Meet adviser Ben Parrot; He can sing your tune

You might find academic adviser Ben Parrot in Gordy Hall, but you also might find him living his best advice: Take advantage of things to do on campus.

"Since there's such a wide array of vibrant entertainment and cultural offerings on campus, it's nearly impossible for me to recommend just one activity," he said.

For starters, Parrot recommends seeking out activities on campus by searching the University events calendar, where there is always something happening.

"You'll discover a huge variety of engaging speakers, cultural events, and creative performances. Don't hesitate to try something new," he said. "But if I have to make just one recommendation, I'd suggest attending concerts in the School of Music. I'm a member of the Choral Union, though, so I'm probably biased."

Parrot is one of the professional advisers in Undergraduate Advising and Student Affairs in the College of Arts & Sciences. You can ask him when the next concert is. Or you can ask him what courses to take next semester, which language to pursue, or how to stay on track for graduation.

When giving tips to new first-year and transfer students, he sings a common refrain: "Ask. Ask. Ask. Don't be afraid to ask."

Q: What is the most common — and avoidable? — misstep that new Bobcats make as they learn to navigate the bricks? (Besides forgetting comfortable shoes…)

A: That's easy: Not reaching out for help when they need it. Making the transition to life at a large university presents all sorts of challenges — academic, social, emotional, and countless others — but you're not alone! Campus is full of resources available to support students through nearly any kind of difficulty imaginable. While it can be overwhelming at first to navigate these resources, your adviser is always a great first point of contact. They'll be able to recommend appropriate resources, put you in contact with other staff around campus, and provide a sympathetic ear.

Everyone needs help from time to time, so don't hesitate to reach out and ask for it! (How to contact an adviser.)

Q: What is the hardest hill most students will have to climb (not counting Jeff Hill) their first year? And what tips can you give them for how to overcome challenges or obstacles in their path?

A: These questions go hand-in-hand with my response to the previous question. I think the biggest difficulty most students face is navigating the transition to life at the university in general. This includes adjusting to the more rigorous coursework, learning how to navigate the campus (both from a geographical and institutional perspective), and establishing a supportive social network while also missing loved ones at home.

This transition is challenging for everyone, and the solution is to reach out for help. Your instructors can help you succeed in your courses, your peers and RA can help you navigate campus and establish social connections, and your adviser can help you find additional support networks for any other issues. You're not in this alone!

Q: What are some of your success stories, where you’ve helped a student find their “ah-ha” moment and know that they can do this?

A: As challenging as the transition to the university is under the best of circumstances, it was next-level stressful during the pandemic. The students who started at OHIO in Fall 2020 faced especially difficulty circumstances, and it was a great privilege for me to work with some of them as an academic adviser or learning community instructor to guide them through these difficulties. Other than offering a sympathetic ear and a safe space for them to air their concerns and frustrations, I didn't really do much; it was entirely the students who summoned the strength to make it through an extremely challenging situation. I'm so honored that I had a front-row seat to witness it!

Q: If you were starting again as a first-year, what would you put in your college bucket list?

A: Study abroad. Investing the time to go abroad as a student is not only a great way to see the world and experience new cultures, but it's also an incredible opportunity to grow as a person. While I encourage everyone to travel at any age, I think there's something special about doing so during your college years. It's such a transformative period in one's life to begin with, so the growth and development you can experience by studying abroad during this time is all the more life-changing.