Why I Love NAU: A Student Perspective

Julius Young is a senior from San Diego, California, majoring in  Journalism, with a minor in Advertising.  

NAU has given me some of the best college and life experiences to date.  I came to the university as a track and field athlete in 2008. After running my first year, I battled a lingering hamstring injury, which ultimately forced me into making a decision of whether to continue running or to hang up my spikes. I decided that my education was far more important to me and the consensus was that I needed to direct my attention towards the initial task of my degree. After spending 2 years as a business management major, I decided that for the time the business route wasn’t for me, though I still plan on earning my master’s degree in management. I’ve always had a passion for writing and being creative, so I decided to change my major to Journalism and minor in Advertising. Upon doing so, I quickly realized that this was my calling. 

In my third year, I served as president of Black Student Union, which proved to be vital to my development as a student leader. The communication building has been pivotal to my success as a communication student. Regardless of your major, the structure and criterion of being a communications major challenges you to do more than you believe you can. This building has everything a student needs to be successful in this field. Radio station, television studio, visual and graphic design labs with the latest professional software, and photography labs are just a few of the tools at your disposal. Coming to NAU was the best decision I have ever made. The atmosphere coupled with the relationships I have formed with my peers and professors are some of the best and NAU is a rising institution that should not go overlooked.

Continuing the necessary academic and personal adjustments

Week two of the semester is underway! By now, students are getting a feel for just how challenging their course load will be.  A month away from school can cause some students to get out of their regular routines, in addition to having to adjust to a new schedule of courses. 

Here a few ways that students can make the most of their semester and continue to hone the skills necessary to be a successful student:

Determining the best time of day to study

Morning, afternoon or night? Your student will have to make this determination. Cline Library is open late (until 2 AM on Mondays – Thursdays to be exact) to accommodate those night owls, but each person knows when they are best able to process information. 

Finding an adequate study location

An adequate study location is just as important as the time of day.  A student may be able to truly study and do their homework within their residence hall rooms, while others need very quiet spaces to complete such tasks. There are study rooms in the freshmen residence halls that your son/daughter can use as well.  Hours for academic buildings vary, but that is also a suggestion for a study spot. 

Establishing a relationship with the course instructor

There’s no excuse for your student to go all semester without at least introducing themselves to each of their instructors.  It might seem intimidating at first, but establishing communication with an instructor can have lasting benefits.  Talk to your student about making an appointment with their instructor during office hours, especially if they find themselves struggling with course material.

Getting and staying organized

A planner has the potential to be a college student’s best friend! Our memories are not always reliable when it comes to assignment due dates.  Writing test dates down in a planner or organizer can help students plan accordingly and not always feel the need to cram the night before an exam.  A $10 investment now can go a long way! It might even help your student to plan out study times at the beginning of the week, based on other obligations.  

The Student Learning Centers offer other study skills resources for students.  

As always, contact Parent and Family Services with your questions and concerns.  We are here to help you help your student make the most of their experience at Northern Arizona University!

Welcome to the new semester!

Summer orientation seems like a distant memory, especially as your student begins their second semester of college!  The first time around is full of new learning experiences.  What’s even better? Your student can take those newly learned lessons about their study, sleeping, and eating habits then apply them accordingly during the spring semester.  Additionally, students have flexibility in selecting their schedules.  Maybe class at 8 AM did not work out for your student; we hope they took that into consideration when building their spring schedule of courses. 

Here are a few reminders about campus resources that your student can help your student make the most of their experience at NAU:

Tutoring and study skills workshops at the Student Learning Centers:  These opportunities are provided at no cost to students.  Study skills workshops can assist students with time management techniques, how to deal with stress, as well as how to take effective notes.  Tutoring appointments last for 45 minutes each and assistance is available for most courses.   Encourage your student to contact the Student Learning Centers as needed.

Group fitness classes at the Health and Learning Center: Meeting new people and getting in shape sounds like the perfect combination! Your student can take advantage of the various fitness courses available through Campus Recreation Services that include: yoga, zumba, kickboxing and many more.  If your student is not into the group exercise format, he/she can still use the indoor track or exercise bikes to work out.

Getting involved with a campus organization: There are over 200 student organizations on campus, so your student has to fit in somewhere! Groups range from cultural to religious to academic and everything else in between.  Students can access a list of active organizations on the Student Life website.  If none of those groups interest your student, they just need three other students to start a brand new organization.

Cheers to a great spring semester!

Crystal Nance
Parent and Family Services Coordinator
Northern Arizona University

The First Six Weeks: A Critical Time in the Life of A College Freshman

It is almost time for you and your family to come back to campus and move your student in their residence hall room.  As a parent, many thoughts may be running through your head about your student’s well-being once you are gone, if they will make friends, how they will perform in classes and a host of other things.

Living in the residence halls is just one way for your student to begin to find their niche and begin to make connections across campus.  Campus organization and community involvement are some other ways. 

Here are some tips for you to share with your student as he/she prepares for a successful career at Northern Arizona University:

Attend the first floor meeting.

This is a critical event for residents to meet each other and begin to establish relationships.  The resident assistant will go over policies and procedures and other critical information pertaining to the residential community, as well as answer any questions students may have. 

Begin to establish a schedule.

Your student already knows when they have class, but they will also have to schedule time for studying, exercising, eating, relaxation and of course, calling home! A planner is a useful tool in helping students stay organized and on track with assignments, meetings and other obligations. 

Relationships with professors are critical.

The college learning environment is much different from high school and now your student must take full responsibility for their learning.  Professors will not give constant reminders about due dates; students are expected to use the course syllabus as a guide.  Remember, professors are humans too.  Encouraging them to visit a professor during office hours could do nothing but improve their overall classroom experience.

Ask for help.

There is no need to attempt to navigate the Lumberjack life without assistance.  Faculty and staff are more than willing to assist students.  After all, our jobs do not exist without them! If your student needs tutoring, the Student Learning Centers are available.  Resident assistants are trained to work with students and direct them to proper resources and staff members in the Office of Student Life are more than willing to meet with students as well. 

The best thing you can do for your student is to continue to be supportive.  Encouraging reminders and care packages from home are just a few ways to provide that support.  If you as a parent or family member need ideas on how to support your student, Parent and Family Services is here for you.  Be sure to subscribe to The Backpack, our parent newsletter for updates about campus life.

We will see you back on campus in three weeks!

Regards,

Crystal Nance

Parent and Family Services Coordinator