It's that wonderful time of the year again . . . orientation season at Ohio State.
Tempting as it may be, I have not yet directed any lost freshmen to the “RPAC” on West Campus or the “University Hall” just north of Lane Avenue. After I helped Josh, a future freshman, and his very concerned and very lost mother find the real RPAC last week, I started thinking about the transition to college.
Coming from a high school where the upper classmen try to sell freshmen $10 pool passes to a nonexistent body of water, I understood Josh’s skeptical reluctance to accept my directional advice. Yet, I recall my own interactions with OhioState upperclassmen to be surprisingly sedate.
Before my first year, I remember vividly anticipating receiving a “good-natured” freshmen hazing, which somehow failed to materialize. I am sure that a few people are exceptions, clinging to the superficial “upperclassmen” delineation, attempting to justify their 6th year with a snicker at the herds of freshmen during Autumn quarter. In contrast, I actually remember being surprised at how welcoming 52,000 people could be when I was a freshman.
So, dear freshmen, welcome to Ohio State. Yes, we can tell that you’re new here; yes, we’re okay with that. It’s fine to ask for directions to the building you’re standing in front of; you need to learn the fight songs and the alma mater, and don’t be surprised if you’re treated like a Buckeye from day one.