UpDate - Vol. 16, No. 13
December 5, 1996
Talks and tips assist human resources freshmen

     Keeping up with reading assignments, being away from home,
meeting people with similar interests, getting quiet time for
studying and sleeping and using e-mail are just some of the
challenges freshmen say they face during the transition from high
school to college.
     Helping new students early on can be crucial to their
success in college, according to Susan McLaughlin, human
resources.
     To assist freshmen in the College of Human Resources over
the hurdles and challenges of the first semester, McLaughlin has
organized Freshman Seminars. This series of three workshops,
divided by majors, totals 12 sessions. Students and their parents
are sent a letter about the seminars before the semester begins.
     "High school is a different educational experience from
college, and there are many changes students experience. I've
attended a number of conference workshops on the freshman
experience, and seminars on timely topics, held at different
intervals during that crucial first semester, help make the
transition smoother and less confusing," McLaughlin said.
     During the first session, McLaughlin invited freshmen to
write down their problems and concerns. These ranged from how to
develop study habits to getting to know their instructors to
figuring out the bus schedule.
     Students also answered a yes/no questionnaire on campus
life- whether they were attending University events, getting to
know their adviser, joining clubs, making an effort to meet new
people.
     Based on these two exercises, McLaughlin led a discussion on
becoming involved on campus, interacting with faculty and
discussing how specific problems might be handled. Another topic
was the drop/add system, which was timely at the first session.
The meeting was optional, but 75 percent of the freshmen
attended, McLaughlin said.
     The second seminar sessions were panel discussions with
students from the same major and faculty members. The sessions
were scheduled around mid-semester when academic work was a
priority, and such topics as large classes and reading
assignments were covered.
     Michael McClay, Academic Services Center (ASC), also gave
the freshmen tips on studying strategies, tutoring sessions and
note taking and encouraged freshmen to attend ASC workshops.
     Again, there was freshman input as each one was asked to
complete the sentence, "Academically, I am having difficulty
with...."
     The final sessions were held before the advisement period to
facilitate and explain the process for new students, telling them
what advisement is about, the role of advisers, exploring
different majors, student responsibility and the logistics of
scheduling courses that they need.
     "The University does a good job on freshman retention-85
percent versus the norm of 79 percent. The college retention rate
for the past two years has been 94 percent, and the seminars are
designed to give further support to new students to help them off
to a good start," McLaughlin said.
     "Student reaction has been positive, and we think the
seminars have been successful and will have a long-term impact.
Not only do students feel someone cares about their concerns,
they also have an opportunity to meet others in their major who
have similar interests, learn that faculty are approachable and
'real people' and meet upperclassmen who can give them advice and
encouragement from a student's point of view," McLaughlin said.
                                              -Sue Swyers Moncure