By Stephanie Homeyer/reporter
Photo courtesy Laura Escamilla
Students helped students on TR Campus Oct. 9-10 as a class project, but many gained more than a class grade.
Theresa Schrantz, assistant professor of sociology, conducted a student-led information session in the TR Idea Store, where students handed out information packets and personality profile questionnaires.
Her students thought the assignment was “a great experience” that helped them connect with the other students.
“We had to go outside our box and talk to people,” Frances Ortega said. “It made me want to go volunteer.”
The students said it helped expand their horizons.
“We had to get up and help the students, not knowing if you were going to get rejected,” Ruby Rios said. “Some students wanted to do the test on their own.”
Some students were more comfortable with the project than others.
“It made some people nervous,” Ortega said, “but it wasn’t a big deal for me since I [talk to people a lot] at work.”
Some seemed to enjoy giving the personality test portion the most.
“I liked the personality test since it gives you a lot of positive traits you can use for your future … [such as] job interviews,” Sharron Hives said.
Partrice Thrower also enjoyed giving the tests.
“You got to meet some students you wouldn’t otherwise,” she said. “You really got to see how people’s [personalities are].”
The students who received help also deemed the project successful.
“The students who came up and asked [if they could help] were the most sociable,” said Kujtes Nokshiqi, one of the students who attended.
Katie Hurrell, another attendee, said the students who helped her were friendly and helpful.
“Students helping students is a really cool thing,” she said.
Students said the event was “enlightening,” the personality test had accurate results and the students helping them were “attentive.”
Schrantz wanted her students to think about others.
“It is important for students to have a vision beyond themselves,” she said. “Students [should] connect with students in a unique way.”
She hoped the students would learn the personal benefits of giving back. Before they began, Schrantz gave her students the personality test first.
“Self-awareness is important in making choices that are in the best interests for them and others,” she said. “That way, they could help the other students with the test too.”
As her first time to host this event, Schrantz said she learned that her students loved to help others, and this assignment has made them want more involvement.
“I think it is natural to give. I think that it is a spark, an energy for life,” she said. “It is all about student success and ways we can support and connect with one another.”
