Photos by Leyla Knight
Manuel Pacheco
University of Arizona President
"Students need to link up with someone, other students, faculty or administrators, where they can get advice, personal help, or just learning how to get around campus. Orientation gives students that chance. During the two days of orientation, faculty, ot her students, advisors are all there. Students need to take advantage of that. Be aggressive about it and set a day to just make contacts. Choose three people. It is imperative that students do that."
Paul Sypherd
UA Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
"It seems to me that the students that get here and make it through in a timely fashion have a few things in common. Number one, they have a plan. They may change that plan over time, but they have a plan. Some students come into college, and they are not real sure what they are interested in. They sort of wander through, change their major from one college to another and before they know it, six or seven years have gone by.
"The other thing is that I think it is real important for students to get involved. Get involved with the residence hall, their sorority or fraternity, or a club that interests them or their church groups. They need to get involved.
"Students that hang out on the edge suffer all kinds of problems. First, they feel like they are on the edge. Their are no group exchanges of information. Over and over again, they get frustrated. They get disappointed, frustrated, confused.
"So, my advice is to have a plan and get involved in some aspect of campus life. And don't study alone. In microbiology study groups, we would piece things together."
Eddie Basha
Member of the Arizona Board of Regents
"Students need to familiarize themselves with the university and the programs. I think that is very important. I think students need to develop friendships that support one another, especially those (students) that come from out of state and do not have a ny established friendships. Also, I think the counseling component is very important - finding an advisor and working with that advisor. With the cost of education today, it is critical that students, especially those on limited incomes, try to determine their areas of interests so they can begin immediately to try to expedite their college experience rather than protracting it out."
Andrew Cohen
Geosciences Professor
"Try to keep up with your work. I think that is the biggest problem I see with the freshmen I teach. They don't have good work habits. When it comes time for an exam or to get a paper done, they are all in a panic. It is something that I see. It has a big effect on student performance.
"Don't be afraid to come talk to professors. They won't bite your head off. Freshmen are usually intimidated by faculty. Most of us in our department have an open door policy. What I have seen happen is that students are afraid to talk to instructors when they have a problem. By the time they do get around to it, it is too late. They have missed a lot of chances.
"They should also learn to use the Internet. More class material is going to appear on the Web. Students come in with varied experiences. Sometimes it is easier to ask questions by e-mail. Experience with the Internet is useful. Students should take summe r school or high school classes to learn it. They should take advantage of it.
"Students should also walk around and talk to people. Talk to as many people as you can. The more experience you have with that the better. The more you do it, it is easier each time."
Judith Bronstein
Associate Professor, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
"There is a sense that professors are these distant people and a massive effort must be made to talk to professors and (teaching assistants). Many students have had horrible experiences going in trying to talk to professors. But one bad experience should not characterize the image of instructors, just as students don't want to be generalized. The rest of (instructors) have to fight that negative image. We are here to give career advice and course advice. Most of us are willing to spend time talking with s tudents, at length. But students need to make the first move. Students need to get involved in their professors' research. It is an enormous opportunity. These professors are involved in their field and on the cutting edge. Participation changes the students' experience with the university. Also, students need to learn how to take notes. I've seen what students' notes look like. The best technique is to write everything down. The more detail you have, the better. Some students write down only what is written on the board or on a transparency. They write it all down and wait fo r the next transparency. Meanwhile, the instructor has been giving examples for ten minutes. At a university this size, there is a sense that you are one in a huge crowd. Students don't know what is important. They are in a moment of panic or six months o f panic. They need to make personal connections. They need to ask what is most important. Look at the amount of time spent on certain topics, the amount of passion spent on things. You can tell what is important."
Donald Myers
Mathematics Professor
"It wouldn't hurt to review high school math. There won't be a review here. They should review past math prior to the placement exam and especially if there has been a time gap. Some students have not taken math since their junior year in high school.
"Also, there is a difference in high school and college. No one here is going to chase them down. It is very tempting to skip class. They think they are getting away with something. Then they get behind. It is easy to fall into.
"Another thing is to study before class. Even if they don't understand it, it will help them when they are in class to have some idea of what will be discussed. They should then study the same material after class to get the most of the multiple exposure technique. Good study habits are the key.
"If students are going to work off-campus while in school, they need to be realistic about how much they can work. It is both mentally and physically tiring to work and go to class. Some jobs interfere more than others. Commute time also should be conside red.
"If they are having trouble in class, they should go see the instructor. They won't bite. It may look like it or seem like it. But they should meet with their instructor. (Advising) is like voting, it should be done early and often."
Acting Lt. Brian Seastone
UA Police Department
"They are not at home. They need to watch for their items. They can't just leave things sitting around. They need to lock the door in their residence hall, even if they are just going down the hall for just a second. They need to report strange activity. For many, this is the first time away from home. They don't have to check in with anybody. They are going to do things that they normally wouldn't, (like) experimentation with alcohol. They need to remember that to drink they must be 21 years of age. Thos e who are unfamiliar with alcohol don't know what their limits are. They can put themselves in a "compromising position. Plain and simple - drugs are illegal. A combination of drugs and alcohol can be deadly, and for the last five years, 100 percent of th e sexual assaults on campus, alcohol have been involved by one of the parties.
"I would encourage students to let people know where they are going. That does not mean giving a running itinerary. Telling a roommate that you are going out with Brian who you met in biology class. 'We are going to dinner and a movie, and I'll be back ar ound midnight.'
"If something happens, then we have a starting point. Instead of just, 'Well she went out,' we can always find Brian in that biology class. So introduce people or identify who you are going out with. If you decide to not come home for some reason, call wh oever you told. I would much rather a friend call me to say, 'I am having a good time and you are not. I am over at so and so's house. See you in the morning.' That is better than having a roommate wonder where you are or if something happened to you.
Also, be realistic about how much money you carry around. There are magic money machines all over the place. Go withdraw a little at a time instead of walking around with a big wad of cash. Don't bring family heirloom jewelry to school. Keep that stuff in the safe deposit box."
Amit Mehra
Psychology junior
"Freshmen should get involved with school. They should join clubs on campus. They should also not forget their goals. Their are a lot of distractions on campus. They should also live in a dorm because you get to meet a lot of different kinds of people and you know what is going on campus. You should also get to know your instructors. I have gotten along with most of my instructors."
Malcolm Compitello
Spanish and Portuguese Department Head
"Students need to keep in mind, this is the most important thing, that the environment here is so different. There are no hall passes here, and no one to check up on them to see if they have gone to class. When they come on campus, there is a sense of abs olute freedom. Students have got to fight peer pressure and go to class. At times, you get the impression that advisors and instructors are unapproachable. But you don't want to let a problem become a problem. If you have to go in to explain why you haven 't been to class in four weeks, it is a problem. Students need to develop experience and learn to fend for themselves effectively. They need to maximize their time with instructors and faculty.
"The relationship here is a lot different than high school. Everyone is not in the same place at the same time. A large percentage of students are away from home for the first time. They face pressure from the upperclassmen in the dorms. Students need to have the individuality to seek out help. Make the most of all the opportunities that are here on campus. There are resources here to help you. If you take advantage of them, you will be in a lot better position."
Edward Olszewski
Associate Professor, Astronomy Department
"The thing I have noticed about people who think they are going to be astronomy majors is they get their classes before talking to the astronomy department. First, they need to find an advisor and set up a course of study. Don't waste semesters. In the sc iences, you have to know what math to take concurrently with physics. They don't make the right choices, and suddenly, it is going to take you five years at a four year institution. One of the things we complain about at lunch about students is that they are not taking advantage of advising.
"Meet with your advisor once a semester. To be able to register by RSVP, and not needing an advisor's signature, has led to a lot of students never seeing an advisor.
"If you have your sights set on something that is beyond your ability, you want to find that out as soon as possible. In the case of astronomy majors, some people are smart and are good at many things. One of the things you are not good at is becoming an astronomer. Maybe you are really good at computing or at math. Once they get to their junior year, you get into one of these games where you make choices that are not for the best reasons. You have put all this effort into it, and all you want is to get t he degree.
"The first day on campus, you need to meet with an advisor. Make class schedule changes. Take as many classes as you can that you think are just cool. If you love art, take that for your electives. Random students have been excellent in my class, not just majors.
"Most of the woes of the administrators and regents would be solved by more students seeing their advisors. Some people think astronomy is just neat, not a quantitative science. If they would see an advisor and find out exactly what the major entails, the y would not waste their time. The odds of having to spend an extra year in college increase when students don't see their advisors."
Jonathan Schmitt
Student Regent, Arizona Board of Regents
(Via e-mail)
"My advice to freshmen is centered in two areas. First, academically: 1) Go to class, 2) Stay awake and take notes, and 3) Review your notes and otherwise study before exams. Second, socially: Rather than stay in your dorm room, wander down the hall, mee t some friends and expand your social circle. University life is an opportunity to get outside of yourself and determine what course you will follow for the rest of this life."
Barbara Schiller
Psychology Department Academic Advising Coordinator
"Peer advisors and students who have graduated have all said that students should always do their very best and get the best grade they can. Sometimes students graduate with a 2.2 grade point average and decide they want to go to grad school. That is just not going to make it anymore. People just don't try very hard dur ing their first two years in school.
"Students are also away from home for the first time. They are into partying, instead. Some were top students in high school and expect to be able to pull it off here without really studying.
"Also, students need to set goals early, such as the freshman or sophomore year. They need to build experience for where they want to go. That is applicable here in psychology. Students need to be strategic. Volunteer for agencies that counsel to get expe rience. It will give you more options if you have more experience behind you.
"Students should find a mentor. At a large university, it can seem very impersonal, so it is critical that students have a mentor. They have to get over the fear of instructors and advisers, because no one will make the first move for you. Mentors don't have to be faculty. They can be a grad student, someone in student support services, or a junior or senior in your program. Someone to encourage you when things get tough. Someone who accepts you. Timing is important because people are really busy. So some times people may not be receptive. But I know my mentor helped me get through my bachelor's."
Melissa Vito
Dean of Students
(Via e-mail)
"My advice for incoming freshmen would be to encourage them to make a connection their first year. That may be different for different students and can include joining a club, doing volunteer work, working on campus or just getting to know a faculty membe r or other staff person on campus. Making this connection will probably require that the student make the "first move" to go visit a professor during his or her office hours, or sign up for a club or stop by a cultural center. There are faculty fellows wh o have office hours in certain residence halls, fraternities and sororities, cultural resource centers, off-campus center and other locations on campus. Stop by and meet one of our faculty fellows! They are specifically interested in connecting with stude nts outside of the classroom and have made a positive difference in many students' lives.
Bottom line, though, is make a connection. All the research on student success shows that this is the most critical factor in helping students feel comfortable on campus and is succeeding here."
Saundra Taylor
Vice President for Student Affairs and Campus Life
"I would tell them one word - balance. If they could think about their freshman year in terms of academic, social life, clubs and activities, and work in terms of balance. For many, this time is a taste of freedom, a time for experimentation. If, in the b ackground, they could think, 'I am not trying to do it all.' They need to think about how to take in this environment. They need to have a balanced load."
Rhonda Wilson
Associated Students President
"If nothing else, take advantage of all the things you have available here. The time here is unique. You would never again be in a place like this. Get involved with student government, sports, clubs, religion. Find out about things and get involved.
"Also, don't stress out. Don't be afraid to try new things. Meet new people. College is not just about book knowledge. You learn a lot about the different things that are out there. You find out who you are and what you want to do in life.
"(College) is really what you make of it. It is fun when you have spirit.
"The more you go to sports and arts events, the more at home you will feel on campus. Come into college with an open mind. Expect your views and ideas to be challenged. If you have problems, don't be afraid to speak up about it. Just because you are freshmen does not mean you don't have something valuable to say."
Reporter's notebook:
My advice to students comes from my own experience as well as what I learned from all the interviews I did for this story.
First, go see your advisers as often as possible. Try to see the same person. I know some departments use graduate students as the undergraduate adviser, so the person in that position is always changing. In that case, you might want to have other adviser s such as an instructor.
Make contacts as much as you can. Instructors, classmates and staff all have something to offer. They can help you set academic and career goals. They can give you recommendations for job interviews. They can also become friends for life.
Take as many classes as you can just because you are interested in the subject. I know students who selected classes because they were "easy," rather than finding a class they wanted to learn something from. Taking all the easy classes available seems con tradictory to the learning opportunity available here. Your experience at the UA is what you make it. If you take it seriously, you will come away with more than just a degree. You will gain confidence and pride in yourself and your accomplishments.
