This is the first 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 last year, who are now in college, and they replied with their answers. Enjoy!
On Getting into College
How do you cope with senioritis during and after the college app season?
Many of you have just finished your hardest semester at OSSM, and many of you have already been accepted into your reach or safety schools. Don't bother trying too hard second semester senior year. Colleges don't expect you to try, so you shouldn't either. Be okay with getting B's. You will have a lot more fun. OSSM is a special place just like college. Enjoy it while it lasts. Take this last semester to hang out with your friends or really get to know your juniors just like I did. Once you finish in May and go your separate ways, it gets harder and harder to find times where everyone is together again.
...And Beyond
Whatʼs been the biggest challenge going into college from OSSM?
In my opinion, the biggest challenge to college for OSSM students is adjusting to the people. Not everyone goes to college for the same reasons that you attend OSSM. This creates a very diverse group of people. The biggest issue that I have seen among OSSM students at OU is attitude related. Many OSSM alums have adopted an air of intellectual superiority over their classmates and then ironically complain about how antisocial the OU student body is. My roommate (Yaseen Shurbaji) and I have put in hours and hours into meeting new people and developing relationships.
Whatʼs the best/worst part of your last semester at OSSM?
The best part is not having to care about grades at all. I remember Angela, Sarath, Grace, Jackie, etc. all worked so hard while I sat there and watched movies. I did that until March I think, and then I started hanging out with the seniors on third floor all the time. Take the time to enjoy your friends!!! The worst part is dealing with the rules. It gets really difficult to abide by OSSM rules even though one foot is already out the door.
What was the most memorable part of second semester, especially the last night after the senior dinner leading up to graduation? What emotions and thoughts were you experiencing?
Definitely the long nights spent having sleepovers with Allen, Jack, Philip, Cameron, Ben Lee, and Ben Laitner in Albert's room. You get to know so much about each other. On the second half of the question regarding the last night at OSSM, it was a mixture of sadness and excitement for me. I was so pumped to graduate, but there was a sad reality too. Watching all of the juniors leave that afternoon was when the emotions started to come through. You realize that while graduating is cool, this is the last night you have to experience such a special thing. Also Pedro cursed while watching a movie and Dr. Shrock made him go to sleep really early so that was pretty funny.
Do you still talk to your OSSM friends?
Yes, but I have known six generations of OSSM students. I talk to some of my classmates (Philip Hwang and Albert Cai) everyday, but my relationships with others have weaned. I talk with my seniors more than any other class. Lucas Miller has been a wonderful long distance friendship ever since he left OSSM two years ago.
How do you stay in touch with people and deal with friends going all over the country?
Short answer, you can't. Long answer, unless you go to the same school, you aren't living together anymore. This is obviously a big issue to communicating. In addition, college is a time to meet new people and friends. I would say to keep in touch with your close OSSM friends, but don't kill yourself trying to keep up with everyone because the reality is that they aren't in your life anymore (at least not to the same extent). Focus on meeting new people at your new university!
What would you have wanted to know as an incoming freshman to your
respective college? Any advice on transitioning to a new environment and the people there?
How easy the first semester is. If I had know that straight A's would be a breeze, I wouldn't have spent so many hours in the library. I would have been pledging a frat instead most likely. Also learn how to look up if a teacher is good. I switched teachers the first day of school and it ended up being the best decision of the semester!
Lucas Karinshak is now a freshman studying Mechanical Engineering at the University of Oklahoma.