University and College Students: The Freshman Year

by Dr. Gregory Hall
Bentley College

Throughout high school you probably heard the familiar refrain, "wait until you get to college, you'll have to do it all on your own." Well intentioned high school teachers, parents and other adult figures unintentionally reinforce the belief that college is a "solo flight" to be accomplished without help. There is a common misperception among college and university students that to need assistance is a sure sign of inadequacy. Nothing could be further from the truth! In fact, it is the wise and well-adjusted student who understands and utilizes the campus resources available.

Before we review some of the resources let's first do a reality check regarding your interactions with these sources. A campus is similar to any large organization?there is the inevitable bureaucracy, which we all have to learn to negotiate. Most likely, this will be your first independent attempt at learning how to maneuver through the policies and procedures of an institutional bureaucracy. If you master this skill now, it will pay dividends throughout your life, as another bureaucracy lurks around every corner! Here are some tips:

Familiarize yourself with the resource prior to utilizing it. Be sure you understand the scope and limitations of the service; the operational hours and the protocols for using the service. That is, can you drop-in or do you need an appointment? Do you need a referral from an advisor or faculty member? Such information can usually be found in the student handbook, on a web site, by asking an advisor or resident assistant.
Unless prohibited or impossible, conduct your business in person. Be courteous, pleasant and patient. To be sure you will encounter a wide range of personalities from very friendly and respectful to rude and dismissive. Your personality should always be professional.
Do not wait until the last minute to seek assistance! Your procrastination will not result in a service provider going into "crisis mode" to bail you out. Rather, your procrastination will be seen as a sign that the issue is of little importance to you.
If you make an appointment, show up on-time. If for some serious unforeseen circumstance you cannot keep an appointment, contact the office with as much notice as possible to cancel or reschedule your meeting.
If there are things you need to do to prepare for an appointment or items you are instructed to bring to the meeting, write it down in your day planner or electronic organizer.
Know the name of the person assisting you. If this person has been of help, send them a note or an email thanking them. If the person has gone above and beyond normal service send a note or an email to their supervisor recognizing the individual's service.
Most resource offices are least busy early in the morning. Obviously, the less busy an office is the more personal attention you are likely to receive. If personal service is important to you, make the sacrifice to be there when it is least busy. This is also another good reason to avoid procrastination. Think about it, if for example, you need help with a financial aid form and you show up the day before the submission deadline, do you really expect to find a quiet office? On the contrary, the staff is likely to be stressed to the max and the lines will probably be out the door!
Advocate for yourself. If necessary, be assertive, but never aggressive. Treat the receptionist, the work study student or other front-line staff with the same respect you would accord the dean. These are the folks who can provide you with clear sailing or stop you dead in your tracks.
Lastly, negotiating any bureaucracy requires patience!

Now onto the resources found on most campuses. Remember, utilizing these resources is like adding talent to your team! The reactive student hollers for help as he or she is sinking. The proactive student seeks the expertise to build a better boat for the collegiate voyage. The choice is yours. Here are some of the typical college and university resources:

Your academic advisor can be a wonderful advocate for you. To be honest, some advisors are more knowledgeable than others and some will take a greater interest in you than others. However, one thing is certain, the best advising occurs when a relationship has been established between you and your academic advisor. The relationship building requires several meetings. This is your responsibility. Make appointments with your academic advisor early in your career. Get to know your advisor as a person and let them get to know you in the same manner. Don't expect your advisor to know everything about the campus. A good advisor will make referrals to colleagues who have more expertise on certain topics.
The library staff are usually dedicated women and men who enjoy assisting students with research. They too, are educators who desire to teach you how to use the complex and wide array of library services. Thus, don't expect that the library staff will do the searching for you. However, librarians will spend as much time as you need assisting you in the fine art of research.
The Health Center staff is there to address your emergency needs in a friendly and confidential environment. Campuses differ widely in the services offered to students. Check out your health center before you need their help. Become familiar with the services. Be sure to know your health insurance provider and identification number. One tip of particular importance to you: Don't ignore the early symptoms of illness! Prolonged absence from class can result in disaster for the semester. Most illness can be treated much more efficiently and effectively early.
The Counseling Center staff is there to facilitate your emotional and psychological health. The college years are characterized by significant personal growth, change, stress and anxiety. Many counseling centers offer educational programming, individual and group counseling. The services are confidential.
The Office of Financial Assistance tends to be a very busy place. You should be aware that this is one place where deadlines must be met or you could face serious financial repercussions. Don't blame the staff as most of the deadlines are imposed by state or federal agencies. Keep records and copies of everything you submit to the financial assistance office, banks, private loan agencies and government agencies. One tip of particular importance: Make appointments well in advance of deadline dates and ask what you should bring to the meeting.

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