Ohio State University-Main Campus Top Questions

I wish I had known more about all the opportunities and organisations available at Ohio State, so that I would have been less overwhelmed the first few weeks of school. I think it's important to have an idea of the types of things you want to be involved in early so that it is easier to sort through all the opportunities presented to you. It is much better to be very involved in a few things than to mildly participate in many.

I don't think there is anything I wish I would have known before coming to Ohio State that would have made my experience any better than it already has been.

I wish that I had known more about all the opportunities the university had to offer. I feel I would be at a bigger advange if I knew all the things I know now about the university. It would have went much smoother. However, once I did discover the opportunities and activities, it made my transition much easier.

I honestly don't wish I had known any more than I did as an incoming freshman. I absolutely love living here and I appreciate the sense of community amoung the students. I had known previously that Ohio State is known for its "buckeyes" and its extreme pride regarding sports, and that is one of my least favorite things about attending Ohio State. But I was well prepared in that knowledge and would recommend that others become so as well, as it can be overwhelming when people make a big deal out of sports.

I wish I had known how difficult taking 18 credit hours during my first semester would be! You have to be able to pace yourself, or else you'll get really stressed and everything will be a lot more difficult. Don't bite off more than you can chew!

I wish I had knew, how college actually worked since high school. I wish someone would have told me that I should work hard in high school which would enable me to get scholariships or grants in college; it would have made my college career ten times easier because that way I would not have to try to work full time and go to school full time also.

I wish I'd know all of the opportunities my college offered the first quarter I attended, I was so stuck in my old ways and freinds that I went home practically every weekend! Had I know that my University offered all sort of events such as President Obama coming to speak, or concerts for practically free, I would have had probably spent more time becoming acclimated to campus and making friends, and would have enjoyed my first two months on campus far more.

Although there is a lot of school spirit at this school, there are plenty of other activites to be involoved in and there is truly something for everyone here. The staff here are extremely helpful and well versed in their field of study.

Before I came to Ohio State, I wish I would have known how much different college classes were going to be from high school classes! In high school, there always seemed to be a way to boost your grade when you didn't do so well on an assignment, but in college you usually have two midterm grades and a final and that is your final grade. It can be a little frustrating, especially if you don't do so well on one or all.

I put so much pressure on myself trying to decide what to major in. I thought I needed to have a career picked out and chose a related major. As I've found out, I had no reason to worry. After lots of investigation, I've found that sometimes one's major doesn't relate to their job. I'd like to let incoming students know that they shouldn't worry. Take classes that will interest you. Pick a major you're excited about studying. If it's something you'd do for free, than you've found a winner.

I wish that I had know about the various scholarships that the school offered. I did not know about alot of schlorships my senior year in highschool, and the counselors didnt provide me much help. The only assistence that they provided was filling out the college applications that was it.

Before I came to this school, I wish I knew all about the students organizations. They offer so much it is sometimes hard to choose. I wish I knew how to do my FASFA right my first year because I did it wrong, and didn't get as much finanical aid as I excpeted.

I wish I had known a more specific course outline for my major, so I could have planned my courses ahead a more when I was a Freshman. I also wish I had known more about the different scholarship and research opportunities so I could have gotten involved sooner. Finally, I wish I would have known what kind of meal plan I really needed, because I ended up having so many extra meal swipes my Freshman year that it was a waste of money.

I wish that I would have been more open and confident with myself. I would then feel more confident around other new people at school and wanting to express myself more. I also wish that I would have known how financially hard it would be. Money goes fast as school through the various expenses every student has and if you don't have anything saved up, you'll be in a world of hurt.

I wish I knew that it was not a requirement to buy all your books before class. I would have saved much more money. I also wish I knew how to budget my money better and saved a bit more for spending.

Size doesn't really matter! Yes, the campus is huge, but it's completely tolerable. Everything is in a walkable distance, and there are busses if you don't feel like walking. I thought it'd be a large, impersonable campus, but it's really not. It's so easy to fit in and find your place.

I wish I knew how separate it would feel from the surrounding area. Im from central Ohio, and I was afraid it wouldn't be any different from high school. I couldnt have been more wrong.

I wish I would have known more about the credits and major requirements. I wish I would have taken more AP classes in high school to get credit for more of my general education requirements. These would have prepared me better, and would also have allowed me to jump right into my major classes. Also I wish I would have known more about the different programs at Ohio State, instead of limiting my major to just sciences. Freshman year should be all about exploring possiblilites for careers.

Before I came to Ohio State I wish I knew really how much money I would be spending. I knew the amount for tuition and all other expences like that, but I did not realize the amount of money I could have saved by simply going to one the the branches my freshman year. I am loving living in the dorms, it is an amazing experience, but I am constantly considering the massive amount of money that could have been saved.

Before attending Ohio State, I wish I had known more about the majors and classes offered. I feel that I was sort of thrown into making a decision with only slight academic advising. I was unaware that I would be scheduling my first quarter classes during orientation, and didn't have much time or help in deciding what to take. Once I got into my major, the academic advising was a little more helpful.

I wish I had known that in order to find a place in the school, I would have to go out and actually participate in clubs and events. I didn't realize before that although there are a huge number of clubs at Ohio State, some of them can be sort of difficult to find and participate in.

just more about my major and resources available

Before I came to this school I wish I would have had a better idea of what life would be like living away from home. For myself Ohio State is atleast a two-hour drive from home and I get homesick very often. Also I wish I would have known just how many people went to this university. With such a large number of students I feel very small compared to everyone else.

I wish that I would have known how hard it is to balance school and making new relationships. It is hard to excel in school and form lasting relationships in the beginning parts of the school year. College is a new experience and much harder than high school. You have to change your study skills in order to succeed.

I wish I would have known how hard it was to keep up with my friends from high school. There is always so much going on and so many great people here at OSU that it's sometimes difficult to keep in close touch with old friends.

I wish I had known how to manage my finances better. I had to take out loans for school and work 2 or 3 jobs a year to keep up on rent and other bills. It would have made life a lot easier if I had already known how to manage my finances to make sure I was saving money, not using it all for living expenses.

I wish I would have known the importance of attending each class. It is so easy to skip class but you learn so much from just showing up. Also, prepare for the amount of studying.

I wish that I had known that I would soon see Columbus/Ohio State University as my home. I was a little nervous about moving there from a small town after my senior year of high school. While Ohio State has one of the largest campuses in the nation, I soon learned that it became a lot smaller as I became more aquanted with my surroundings and the people.

Before I attended Ohio State University I wish I would of known that obtaining an internship is so important to your career path. In addition, I wish that I would of known to research all of the different groups available to assist you when help is needed to succeed.

Before coming to Ohio State University, I wish that I had known how to manage my time better. During orientation, everyone had told me that the one thing you needed to learn was how to manage your time. However, high school never taught me how to manage my own time. High school was set up that you had your day already planned out for you. Your classes were already picked out for you. Without learning the most basic skill, balancing classes and creating a lifestyle for yourself in a new environment becomes almost impossible, and failure is inevitable.

How well this school does with accomodating people of different interestes. There are so many clubs!

I would wish that i knew better how to study. In high school i did not have to study quite as much as i do now in college.

I wish I would have known how research-based this school is. Most professors are there to do research, not teach you and sometimes during class it shows. There are some truly great professors at Ohio State and others that are obviously not passionate about teaching. Most of the great teachers' names are passed around through word of mouth and have nothing but good ratings on professor rating websites.

I wish that I would have known the importance of getting involved before I came to Ohio State University. College presents so many great opportunites, and if you are not active and do not pursue the future you want, you are wasting a great resource, which you are technically paying for. Organizations, the recreation facilities, library, tutors, and advisors are just some of the great resources that college provides that I believe each student should come in ready to be involved!

I wish i had known more about specific programs, and more about off campus housing options. I also wish I would have known which classes to schedule, what courses to take that would be to the best of my advantage, and about other options, like graduating early or other alternative forms of classes.

I wish I knew that I had to study so much more than I did in high school. I went into my quarter of college still having the mentality that I can get A's without trying that hard. I eventually learned that I had to study probably three times as hard as I studied in high school.

I'm not sure. So far, everything's perfect, but I guess if I had to choose, I think I would've liked to know more about the opportunities on campus.

I wish I had known that OSU is a big party school. I don't know if it was because I was a freshman, but it seemed that all anyone ever talked about was drinking. I personally do not drink alcohol. Because of this, I felt very alone and found it difficult to make friends. However, the friends that I have made are fantastic and were worth the fight.

I wish I had known how important it is to save your money in high school. Upon arrival to the prestigious Ohio State University, I still wasn't aware of how important saving money was. Now I am working very hard to save as much as possible to continue my education, but I am falling short still. Between rent, tuition, groceries, utilities, and other expenses, it is very hard to focus on school work.

That is was so party-sports oriented. I knew ahead of time that those existed obviously, but it's in such a large number that it consumes the school.

A little more about the chemistry department.

I wish I would have known the importance of a relationship with academic advisors and the scholarship/internship resources. Also, I wish I would have known the tools to staying focused and having good study habits. Lastly, I wish someone would have told me how to stand out in a large lecture hall and how to make that individual connection with my professors

I wish I had been able to tell myself to stay in school with a full-time schedule. I attend The Ohio State University part-time, while working a part-time job due to financial restraints. I wish I had known how difficult it was to obtain two majors and a minor at this particular university.

I wish I would have known how to effectively plan time to allow for studying and having fun.Also, I wish to have known the right classes to take before scheduling. Ohio State is a big school, so you have to be fairly independant in order to succeed.

How much harder I would have to study compaired to High School. Here, I really have to work hard for good grades.

The cost overall and hard work it takes to enjoy a social life and an education and work.

It is bigger than you could possibly imagine. I knew it was large, but you simply can't fathom how big it is until you get here. I also wish I would have known how to asert myself more - it's important to make yourself known when you're in a class of 100+ students. I wish someone would have told me how to ask for help, too. I am bad at making myself go to office hours or tutors because in high school you can simply ask the teacher during or right after class with no problem.

I wish I would've known how far Ohio State has come in the past few years. I used to think it was a school solely focused on sports and partying that offered admission to just about anyone. Since being here, however, I have realized that admission is much more competetive now, plus there are several ways to set yourself apart from the masses, like being in Scholars or Honors Programs for example.

I came as a transfer student, so my experience is a little different. I knew what I wanted to study. Although I have heard complaints from first years that it is difficult to decide on a major at such a large campus.

I wish I knew how to better balance work load vs. social life