Many students are finishing their first full year of college here at Oregon State University, with some describing it as “experimental chaos,” “hectic,” as well as “so very tiring and exciting.”
The first year of college is a learning experience for many students as they transition into adulthood. As current OSU first-years wrap up the 2025-2026 school year, they offer some advice — via survey — to those that are coming next.
Many students started their first year with some advice already in their pocket. Here is some guidance they wanted to pass on:
“Make friends even if it seems hard at first. It can be as easy as complimenting a pair of jeans or asking to hangout for dinner,” Augustine Adloa, secondary education major, wrote.
“The most helpful piece of advice was to find what I actually enjoy doing and not just do what will guarantee success,” Levin Garret, theatre arts major, wrote. “Following this advice has allowed me to enjoy going to school and feel passionate about my work.”
“Explore, don’t just feel limited by the area’s around you,” Sarah LeBaer, creative writing major, wrote.
While having handy advice at the start of the year was helpful for some students, others learned lessons along the way.
“The walls are thin! People can hear you through them,” Stella Knighton, education major, wrote.
“The mold,” Nico Chiles, secondary education major, wrote in regards to something they wish they knew about before living in the dorms.
“Budget your dining plan. Week 10 and Finals Week was stressful because I never budgeted right,” Garret wrote.
Silas Spataro, marine biology major, wishes he knew how expensive tuition was going to be.
“I didn’t apply for enough scholarships,” Spataro wrote.
“I wish I knew that professors will treat you like a human and help you when you need it. If you can’t make it to a test, they can figure out a different solution for you,” Natalie Ritter, chemistry major, wrote. “They want you to succeed.”
College is full of possible experiences for first-year students. According to the OSU Students organizations and activities website, the organization aims to “find a club that’s right for you,” whether that’s sports, arts or politics.
With OSU’s Student Organizations and Activities department boasting more than 400 different clubs for students to join, some students in their first year took advantage of the wide variety of extra-curriculars.
For instance, Tobey Gosnell, biology major, was glad they got involved with the OSU marching band. “Go Beavs,” he wrote.
In response to the survey, Levi Garza, botany major, wishes he got involved in more clubs during the year.
Ritter enjoyed participating in the OSU Honors College “Theater in Ashland” class where Honors students took a weekend trip to Ashland, Oregon to attend the Shakespeare festival.
For some final thoughts, the current first-year students provided some additional pieces of advice.
“The terms go super fast! This is a great opportunity to pack in as many adventures as possible,” Knighton wrote.
“Leave some stuff at home,” Mars Rios, botany major, wrote.
“College is all about dividing your time correctly and that can be really hard to get right. Don’t beat yourself up,” Ritter wrote.
“Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there, and if you are, find someone to adopt you,” Chiles wrote.
