By Camilla Stimpson and Kyrie Hulick, News Writers
The College Success Studies 1000 class has inspired mixed feelings from the students who take it, some believing it beneficial to their studies, some reflecting on it as a waste of time.
CLSS 1000 is one of many programs offered by the First Year Experience program to help students have a successful first year of school, but not all who took it thought it was necessary.
Kristy Duncan, a freshman music major currently enrolled in CLSS 1000, reflected positively on her experience so far, stating that the class not only helps students figure out what they want to do, but how to accomplish it as well.
“I knew already what I wanted to do,” Duncan said, “but it helped me know how to do it.”
Emma Johnston, 23, felt differently, having taken CLSS 1000 in her freshman year.
“I really liked the concept in it, it had excellent material, but there was a whole lot of busy work that was not proportionate to learning. For this class, the amount of homework you had did not help you get better,” she said.
When Johnston talks to incoming freshmen, she advises them against the class, but offers them a look at the textbook, “Becoming a Master Student,” which is what she found to be the main benefit of her experience.
“I found the book to be very helpful. It’s the amount and type of homework – it’s very fluffy homework. It took several hours to complete even though the concept of learning it wouldn’t have taken that long,” Johnston said.
Johnston explained that when she began taking the class, she and her peers thought it was a worthwhile experience. It was only later in the year that the students who would dislike the course emerged.
“When you have to turn in all your projects at the end of the class, that’s when people start hating it,” she said.
In addition to CLSS 1000, Johnston took Steven Covey’s Seven Habits for Highly Effective People class, and thought this class was much more necessary.
“If I had to do it over again, I wouldn’t have taken CLSS but I would have [only] taken Seven Habits,” she said.
Michelle Kearns, director of the Student Success and Retention Program and the First Year Experience Programs, commented as well.
“As an institution, we want to be able to meet students where they are, and provide them with resources for a successful college and university experience,” she said. “A lot of times students aren’t aware of the recourses that are available, and would use them if they knew about them.”
The CLSS 1000 class focuses on developing good study skills, note taking skills, time management skills and learning how to adjust to college.
Amy Baird, one of the professors for CLSS 1000, enjoys her class.
“I teach students how to study more effectively . . . help them feel comfortable with college, become acclimated with college and also learn the study techniques that will help them become more successful,” she said. “There might be a stereotype about the class . . . but I approach the students asking them about what they want to learn. We have a lot of fun. I really enjoy my classes.”
