Freshman year of college: a time many look forward to, and a time many look back on with a smile for all of the crazy memories. The first year of college is all about new and exciting experiences while also starting a brand new chapter of your life. If you're lucky, you choose a college that makes you want to be at school, and dread the idea of going home and leaving campus. Upon completing my freshman year at Ohio State, I can definitely say I chose the perfect school and could not imagine myself anywhere else. While I learned a lot from being a freshman in college, here are the special things I learned from being a freshman at THE Ohio State University.
1. The campus is an entire city in itself, but you learn to find your way around.
2. You pretty much have to walk everywhere.
But it's okay because you get to admire campus and feel confident for walking on Buckeye territory.
3. Sometimes, you may have to leave 20 minutes early just to make it to class on time.
4. The buses are a nice option for getting around campus.
Unless you don't know how to ride them. In that case, you could be getting on with the intention of heading to North Campus and end up being in the Short North.
5. With a school of 60,000, you will still find yourself running into the same 10 people all the time.
6. All of the ducks -- and especially Afro Duck (RIP) -- are icons of the school and you can't help but stare at them when walking by Mirror Lake.
7. North, South, and West campus have entirely different and unique atmospheres.
8. While there are a lot of options and places to eat around campus, you will still find yourself eating the same thing almost every day.
9. The Union is one of the coolest places on campus, and almost every student has a picture sitting on the bench with Brutus.
10. You will often hear, "Ugh, I still have five swipes to use" and never question when you see people walking out of the C-Store on Sunday with piles of food in their arms.
11. The meal plan can be super confusing and also incredibly annoying.
"I'll use two swipes and dining dollars" becomes your go-to line.
12. Eating at Sloopy's brings a sweet sense of familiarity from eating with your friends and bonding over milkshakes and chicken tenders.
13. If you try to eat healthy, the salad bar can get real old real quick.
14. School can get hard at times, but luckily there are many options and people there to help you.
15. Your Buck ID is literally your life.
Lose that thing and you're screwed - at least until you go get a new one.
16. Always be prepared when going to Thompson to walk around for 20 minutes like you are looking for a friend, but really desperately try to find a seat.
Or walk in, and walk right out because you know there is probably no chance you will ever find a spot.
17. Be prepared to sometimes pay at least $5 just to do laundry because the washers and dryers cannot do their job in one cycle.
18. Bagpipe guy. When you hear him, you know it is nice outside.
19. You will see a lot of students walking their dogs around campus -- and even sometimes a pig.
20. You will learn to be skilled at maneuvering around the forward people on the Oval.
"Yes, I am registered to vote." *Not registered to vote*
21. When it is warm and the sun is out, you know people will swarm to the Oval and enjoy the nice day on Oval Beach.
22. The RPAC.
Whether you go to workout or for the food, it is an awesome facility.
23. You will have multiple random crushes.
Such as "the cute guy from the gym" or "the cute guy I always see between by 9:30 and 11:10 class."
24. Because there are so many people at school, there is every -- and any -- type of personality.
25. There is always something to do, thanks to all of the activities put on through OUAB or from the 1,000 clubs on campus.
26. Every single weekend is crazy, especially on High Street.
27. We have pretty much every sport here at the Division I level.
Besides football and men's basketball, attending is free for students. Go to sporting events.
28. Game day. It is a tradition as special as Christmas.
29. There's nothing like block on game day to remind you, yet again, of the amazing school spirit.
30. You know how to recognize the athletes on campus from their special backpacks (and especially the football players).
31. You've probably tried at least once to make it on the OSU Snapchat story.
32. It seems like everyone is from Ohio besides the occasional, "Hey, I'm from California."
33. When people yell, "OH", you proudly scream back "IO".
34. TBDBITL. 'Nuff said.
35. Nothing can ever compare to the overwhelming sense of pride and companionship when singing Carmen Ohio with all of your fellow Buckeyes.
36. Everyone has a goal to get at least one picture with Brutus before they graduate.
37. You are always reppin,' always praising, and always talking about your school because the school spirit is insane and you love contributing to the school pride.
