Ohio State University-Main Campus Top Questions

I would tell myself to not sweat the small stuff, kick butt in classes and get good grades, but still have a good time. And don't be afraid of new experiences. Go and join that small group, I don't care how nervous you are about being in a new social situation, you need to get over it. Who cares what anyone else thinks of you? And no, you do not look fat by any stretch of the imagination. I also would tell myself to just forget about the boys. None of the ones I liked then weren't even worth liking, now that I look back on it. Being single is great. Get to know yourself and embrace who you are before you embrace someone else. If something doesn't seem right to you, question it. Just because your teachers and fellow friends think something is right doesn't mean it's right. If you've got something to say, say it! Give those people something to think about! Show them there's more to you than meets the eye.

When I was younger I had heard the phrase "go with the flow" but I had never contemplated its meaning. In high school, I constructed a plan for my whole life. I decided to become a designer and meticulously laid out the steps to attain this goal such as what college to attend and which internships I would need to secure my dream career of advertising agent. My compulsive planning, mixed with my slightly anxious personality, made for a very stressful senior year. My first quarter at college, something did not feel right; while I loved sketching, I felt like my art classes were chipping away at my sanity and happiness. One day it hit me: I did not want to go into a career in art. For the next week I struggled with throwing away all of my planning and changing majors. Eventually I came to the realization that I could not plan my life; I could only go with the flow and follow what felt right for me at that particular time. The new me appreciates this flexible way of life. Had I understood that phrase earlier, I would have had more enjoyable memories of high school.

High School is all about making mistakes and then giving advice to everyone who is in the same situation. The best advice that anyone can give you is advice based on their mistakes through their own experiences. If I could give myself any advice for my high school self I would say to take the ACT more seriously and study sooner rather than later. I did not realize that colleges weigh so much on a test that does not indicate your intelligence level. I wish I would have studied harder for this. The next thing I would tell myself is to take post-secondary classes my junior and senior year. This way the college transition would not be so hard. The thing with post-secondary education is that the student would only take a few classes at a time and then slowly progress to a few more. When you are just thrown into college the student would take as many as four classes to get used to and that is just not a great way to help the GPA. In closing ACT and post-secondary education are the two most important aspects of future education.

Hey, you. Take a break and enjoy high school more, college will be fine without working yourself into a heart attack now. In a year is when you're life begins, don't try to jumpstart things too early.

Enrolling into college isn't as scary or hard as some people would lead high school students to believe. Yes, looking at academics and tuition / room and board costs as well as financial aid is important for going over college options, but it's also important for students to enjoy the atmosphere of the campuses. It's very noteworthy to visit colleges that one has on the top of his/her list so that person can get a feel of the student life style. Atmosphere is very important because a non-diverse college or the surrounding town/city/countryside can mean a lot when it comes to a person's comfort. If a student isn't comfortable in their college, their performance would not be as great as it could be. As for making the most of a college experience, a person should be able to socialize with the people they meet with in class and in extra-curricular activities / sports. Socializing can help a person concentrate on bettering themselves within communication so they can improve their over-all character rather than just improving themselves on an academic level.

Finding the right college is about more than just academics, it is also about the feel of the campus and what one hopes to gain from the college experience. Academics are, of course, important since the ultimate goal of attending college is to graduate with a degree. Students should choose a school offering a broad choice of majors, as most students will change their major at least once. When that change is made, students can wind up in an entirely different field than the one for which they originally signed up. Since many schools have wonderful academic records, a campus visit and conversations with current students and professors help narrow down the choices. On this visit, a prospective student should feel as if he or she would belong at that school and should be able to picture himself living and learning at the institution for the next four years. Additionally, students should decide with what knowledge or experiences they hope to leave college, aside from a degree. Many hope to gain life experiences, lasting friendships, or study abroad. Students should then choose the school that they believe is conducive to achievement of these goals and that feels the most welcoming.

I would give different advice depending on how certain the student is on what they want to do after college. I didn't know what I wanted to do, so I enrolled in a large university with many programs as an 'exploration' major. Now, after my freshman year and after I've decided I want to do film/media creation, I'm looking at other schools that have better programs than Ohio State. This doesn't mean I regret choosing to attend Ohio State, it's a great school and I'm glad I could spend time there, it just means it took some time to figure out exactly what I wanted. As for being in school, try stepping out of your comfort zone. Also, make sure you stay social and active in clubs and other groups where you can make and maintain friendships. Stay motiviated, make plans and build your portfolio (be it actual or intellectual). Time management isn't as large a problem as you may think as long as you do those things. Also I suggest getting a job, or hunting for internships early.

It is important for students and parents to begin discussing and looking a different colleges early. Once a student is in high school it is time to get serious; four years is a short amount of time to find and decide on a college that is right for you. You're college experience should be valued. Students need to take time to brainstorm on what they want to do in life; it is okay to remain undecided, however, having a rough idea helps the process. College is a great experience and should not be taken lightly. It is easy to put school work and studying off, however, getting back on track and playing catch up is difficult. In order to be successful, students have to stay organized and up to date on all classes. You have plenty of time to socialize and hang with friends and you can not take back mistakes which effect your school performance. College will be some of the best years of your life, as long as you're focused and serious. You are responsible and accountable for you're actions, once this is realized the rest is smooth sailing.

The advice i would give to parents and student about finding the right college for them is to find the environment in which u feel most comfortable. Get to know the type of people who attend the school there and ask whether or not you think you would fit in. Also choose somewhere where you have a multitude of options both for study and recreation and your not going to constantly find yourself being bored. Definately take financial situation into account but dont let it completely dictate your choice as i have had many friends end up "stuck" somewhere where they are completely unhappy simply because it was the cheaper choice. If you really have your heart set on a university and are given the opporunity to go there, there are many ways of making it happen through financial aid and loans. Although school is extremely challenging it is also supposed to be the best time of your life so pick a place where you can make the most of it.

I would say that the parents need to start preparing the students in their junior year of highschool so they do not get too overwhelmed about all the transitions the kids are going to go through. I also encourage every student to apply for as many scholarships as possible. Most are given to graduating seniors and then many sudents including me regret it!

Make the right decision based on your financial situation and your educational strengths and background.

Visit the schools during fall quarter during the school week to get a feel for it. Explore beyond the tour the school provides. Once at college, be social! Make friends with everyone you meet. Be prepared for course work to be more demanding than high school.

When you step onto a campus for the first time at a college visit, take in exactly what you are feeling. Think to yourself "Is this the place I can see myself/my child eating, sleeping, studying, and living for the next 4 or so years?" Think about the cost, but don't sell yourself short. If the campus is of absolute perfection and you love the atmosphere, but the cost is out of your budget, consider financial aid options. Everyone in college is going to have financial obstacles to overcome, but you, as a student and/or parent want to be happy in a school setting that you truely love. When you step on campus, if you feel like you've found a second home or that perfect prom dress or just the perfect fit, don't hesitate to apply there. Go to the school you love.

Do not let not having enough money prevent you from going to your dream school, because in the end it is worth all of the debt. Have the experience you want to have and don't let money keep you from being happy. If you work at something hard enough, things tend to work themselves out.

To students: live in the present. Do not worry about the future, because once your future has arrived, you will undoubtedly wish to have back your college days. I remember when I was in college that I would give anything to graduate. Now, I would give anything to be back in college. To parents: let your child live. Lend advice and guidance when he/she asks for it and when you feel it is necessary. Let your child make mistakes and learn from them. It's the only people grow.

Attending college is a very important stage in life, so I would recammend taking the necessary time to visit some prospective college choices, and more importantly, you should talk with current students. This process should not be taken lightly because in college you will be receiving the education that will decide your occupation and career. If you have plans to further your education beyond a two or four year degree, then you will want to look at colleges that will give you the best chance of doing so. The process of searching for and choosing a college should begin at the end of your Junior year in high school. This sounds early, but the applications are due long before high school graduation, and this will ensure enough time to make the right decision. I would also like to add that a guided tour is nice, but the representatives from the respective college are going to show you what they want you to see. It is more important to space apart a few visits and make sure to see the college during the day and at night. Also, check out the surrounding area and not just the campus.

Finding the right college is no one's choice but your own, as a student. It's up to you to go out, visit campuses, and find a school that fits your interests and feels comfortable. Parents may want their children to stay close to home, or even to live at home while attending college. However, I would recommend the opposite. I believe it is extremely important to leave the home during college, in order to experience the separation from people you have always been dependant on. The simple knowledge that you no longer need to ask a parent for permission or tell them where you're going to be is very liberating. By no means do I think that all ties should be cut with the parent, but a simple step away from them is important. Once in college, though, just stay involved. Find a student organization to join that fits your interests, whether it's a theatre group, varsity sport, or Marine Biology Club. I've found that the subject of the club doesn't matter as much as the people in it. In college, you will meet the friends that will last the rest of your life.

I would tell them to make sure they are comfortable on campus. When I first walked on Ohio State's campus, I knew it was the right place for me. Just being on the campus should excite you for the next four years. When it comes to making the most of your college experience, you need to find the right balance between academics and partying/socializing. If you don't give academics enough time, your college experience will not last very long. So try to save the partying for the weekend, and always put academics first. Also, get out and meet as many people as you can the first weekend, everyone else is meeting each other too, so it is the easiest time to make friends. Try not to go home too much, but it is nice to go home for a home cooked meal every now and then. Most importantly have a good time, get involved with activities that interest you, and try to keep off that freshman fifteen.

Visit every school you are even remotely considering. Seeing a school in person is really what makes or breaks your decision.

When researching colleges, the most important thing is to be open minded. The student needs to find the college where they plan on spending at least four years of their life. The student needs to feel comfortable and welcome. It is really important to get involved and meet new people during college. Another point of advice is about financial aid. Parents and students need to be informed about costs and ways to get help. It is hard to pay for education in the current economy. It is vital to apply for scholarships and talk to financial advisors. To make the most of the college experience, the student needs to be confident and excited. This is the time to take advantage of every opportunity that comes along.

Concerning finding the right college, I simply suggest that you go with your gut. Most of the time you will discover that you are happiest there. As for the college experience, I suggest that you get out into the campus community and involve yourself. If you keep yourself busy with others on campus, you will never get bored. Also, keep on top of all of your assignments sot hat you can go out and have fun when you want to instead of being rushed to finish a paper.

Start researching your possibilities early and apply to your school choices as early as possible. Once accepted to a school, join as many clubs, sports, ect. as possible, just don't forget to study. Get help with your coursework as soon as you need it, teachers are more able to help you when you ask for help early. Work hard but have fun.

A student discusses her desire to have known how difficult certain college classes are before arriving at college.

The greatest advice I can give in regards to picking the right college is to go to a larger sized school. Larger schools have so much more to offer and the students get exposed to many more things in life than they ever thought possible. That applies to all aspects of a student's life. At large schools you get a chance to be a part of those crazy parties you see in the movies, or at the tailgates you see on ESPN during College Football Game Day. You can tell your friends about your wild dorm stories when you are home on winter and summer breaks. You get more chances to meet the most brightest and influential people on this earth. You get to see the true meaning of what its like for a school to have tradition and school spirit. You quickly find that there is always someone near that is thinking the same great thing as you, "It's only 4 am, lets order a pizza!" And finally, before you go to sleep at night you proudly whisper to yourself, "Damn I love this place!" That's when you know you have made the right choice.

The best advice I can give to a parent and/or student about finding the right college is: RESEARCH. Your college should reflect your personal interests and beliefs, and you have the time to thoroughly research every possibility available to you. If not, make the time. This is important. Never rush into a decision of which college to attend. You only (generally) get this opportunity once, to set aside four years of your life for a great education, and you should do it at a school where you feel comfortable and sure of yourself. Education is extremely important, but so is enjoying yourself and your decision. Visit as many colleges as you can manage before choosing which ones to apply to. Talk to anyone available that can provide a detailed account of their experience or knowledge of the school. Know your university and its campus inside and out, because it will be a huge aspect of your life. Never underestimate your opportunities or forego your dreams for any reason; anything is possible if you come at it from the right direction. There are plenty of people willing to help you at this time in your life, LET THEM.

Finding the right school is a matter of finding what would make you comfortable. I went to the largest high school in my home state that was packed with school spirit which I loved. Naturally, I want the same thing in college. I attend one of the largest schools in the country with world- renowned school spirit. In addition to your highschool comparison, visiting is probably the most important thing you can do. You get a sense of peace and euphoria when you find that perfect campus for you. It says "I'm home!" Afterall, this will be your home for the next 4 years. It is crucial to get a feel for the people while you are there. And most importantly, your campus of choice must have your major. My school offers over 170 majors, so if you are like I was as an incoming freshman and are initially uncertain of your career path, variety is key. There were so many resources available to help me find my perfect fit.

Starting your junior year in high school, it is good to visit several college campuses you might be interested in attending. Check out colleges on days students are attending classes so you can talk to current students to see what they really think of their school. Definitely eat in their cafeteria! If you have an idea of what course of study you want to pursue, look for campuses that specialize in your major. If possible, talk to a staff member in your area of interest. Find out what reach school requires academically. Inquire about scholarships. You should also be taking the ACT or SAT as many times as you need to get the highest score possible. That is a huge factor in college acceptance and scholarship awards. There is software available to practice skills you need to do better on those tests. When you have chosen your school, make friends with your advisor and listen to his/her advice on your courses. If you attend a large campus, take the time to find academic buildings before you start class, but especially all the fun places on campus. Be considerate toward your roommate. He/She may become your best friend!

My adivce for people going to college is that you should know what you want. Write all of your ideas on paper of the perfect college. Make sure to explore other college campus to see what is available. After you have accumulated enough data about different schools then make your decision on what you are looking for in a school. Then once you know what you are looking for you are going to make it a lot easier on yourself. There is a lot of work involved in choosing what school to attend. This is a very important decision, after all you don't want to waste four years of your life in a miserable environment. You want to make sure to attend a university that will not only allow you to experience life, but to allow you to do anything that you want to do.

My best advice for someone seeking a beneficial college experience is to consider the schools reputation. If you are having difficulty settling on one of your accepted applications, take a visit to one or two campuses, preferably when school is in session. You have the opportunity to interact with campus life, visualize yourself becoming a part of it (or not), and discovering if it's a comfortable atmosphere for you to spend 4 years or more of your life.

Check the campus and cost. It isn't what it seems and you need alot of money. Campus is like a small city with alot of buildings.

To students who are looking to find the right college for them, I would say to think about the decision carefully. First, I would read about the different institutions. This gives you the basic facts about the school and shows you what they take pride in. For instance, some schools are much more enthusiastic about their athletic teams than they are their academic clubs or fine art programs. Secondly, I would talk to any current students you can. They are more likely to give you candid information about the school. They can tell you what the town around the campus is like and how the teachers are. Lastly, and most importantly, I recommend actually visiting the school. Although this seems obvious, I know many people whose first time on campus was when when they were moving in. Whether it be a little sketchy or absolutely gorgeous, actually seeing the campus for the first time can definitely impact how you feel about attending the school. As far as making the most of the college experience, I would say that balance is key. Concentrating too much on either work or play can have really bad results.

MAKE SURE THAT YOU ATTEND A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT SCHOOLS BEFORE APPLYING AND ACCEPTING. IT IS IMPORTANT TO LOOK AT YOUR FUTURE AND WHAT ACCOMPLISHMENTS YOU WANT TO MAKE IN THE FUTURE, SO THAT YOU CAN MAKE A WISE DECISION. WHEN YOU DO LOOK AT THE SCHOOLS, PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR GUT INSTINCT AND THE PEOPLE YOU OBSERVE BECAUSE THESE ARE THE PEERS YOU ARE GOING TO SURROUND YOURSELF WITH FOR THE NEXT FOUR OR MORE YEARS. i WOULD ALSO ENCOURAGE YOU TO LOOK AT SCHOLARSHIPS EARLY SO YOU DONT HAVE TO WORK A FULL TIME JOB AND DEAL WITH THE STRESS OF SCHOOL WORK AS WELL.

I would tell parents to encourage their children to look at colleges that best represent the student's personal interests. Students do not need to attend a college just because it has the best program for their major. One should choose a college based on their own personal happiness there. One can receive the same education at a small, dry campus as they could receive at a large, party campus. It just depends on how hard a student works at what they want. In order to feel dedicated to doing well, students should love the kind of life each college encourages and promotes. My advice to students on how to make the most of their college experience is to get involved, make friends, and study hard. Joining simply one or two clubs can help a student feel much more connected and involved in their school. Friends are the people a student can hang out with on the weekends, have fun with, and talk to when going through a hard time. Finally, studying hard enables a student to feel good about themselves and, of course, helps achieve that perfect 4.0.

Don't only apply or visit the schools that you think would be the best fit for you. Visit as many schools as you can, speak to as many students there as you can, and be open to new ideas. Don't allow the most important decision of your life, where you go to college, be affected by where your friends are going, or where your parents went. Explore all the options and then go with your gut. Get involved in as many activities as possible. Don't let yourself get behind, because chances are you won't catch up. Don't take any class for granted, it will provide you with invaluable information and your grades in every class count. Take your GPA very seriously and it will serve you well when you graduate.

When choosing a school, look at all available options, including big universities and community colleges and find the one that suits your major needs. Visit as many campuses as possible to gain a better outlook of campus life. Try and talk to current students to get an insiders view of workloads, financial aid, etc. After finding a school, in order to get the best out of your college experience you should be involved as much as possible with academics, social events, clubs, sports, etc. If possible, try and stay on campus one year. You can make some amazing friends this way.

I have found that the most important part about deciding on the right university is how diverse that school is. By living in an environment with people from many different cultures, you really get a better understanding of society and what the world is. Yes, I know financial aid and furthermore, academics, are a very important part of choosing a school, but placing yourself in the correct atmosphere will better prepare anyone for what is to come later in life. By talking and interacting with students from Africa and South America in my classes and dorm, I have really gained so much more knowledge that will be useful in any field that I pursue. I thank the Ohio State University for giving me this great oppurtunity and learning environment, and I highly recommend applying here to any interested and prospective student.

I would say the most important thing in selecting the "right" college is to know what type of atmosphere you want to be immersed in. When I came to Ohio State, I was almost in a state of "culture shock". Like many people, I grew up in suburban America in a small town. Ohio State is very much the opposite. It is huge, urban, densely populated, congested, and at times overwhelming. It is smack in the middle of the city with virtually opportunity to escape to the solace of nature. Life here is fast-paced and trendy. I feel that I would have been much more at ease--and much happier--during my first year of college if I had taken atmosphere into consideration. The discrepancy between campus life and my life up until college was enough to make me depressed and confused for quite sometime after first coming to OSU. My advice would be for high school students and their parents to visit colleges of different sizes in very contrasting locations to get a better feel for the type of college atmoshpere that would make the student happiest.

choose a college thats right and comfortable for you , and enjoy and branch out . its so much fun

I would tell parents to ultimately let their children decide what college is the best for them. I know some parents force or urge their kids to go to schools that they don't like or don't feel comfortable in, and I think that can have a negative impact on their education. To students I would tell them to choose a school with an atmosphere and learning environment in which they feel comfortable with...because if you're not comfortable I don't think you will reach your full learning potential. I would also tell students to come to college with an open mind...don't necessarily have your future planned out before you even take any classes. You might discover your calling in a major that you had no idea even existed in high school!

Get involved and be friendly to everyone around you; that's truly the best way to make friends. Keep up with your school work from the beginning and be diligent in doing so. Enjoy it as much as possible and don't freak out if something seems wrong-I can say all of this from experience.

definitely go on college visits and stay the night at the university in question. This allows you to get a better idea of what its relly like to go there.

Be sure that the prospective student knows that this school will be enjoyable if they decide to change their major. Make sure the campus is visited more than once to get multiple perspectives regarding campus life. Also, possibly sit in on a class or two if possible to view what it would be like on a typical day to attend that college. During the college experience, making the most if it may be difficult. However, this can be further achieved by growing in a community of friends and just balancing a social life and academic life.

Listen to the child...reputation is based on some guy who goes to the college, not from the students...

Find the college that fits the best both academically and socially. During the week, its important to work hard in the classroom, but leave time open for other activities. Its hard for some students who have lived in a rural area to live on a large campus and vice versa. For most students, they plan to stay for the entire four years at the same college, so its important to choose the right one. It's also important to try to have at least one friend who you know well before you move on campus so you have somebody else to help with the process. You also might want to stay on campus for the first year to meet new people and make friends. Although the dorms can be overcrowded or a roommate be hard to deal with, in the end its a enjoyable experience and is a helpful way to adjust to a new environment. However, the most important part is stay focused in class and have fun outside of class.

My advice to parents and/or students trying to find the right school, is to focus on the career goals of the student. First, explore the occupations that are most interesting to the student, and look into the opportunities that various colleges or universities have to offer. In addition, research the financial aid options available to the student from each school of interest. This will help to narrow down the decision making process and ensure that the student will be moving toward their ultimate career goals throughout their college experience. After selecting a school, it is important for the student to make the most of their experience. One way to do this is to establish relationships with a diverse network of students, staff and community members through on-campus jobs and local volunteer groups. I would also suggest becoming involved in extra-curricular activities such as intramural sports and clubs of interest. Most of all, it is important for students to choose a school that will best prepare him/her for a successful career in their profession. The student?s college experience will depend on the relationships they establish, and the memories they make, which will last throughout their lifetime!

Every student should apply to the universities that interest them most. Often one or more of your chosen colleges won't accept you, so you want to make sure you have a backup. Also, when you do decide which college to go to, financial aid shouldn't be your biggest deciding factor. Just because one school is offering more money than another does not mean that it is the best school for you. And another point to remember: transfering schools or changing your major does not make you a failure. Most college students have no idea what they want to do with their lives when they enter college. Often, this doesn't change until the junior or senior year.

Live your life the way you it to be. College is the time to discover what you like and don't like and sitting back is not the way to discover that. Study, learn, and go out during your free time. This experience will never be here again and if you don't fly your kite the right way, it will crash and break and you will not have it to fly again.

- make sure that a freshman knows what kinds of classes they are getting into - make sure you don't skip classes! (this is vital) - take college seriously

Go on college visits to the campuses that interest you most, and even to a few that you are not so sure about. Also, maintain great work habits and grades before college and try to leave bad habits behind. The sooner you get the required work done, the sooner and more free time you will have afterwards. It is certainly less stressful that way. Anyone can go to college regardless of their situation. Make sure you start saving money before high school and plan ahead. Maintaining a job in high school that is near the college you are attending (if possible) is a great financial source because normally the employer will work around your school schedule, and you will establish ethics and discipline that will help you with school. Last, stay involved. You tend to be more focused and motivated when active in school activities and your community. School activities are a great way to meet people that are going through the same things and can easily relate to your situation. Activities offered at your school are usually convenient time wise as they do not want to interfere with your studies and outside life but still keep you involved.

Find a college whose size meets your needs and get involved in any way that you can in your school. This will give you an experience of a lifetime and help you to figure out what your strengths and weaknesses are. Try to decide on a major early in your college experience so that you do not take up time with classes that are not necessary to take for your major. Get paperwork in and scholarship applications in early and fill out as many as you can for every school you apply to even if you think there is no way you will end up going there. Talk to the people in the financial aid office and advisors to see if there are any other scholarships thath you may qualify for.