First day of class begins with excitement and cookies

The first day of autumn semester at The Ohio State University included cookies for students on the Oval.

President Michael V. Drake and Executive Vice President and Provost Bruce A. McPheron greeted students near Thompson Library and handed out cookies as part of the year-long celebration of the university’s 150th anniversary.

Drake and McPheron spent time with the students, asking about where they were from and what they were learning at Ohio State. It was part of a busy welcome week to begin the new academic year.

“They love the cookies, but they’re really excited to be here, excited to be in the university, excited to be starting school,” Drake said. “A third or so of the students I met were first-year students on their first day of college, so they’re totally excited.”

The university welcomed another highly talented incoming class with Convocation and a calendar full of events to introduce the students to Ohio State. The class is projected to be among the most prepared, most diverse and largest in university history.

The first day of classes for these students is filled with possibility, McPheron said.

“I’ve been asking students what their first class is like and it’s a mix of excitement … and a little trepidation when they first looked at that syllabus,” he said.

Drake and McPheron offered advice to students beginning their first year of college.

“These are very special days, because this starting is really a transition. So keep your eyes and ears and hearts and minds open and really be present and experience it,” Drake said.

“Just take a deep breath,” McPheron said. “Get to know your professor; get to know your fellow students. It’ll be fine.”

Tanmay Pandit, a graduate student pursuing a master’s degree in finance, said getting involved is the key to success.

“You have to get involved,” he said. “I think what differentiates Ohio State or other schools in the U.S. is the fact that you get the opportunity to get involved. That helps you get to know people, build your network and build skills outside of class as well. So definitely get involved.”

Jessica Davis, a second-year operations management major, recommended students relax and believe in themselves.

“Don’t be nervous. You’ll be fine,” she said. “It can be very intimidating. There are a lot of very smart people here.

“Believe me, I don’t consider myself that smart,” Davis said with a laugh, “and I do just fine. You’ll be fine, just jump in.”