Document text
- Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Valley&State Backpage O&E Sports Archives Classifieds Faith&Beliefs Obituaries Revels September 25, 2004 New students adjust to Ashland By Bill Choy Ashland Daily Tidings Going away to college for the first time can be an exciting, yet daunting, experience. Students and family take a guided tour to acquaint themselves with the campus as life returned to the SOU campus on Friday. Photo by Andrew Mariman | Ashland Daily Tidings Southern Oregon University freshman Katelyn Stepec, 18, of Oregon City, said being away from home and moving to a new place weighed heavily on her the last few weeks. "My stomach was in a tight knot for about two weeks," she said. Stepec arrived at SOU on Wednesday and is participating in the school's living and learning orientation, which is required for all new students living in the residence halls and lets them move in before Monday's start of school Arriving at school early has made her more comfortable in her surroundings, she said. Already, Stepec has made several friends and is ready to start college life. "Everyone's been really nice and supportive," she said. "I just feel a lot more comfortable and a lot more relaxed. I can sleep better at night now." Ruth Stoddard, director of residential life at SOU, said it's vital for students' success to give them a good start and let them feel at home in their new surroundings. She said orientation is a good way to give students the tools to have a positive start and to stay and graduate from SOU. "It's important that they can build their social network," she said. "This is a way for students to feel comfortable here and get to know their surroundings better." Recent events included a residence hall orientation meetings, a barbecue, a music and open mic night, and a game of capture the flag. The university is also offering seminars on subjects such as time management and study skills, and a chance to meet with their colloquium instructors and fellow classmates. Freshman Heather Stuczynski, 18, said it makes things easier to have an idea of services and where things are before Monday's start of school. "We don't really now where everything is and it's been real good to know where you're supposed to go before school starts," she said. Stuczynski, who is from Lyons, Colo., near Boulder, said being at school early is great for someone from out of the area. "Oregon is nothing like Colorado," she said. "You have to get used to no sales taxes and not being able to pump your own gas. It helps you get used to life here." Sarah Swanson, 20, a SOU senior, and a residence hall advisor at the Greensprings residence hall, said many students ask hall advisors questions about life at the university and Ashland. It could be the best place to grab coffee, with Swanson recommending the new Starbucks next to SOU, or a good place to grab a slice of pizza at 10 at night, with the Great American Pizza Company getting Swanson's seal of approval. A good way for new students to get to know the community is to volunteer. Swanson said the residence halls have volunteer programs such as helping at an elementary school library or with a book drive. "The more active you are ... the more you feel more confident in your role in the community and as a student," she said. Greensprings residence hall advisor Melissa Spencer, 20, a junior, said she knows all too well what the freshmen are going through. Spencer arrived at school not knowing anyone coming from the small, rural Northern California town of Burney. "I came to Ashland and I was like 'Wow, this place is huge,'" she recalled. "But coming for orientation, it was a way to meet other new people and build connections. It helped me out a lot." Spencer is glad to be able to help students new to SOU. "It's nice to be the one to help them," she said. "I remember how hard it was for me, and I get to be the one they can look to for help and to be a resource." DailyTidings.com Home Page Valley&State | Backpage | O&E | Sports | Archives | Weather | Classifieds Columnists | Faith&Beliefs | Obituaries | Revels | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2004 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Click Here Site Search: .:Advertisements:. RESOURCES - Mail Tribune News - ODOT Road Cams