end of school. Classes are finished in less than a month. But, we’re also at the point where it feels like every instructor is cramming in a million more group projects, papers, midterms, etc., even though finals are right around the corner. Here are some tips to help you remain sane through the end of April.

1. Get time away and/or alone

Make sure you take a few minutes for yourself to just walk around campus, get a coffee from Starbucks, or just enjoy the nice weather on one of those days when it decides to be 60+ outside.

2. Spend a short time doing something for pure fun

With all the hard work and stress that the next few weeks will bring, make sure you have time to reward yourself for your hard work. Whether you Skype with a distant friend, play some video games, or watch funny YouTube videos, just make sure you reward yourself.

3. Exercise

You may be thinking, “How am I supposed to have time to exercise when I have to study for five tests, write nine papers, and complete four group projects?” Trust me, even just a few minutes of exercise will make you feel so much better. If you want to exercise, but also want to accomplish something for school, bring your book or notes to the gym to study while you’re on the treadmill or while you’re biking. You will feel reenergized once you’re done. Even if it’s only for 20 minutes, try to get some exercise.

4. Attend an athletic event

Sometimes you just need to take a break completely from what you may be doing to get a new perspective or to get reenergized. A great way to do this is to attend an athletic event at Ohio State. There are baseball games, softball games, track meets, the football spring game (April 12; free to students), and many other athletic events that will occur during these last few weeks of school. I know the athletes would all love your support and it would be a great way to take a break from studying.

5. Make a list, write everything down

One suggestion to help you feel less overwhelmed these last few weeks is to make lists. This simple concept may sound silly, but it will make you feel better! Make lists of the things you have to do. As you complete them, make sure to cross them off on the list — you will feel great that you are accomplishing something, even if you have a million more things to do. At certain points, make sure you set rewards for completing so many things on the list. This will encourage you to continue to work hard and not get too frustrated.

If all else fails, make sure to breathe. We have roughly five weeks left (including finals). Just think: we are so close to summer. If you need an incentive to study hard for finals, just think about how great summer will be when you find out you got better grades than you thought because you studied so hard!

5 Things I Learned in January

 

It’s that magical time of year again when you have to actively think about writing 2014 on everything even though you just got used to writing 2013! While getting used to writing the new date might cause some frustration, the first month of the year has already presented some great lessons!

1. Extra days of vacation are not always a good thing.

I was super excited to get a few extra days of vacation when I first heard that classes were cancelled for a polar vortex, but that excitement quickly turned to boredom and the consumption of entirely too much Netflix. My productivity hit an all time low which made getting back into the swing of work and classes just a little harder. While the extra days off may have hurt your motivation, it also likely caused your professors to cram more material into fewer classes. Make sure you stay on top of any changes to your syllabus because of the shortened semester and plan ahead for the possibility of an increased work load as the weeks pass.

2. (Speaking of the polar vortex) Ohio might as well be Alaska.

If you think I’m joking, check out this AP story aptly titled GO Figure: Alaska is Warmer than Lower 48. If this phenomenon doesn’t make you want to become a meteorologist, I don’t know what will. The weather is supposed to warm up for good but it doesn’t mean it’s time to put away those winter clothes just yet. Make sure to keep on bundling up!

3.  Getting sick is the worst!

I came down with a cold a couple of weeks ago and it’s no fun. Being from Philadelphia, it is especially hard not having my mommy around to take care of me (don’t act like you’re too cool to have your mom bring you some hot soup). If you get sick and can’t make it home, don’t be afraid to make a trip to Student Health Services. The doctors there can write prescriptions and refer you to specialists. If you are too sick to walk, CABS buses will get you there, and they is also discounted parking right outside of the building. If you have to miss classes because of an illness, your health care provider can give you a visit verification form or a medical excuse form. To make an appointment or to get advice about a medical issue, call a nurse at 614-292-4321. For general information about the services offered visit their website.

Interested in learning why you’re more likely to get sick in the winter? Watch this video!

4. Ohio State students care about their community.

On January 20th, I had the privilege of helping to bring students together to give back to the Ohio State and Columbus communities. About 25 out-of-state students got up before 8 a.m. to volunteer their time with the MLK Day of Service. But the amazing thing was that it wasn’t only these 25 students who came out. Thousands of Ohio State students streamed into the Ohio Union to help make this world a little better. I was so in awe of how much everyone cared about giving back.

If you participated in MLK day or you caught up on some sleep, the great thing is that the great work students do didn’t end on January 20th! There are so many ways you can get involved. Pay It Forward has great opportunities throughout the year, service learning courses are offered every semester, and there are lots of other organizations in the Columbus area that would love the additional hands of a dedicated individual.

5. But most important of all, SPRING IS NEAR!

If you’re like me, anything below 65 degrees and sunny is miserable. But have no fear! Spring is closer than you think. If you ever need a pick-me-up, check back here for a countdown.

8 Great Things About This Blog

Happy New Year, welcome to spring semester, and here’s to our inaugural blog post.

For our devoted passive readers of the FYE-News email you received on a weekly basis from First Year Experience, this blog is our new (and improved!) way of sharing information with you.

If you never realized you were getting a weekly FYE-News email full of insightful, life-altering information, believe me when I say that this is better. Here’s why:

FYE is an office of peopleWe are a staff of seven professionals, one office manager, and two incredible graduate students. A weekly email doesn’t care about you, doesn’t have feelings or opinions, and will never tell you a bad joke…but we do. (How do you make a tissue dance? You put a little boogie in it). Through this blog, you’ll get to know us, as we hope to get to know you. You’ll come to realize that the staff in First Year Experience are invested in the success of first-year students, and we have knowledge to share, advice to dispense, and candy bowls in our office cubicles.

Students helping students. Over 200 upper-class student leaders devote time and energy to supporting and mentoring new students each year. You see them at Orientation, at Convocation, in the classroom, and at many events and programs coordinated by FYE throughout your first year. These students have experience in what you may be experiencing:

  • They fail midterms
  • They’re homesick
  • They struggle with time management
  • They ignore the recommendations for maintaining a healthy lifestyle
  • They have their hearts broken.

But, they persevere. They learn a lesson (or two). They have tremendous success. They’ll share their stories with you in this blog, and you can learn a lesson (or two) from their experiences.

Real time. Real talk. A formatted weekly email is typically drafted, edited, and scheduled to go out 4-5 days before it hits inboxes (true story). A blog lets us be timely and relevant with our thoughts and ideas when something BIG happens on campus. And you, in turn, can share with us your comments about those (or other) thoughts and ideas.

This thing called the Internet. Ohio State makes u.osu.edu accessible to students, faculty, and staff anytime, anywhere (with Internet access) from laptops, desktops, portable devices. You can comment on a post at three in the morning when I’m sleeping (wait, you should also be sleeping…see recommendations for maintaining a healthy lifestyle), and each of our blog contributors can create posts through their own preferred method of submission.

Comments on comments on comments. We want to hear from you. We want you to talk to each other. This is a public forum, but it’s also a safe space…we hope that you’ll engage in respectful and reflective ways.

Stuff you care about. Let’s say we have a blog post about living in Columbus and taking advantage of all this city has to offer (spoiler alert: it’s happening). You grew up in Columbus, and you could practically write that post in your sleep…with your toes…while playing the accordion. (How’s that mental image working out for you?) Okay, so that blog post probably won’t be interesting, but you can search this blog for terms, categories, or tags about things you would find interesting. And, if you’re coming up empty, shoot us a comment and we’ll dedicate our next post to you.

 

Memes. GIFs. YouTube. Soundcloud. Oh, the media frenzy! We get it: Buzzfeed is awesome. We like it, too. They’ve got a good thing going, and we’re not ashamed to say that we’re going to try to emulate its approach to sharing information…to an extent. I’m calling it now: we’ll probably never post anything like 22 Lies Disney Told About Hair.

I will, however, include this music video of my favorite song from 1996 (the year I started college at Ohio State):

 

Look back, plan ahead. I kept a diary in elementary school. The steamiest entry was circa February 1988, when I was in fourth grade and the boy I had a crush on picked me to play the tambourine next in music class. Irrelevant is the fact that our teacher told him he had to pick a girl and that I was one of only two girls left who hadn’t been picked; the point is, I was convinced that I was going to have an extra special Valentine in my cardboard box the following week (nope, didn’t happen).

This blog can be your elementary school diary. Read through these posts in May and remember where you were at this moment, how you felt about beginning your second semester at Ohio State. Think about how you’re different now compared to when you started here in August. Use these posts to jar your memory, to help you set goals for the future, and have a snapshot of one of the most transforming years of your life.

 

Until next time…