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Day one ends anxiety

When alarm clocks buzzed for first-year students across campus yesterday morning, they brought the realization that classes finally had begun.

"I was anxious to finally get it started," said LSA first-year student Carrie Silver.

My roommate and I "were like stressed last night," said LSA first-year student Renee Graef. "We were really nervous about going to class."

To ease the first-day tension, many new students made sure to find the locations of all their classes a few days before the term begins.

ADRIANA YUGOVICH/Daily Students wait in line for books at Shaman Drum Bookshop yesterday.

"I looked for them ahead of time, which helped a lot." said LSA first-year student Faith Roof. "I just wish there were more signs to point you were to go."

Once at class, many students said they felt the first day went as well as could be expected.

"It was really a comfortable experience," said LSA first-year student Linnaea Eberts. "I wasn't overwhelmed by the large class size."

But the first day of classes didn't completely pass without a hitch.

"Ten minutes wasn't enough between classes. I was sitting in Great Books (class) waiting for it to end because I had to go to Dennison and run up six flights of stairs." Graef said. "I was late for my class."

ADRIANA YUGOVICH/Daily Education first-year student Erin Combs tries to find her way around campus yesterday.

For some students, the initial shock of a larger workload gave them a quick and painful reminder that they are not in high school anymore.

"The classwork is harder - a lot harder." Graef said.

But quite a few students expressed a general level of satisfaction with their first experience in large lecture halls with college professors.

"I felt that it would be easy to talk to (my professor)." Roof said. "I like being able to walk out of the big lectures whenever I want, but still have the smaller discussions available."

For those students who do feel intimidated by talking with their professors, the Office of New Student Programs offers The University Mentorship Program.

Designed as a place for first-year students to interact with people in their chosen career field, the Mentorship Program offers students a support group where they can receive first-hand experience from older students.

"It's a support group for first-year students," said University Mentorship Program assistant Jennifer Kushnir. "We try to match every incoming student who fills out an application with a group in their career interest."

After filling out an application, incoming students are placed into groups of up to four and are put into contact with a mentor, who watches over them during the year.

Group activities involve getting together for dinner, attending cultural and sporting events and discovering academic and career opportunities.

"It's a easier way to feel comfortable by speaking with a peer on your own level." said LSA senior Ifty Ahmad.

Another event for first-year students sponsored by the Office of New Student Programs is Festifall '98.

Held this Friday on the Diag from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Festifall offers new students interested in joining University clubs and organizations a chance to meet with representatives from about 300 student organizations.

09-09-98