Headshot of Editor-In-Chief of THe Post Molly Schramm
05.28.20
I feel like most college students would agree that freshman orientation is the first step of the college experience. It’s the first time you really get a feel of campus, meet many of the professors you’ll take class with and hear the monotonous yet necessary safety talks about college life. But, most importantly, it’s the first time you’ll experience the town you’ll be spending the next four or so years of your life in.
Though Ohio University’s Bobcat Student Orientation is forced to be virtual this year because of COVID-19, don’t let that discourage you from being excited to experience anything and everything the town of Athens has to offer you during college.
As I go into my senior year, I can’t say I remember all of orientation at OU, but I do know that it reaffirmed my decision on choosing to go to OU. Though you all unfortunately don’t get to experience Athens yet, trust me when I say this town grabs ahold of your heart and becomes a home-away-from-home.
While virtual orientation is sure to explain OU’s many opportunities for students, I feel like it’s my duty to explain — to the best of my ability — just a bit of everything that Athens has to offer for you as well. In fact, even after being here for four years, I feel like I haven’t fully experienced the small Appalachian town and its things to do.
Whether it’s curling up with a warm latte and studying in the cozy atmosphere of Donkey Coffee and Espresso, 17 1/2 Washington St., or it’s grabbing a couple friends and trying to outbowl each other at Rollerbowl Lanes, 28 Palmer St., Athens has more than enough interesting places to see and things to do.
For me, it’s hard to pick just one spot because I’ve formed so many memories in Athens. Between eating bagel sandwiches and cramming for morning exams at Brenen’s Coffee Cafe, 38 S. Court Street, going to Union Street Diner, 70 W. Union St., at 2 a.m. to eat good breakfast food or simply experiencing late nights along Court Street with my closest friends, Athens has gifted me with plenty of memories and surely more to come during my senior year.
And while all of that has been great, it wouldn’t be nearly as good without the friends I’ve made in college, especially those from The Post. Finding your spot and your circle of close friends at OU may seem intimidating — I mean there are roughly 18,000 of us students. But from one senior to you many incoming students, I have faith that you guys are going to be OK. Yes, virtual orientation sucks, and I can’t imagine going through it, but take a deep breath and hold onto hope that you’ll get to experience everything Athens has to offer come Welcome Weekend. From me, and from everyone at The Post, welcome to OU, Athens and the Bobcat family.
Molly Schramm is a senior studying journalism at Ohio University and the editor-in-chief of The Post. Have questions? Email Molly at ms660416@ohio.edu or tweet her @_molly_731.
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