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Why Ohio State was right for these first-year students

6 first-years offer advice to new students
One year later: These first-year students are glad they chose Ohio State
Ohio State first-year student Grace Ma'ae (center) has had a number of hands-on experiences as part of her athletic training curriculum.

When Grace Ma’ae was first considering leaving her Long Beach, California, home for Ohio State’s Columbus campus she was hesitant. After all, where exactly was she headed? A land of cornfields?

A year later, she knows Ohio State was the right choice.

“I couldn’t picture myself anywhere else,” says Ma’ae, a freshman majoring in athletic training. “I have been able to make genuine connections with great people. I am getting an amazing education while also maintaining a good social life. I feel like more than just a student here.”

Ma’ae is not alone. Midway through their first year at Ohio State, these students are sharing why they’re glad they chose to become Buckeyes.

Grace Ma’ae

Ma’ae is looking forward to doing clinical rotations with Ohio State’s sports teams as part of her athletic training curriculum. She’s also got her eye on internships with the National Football League. In the meantime, she’s enjoying the Aloha Dance Club and the Athletic Training Club.

“I picked Ohio State because of their phenomenal athletic training program and I was fortunate enough to receive the Morrill Scholarship. After my visit here back in February, I fell in love with the campus and Columbus. The amazing energy and vibe you get here is unmatched and I knew that if I wanted to go far in my career, I needed to be here.

“I was surprised about how live it is out here. Coming from Southern California, my impression of Ohio was a bunch of corn fields. But being here has made me realize there’s always something to do in the city, and the school itself has a lot to offer students.

“I would tell future students to go with your gut. In everything you do, you know what is best for you. Surround yourself with good supportive people and make sure to find a good balance between studies and social life.”

Paul Truong

Health and Rehabilitation Science major from Parma, Ohio, Paul hopes to attend Ohio State’s College of Medicine and get a graduate degree in sports medicine. He’s in the Ultimate Frisbee and Spikeball clubs and wants to get involved in BuckeyeThon.

“I can confidently say I made the correct decision. I can pursue my dreams of being a doctor while meeting new people every day. The atmosphere at Ohio State is great, and every day there's always something new to do.

“What’s surprised me is the people here. I thought it would be difficult to make new friends, but I was completely wrong. Since coming, I've made a lot of new friends and memories, which made my decision to come to Ohio State a lot better.

“The advice I have for new and future students is relax and take your time adjusting to this new environment. Many people are overwhelmed by college due to the change in academics and environment, but you have to take a deep breath. If you try your best and push yourself, you're going to succeed at Ohio State.”

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Joey Hoppenjans

A Sylvania, Ohio, native, Joey is a finance major in the Fisher College of Business. He’s in the Personal Finance Club and is looking at joining the business fraternity, Delta Sigma Pi to help him on his path to becoming a financial advisor. 

“I picked Ohio State because it was very welcoming and had that Big Ten feel with a ton of students and connections while also considered a prestigious school and very competitive to get into. Plus, the Fisher School of Business is fantastic.”

“After being at Ohio State and the Fisher School of Business for a semester, I’ve seen that there’s so many ways for me to grow in my personal life and career. Every time I go to any class I feel comfortable and open with everyone.

“For a new student, once you get here take 10 deep breaths, relax and be yourself. Be open to the many opportunities Ohio State has to offer. While it can be overwhelming, I guarantee you’ll find what fits your style. After that, you’ll fall in love with the campus and everything this school has to offer.”

Walter Jimenez

Walter came to Ohio State from Caguas, Puerto Rico, to major in air transportation with his eyes set on becoming an airline pilot. A Morrill and Chema Memorial scholar, he is involved in the Flight Team, the Puerto Rican Student Association and the DJ Club.

“One of the biggest factors that has helped me have such a great time here is the friendships I’ve made. There’s a great community of Puerto Rican people here, and the Ohio State flight team has been a very engaging community. And just being on campus and in Columbus, you can always have new experiences.”

“Joining the flight team has been great. In May at the Ohio State Airport, universities from all over the country are coming to compete, so we’re looking forward to that. We have seniors, juniors, sophomores, freshmen and some are basically commercially rated pilots and instructors. We’re backed by alumni who are pilots and work in the airline industry and they really support us in so many ways. It’s a great network of people.

“The advice I give is to get involved in as much as you can without overdoing it, just get yourself out there. Stay involved in your hobbies and set yourself up with a good routine.”

Allie Weprin

A Boca Raton, Florida, native, Allie is a business marketing major in the Fisher College of Business. She’s also involved in the American Marketing Association and the Pathways for Women’s Excellence in Supply Chain Program as she pursues her goal of working in marketing or business for a fashion company.

“I chose Ohio State because I love the location. Columbus is an amazing city where there’s always so much to do, and campus is beautiful. I love going to a big school where anywhere I go, to any club or any class, I’ll always meet someone new.

“I’ve found the most amazing friends here. My professors care and they want you to succeed. And there are so many resources, like the Math Center and the Economics Center, all here to help you succeed.”

“I would tell a new student to reach out to other new students before you come to campus. Get to know people so when you get here you have a couple of familiar faces. Definitely find some hobbies because it’s important to stay active. And have good study methods that work for you and stay organized so classes aren’t so stressful.”

Anthony Shuman

Anthony, also from Parma, earned the Maximus Scholarship, is in the Honors Program and is double-majoring in biochemistry and Spanish. Next year, he’s going to participate in the STEP Program and hopes to be a resident advisor. He’ll use those funds for a study abroad trip to Valencia, Spain, to help him gain fluency in Spanish.

“As soon as I stepped on the campus, I knew this was home. It’s a beautiful place. You’re really supported by all the resources and people, such as advisors and professors who want to see you succeed.”

“I’ve loved being on a big campus because you can really expand your interests, meet like-minded people and people with different perspectives. I was surprised by how much there is to do. In the first week, I’d wake up, walk around with roommates and friends and find something to do. I had like 35,000 steps the first week I was here. I’m discovering new things every day, it’s been a transformative experience.”

“The advice I give is have fun while you’re here. There’s 60,000 people who go to school here so branch out, meet people, expand your social network. And make the most of everything you’re afforded as a student. Go work out at the RPAC, go to some club meetings, go to football games. There’s so much going on. I love Ohio State, and I love being a Buckeye.”

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