As a Medill freshman, Robert Moses is already busy writing and studying. Add to his workload newscasting for WNUR-FM (89.3), playing intramural basketball and singing in his church choir, and Moses says his schedule fills up fast.
“You need some worthwhile activities besides studying to look forward to,” Moses said. “With so much free time out of class, you have to decide how to budget it properly.”
With so many activities, NU students easily could find themselves having time management issues.
But a program at the University of Idaho has students learning how to deal with college time crunches from their peers.
“Scholar Panel: Tips from Successful UI Students,” one of the school’s College Success Series seminars, allows seasoned students to answer other students’ questions and offer tips based on their own experiences.
Although NU does not have a similar program, Susan Fox, director of NU’s University Academic Advising Center, called the idea “excellent.”
The advising center, which opened in 1999, offers guidance about both curricular matters and long-term plans.
“Students are always good at advising other students,” Fox said.
Students also can learn from fellow students at The Writing Place, a peer tutoring center overseen by the NU writing program.
“We see everything from students in freshman seminars to those writing graduate school applications,” said Greg Egan, a Writing Place tutor.
“We focus on the development of ideas, articulation and how to write in a collegiate setting.”
Though no student-run sessions on other aspects of academic success are available at NU, some students said they don’t mind.
“We have peer advisers to help us,” said Communication freshman Trisha Apte. “I ask my peer adviser for advice on classes and everything else I need help with.”
Some students said they doubt the need for a student-led panel because of the caliber of student that NU attracts.
“Being at a school of this prestige, I think we already have a good concept of time management and study habits,” said Communication freshman Marc Valdez. “I don’t know how effective a panel would be.”
But other students said they thought a student panel could provide students with helpful tools to manage stress.
“It gets so stressful trying to prioritize your time,” said Weinberg freshman Rupali Sharma. “People say they need more sleep or they’re getting sick because of lack of it. (A student-run panel) would help with people’s mental state.”
