College offers more than academic lessons
by April Ozuna

    College is a new and exciting experience for anyone, whether 18 or 81, but what you put into college is what you get out of it.

    Few people know the importance and immense benefits of student activities. Being an active participant certainly looks impressive on a college resume and opens doors when transferring to a four-year university. But it also is an enriching experience that produces fellowship among peers with common goals and interests, leadership and a dramatic impact on self-esteem.

    When students become involved in a club, they have the platform to make positive changes for the community and for themselves.

    For example, I am an officer in Phi Theta Kappa, an international honor society for two-year colleges. Although this organization promotes academic excellence, we also focus on intense community service. For the next two years, the international honors topic is the American Cancer Society. After recently losing someone dear to me to cancer, I now have a voice and an opportunity to assist in raising awareness for and educating others on cancer prevention measures.

    A host of other organizations are tailor made to fit your needs. Each campus has its own unique organizations such as Spectrum, on the NE Campus, which provides support for gay, lesbian and bi-sexual people allowing them to have a voice and be understood. I urge you to find your place in student activities today. Most clubs don't require as much effort and time as you might think.

    Each campus is made up of an incredibly diverse group of students. We have people of all ethnic and religious backgrounds, people with disabilities and people of all ages. We can learn much from one another. It is important to open yourself up and celebrate the differences in your fellow classmates, as everyone has his own special gifts and unique experiences.

    Academically, there is a sure way to be successful in college: go to class and be on time. Missing lecture time can be academically destructive. Once a person falls behind, it is almost impossible to catch up. If you don't have the motivation to attend your class, it is kind of futile to be in school. Also, it shows great disrespect to your instructors.

    Being somewhat older, I realize that it is a privilege, not a chore, to be in college. You may want to keep in mind that it is better to be in school than to be left to fend for yourself in today's job market. Learning for me has now become something that is fun. I want to take every course I can just to have knowledge on that particular subject.

    New students also should use available resources to ensure your success in class. For example, if you suffer from math anxiety/phobia, as I and at least 80 percent of the college population do, take advantage of the math labs with free tutors, video tapes and computer tutorials.

    Also, I think some us forget about our instructors. These people donÕt give us their e-mail addresses, phone numbers and office hours for no reason. They want to help you and see you become successful. I have never met an instructor who was unwilling to help me when necessary. In fact, if ever I slipped up and didn't make the grade, I can always say that it was my own fault, and not the fault of any of my instructors.

    Another important thing to remember is not to cram, but rather to front-load your semester. If you have a major paper due at the end of the semester, why not get on it now while you don't have any tests coming up for a while? Cramming leads to anxiety and usually to poor grades.

    Textbooks are another important issue. The campus bookstore is not the only source for books. Use the Internet, read the bulletin boards and network with friends. You might explore allbookstores.com. Also, don't sell your books back to the bookstore at the end of a semester, trade them with people you know or post a note on a bulletin board and sell them to other students at a fair price. You will find such a practice will make your college experience much more affordable.

    Next, if you experience financial difficulty and haven't been to the financial aid department, run there now. These experts will help you find various resources.

    Finally, take care of your body. Proper diet and exercise are crucial to your academic success. Drink lots of water and avoid soft drinks, as they can cause daytime fatigue and fuzzy short-term memory. When feeling stressed, exercise because it dramatically reduces anxiety and depression.

    Stay focused and never lose sight of your goals.