Dear Incoming OSU Students,
I wanted to take the time as someone who has just completed her freshman year at Ohio State to welcome you to campus and share with you some advice that I have for you based on my personal experiences. The first thing I want to say is that you should be very excited about starting this journey and, don’t worry, you’re not the only one that’s nervous. Trust me. The first thing you should know is that I have found Ohio State to be one of the most inclusive and welcoming environments I have ever experienced. You should definitely take advantage of this. One of the easiest ways to make this campus feel more like home is by getting involved in organizations with other students and exploring your interests/passions. Not only is this a great way to make new friends but it is also a great way to relieve the stress of your classes. Building relationships is also very important when dealing with challenges or fears. Find people who will support you and lift you up and do the same for them. We’re a family here at Ohio State but you’ll learn that on your own.
I want to encourage you to approach all that you do here, be it academic or otherwise, with a positive attitude and a commitment to yourself to always do your best. I’m sure you realize that not everything will be easy, but facing challenges and learning how to overcome them is how you grow. Don’t be afraid to push yourself but, more importantly, never be afraid to ask for help. I came into my freshman year with the mindset that I could do everything myself and do everything well, but I learned very quickly that college is not something that is meant to be tackled alone. Ohio State has numerous resources available to help you with whatever you may need. Use them, that’s what they’re there for. If you don’t do as well in a class or activity as you anticipated, use that experience as a tool to address your weaknesses and develop your skills so that you may better yourself. Failure will only tear you down if you let it.
Perhaps the most important thing I want you to take away from this letter, is that this is a time for you to discover yourself. Discover your strengths, weaknesses, like, dislikes, and passions. The best way to do this is by pushing your limits, learning from those around you, asking questions, and expressing ideas. Be confident in your ability to succeed. You will learn new things about yourself here at Ohio State, always keep an open mind and don’t be afraid of change. I know it may seem overwhelming now but I am confident that you’ll thrive here if you just let yourself. I sincerely wish you a wonderful freshman year and excitedly welcome you to Ohio State.
Go Bucks!
Sincerely,
T.N.K.
Computer Science and Engineering