Advice to overcome struggles you are not alone with
Stress, conflicts, headaches, obstacles, overloads and long nights. “S.C.H.O.O.L.” (get it?). Many students may feel the difficulty of their first year in college, even for those who have just graduated from high school. Where can students find someone who can help with FASFA or that one math problem that seems almost impossible to solve?
Freshman Struggles
Freshmen share that their most common troubles are study habits: time management; staying focused for long periods of time; meeting new people; mental health management; finding time to eat; maneuvering around new technology and balancing homework; having a home life or a job; and/or doing extracurricular activities.
Jazmin Ode / The Mainstream
Jazmin Ode / The Mainstream
“When I’m distracted, I’m fully invested in the distractions and not my schoolwork,” Anna Bozovich says.
“I have work and school now and I have to just sit down and do it all [in one sitting],” Sidney Williams says.
“I have an hour between classes so instead of doing homework I kind of waste it,” Amy Latham says.
Sophomore Tips and Tricks
Freshman and sophomore students share similar concerns, but sophomores share their tips and tricks for balancing school life and their other lives.
Photo by Emerald Berry-Cabiao
Jazmin Ode / The Mainstream
Jazmin Ode / The Mainstream
“Turn things into bite-size chunks and map out your week,” Emerald Berry-Cabiao says. “Learn how to recognize the difference between good and bad stress.”
“Devote time to get work done when you have space in between classes,” Tyler Burdett says. “The library [on campus] is a great place to study.”
“I force myself to come on campus and choose things to commit myself to,” Danielle Christenson says. She makes a list every day of what she needs to get done and when it’s due to keep herself on track.
Many freshmen have trouble with procrastination, not just Bozovich and Latham. Burdett has a tip he uses to avoid procrastination. “Find something to look forward to after homework like if you have a movie to go see on Friday and just focus on that,” Burdett says. He also reminds students to try to leave some focus on the homework.
Mea Mealosen, an AAOT sophomore, says she just remembers her goals at UCC. “Finishing my homework is one step closer to my career. That’s how I stay motivated,” Mealosen likes to find a classmate to actively study with and help stay on task with.
Navigating Technology
Navigating technology is difficult for new college students. JuneDee Schultz expressed that she felt getting help with technology was difficult since the faculty was also trying to learn the new outlook and the improved Canvas.
“My support was lost because [tech support] had to help faculty with the new system.” Schultz says. As a new student, she didn’t know where else she could go for more help. “Being away from school for 10+ years, it would be beneficial to have a refresher course for technology or how to navigate Canvas courses.”
For first-year students, Canvas will pop up with an option called “Focuses on Reading” which provides videos and instructions on how to navigate canvas, but sometimes this isn’t enough and just having a faculty’s help is preferable. Going to the Information Desk, located at the student center building, or the library on campus are two great places to go for help. Ronda Stearns, a staff member in the Student Center, may also be able to help.
Freshman, Max Quackenbush, recommends the TRIO/TOP program on campus. “TOP is a helpful program for those who are struggling with homework, research and technology,” Quackenbush says. Students can find out more information for the TRIO/TOP program by contacting the Information Desk or Destiny Hunt, the TRIO/TOP director.
The main place to get help with almost every college need on campus is the library. As soon as students walk in, to the left Liz Teoli, the Research and Instruction Librarian, is sitting at her desk. Teoli is a source to go to if students have questions about how to research a particular topic or what tools can help improve study habits. “We have a shiny new library site, an increased collection, NoodleTools and ‘new staff’ to help you succeed at UCC,” Teoli says.
Students can get to the library site by starting at UCC home page then hovering the mouse over ‘Resources & Sources.’ When the drop-down bar shows up, go down and click on ‘Library.’ The screen then will be at the library webpage called UCC Library. Students can use this webpage to search up books for class or leisure. A few categories that have been increased is Manga [anime], young adult and children’s books.
Another tool that is available through UCC Library is NoodleTools. Starting at UCC Library, hover the mouse over the icon that says ‘NoodleTools’ in the gray bar below the picture of the library.
“NoodlleTools helps build the correct citations [for quote] and [helps students] stay organized,” Teoli says. Students can also chat with real UCC librarians on campus by clicking the blue icon on the left of the site that says, ‘Chat with us now!’. Through this chat feature students can ask for help with researching, get help with re-setting Canvas passwords and the library staff on the chat can even transfer you to someone else on campus within open hours. “We’re the one stop shop for tutoring, tech help, UCC online, research help and other library needs,” Teoli says.
Christenson reminds students it’s okay to not know the answer. “Find out who you can ask help from and DON’T hesitate to ask,” Christenson says.
Contact me at:
UCCMainstream@yahoo.com
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