A section of Freshman Studies 101 is being offered for freshman students who are interested in taking a class in Ellender or Long Halls as part of the residential service retention effort.
This class offers resident students a convenient location, a smaller number of students, more accessible classrooms, and more personal attention with the assignment of a graduate student to each instructor.
“I like this class because it is close and because it is all girls. I would not mind if all my classes were like that,” Eileen Marcel, government freshman from Houma, said.
According to Judy Daniels, dean of student life, this is an extension of the current Freshman Studies 101 classes that are required of all Nicholls students. Students who are first time freshman and live in the residence halls are eligible to enroll in the special section. Daniels said the courses are held in Ellender and Long Halls because they are primarily freshman residence halls.
“The resident hall environment is conducive to providing an atmosphere for study, and a good mix of academic support and personal interest,” Daniels said.
Rodney Hodges, instructor for junior division, teaches the male section of the freshman studies class that meets in the study room of Long Hall. Kristina Allemand, instructor for junior division, teaches the female section of the freshman studies class that meets in the computer lab of Ellender Hall.
According to Hodges, last fall was the first time this section of freshman studies was available to resident students. Hodges said the class now meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:30 a.m. to 11:50 a.m., which is better than the previous three hour-long Monday night class. Hodges feels the location of the classroom on the first floor of Long Hall is better because there is less noise and distractions.
“I have a well rounded group of 12 guys that are really open to discussion and, because they are all male students, we can address issues that only pertain to male students. It is a relaxed atmosphere but, at the same time, it is very academic,” Hodges said.
Hodges said the smaller number of students makes it a more relaxed atmosphere, makes it easier to keep up with his students’ academic and social progress and lets him get to know the students on a more personal level.
He said he emphasizes critical thinking, time management, note taking, current events and tries to make his students aware of the services available to them.
“Teaching this class has been an eye opening experience. It has taught me to be more personal. I wish all of our classes could be this personal,” Hodges said.
Allemand said her class follows the same format as any other freshman studies
101 class except that it is a small group of 11 girls so the class can get into deeper discussions. Allemand allows the girls to choose which health or other issues the class will cover and discuss.
“I think this section of freshman studies is a good idea because the girls are more open to discussion in this class and are more comfortable approaching me with questions,” Allemand said.
The overall objective of her class is to use the basic skills and strategies to get through college life. Allemand wants students enrolled in her class to know how to use their resources and where to go get help.
“This type of class helps the girls who reside in the resident halls form connections with other girls who live in the same resident hall. Based on the evaluations from last year, many of the girls enjoyed the class and still try to schedule classes with girls they became friends with through the class or try to study together,” Allemand said.
Daniels said enrollment for the classes initially started by randomly selecting students from the orientation sessions who paid a housing deposit for Ellender or Long Halls. However, if a first time freshman residing in a different resident hall would request to take the course, they would not be denied.
By August, a list of 25 young women and 25 young men was compiled and the students were sent letters in the mail inviting them to take the course. The majority of the students take the course for convenience and personal attention from the instructor. Twenty-five students are selected for each section in case the students need to drop the class due to a scheduling conflict.
According to Daniels, this section of freshman studies had a high academic success rate last fall: 18 out of the 20 young men and 19 out of 20 young women completed the course successfully.
“I enjoy the class because the teacher is fun and catches your attention. I am not used to having this type of class, but it is helpful because it shows students what resources are available on campus,” Troy McEntyre, culinary arts freshman from Harrisonburg, said.