Start your first year strong!

Everyone started where you are now

You’re right at the beginning of something awesome and these Team Science students have great advice to get you off to a good start!

First in your family to attend college? Check out these resources for first-generation students.

"As daunting as it is to start a whole new life without the people you are familiar with, your family, friends, and coworkers, my first year of college was not bad. It completely altered my perspective about individuality and responsibility."

"I was so engulfed in the world I grew to love, and became so comfortable, so much so that it was scary to think I could ever be without them. Initially, the thought of leaving everything I knew to go to a place where I would be entirely ALONE was terrifying, until I bit the bullet and hoped for the best. Little did I know that biting the bullet led me to meet the most amazing mentors, friends, and faculty, but most importantly, I discovered myself."

"As much I grew to love the people and the comfort my original home offered, I also have adored the person that OSU has shaped me to be. It is completely okay to be scared, but don't let that fear keep you from a better future. I am glad that I didn't." —Kaylah

"If I could give you one piece of advice for your first year, it would be to talk to the people around you. Start a conversation with the person sitting next to you in class, in the dining hall, or at a club meeting. Some of my closest friends at Oregon State came from those small moments where I stepped outside my comfort zone and just said hi. Those same people are now my study buddies, my go to support system, and the ones who’ve been by my side through the ups and downs of college."

"You don’t have to do this alone. There are so many tools and resources here to help you succeed, but sometimes the best support comes from the people sitting right next to you. You’ve got this, and you’re never as alone as you think. One small hello could shape your entire college experience." —Audrey

"The most impactful thing that helped me realize I belonged at OSU was living in the NIA/Munk-Skukum Living Learning Community in Poling Hall. It was wonderful to be surrounded by other people of color and feel a strong sense of community with one another. We became instant friends, and I felt incredibly supported by them as I navigated the trials and tribulations of my first year. If I was having a bad day, I knew I could come back to my dorm and feel comforted by my friends. We did everything together, and our bonds lasted beyond the first year."

"Establishing a community in that first year is so crucial; it helps you build confidence and assures you that you aren’t alone. My advice to incoming first-year students would be to find your community. Whether you’re a future Nia/Munk-skukum scholar or you find community elsewhere, if you surround yourself with kind, caring people, you’ll be ok."—Indiana

"I recommend taking full advantage of the resources available to students. There are so many knowledgeable and supportive people here who are ready to offer guidance and help in whatever you might need!"

"For example, when I was applying to a summer program I reached out to one of the career advisors. She helped me refine my personal statement and application, which led to two great outcomes. First, I built a connection with her that I can now rely on for advice when applying to future programs or internships. Second, I was accepted into the summer program!"

"Another tip for making your first year at OSU successful is to know your limits. Be realistic about how much you can handle. Don’t overload yourself during your first term, unless you are absolutely confident you can manage it. Give yourself time to ease into college life so you can set a strong foundation for success over your four years here at OSU!"

"During my first week here, I spoke with the peer advisors in the Science Success Center, and they arranged a meeting with a professor of neuroscience for me, which is my dream job. It took me even less time to feel as though I belonged in the College of Science by attending events and getting to know the people in my classes. I hope you get the chance to use the same resources and find your place here at OSU! Good luck with your first year!" —Paige

"Having a growth mindset is what really helped me thrive as a student in the College of Science. I’ve always believed that intelligence and skills can be improved through dedication, effort, and persistence. Keeping that in mind, I learned to embrace failure and recognize it as an opportunity to learn and grow instead of seeing it as something to be ashamed of."

"During my first year of college, I faced a lot of challenges, especially as a first-generation college student. From figuring out how to pay for tuition to failing my first exam, it was overwhelming at times. But instead of letting those setbacks define me, I used them as motivation to get better. After failing that exam, I started going to office hours, asked more questions, took better and more organized notes, and completely changed my study habits. That effort paid off and I did much better on the next exam. More importantly, I started to gain confidence in myself and realized that every challenge was an opportunity to learn, grow, and become stronger." —Desmond

"Hi, my name is Lauren, I will be a 4th year at the start of Fall 2025, and I’m from the Napa area in California. As an out-of-state student, I was extremely nervous about moving to a new state and being far from my family. It was daunting to know that I would be living in an unfamiliar place, but I also knew deep down that this college experience would be the best opportunity for me to grow not only as a person but also as a student."

"One thing that helped me step out of my comfort zone was pushing myself to attend weekly craft nights that my dorm RA would host, I would ask my dorm neighbors and roommates if they wanted to join me for dinner, and/or sit next to someone who looked friendly in class and talk to them. These things were really scary and difficult to do, but they helped me start building my community and friend circle. Being far from my family wasn’t easy, but it taught me how to be independent, resilient, and how to ask for help. Looking back, doing these things made my college experience the best."