Freshman try to find ways to easily adjust to college life

By Samantha Kaufmann (Whetstone contributor)

Student Samantha Heyward with tutor Leah Lowery in the ARC

Many first year students have trouble transitioning from high school to college. Some things freshmen struggle with include time management, being away from parents, and trouble understanding the many resources available to them at Wesley.

“How can I manage my time? What resources are available? How can we as a class address professors?”

These were some questions freshman Kimberly Prestin had.

“Freshmen should get the hang of time management within the first few weeks,” said Kathleen Curran, professor of biology. “In high school, a lot of the work is done in the classroom; meanwhile, in college, the students are on their own.”

Your parents aren’t here to help, Curran said.

“School is like a full time job,” she said. “A job takes up to 40 hours of the week. Class lasts 12 to 16 hours a week, so the rest of the time should be used for studying or doing homework.”

Tyler Piechoski, a resident assistant in Roe Hall, said students need to set priorities.

“Keep them posted so you do not lose track of what is due,” he said.

Students can use many online resources aide from Google, such as EBSCO, a database of research material students may access from Wesley. If a student is having trouble with retrieving the resources, the reference librarian is available.

Students shouldn’t be afraid to ask for help, Curran said.

“Most of us don’t bite,” she said.

The Academic Resource Center is also a good place to find help; there are tutors available by appointment in mostly every subject.

“The ARC is there for students,” Piechoski said. “There is no reason why students should be afraid to seek help. Other students are in there getting help. Even the employees are there for you.”

Living on your own for the first time can be a strange transition for many.

“Be aware of your surroundings when you are in a strange place and travel with friends,” Curran said. “Don’t have a set pattern; never leave the same place at the same time. Always tell someone where you are.”

Prestin said she has had struggles with living in the dorms, like stolen food. Make sure you stay with your food – don’t forget you put it in the microwave. If you happen to have snacks that you do not want, see if someone in your dorm building will trade with you.

She also had some clever advice.

“I did not have enough quarters for laundry so I put a dollar in the vending machine and hoped quarters would come out,” she said. “It’s risky but worth the try.”