Rookies
Continued from Page 5
Although the statistics are national, Wilson
says the University reflects a similar
percentage.
"We're very concerned about these
statistics and now our goal is to inform the
faculty to make them more aware," Wilson
says. "So far the faculty has been really sup
portive and is making an effort to help
students feel more comfortable with the
University."
And administrators aren't the only ones
who worry about the problem.
History Prof. Glenn May is particularly
concerned about the poor retention rate. "I
wonder if the problem is that students are
pushed into college against their will and
just aren't ready for it, or if the University
isn't succeeding in making freshmen feel
comfortable. I think it's definitely a ques
tion that needs to be raised," May says.
For the most part, freshmen comments
about college are not unique. The dorm
food tastes bad, dorm rooms are too small
and, according to Ames, "there’s never
enough quarters (for washing machines,
telephones, parking meters and vending
machines)."
One freshmen who asked not to be iden
tified, says "its a new concept drying off my
shampoo bottle after each shower and mak
ing my bed every morning because it
doubles as a desk in the afternoon."
But the biggest complaint voiced by
freshmen is the difference between study
ing for college as opposed to high school.
"There's a lot more reading and perhaps
more competition because most students at
college want to be here. In high school we
had to be there,” says Kathy Bruce, a
freshman from Portland.
But not all freshmen complain about the
work. Geo Keng Ho from Singapore thinks
the American education system is more
flexible and a lot easier than what she's us
ed to.
For Ho, the hardest thing to adjust to is
being away from her family. She estimates
she won’t see her family for another two
years because of the expense involved in
traveling to Singapore and back.
Like Ho, most new freshmen experience
loneliness at first and each has a different
way of coping. Erik Holt, of Lake Oswego,
says he handles loneliness by going on long
bike rides, while Pete lohnson of Winston
writes letters home.
Holt says the hardest thing to accept is
that "nobody really gives a damn about
you."
Still, the major problem for troubled
students is not knowing about
last tour years several programs have been
initiated at the University.
"Early Orientation and Registration Pro
gram has been very successful. Students
aren't so freaked out. They get registration
out of the way in the summer so they get
the opportunity to participate in more ac
tivities during new student week," Wilson
says.
Another program is the New Student
Host Program. This event takes place dur
ing new student week and is a series of
outings and seminars designed to
familiarize freshmen with the University
and Eugene area.
avanaoie resources, wnen
students get depressed,
become confused dbout re
quirements or feel pressured
by exams, their biggest pro
blem is not knowing where to
turn, says Andy Thompson, a
counselor at the University's
Student Health and Counsel
ing Center.
For depression, the Counsel
'You just can't expect a student who
has left everything and is constantly
experiencing something new not to
be at least a little confused'
— Shirley Wilson
mg Center is an ideal place to seek help.
But Thompson says many students are con
fused about the purpose of the Counseling
Center. "We do personal counseling, not
academic advising," Thompson says.
Because the students he sees have a varie
ty of problems, Thompson offen refers his
patients to other agencies.
For example, students with problems stu
dying or taking exams are sent to the Learn
ing Resources Center. May, as well as other
professors who teach large classes, are of
fering extra study sessions and reinforcing
that help is available.
But Wilson knows that the faculty alone
can't solve the problem. She believes that
encouraging students to get more involved
in groups is the best solution. Within the
Other ways new students can learn more
about their chosen field are through the
Peer Advising program and internships,
Wilson says.
"I can't stress enough how important it is
to get involved in a smaller group,” she
says. "It's a fact that those students who are
involved in the Creek system have the
lowest drop out rate. But the Greek system
isn't for every student. We want those
students who aren't interested in the Creek
system to find something else to get involv
ed in."
Wilson isn't the only one pushing in
volvement. Sinde Hodge, a resident assis
tant at Dyment dorm, believes freshmen
need something to identify with. Hodge,
like many other RA's, urges her residents to
take part in Ad Board, a form of dorm
government, as well as plan social activities
such as dances.
While most people agree that involve
ment is the solution, there seem to be many
theories on what the problem is, or more
specifically, what kind of students the pro
blem affects.
"It's hard to be in a new environment
away from everything that's familiar,"
Wilson says. "You just can't expect a stu
dent who has left everything and is con
stantly experiencing something new not to
be at least a little confused and insecure."
But obviously, some are more confused
than others. Thompson believes that the
size of students' home towns is a major fac
tor in determining how easily they will ad
just to college.
"It seems that students who come from
small towns will have a harder time ad
justing because they have more changes to
deal with," he says.
Besides hometown size, distance from
home could also be a contributing factor,
Hodge says. "I've noticed that freshmen
from out of state tend to be more secure
than those who are from fairly nearby
places like Portland. In state students talk
about home more and actually get to go
home more, whereas those from out of
state or even foreign countries have ac
cepted the idea that they can't go home, so
they don't think about it."
Age is another important factor in deter
mining how students will adjust to college
life, Wilson says.
"Older students are much more alienated
than those who come to college right out of
high school. It's very stressful for the stu
dent who has been away from the
<. lassroom for several years and might have
some kids, to adjust to a school situation."
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