First Year Experience Peer Leaders support all new students beginning with orientation through the end of the first year at Ohio State. Peer leaders focus year-round on outreach and relationship development, expanding the mission of First Year Experience to holistically impact all new students as they progress through their first year.
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Aaron Hughes
he/him
Highland, OH
Psychology
Advice for new students:
My advice for
incoming students is to be yourself and be
willing to make connections. Stay confident
and find where you fit in up here at
Columbus. Most importantly, keep your head
up because we need the bad days to have
the good days. Just remember, you’re not
alone at OSU!
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Abby Cumming-Vukovic
she/her
Westerville, OH
Public Affairs
Quick fact:
Adriatico’s Pizza is the best food
on campus by far. Maybe it’s because I was
raised on it, but always ask for extra sauce.
A lot of events on campus will have
Adriatico’s Pizza for free!
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Adam Haikal
he/him
Columbus, OH
Computer Science Engineering
Study tip:
My biggest study tip is to utilize
office hours, emails, and TA’s (teaching
assistants). Communication is key, and your
professors do want you to succeed. Using
your school email to notify professors of
issues and going to office hours can change
an outcome from “dealing with it” to
working it out.
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Alex Jolly
he/him
Jackson, OH
Public Affairs and Geography
Getting involved:
A meaningful
extracurricular I got involved with my
freshman year was Community Connectors
at OSU or CCOSU. CCOSU raises money to
help new Americans. Between learning
about the mentorship
program to help
children adjust to America and actively
fundraising to help get toiletries and clothes
among other things for these families.
CCOSU has been a way for me to connect
and contribute to the Columbus community.
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Annie DiClemente
she/they
Garnet Valley, PA
Social Work
Why Ohio State:
I came to Ohio State because of their amazing campus programs as well as the advanced major programs
that we have here. I also came for the beautiful campus and to meet a diverse
range of people!
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Bethany Juarez
she/her
West Jefferson, OH
Psychology
Quick facts:
My favorite place to study is the
11th floor on Thompson. It has amazing
views, and it feels homey compared to other
places on campus. When it gets hotter
outside, I definitely recommend to head over
to the Knowlton rooftop garden to have
some time alone and ground yourself.
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Burgos
they/them
East Hartford, CT
Jazz Studies — Performance
Why Ohio State:
I originally found Ohio
State through the marching band when I was
going into high school and looking into what
marching band could be like in college. I was
immediately inspired by TBDBITL and would
look into Ohio State as a whole. From Brutus
to the number of opportunities provided
here, I felt that Ohio State was the best fit
for me.
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Emily Leach
she/her
London, OH
Neuroscience
Study tips: A study tip I recommend is to
focus on the professor first and worry
about
the notes later. I used to worry so much
about writing everything the professor said
down
that I wasn't retaining anything. A way
to study
that I find useful is to listen to the
professor during lecture and maybe take a
few abbreviated notes of things you found
most interesting, difficult, or important and
then after class write down everything you
can remember.
If you feel as
though you
missed something, look back at slides,
textbooks, lecture recordings (if provided) or
the abbreviated notes you did take and
revise. Or go to the professor's office hours
and ask them directly so they can clarify.
This technique is called active recall and it
will help students a lot, especially if they are
in heavy science classes with a lot of
technical information. |
Fikere Amare
she/her
Columbus, OH
Health Science
Getting involved:
I have personally found
connection in the clubs and organizations
that I have joined, specifically E2OSU. It’s an
Ethiopian and Eritrean culture group. This
club helped me feel at home because I got to
connect with people similar to me.
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Ian Stewart
he/him
Milford, OH
Environment, Economy, Development, and
Sustainability
Quick fact: I feel most at home in a random
study spot in the Timashev Family Music
Building on the third floor. I have spent hour
after hour studying there with various
people, so I feel attached to the spot. It's
something about the warm light and the
way that the sun will shine right onto me
working in the afternoon that makes me feel
at home.
The ambient musical instruments
and vocal practice in the background makes
me feel more at home, since in my life, I
always have music playing in the
background. |
Jonah Clark
he/him
Santa Rita, Guam
Health Science
Getting involved:
My biggest piece of advice
would be to join clubs for things you enjoy. It
can be very difficult to make friends in class,
especially if the class sizes are very large.
Doing an activity in which you regularly see
and collaborate with other students will
quickly help you make friends and find a
community.
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Jordan McCarthy
she/her
Naperville, IL
Political Science and Philosophy
Advice for new students:
One thing I wish I
did to prepare for my transition to Ohio
State is researching extra-curriculars so that
I could have an idea of what I wanted to get
involved in prior to arriving to campus.
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Josh Baum
he/him
Grove City, OH
Data Analytics
Why Ohio State:
I came to Ohio State to
both expand my network and develop my
knowledge in the analytical field. Through
my time thus far at Ohio State, I have been
blessed with the ability to do so and much
more. This congregation of friends I have
amassed are my biggest motivation to excel.
Their fortitude and determination inspire me
to achieve my most extravagant goals.
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Kayla Kendall
she/her
Tipp City, OH
Sociology
Getting involved:
My first semester here I
was in the Athletic Band, and that was a
really fun experience for me! I got to attend
so many sports events and I experienced the
immense school spirit that the Buckeye
community has. It showed me that this really
was the place for me and there really is a
place for everyone at OSU.
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Lauren Hilderbrand
she/her
Westerville, OH
Psychology
Advice for new students:
The most
important piece of advice I would give to a
first-year student is not to be afraid of
change. Changing your major. Changing
your look. Changing roommates or buildings.
Change is a necessary part of growth and a
key component of college life is growth.
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Linh Le
she/her
St. Clairsville, OH
Environmental Science
Study tip: The Pomodoro technique is a
study method all students should know.
Students should work for some set period of
time (ex. 30 minutes) and then take a
shorter, timed break (ex. 5 minutes).
During
the break, it is helpful to do something
completely different from what you were
doing before, like taking a walk. I used
this
method all the time when I was studying for
harder classes like calculus, which helped me
feel refreshed and energized for hard topics
and exams. |
Maeli O'Briant
she/her
Powell, OH
Public Policy Analysis
Why Ohio State:
I grew up on and around Ohio State's campus, so the university has always been a big part of my life. I chose to go here because I love that it is such a big school with so much to offer: the students and staff with the same appreciation for Ohio State that I have, athletics, a beautiful campus, so many interesting classes to choose from, and its profound sense of community.
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Meadow Gilbert
she/her
Sandusky, OH
Social work
Advice for new students:
I came to Ohio State
because it was always a dream of mine, and I
truly feel as if I was born to be a Buckeye.
The diversity at Ohio State has expanded my
experiences and opportunities. There are
people who attend Ohio State from all
around the globe, and it is unique to meet so
many different people with different
backgrounds and attend events in relation to
their cultures.
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Shaima Abdulhafiz
she/her
Columbus, OH
Psychology and Neuroscience
Quick fact:
My favorite place to study on
campus is the geology library. It's perfect for
when you want to study without any
distractions!
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Shea Chandler
they/them
Orrville, OH
Studio Art — Drawing and Painting
Getting involved:
A club that I joined is Off The Lake! It's the only student run theatre organization at OSU. It's an amazing organization to join and it is welcoming to all levels of theatre experience, even if you've never done theatre before.
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Sophia Wesland
she/her
Fargo, ND
Psychology
Study tip:
It is important to find a stop on
campus where you can study. I feel most at
home and focused in Thompson Library. I
love to curl up there either by myself or with
friends and study. Getting work done at the
Thompson Library makes me feel like a true
college student and always puts me in the
mood to do homework.
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Tessa Oedy
she/her
Miller City, OH
Accounting
Advice for new students:
My most
important advice for new students is to give
yourself a break. During your time at Ohio
State, you will feel the pressure of classes,
work, and commitments, so it is important to
let yourself be imperfect. You will fail, and
that is okay. Don't beat yourself up, learn
from your mistakes and keep going.
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Truman Mininger
he/him
Dallas, TX
Political Science
Advice for new students:
My most
important piece of advice is to stay positive
and hopeful. Not everyone immediately finds
their place; give it time and allow the
Buckeye process to work.
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Wynne Poticher
they/them
Willoughby, OH
Psychology and Anthropological Science
Motivation:
Something that motivates me to excel at Ohio State is my family. I am a first-generation student, so I am paving the path for my siblings and cousins. I will be the person they can look to for information and questions. I want to succeed not only for myself but for the future generation.
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