Student Mentors Provide Insider Survival Tips for TAMIU Freshmen

On Friday September 16, 2011, Texas A&M International University Student Mentors sat down with The Bridge Student Newspaper to discuss freshmen survival and provide insider tips to help them make it through their first year.  The Student Mentors were asked to provide insight on first year survival by digging into memories of their freshmen experience and share any insider tips that could benefit current freshmen as they navigate the first year of academics and college life.

Kesia Rodriguez, a graduate student, discussed that in regard to employment and school she would have liked to have been informed that "working on campus was going to make my life a little bit easier" because on campus student employment allows for the interweaving of class and work schedules.   Use of time was on the mind of Roberto Arzola, an undergraduate senior, who claimed that "time management skills are vital" in avoiding unfavorable outcomes as a result of unbalanced study and leisure.  Alex Barrera, an undergraduate junior, talked about reconsidering the fast track to graduation in favor of indulging in college life which he describes as "a short time of your life."  Although the mentors had various tips about personal life matters they also shared ideas on academic success.

In the realm of academics Rudolph Duran, an undergraduate senior, stated that students should "be concerned about classes" and "show some effort" through dedication that is recognizable to professors.   Barrera suggested that freshmen should set up introductions with their professors to "let them know that you want to do well in their class."  Other mentors provided a more personal insight.   "I wish I would have known that I didn't know it all" said Victor Flores, a graduate student, in reflection of his freshmen experience while discussing the importance of recognizing the learning opportunities presented in the college environment.  Guadalupe Osoria, an undergraduate junior, commented on her freshmen experience with respect to procrastination and urged students to avoid working on assignments at the last minute.

            These tips are a small part of the advice available through the Advising and Mentoring Center which as declared by the program mission and purpose is part of an initiative that aims to foster first year student success and promote student connections to campus services.  This is accomplished under the direction of Dr. Kristen Standage and through Student Mentors which the program describes as "exceptional" TAMIU upperclassmen and graduate students that aid first year students on the path to a prosperous year.   For additional information on surviving the freshmen year, visit the TAMIU Student Mentors at the Advising and Mentoring Center at USC 222, call 326-2886, or visit the following sites. 

http://www.tamiu.edu/amc/index.shtm

http://www.tamiu.edu/amc/faqs.shtml

http://www.tamiu.edu/amc/mission.shtml

http://www.tamiu.edu/amc/staff.shtml

Look forward to further coverage of other success resources for students at TAMIU in the near future.

(Jorge Aviles and Ignacio Banda can be reached at Javiles@dusty.tamiu.edu & Ignaciobanda@dusty.tamiu.edu)