Expectations are upon you
Pre-Conception of College
Services essential for success
Analysis:
My interviewee, who will be named Natalie, revealed her background in her community, her parents, and the steps she took when looking for colleges. Like my voice, college wasn't the normal path after graduation. She went to an inner city high school, where the graduation rate was very low. She got motivation from her parents, who never went to college, and her older sister who was the first in their family to go. For the people in her community, family members, are thought of as exceptions. They have broken through a line of access and are given encouragement through the church, her family, and her friends. She does admit, she finds it harder to relate to her friends and vice versa. They do not understand the kinds of commitments she has made and the first couple of weeks were hard because she became homesick. Once, she started adjusting to college, she found that it was easier to stay at school and enjoys herself now.
Most of her knowledge about the college admissions process came from her older sister. Natalie was met with members of her church along with the school counselor, to help her in her process. She first decided to search regionally and would be staying in state to save on money. Next she was able to take trips and found that college she is at currently, offered a small intimate community that was friendly and teachers presented a program that was tailored to help first year students. College was a place that could change her life for the better. She understood how great of an opportunity this was to a young person. Unlike her peers now, they "do not understand how hard it really is to get here". Though her sister told Natalie about her opinions on classes, the stresses, and peer pressure, Natalie, was still confused about some of the smaller items. These ranged from financial aid help, to how she will get home for a weekend, since she did not possess a car.
Being Latino, brought barriers when her parents visited with her on college visits. Though her father knows English quite well, her mother only has an adequate grasp on the language. Some of the technical items such as financial aid, bursar bills, and the type of classes Natalie was taking, was items that were confusing even for Natalie. She said, "It would have been nice to have a translator". Not so much as to help them, but to have her parents minds at ease knowing that they were catering to the Latino population. This was not something that was met at any of her college visits. Once she got to college, orientation sessions, her R.A., and teachers were what helped the most in making the transition. The orientation sessions, focused on different parts of the university and being able to connect with a group of individuals of around 15-20. These sessions covered everything from the financial aid office to the career center. Led by R.A.'s, Natalie felt her mind at ease knowing that their were knowledgeable people who would be available 24/7. The curriculum for first year students involve the First-Year Seminar which is an orientation to the values of the university. Though it was not tough academically, Natalie felt that she made a connection with the instructor and that he presented an accessibility to be wanted to be used as a resource. When asked to define what made her successful, she came up with "a university who exposes an individual to all areas, a dorm that is friendly and open, and teachers who make time for students".
For many college students, they could not tell you the mission of the university or what they stand for; Natalie could. The difference is that the mission and values were placed throughout her orientation and classroom experience. Whether mandated by the university, or formed through a student-faculty committee, the two silos of education: students affairs and academia, must work as one. Whether it is the Director of Residence Life or the Department Chair of Mathematics, each must do their part in incorporating the mission of the university into their teachings. Failure to commit in certain areas, may have an affect on student learning, but most likely they will feel a connection to part rather than a whole.
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