Have no fear, your upperclassman is here with helpful tips of BSO! It's almost that time of year for incoming freshman to come to campus for the ultimate slap in the face of the next four years of your life. But don't worry, here are some helpful dos and don'ts to survive the two-day experience of BSO here at Ohio University.
1. Do: care about your appearance
This is your chance to make a great first impression of yourself to your orientation group and future friends. Senioritis might have impacted your wardrobe in high school, but this is college. This is the time to meet new people and be your true self. You don't want to look like a slob before it even starts.
2. Don't: wear too much Ohio University apparel
Let's be honest, you don't have to wear OU apparel for us to know you belong here. It would be even worse if you wear an OSU shirt, or even worse, a Miami shirt. *gasp*
3. Do: take photos
This campus is beautiful and you should take every advantage of it. You can even do before and after photos as freshman and senior. The brick mural on South Green and the class gateway on College Green are perfect locations for pictures.
4. Don't: hold back when meeting new people
BSO is the perfect time to meet new people because you might actually have classes together where you don't have to sit alone. You're going to be living here the next four years of your life, and it would be a shame if all you did was go to class and go back home to Netflix. Get out there and network!
5. Do: keep an open mind
College is a whole new ballgame. People don't judge others who go to class in their sweats or if they colored their hair blue. Keep an open mind and explore the possibilities this campus has to offer.
6. Don't: avoid trying new things
Be brave. Be bold. Carry on our tradition.
7. Do: get advice from older students
Your BSO leaders are great people to ask advice from. They usually end up being either juniors or seniors, so they are plenty experienced in the college world.
8. Don't: ignore what your advisers have to say
Trust me, your advisors know more about the classes you have to take to graduate than you do. Take their advice and ask questions when necessary, they're here to help you.
9. Do: thank your mom/dad
As cliché as it sounds, your parents sacrificed a lot of time and money to get you where you are now. The least you can do is thank them for raising and supporting you.
10. Don't: arrive late
This may have been the "thing" in high school, but you will find that a lot of people in the college world don't appreciate your late arrival. Don't be that person and show up 15 minutes late. Be productive with your time and show up.
11. Do: expect icebreakers
Expect them as a freshman. Expect them as a senior. They never go away (which is the most unfortunate thing).
12. Don't: stay with your friends or people you already know the entire time
Explore who is out there. Who knows, you may even like them better.
13. Do: ask for help when you need it
Don't ever feel bad for asking a question. If you're confused, it's likely there are other people confused as well. Take one for the team and ask.
14. Don't: be on your phone all the time
There are a lot of things you can miss when you're on your phone. BSO should not be one of them!
15. Do: get excited!
A new chapter is coming and you should get excited about that!
16. Don't: shrink your responsibilities
Sure it's summer, but you don't want to shrink your responsibilities down and wait til the last minute to get stuff done. You'll find it will be an impossible journey for you if you continue to do that.
