As the fall semester nears its end, tension and stress levels among students rise as deadlines rapidly approach. Understandably, many students feel overwhelmed with all of this, and could use some help ensuring that they can stay on top of things. Luckily, Washburn has plenty of staff members prepared to help with these problems.
Washburn created the Center for Student Success and Retention to support students as they go through the school year, especially those who are making the transition to college. Students can learn important information from a variety of different sources through this center.
“There are a number of study tips through the Center for Student Success website,” said Meagan Smejdir, academic advisor and member of CSSR.
One group important to the CSSR are the academic advisors. Their job is to help students decide on courses to take. The advisors are also there to answer questions students may have and can point them in the direction of certain university resources when needed.
“Washburn offers free tutoring, so if students are having a tough time or if they aren’t sure how to study for a certain subject, they can always connect to our tutors,” Smejdir said.
Another group in the CSSR is the peer educators, who are past students that do all they can to help new students grow accustomed to anything that might happen on campus.
“First of all, just being sure to practice self-care, like getting enough sleep, is important,” said Kinsey Kuttler, a peer educator with CSSR.
The CSSR also provides various skill shops, help for first-year students specifically and the success institute, which helps students coming directly from high school.
“I think it’s helpful to look and say ‘look how far we’ve come; I can make this final stretch, that sort of thing,” Kuttler said.
The CSSR isn’t the only source of aid on campus, as there are success coaches and various counseling services available to any student that needs them. In the end, getting through this final stretch of the semester might require a little help from the staff, and they’re well-equipped to provide it.
“My best advice is for students to be aware of their resources, and reach out when they need help,” Smejdir said.
Edited by Kyle Manthe and Ellie Walker