There are definitely plenty of ups and downs to freshmen year, but here are five positive aspects (in no particular order) of being the youngest on campus!
1. There is plenty of time and opportunity to change your major or life plan.
Even if you have already declared a major or have your heart set on a certain career path, freshman year is the perfect time to explore this decision further, try out different classes, and talk to faculty or upperclassmen to feel even better about your decision and plans. And if you don’t like what you see/hear/experience? No worries! There is plenty of time to talk to your academic advisor and trusted faculty to switch majors without setting back your graduation.
2. Professors are extra understanding about freshmen prone slip-ups.
While juniors and seniors may not get off the hook for missing an assignment, coming late to a participation graded class, or failing an exam despite their clever excuses, professors that know freshmen make many honest mistakes in figuring out college life and classes. Most professors are understanding people, and will cut freshmen slack for their various slip-ups along the way. For example, many professors this year have already extended deadlines for freshmen, excused technically unexcused absences, and curved exam grades. Don’t get used it to though, they know after freshman year you know the drill and what’s expected from you!
3. Absolutely everything is new and exciting.
Not having class from 7-2? Living away from home? Being able to hangout with your friends every night? Frat parties? All of these aspects of college and many, many more are pieces of the college experience that are brand new to freshmen. While the excitement of “everything college,” slowly fades away the older you get, freshman year is the year to live it up. Embrace your “freshmanness” and participate in every new opportunity and go to every party and join a club because this is the year that you will have the most free time and the most enthusiasm for college life.
4. Everyone is a potential new friend.
Every college is full of people to meet and create new friendships with, but at a school with 50,000 undergraduate students, it’s even easier to meet new people. And the best part? There’s no immature high school drama preventing you from talking to anyone you want to talk to, like “she’s not in my social group” or “he used to date my friend” or “my friend doesn’t like her.” Everyone has a completely clean slate to talk to whoever they want, and people here, especially other freshmen are all super willing to make new friends. Everyone is in the same boat and is just trying to form new connections, so approach new people!
5. Upperclassmen are always to help out freshmen.
The upperclassmen at OSU are even friendlier than I expected! Every time I meet someone older than me and let him/her know I’m a freshman, he/she immediately asks how my year is going. Older students love to help freshmen out by sharing their experiences and giving advice, because of course everyone loves to talk about themselves and feel wise, but for the most part they’re just nice people and remember their freshmen years. If you’re ever confused or need help, don’t be afraid to reach out to any older students you may know!