Freshmen familiarized themselves with their campus and gathered information to help ease their transition into higher education during Navigating College, the new student orientation on SE Campus.
As students filled the Roberson Theatre, Doug Peak, director of student development services on SE Campus, was off stage observing the large turnout. It was one of the highest attended orientations in recent years for the annual event, he said.
After the session, Peak expanded on his five tips for student success.
Q: You said that it was important for students to get involved and get connected with their campus. Why does getting involved seem to help students succeed at the college level?
A: I believe students learn more about their character when involved with activities that require responsibility. For example, tasks such as organizing a meeting, singing or dancing require discipline, endurance and patience. After experiencing these lessons, the student then applies these to his or her study skills and the result is often better grades. Many studies agree with this thinking.
Q: You said that e-mail was an effective way to connect with your instructor. Does e-mail have any benefit over a hand-written note left in the professor’s mailbox?
A: The greatest benefit would be to visit with the professor face-to-face. A hand-written note left in the professor’s mail box could show effort in stopping by the office. The main thing is an effort has been made to communicate. E-mails are less likely to be lost, so I would give the edge to the e-mail.
Q: You said that faculty members have a set time during which they are in their office and available to the students. What might be some of the benefits of sitting with one of your professors and talking one-on-one?
A: Face-to-face visits are the best way to communicate … not the easiest, but most effective. No longer is the student just a name. There is a face to the name. The student becomes a person recognized by the instructor. This is why it is required to have office hours. It is just that important.
Q: How can talking with a counselor or adviser help you do better in school?
A: Counselors can help in so many ways. Personal issues, degree plans, transfer issues, testing, interpreting the tests—there is so much. They are here for the students and want to help.
Q: How can getting to know your professors work out as a plus?
A: They are human. They have feelings. You find out they actually want you to succeed in life. I wish I could get to know all the people in this world that want me to succeed in life. I would surround myself with them as much as possible. There is so much good that comes from getting to know your teachers.
For more information on getting connected to the campus, contact the student activities office on any campus.
