This is the third in a multi-part piece on the college application process and adjusting to life after OSSM. A group of seniors sent questions to their seniors from last year, who are now in college, and they replied with their answers. Enjoy!
On Getting into College
Although college applications are nearly over, what do you wish you had done differently with your college apps?
I wish I had applied to more colleges. I originally had a big list of applications but I dropped each school one by one until OU was the only one left. Even if I didn’t plan on going to an out of state school due to cost and career, it would be great applying to such colleges.
Tips on handling the wait?
Honestly my acceptance came in a couple of days, but just push it out of your mind and trust the process.
How do you cope with senioritis during and after the college app season?
“Just keep swimming working hard!” There’s light at the end of the tunnel, and you can see its pretty close. So just hang in there!
...And Beyond
Whatʼs been the biggest challenge going into college from OSSM?
Honestly integrating back into being a normal human being. You lose a lot of connections and friends and you’re left trying to find a new place for yourself. It’s quite the growing experience.
Whatʼs the best/worst part of your last semester at OSSM?
Best: Making a ton of new friends. It sounds weird, but the closest friends I made were near the end of 3rd/4th semester.
Worst: Being able to count down your days at OSSM.
What was the most memorable part of second semester, especially the last night after the senior dinner leading up to graduation?
Senior night along with prom night was SUPER fun. Being allowed to run all around camps 3am with water guns is a great experience.
What emotions and thoughts were you experiencing?
A ton of remorse over leaving what we all called home for two years, but anxiousness about how much everything was about to change after graduations.
Do you still talk to your OSSM friends?
Almost all of them!
How do you stay in touch with people and deal with friends going all over the country?
We usually talk through Snapchat, Facebook, or text. It’s really hard to say goodbye to people, and you’ll start feeling that vibe towards the end of 4th semester. So be sure to solidify your friendships and start making plans to do fun stuff over the summer!
What would you have wanted to know as an incoming freshman to your respective college?
OU: Make sure you have a good roommate that you can live with, try to take harder classes! Don’t skip classes too much and talking to your upperclassmen (like me!) will be of real use.
Any advice on transitioning to a new environment and the people there?
Be ready to WALK. A lot. Get into student organizations, have career goals set with deadlines, and meet new people!
Osamah Mian is now a freshman studying Biomedical Engineering at the University of Oklahoma.