First-year experience provides extracurricular learning
By Heidi Schurman
Staff Writer

Part of the first year experience involves getting up every Thursday morning to attend a class that isn't required. Some students chose to miss out on an experience that many freshmen enjoyed.

This fall, Albion College started a new policy with the incoming first-year students. As part of the first year experience, students were required to take one of the many freshman seminars offered. In addition to classroom time, the students were expected to meet with their class on Thursday mornings at 10 a.m.

The program was created to give first-year students a small, discussion-based group where they can learn from older students. The association meeting were also used to teach first-year students skills about thinking critically, writing effectively and learning time management and study skills.

The association meetings were run by a staff mentor and a student mentor. The staff mentors ranged from the dean of students to resident hall directors. The student mentors were juniors and seniors that have leadership positions throughout campus and are involved in a variety of activities. "Being a first-year mentor is a capstone for what I have learned in the last four years and provides me with an opportunity to share my experiences in hopes that it will help them along the way," Jennifer Wells, Mentor, Ohio senior.

"I thought the program was very successful," said Andrew Dunham, head of the first year experience. In the association meetings, the mentors presented different topics each week. Many of the freshmen felt they benefited from these sessions, and many did not. Some associations used the meetings to not only teach but also to have fun. In one association, the groups did activities such as making shrinky-dinks and beaded bracelets.

Mike Wheatley, Highland freshman said, "If I had more important things to do, I wouldn't go." This is the problem that many of the groups had to deal with. Since Wednesday night can often result in late bed times, many students did not want to get up and go to the meetings.

Many students also found the meetings boring. Darcy Crain, Plymouth freshman said, "I went the first three times and stopped going after that."

In order to combat the lack of attendance to many of the meetings, the mentors provided their students with food and treats for coming. "My staff mentor made me cookies," Crain said. "I went to a meeting after that."

For next year, there may be some changes in the program. "I liked some of the subjects covered but they should only have a few meetings, not one every week," Wheatley said.

That is what Dunham is planning. Next fall, first year students can expect to meet only seven times instead of 13. The associations will also start at 11:00 a.m. to encourage student attendance.

The first year experience is currently accepting applications for anyone interested in becoming a first year mentor. For more information, contact the first year experience office.