Making the transition from high school to college is an exciting and often stressful time for any student.
While some may even feel alone in the transitional phase, many programs are available to help students become comfortable with their new environment. University Housing jumped on board to help students adjust by opening the Student Success Center on Sept. 2.
The center strives to help students with anything they need help with — from offering tutoring and workshops, to building a community of students to support each other throughout the college years.
“The purpose is to continue to support students with the needs that they face,” said Colton Bjerke, the student success and retention coordinator. “Whether that be one-on-one tutoring, a place for groups to come in and study, or to talk to a staff member like myself or an Academic Peer Mentor so that we can connect them to other resources on campus, it’s really to support students with whatever they need.”
The facility is located in the basement of the Wallace Residence Center, but is open to all students regardless living situation — residence hall, Greek and even off-campus students are encouraged to make use of the center.
The center is funded by University Housing, and since it’s opening earlier this month, it has served more than 125 students. Bjerke said although the center is currently only one room, a second classroom is being converted in the basement to expand the center.
Victoria Slichter, area assistant for the student success center, said students are welcome to drop in anytime to ask questions they may have.
“If we can’t answer those questions, we can point them to different resources on campus,” she said.
Slichter said tutors are available through the Academic Support Access Program, and tutors are based on individual academic subjects. Generally, the center has one tutor available per night. Academic Peer Mentors are available to help students with a wide range of needs, such as time management and study skills.
The center also holds two workshops a week that cover a wide variety of topics — from academic goal setting to information about study abroad programs, and even research tips. Academic Peer Mentors or university faculty members teach the workshops. The hour-long workshops occur at 7 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday. Financial counseling is also available each week for one hour or by appointment.
Other than the workshops and tutoring, the center is open Sunday through Thursday from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. During the 8-hour frame, students can use the conference room for individual or group studying, and no reservation is necessary.
Bjerke said he wants students to, above all else, feel comfortable enough to come down to ask for help in whatever areas they are struggling with. He said the goal of the center is to be a centralized location that all students can utilize.
Slichter said while the center’s services are aimed at mostly first-year students, all students are encouraged to use the resources there.
“I think students should use the Success Center because it’s a great place to study,” Slichter said. “I think it can be really hard to study in your room. Just to get out of your room is a great opportunity.”
Kelsey Stevenson can be reached at [email protected]