Freshman Studies Advice from Group #18/F2000

Dr. Timothy C. Johnston, Professor

Brian Carter, PEP leader

"What I learned" & "What I Wish I had known"

PETER ROMANO

WHAT I LEARNED

         In freshman studies class I learned a great deal of important information.  I learned where all of the buildings on campus are and where everything on campus is located.  We were split into different freshman studies classes where we met new friends and had a good time.  I learned how to maximize my time and how to study with great efficiency.  Freshman studies is not only an easy class, but I learned a large amount of useful information.  It helps high school students adjust to the many differences and hardships that college has to offer.  I realized through taking this class that college is more of a way of life than a place to just take classes.


I WISH I HAD KNOWN

         Before you go to freshman studies class be ready for a lot of walking.  Freshman studies can be boring to go to at times and may start a little early but it is important to go.  Before freshman studies started I knew very little about college life, the campus or what my professors expect out of me.  I wish I knew more about the campus before freshman studies began so I would have an idea of what UTM was like. I also wish I had registered for classes before freshman studies.  I was under lots of pressure for waiting for the last moment.  If I could do things differently I would pay more attention in class.  Overall Freshman Studies is an easy class, a good class to make friends, and a very useful class.

Becca Johnson

What I Learned

In my freshman studies class I learned several things that are instrumental to my college career. Being from Martin, I thought that it wouldn’t be that influential, but I was wrong. I knew where most of the buildings were, but I learned about so many things that go on here. There are innumerable thing that you can do on this campus. I learned techniques for studying and time management. I learned about extracurricular activities such as Greek life, SGA and SAC, and all the places that you can eat at on campus. I also made many new friends that helped with the transition from high school to college. Since I don’t live in the dorm I don’t get as many chances to make friends as the non-commuters do.

Rachel Roberts

What I learned in the Freshmen Studies class is that, to make it far in college all you have to do is go to class and study hard. It is so easy to get drawn away from your studies, and go out with your friends. Over the past few weeks I have realized how "partying" can affect your grades. I have also learned that coming to freshmen studies, I got to learn the campus, and meet a lot of awesome friends that I would not have met without coming to this class. This class has taught me about time management skills. If I did not have a daily planner I would be lost. It also taught me how to study better. In high school, I really didn't have to study much, but in college it is totally different. With the skills, like how to take notes, making up rhymes to remember certain phrases, and how to manage your time wisely for study hours, my grades are improving.

Bryant Jones

What I Learned

My freshmen studies class this year was very helpful to me.  Without this class I would have been lost in several areas of my college life.  Anything and just about everything freshmen wonder about college life is to be answered in freshmen studies class.  Not only does this help you with class work and your social aspect of the college world but it’s also an easy credit earned.  I encourage all incoming freshmen to participate and pay attention to this wonderful, helpful class.

The best advice I can give to all freshmen is to always go to class.  Never skip a class unless it’s a true emergency.  Skipping class is almost like a drug, once you try it once your hooked and it’s almost like you have to go to rehabilitation to break this habit. This is one of the easiest and probably the only way to fail a class in college.  From day one make out a schedule and follow it day by day, this will help you stay organized and it will reflect in your grades.

  Most freshmen are just like me, they come to college thinking it’s just like high school and there is no way they can fail.   Believe me its nothing like it, teachers really don’t care if you pass or fail, it’s all up to you to do your work and wake up on time. Your mom won’t be there to wake you up every morning and get you off to school.  Have a social in college but don’t over do it.  Balance your study hours and your social time so one or the other doesn’t control your life.  This is the best information that I can give to all incoming freshmen; these were the things I wish I had known before I entered college.  Follow these steps and I’ll almost assure you, you’ll do well and good luck.

Steve Jones

I had the pleasure of going through Freshman Studies for a semester. It was a fun class. I learned a lot about how to manage my time, and how to study. I learned about alcohol abuse, and drug abuse. I learned about campus life and expectation. My advice is to take Freshman Studies seriously. It will help you adjust to campus life and college work load. There is a big difference between high school work load and college work load. Taking Freshman Studies seriously will help you adjust to that work load much quicker. I wish I had taken Freshman Studies more seriously coming into it. I would’ve adjusted to college work quicker. I am glad that UTM had this Freshman Studies course. It is a good course.

Monique Buchanan

I learned a lot from Freshmen studies. The most important thing that I learned was time management. Studying is not that hard, but if you don't know how to manage that time then studying can be very hard. I also learned to stay involved. The whole freshmen studies week that was stressed everyday. You have to set aside some time for yourself also so you won't be stressed out. Setting a daily schedule was very helpful. It let me organize my day so I will not try to figure things out at the last minute. I also learned that I am a visual learner. This is very crucial in college. You must evaluate how you learn best. I am very happy that they had a Freshmen studies week and class, because with out it I would be lost. I learned where my classes were and also helped me set up my schedule. So I leave all the incoming freshmen my best wishes and much success in your first year at UT Martin!

Ana Bakran

What I learned

I learned a lot of helpful things during the Freshman studies course. First time when I came to the UTM, I was totally lost. I did not even know where Paul Meek Library was. Now, after the Freshman studies course, I am still a freshman, but I do not feel like the typical freshman anymore, because I can orientate much better and I know exactly where is which Hall, who are my teachers, how to set up my schedule, how much I have to study, what I have to do and where I have to go if I need any help or have some problem. So, I feel now like I am in a very friendly place and everything has a sense so far. I would like to say thank you to Mr. Timothy C. Johnston and to my pep leader Brian Carter, for a very good time that they gave us and for all the helpful things that they taught us. They showed us a way, but it depends on us if we will continue this way to reach our goals of becoming complete freshman.

I wish I had know

I wish I had known before I began the course that Freshman studies was not the waste of time like I told my coach after the second day of the course. Now, with Freshman studies coming to a close I have realized how much this course helped me. So, my advice for the future freshmen is: Take it seriously and it will help you a lot!

Jessica McLaughlin

What I Learned

In Freshmen Studies I have learned time management skills, organizational skills, and good study habits. This course has thought me how to use my time wisely and how important it is to study at least two hours a day. We talked about places to study and places not to study. I have also learned how to plan ahead and to keep up with my schedule by keeping a day planner. This has helped me in becoming organized and being able to keep track of everything that I have to do. Another thing that I have learned through this course is that it is important to eat healthy and to exercise regularly. The highlights of this course for me were learning all about campus and meeting new people. During freshmen studies week I was able to learn my way around campus before classes began. I also enjoyed learning about all the various activities that gone on campus. Another thing I enjoyed during this course was how to get involved with different organizations. Also, during freshmen studies week I had fun being apart of all the various activities that went on. Another aspect of freshmen studies that I enjoyed was being able to meet people with the same major as me. I think the information that had the greatest impact on me was learning how to use my time wisely and why it is so important. This course made me realize that once you are behind it is hard to get caught up and that is why it is important to take good notes, keep up with your readings, and to study. Another thing that had an impact on me was being told that it was important to get involved with school life, so you can enjoy yourself as well as get a good education. The topic that changed my way of thinking the most was about time management skills. I learned it is extremely important to have time management skills, because college is about having fun, but at the same all to very important to do well so, you can have a successful future. It changed my thoughts because it made me realize how easy it is to lose track of why you are really in college.

I Wish I Had Known

The best advise I have for some who has not been through the freshmen studies course is to tell them to keep an open mind and go to class. Freshmen Studies is a pretty easy class and people end up failing it just because they do not want to go to class. To pass freshmen studies all you have to do is show up to class and put forth a little effort. Sometimes people forget that freshmen studies is a course to help them learn about the campus, as well as issues that well help make college life much easier. During freshmen studies week people complained because we had to do a lot of walking, but it is important to keep in mind that it will only pay off in the long run. Freshmen studies week prepared me for classes and aloud me to learn more about campus life. I know now that freshmen studies is a course to help freshmen adjust to their first semester at college. And that it is an easy course that basically all you have to do is show up, pay attention, and put forth effort. If I would have known this before taking the course I think I would have done less complaining.

Shelly Droke

What I Learned

In Freshman studies I learned how to understand college life. This included many different things, such as how to deal with the stress of it all, how to study properly and how to manage my time better. I met new friends in the class. If people aren't familiar with the campus then being in the class helped you find your way around campus. I liked having people I could rely on to ask questions about college. I liked the career test we took in the book. Overall I am glad I went through Freshman Studies.

I wish I had known

The best advice I can give anyone about Freshman studies week is to get PLENTY of sleep and ALWAYS wear comfortable clothes and shoes. When I say week I am referring to the week before classes start. As for the class, just make sure you are on time and participate. You will learn a lot of things that will make college life easier for you. Freshman studies will teach you where your weaknesses are in being a college student. It really opened my eyes to the reality of it all.

Kent Morris

“What I Learned" 

When I originally was supposed to participate in freshmen studies I was not to excited about the whole idea.  It helped me to adapt to collage life and the new surroundings that I would be faced with.  It showed me how to schedule blocks of time to do homework and study for tests.  We learned how to relax when you get stressed out.  We also learned not to just be a hermit and study and also do not just be a socialite.  A person has to have an equal balance of both to have a rewarding time at collage.  The highlights of the course were getting to know different people and learning about their background, interest, and career goals.  It was also fun to do things as a group of people that you have a common bond with.  One piece of information that our advisor shared with us that really opened my eyes and also motivated me was that one out of every three of us in that room would never graduate from collage.  This fact really surprised me and motivated me not to be one of those three.  

“I wish I had known”

I wish that I had been a little better prepared for the changes form high school to collage.  I would guess if I had to say that the major thing I wish I had known would be how to better manage my time.  It is very hard to do all things you want and need to do.  There are going to be many times when it will be a lot easier to go and hang out and have fun, but you have to own up to your responsibility and realize the main reason that you are at collage and that is to get a degree.  I think freshman studies helped me schedule my time to where I have time to do all the important things and still am able to have a good time.  My best piece of advice to incoming freshman is to have fun your first semester but realize and know the number one reason you are here.

Lucas Rihl Tregansin

What I learned

The Freshman Studies was very good for me. I met new people and I learned how to live and how to study in the university. I studied one year of college in Brazil, but it was very different from here. At UTM, I live on the campus, and I am interacting with the campus life all the time. The highlight of the course was to learn how to be adapted on this new life. An important information for me was how to manage my schedule properly. I am studying 17 hours per week, and I play tennis on the team. So, it is very important if I organize myself to use my time in the best way. I am a hard worker, and I consider myself a good student. I agree with all the skills and steps showed in the book and I learned in the classes. I believe the Freshman Studies did change my thoughts in a way to see college life in a rather different prospective. College experience should be taken seriously and I will work my way to make these years here in college the best years of my life.

I wish I had Known

My advice for someone before they begin the Freshman Studies course is to pay attention in all the classes and learn how to manage their time in a more efficient way. Freshman Studies will be important for his or her life. This course shows us how to succeed in college. We learned the skills to be good students and to have a good social life on campus. I wish I had known the importance of the Freshman Studies before I began the course. In Brazil we do not have a social life in the University. We just attend classes and, after that, we do not stay on campus. Freshman Studies is tremendously helpful for students and I really enjoyed it.

Riley Ward

What I learned

I learned about college more and how to study properly. I also learned all about the campus and many interesting facts about college in general. The highlights of the course were getting to meet new people and hanging out with them in class. Knowing how to study properly was the information that made an impression on me because that has helped me out a lot right now. The studying part changed my way of thinking about college. I knew I would have to study a lot but did not know it would take up all my time.

I wish I had known

To the future Freshman Studiers: Be ready to walk a lot and play lots of silly games during this time and go to the classes. This class is an easy 1-2 hour credit that is not hard at all. I wished I had known that I was going to be playing lots of silly little games constantly. If I had known this I might not have taken this course. However, I am grateful that I took this because I met a lot of new people, learned a lot,and possibly got 2 hours of credit for it.

Dekethia Buckner

What I Learned

From this Freshman Studies course I learned how to plan my day in a manner that wouldn't be overwhelming. I learned to take time out to study and to sleep because if I don't I'll lose energy. I learned that the best place for me to study is not my dorm room because there are too many disturbances.  The highlights were competing in the banner contest, watching the Dead Poet's Society, and touring the campus. The slogan "Get Involved" made an impression on me because if I hadn't, I don't believe I would have survived a full semester here at this school. The topic about drinking and driving changed my  thinking. I know a lot of people who have done this and made it home safely to their dorm rooms but you never know about the next time.

I Wish I Had Known

I would advise someone to be ready for a real class and to take advantage of all the information offered. I wish I had known that they would help me with any questions I had about the school because I didn't get the feeling that anyone wanted to help. If I would have known this, I would have got more information about my major and who I could go to as an advisor.