{"id":918,"date":"2025-09-05T08:30:00","date_gmt":"2025-09-05T08:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stuorgs2.gcc.edu\/thecollegian\/2025\/09\/05\/2025-09-05-ob-heads-sage-advice\/"},"modified":"2026-10-06T23:07:47","modified_gmt":"2026-10-06T23:07:47","slug":"2025-09-05-ob-heads-sage-advice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stuorgs2.gcc.edu\/thecollegian\/2025\/09\/05\/2025-09-05-ob-heads-sage-advice\/","title":{"rendered":"OB heads’ sage\u00a0advice"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Ava Fahs<\/a> and Bryce Pope<\/a> · Contributing Writers<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"OB
OB Heads Bryce Pope and Ava Fahs dressed as Greek gods to judge the annual Orientation Board Olympics. They share their best advice to new Grovers below. \u2014 SYDNEY VARGA<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Adjusting to life at college can be daunting. Perhaps many of you are taking your first rigorous classes. Perhaps many of you are overwhelmed by the different social circles or leaving your home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The college transition introduces a host of challenges that can spark personal growth. Here are five pieces of advice that we \u2014 your OB leaders\u2014 would like to share as you start your freshman year to help you thrive at Grove City College.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Know Your Resources<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Freshman orientation sessions can seem like a flood of information, and the delivery might be a bit dry at times, but the sessions provide crucial information. Campus services, like the Career Services Office, the tutoring program and the Counseling Center, are invaluable resources. So many students only realize this in their later years at Grove; we encourage you to learn this now. You will have many questions in the first few weeks of school, but do you know where to go to get those questions answered? Leaning on the members of the Orientation Board will help you quickly address your questions, concerns and needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Make a Friend in Each Class<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There will be instances when you miss a class or can’t find an assignment on D2L, but if you make a friend in your class, he or she may have an answer \u2014 or at least be in the same boat as you. During the first and second weeks of school, try to meet someone in each of your classes. Maybe it’s a person you recognize from an OB event, or maybe it’s someone from your hall. Whoever it is, connect with that person so that someone has your back in every class. It’s always great to have a study pal!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Commit Carefully<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you haven’t already, you will hear the term “Grover-achiever.” One of the amazing aspects of Grove is its multitude of clubs and organizations. However, we would caution you against overcommitment. Your priority ought to be your education. If you stretch yourself too thin with overinvolvement, you will burn out. It can feel like an expectation to have your calendar booked from end to end, but our advice is to find two to three main involvements outside of classwork. Make those the areas where you invest your time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Be Intentional about the Little Things<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a student, you can flourish academically, but if you don’t take care of the other parts of your life, you are not truly thriving. These next four years will develop you as a person and largely set the tone for the rest of your life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To develop holistically, you can’t just be a “straight-A student.” As children of God, we learn not merely to have a degree, but to better understand the created world and the One who made it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What we learn here matters. And that learning occurs inside and outside of class. Personal devotionals, long conversations with new friends and participation in mentorship opportunities form your soul just as much as class discussions. Never neglect the things that don’t appear on a resume, because they are often the things that matter most.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Find a Church<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finding a church community is possibly the most important piece of advice we could give you. Make sure that the church you attend enriches your understanding of Scripture and empowers you to serve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Christians, we are called to serve wherever we go and do it with joy. Service is not merely “the right thing to do.” It is an act that brings glory to our Father in heaven.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find your church family. Be fed the gospel each week. Serve the people around you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you do these things and trust that the God of infinite love will provide, you will find yourself flourishing at Grove City College.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
\u2014 LUKE MORTON<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Students
Students play tug-of-war in the Orientation Board Olympics. \u2014 LUKE MORTON<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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