Advice From Graduating Seniors

So you are a freshman – Gabe Lenetsky

 Young, rambunctious and free. You are a bottle of mixed emotions. The next four or more years of your life will have several ups and downs, but don’t worry, as long as you don’t get into meth you will be fine. You are going to meet a lot of confused and hopeless individuals like yourself, but choose wisely, for you never know when one might transfer out of this small bubble called Ashland. Woohoo! I live in the dorms and can stay up as late as I want now! This is awesome! That’s probably what you will be feeling until someone in your dorm takes a shit so big it clogs the toilet. Responsibilities still exist whether you would like to admit it or not. Seriously, get out of the dorms as fast as possible. Do not be afraid to be selfish. This is the time to figure out what it is you want. Do not be afraid to take risks. Growing up, cooking for yourself, going out with your best friends, falling in love. This is the time to be alive.

How to survive SOU – Super Senior, Chloe Welch

1)      Become best friends with a professor within your major

2)      Sign up for classes as early as you can – so meet with your advisor ASAP

3)      Don’t take online classes unless you REALLY have to. They are extremely difficult if you don’t have great time management skills.

4)      Bring a pen and paper to class, ya asshole.

5)      Don’t take any professors comments too seriously. Grow tougher skin.

7)      Don’t be a Holla Back Girl. Keep your business to yourself and stay out of everyone else’s.

8)      Sleep and exercise are more important than you think. Make time for both and you will feel better mentally and physically.

9)      If you’re having troubles in a class, go talk to the professor during office hours. They love that shit.

10)   Take as many elective and Gen Ed classes as you can in your first two years to see what you really want to do with your life.

11)   Don’t be afraid to change majors more than once. Or twice. Or three times.

12)   Party hard and experiment. Then, learn what your limit is so you’re not known as the sloppy roommate. Also, make sure Pedialyte is next to you at all times the morning after.

13)   Don’t be afraid to like the things you want to like, wear the clothes you want to wear, hang out with the people you want to hang out with – it’s so cliché, but be your damn self. You are awesome no matter what.

My Advice to Youngsters– Ryan Degan

Don’t be afraid to call out professors

In high school your teachers were all knowing beings who were never wrong. In college your relationship with professors will be much more relaxed. There will be kind of an understanding that you are all academics on somewhat equal footing. So don’t be afraid to call them out on their shit when you think they are wrong. At the very least they will engage you in an intellectual conversation on why you are wrong but you’ll learn from it. And chances are they will respect you for it.

You can fall in love more than once in 5 years.

Something that college has taught me is that not all love is forever love. Sometimes you fall in love with someone and it only lasts for a little while. And that’s ok. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there after a heartbreak. You’re going to have a lot of experiences, and realistically, a lot of heartbreaks in college. But chances are you’ll find multiple people who gives you butterflies over the next 4-5 years. Just stick it out, It’ll all work out the way its supposed to.

Freshman Advice– Kyle Simpson

Take advantage of all available campus resources. Seriously. There are so many professors who are amazingly supportive and willing to become friends with their students. There are people who are willing to help you if you are having a difficult time. There is equipment that you may never have access to for the rest of your life at your fingertips. Learn how to 3D print or use a vinyl cutter or a video camera. Ask for help. Ask for advice from people who have been in the real world and accomplished things that you admire. Ask for connections and be bold in your pursuits. Have an art show, or write a novel. Write a play or a movie and cast students. Start a club or join a band. Don’t just take classes and assume that learning is something that is done to you. Homework and studying is not a punishment if you do it right. Education is a privilege and this is your opportunity to do everything you’ve always wanted. SOU gave me an education, but I am the one who took that education and put into use. A bachelors degree will do nothing for you if you don’t use it correctly. Take a risk and try something even if there is a risk of failure or judgement. Especially if there is a risk of failure or judgement. Just do it in a place that you are proud to fail in and then get back up and try it again.

I am getting emotional as I reflect upon my years at SOU, but if I could give this advice to the 18 year old kid I was when I walked on this campus, I would. Be proud of what you do, and do what makes you great.