So, you’re officially a freshman at Oswego State. Now what?
Hopefully, after your first two weeks of classes you haven’t flunked out, tried to murder your roommate in their sleep or woken up in Oswego Hospital. If that is the case, then you’re on the right track.
That being said, I will enlighten you all with the advice that I wish someone had given me as a freshman.
First off, reinvent yourself. Chances are that very few people in Oswego know you from high school. Use that to your advantage. If you were shy in high school, use this opportunity to become more outgoing. Introduce yourself to strangers or go to a party that’s out of your comfort zone. Have fun.
If you didn’t do so well academically in high school, now is your chance to make up for it. You’re working with a clean slate. A 4.0 awaits you.
Secondly, get involved. Oswego State has plenty of organizations, catering to almost all students’ interests, to become a part of. You could become an anchor for WTOP, get a radio show with WNYO, join Student Association or even write for The Oswegonian (cough, cough).
It doesn’t matter what you do as long as you’re doing something. Not only is this a great way to make friends, it’s something that can immediately go on your resume and ultimately land you a job after college.
If athletics are more your style, then join a sports team. There are varsity sports for the most competitive athletes, club sports for those who want to be a little less competitive and intramural sports for those just looking to have some fun with friends. Regardless, all are a great way to meet new people, stay active, stay involved and, most of all, have fun.
If playing a sport isn’t your thing, you can still spectate at one of Oswego State’s many sports events. Go check out a hockey game (the men’s team was the national champion runner-up last season), a basketball game (the men’s team is the defending SUNYAC champion) or any of the other sports teams. I also hear the men’s tennis team is really good this year.
This isn’t just school. This is an experience, and it will amount to whatever you make of it. If you spend your days bored, doing nothing, then change something. Do something. Make some new friends, join a club, become a tutor, become a desk attendant, join a sports team or just become a sports team’s biggest fan.
But most of all, just have fun, and remember that these could be the best four years of your life, and that they will be gone in the blink of an eye.
