Newspapers / Elizabeth City State University … / Sept. 1, 2009, edition 1 / Page 2
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2 THE COMPASS - FALL 2009 AROUNDTHE CAMPUS ^ Editorial By: Brittnee Exum Beginning college means readying oneself tor intellectual and personal growth. It provides the foundation by which one gains independence, expands social horizons, and establishes future goals. Adjusting is the greatest challenge during Ireshman year Therefore, it is normal tor students to catch the freshman blues. Symptoms include, but ai-e not hmited to, confusion, mild uneasiness, brief sejjaration anxiety, and apprehension of the unknown. Homesickness is most common among freshmen and is a temporary condition. Kev concepts to establish earlv in college are a solid work-ethic and positive work-habits. For instance, during the tirst week of school, freshmen students normally leave their dorms 10-15 minutes prior to class time in order to make sure they arrive on time. As the w'eeks progress, the time freshmen students leave their dorms to go to class decreases, and they are either late or just barelv beating the sound ot the Viking Clock Tower. As a treshman, it is necessary to start strong and maintain a solid w'ork ethic. Disciplining yourselt now will produce lifelong advantages. In addition, know that professors and academic advisors are VIP: Very Important People. Be sure to visit your teachers and ad\ isors frequently during their otfice hours. They play a major role in vour college career and the direction of your future. Do not wait until midterm to ask for help trom vour protessors. Seek tutoring at the initial moment you strviggle with comprehension.Tutoring services are pro\ided tree ot charge in Moore Hall. Piu'thermore, do not wait until vour senior year to make sure all of your major requirements have been completed. Be fully knowledgeable about your credit hours and course curriculum requirements. Although vou have assistance, it is ultimately your responsibility to remain on top of your game. A vast majority of incoming freshmen are undecided about their majors. Do not fret it you do not know exactly what you want to do in life. Many students who have declared a major will change it before thev reach their senior year Take time to explore your strengths, weaknesses, likes, and dislikes. Join dilferent clubs and organizations to get a feel tor what you enjoy doing. Take advantage of the opportunities around you to discover your niche. Furthermore, this will allow you meet new people. Nonetheless, establish a balance between your social life and your academics. A common mvth is that there is absolutely nothing to do in Elizabeth City; however, manv individuals find themselves getting into many different things in Elizabeth City. Strive to be productive in all that you do. Peer pressure is at an all time high in college. Often others will try to inlluence you to do things that are against your will. Remember that it is okay to be ditterent. Make your own decisions. Often people automatically place others into categories. When someone is unable to label vou, they get uncomfortable and try to seek control over the situation. Be careful not to make that your problem. Be mindful ot your choice ot triends. Some students carry and expand their high school mentalities in college. Be wary of indi\iduals who lack goals and keep drama. Watch your reputation on campus and w hat you say to others. One false move can hinder vour years in college and your life. Mistakes are inevitable. So, recognize mishaps and move forward. You’ll never have enough monev in college. Watch how you spend your refund check if you aet one. Between shopping in Virginia and frequent trips oft campus, it is almost effortless to spend your money. Avoid credit cards; they are a quick method to establish debt. Remain mentally focused and maintain yovir physical health. The infamous treshman IS lbs or more will sneak up on you. Eat balanced meals in the cafe and utilize the Wellness Center. Most importantly, enjoy vour freshman year and make the most out ot your college experience. Welcome to Elizabeth City State University Vikings! DEAN’S ADVICE Bj: Michael L. Dew A new class of freshmen have arrived, ready to start their stint at Elizabeth City State Uni versity. Most students have little or no idea about what to expect from their college ex perience. In addition, many students are unsure about how the university works. With this in mind Dr. Murel Jones, Dean of the School ot Arts And Humanities, took time over the summer to discuss with this reporter some of the things that will be helpful for freshmen in particular and ECSU students in general. This piece contains Dr. Jones’ hints and jewels of advice. Chancellor Willie J. Gilchrist is known tor advocating an “open-door policy” to assist stu dents with whatever concerns they may have. However, this policy may lead to an overflow of issues and put a halt on having them re solved. Rule of thumb: Learn to follow the chain of command when attempting to resolve an issue. Dr. Jones says that a more effective way of resolving issues, especially those academic in nature, is to address them at the departmen tal level. Make arrangements to confer with a teacher or advisor when presented with specific and vexing problems, such as grades, (one of the primary concerns that most stu dents have). By doing this, students allow those closest to the problem to play a more direct part in resolving the issue. This method has proven over time to be more effective. In some cases students may be unsure of what is expected from them in a specific course. This may cause a great deal of confu sion in times where an instructor expects cer tain goals to be reached by the end of a course. Dr. Jones says taking a proactive approach consists of readingand imderstanding what an instructor has on his or her syllabus. This will prevent confrontations and unnecessary trips to the Dean’s office. Dr. Jones adds that most students concerns reference syllabus guide lines. Common areas of concern are grading scales, attendance policies, assignment sched ules, and other course expectations spelled out in the syllabus. “Get it in Writing.” When a case arises in which a student feels misinformed on an is sue over course or graduation requirements, Jones’s advice is the best there is. Having something in writing is helpful when students, especially freshmen, are dealing with a new environment and new personnel. Dr. Jones says that a key step here should be for students to take good notes and keep a record of their interactions with professors and other university officials it necessary. Dr. Jones encourages all freshmen to keep accu rate and up to date records, of all transactions done with the University as soon as you come to campus. “Education is a very serious matter and as teachers we want to add values to our stu dents from the day that they come until the time that they leave.” says Dr. Jones. “1 have an interest in seeing people succeed, so it is im portant to inform them [about die things] they need to do so.” Elizabeth City ECSU State University 1 □ ■ 1 I 1 mmmMM w w M A N R U F P R P F T L R Q V R A M L R A N V J G J K A S L Y B W F K F N X L I L E A R N I N G B C P E R J c P S B S I A W A M S E A 0 N F N 0 I W I L T H H I V Y U V 7 V D I L P B L N 0 H E R I Q N F 0 D N z I I 7 X J S N D Q G C E G N G P Q I K I N E s T H E I I c H T N H B U K Q I N P B R A U P I P V L B U G L V H S D 0 R B 0 L I Q A F I I D P R I I H N G I R L N H K T H G L Q D D I E H G Q Q 0 D Y E H Q L E W I I D U I C Y V H R H R I R S Y N W N s H F D A S T V R T M E I B E A C Z J I L T 0 M L c U B E E E I A R T S W V V I V P Y H M u R R P Y M W I D W G F I I 0 I I 0 L V s E W E A 0 N E X I A A R N N D E N U E s S T A R R R K J Y N W K G G E Q W 2 N I X V T J Y N J H I Q G Y P 0 0 D L V W 0 N L L H S A C W Q R W J J I J 0 V I N F Q W 0 R E A M S L 0 z 0 X
Elizabeth City State University Student Newspaper
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Sept. 1, 2009, edition 1
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