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College classroom

Advice for first-years from Ohio State faculty:

“Become engaged. Become entangled. Sit in the front row. ”

“Get organized. Impose a strong routine on yourself, and schedule time for studying and time for entertainment.”

“Writing demands change just like any other subject. So as you move from high school to college, expect that your writing ability will have to grow.”

“Get enough sleep!”

“Make personal contact with faculty. Go out of your way. They’re real people. Most grads wish they had done this early on, in their first year.”

Thanks to the faculty: Ed Adelson, arts and sciences; Darry Andrews, mathematics; Andrew Heckler, physics; Wendy Hesford, English; Frank Schwartz, geological sciences; Rich Ugland, history

Ohio State faculty: exceptional in their fields

Learn from teachers who are excited about their work and active in their fields! Ohio State is one of the nation’s preeminent research and teaching institutions, thanks to the leadership of our faculty.

Watch: Faculty and undergraduates working together.

Freshman Seminars

Want to work closely with faculty right off the bat? Ohio State’s small, discussion-based Freshman Seminars provide an opportunity for first-year students to explore a scholarly topic alongside expert faculty.

Class size

Ohio State, like all but the smallest colleges, has some large classes. But take comfort: our undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio is 19:1. So, even in your first year, most of your classes will be moderately sized.

Course work 

Whether you are following an established major track, designing your own program, or taking the occasional elective just because it interests you (the kind of curiosity we strongly encourage), you’ll find the right courses – more than 12,000 of them – to support your direction.

To ensure that Ohio State graduates are well-rounded citizens of the world, they take three types of courses:

• General Education courses: General Education courses provide the breadth of your academic experience.
• Major courses: classes for your area of study; some are required, some are chosen by you to meet your specific needs and interests.
• Electives: explore and experience as you like.

How does college differ from high school?

In college, class is a conversation between you, your peers, and your professor, where inquisitive minds come together to engage with new ideas.

As a student at a major research university, you’ll have ample opportunity to take the knowledge you’ve gained in the classroom into the working world, applying and strengthening new skills.

Ohio State undergraduates have diverse backgrounds, bringing to the classroom a multicultural perspective.

In college, it’s up to you to manage your time, keep on top of your studies, and select the opportunities and resources that are right for you. You have the freedom – and responsibility – to follow your own interests wherever they lead you.

The college classroom could involve overseas travel , internships, experiments in a laboratory, presenting research, volunteering, assembling a model, or putting on a production. Be prepared to learn in ways – and in places – you’ve never experienced before.