By Kourtney Pollard
The Scene staff
Graduation is quickly approaching at Forest Park, and that means some students will be starting new chapters of their lives.
Several faculty and staff members recently shared their wisdom for students who plan to transfer to four-year institutions.
Counselor and associate professor Reginald Johnson suggests doing plenty of research before picking a college or university.
“Visit that university, take a guided tour and get familiar with the campus,” he said. “Get familiar with the curriculum and make sure it’s a good fit for you.
“Not all campuses or universities are going to give you what you need.”
Johnson has first-hand experience. He enrolled at University of Missouri-St Louis to save money. It’s a state school, and tuition is lower than at many private institutions.
But Johnson quickly discovered that he wasn’t happy at UMSL, so he transferred to Lindenwood University.
“It was a private school, and the tuition was more expensive,” he said. “But I was much happier.”
Johnson understands why graduates might be a little nervous about moving on.
“The (university) will be a new environment,” he said. “There will be a new curriculum. Students will be moving to the next level. But the skills they developed at Forest Park will work at a four-year college.”
Mariah Richardson, an adjunct faculty member in mass communications, suggests students get to know their advisers at universities.
She could have saved valuable time if she had done this in college.
“I found out after two years I could take classes toward my degree, as opposed to taking general courses,” she said.
Richardson also encourages students to reach out for help if they are struggling with courses.
“Hang in there,” she said. “Talk to your professor if you are falling behind. They are not like high-school teachers, and they won’t check on you.”
Vice President of Student Affairs Thomas Walker warns against partying too much and losing sight of academic goals.
“For those students living on campus, they need to be careful about how they balance their social life with academics,” he said. “I say that from personal experience. I didn’t balance it very well.
There’s always going to be time for party life.”
Walker also recommends getting involved with organizations on campus.
“There are a lot of fraternities out there for students, (as well as) women’s sororities,” he said. “There are some that are profession-related.”
Vice President for Academic Affairs Tracy Hall advises students to remember what they have been taught at Forest Park.
“The academic rigor, the papers, the instructors making sure you are turning assignments in on time and being (in class) on time are all the same sorts of things you are going to see when you transfer.,” she said. “It’s no different.”
Walker had one more piece of advice:
“Enjoy college life,” he said. “It’s the most fun you’ll ever have in your life without having any money.”