What a momentous occasion it is when one finally makes the leap from cushy high school life to the treacherous college grind. Parents and teenagers alike are instantly filled with the anxiety of change and the excitement of what could be.
This transition could be daunting for anyone. Youngstown State U. students are plagued with expensive books, term papers and a lack of convenient parking spots. For the incoming freshman class, all of these challenges are about to be dropped into their laps.
Fear not, for the advice of YSU veterans like Joe Rupert can help shine a light on what may seem like a dark and dreary four years.
“Don’t procrastinate with anything,” said Rupert, who is preparing for graduation in the spring. “It will only make your workload seem heavier.”
On the positive side, Rupert mentioned that YSU presents a lot of opportunities to meet new people and gain valuable communication skills.
What exactly worries YSU’s incoming students the most?
In fear of being portrayed as the typical frightened freshman, many students were reluctant to divulge their fears. That said many members of the 2014 class seem to have a general unease about the new environment and the classes they will be taking.
“I just don’t know how easy, or mean, or hard my teachers are yet,” said Mike Lopez, a freshman anxious for his first year of college. “I’m worried that this new lifestyle isn’t for me.”
Dana Sidney, who is also entering her first year at YSU, fears she does not know her way around campus.
“I feel like I’m going to get lost every day and miss my classes,” she said. “I’m just glad I have classes with my sister and my friends.”
Senior Mike Bole echoes the notion of friendship as the best way to get your Penguin feet wet.
“Stick with your friends when college gets tough,” he said. “You have to work your schedules out so you can take classes together and have breaks together.”
Bole said the start to his college career was easy because of the constant advice and guidance from his older brothers.
“It helps to find someone who knows what they’re talking about and ask them for help,” he said. “They won’t mind because someone probably did the same thing for them.”
As a new semester begins and YSU is again buzzing with a new batch of students, remember this sense of community, and don’t be afraid to ask your friendly neighborhood senior for a shove in the right direction.