Adjusting to university life can be a challenge for new students, and even seasoned upper-classmen may sometimes find themselves overwhelmed by schoolwork or personal problems. Student Advising Service, in cooperation with Student Affairs, has been offering assistance to students in such situations since the 1970s.
The program, called the Life and Learning Workshops, is divided into six categories: adjusting to college, creative crafts, academic and study skills, health and wellness, interpersonal skills and relationships, leadership and career.
According to Sonia Cinelli, assistant director of Student Activities, the program used to feature a selective set of approximately 60 workshops per semester and has now expanded to a comprehensive set of about 120 workshops including those offered by Student Affairs and Student Advising Services independently.
"We decided to expand the comprehensive listing of all workshops," said Cinelli.
Each semester, Student Life provides seasonal workshops taught by experts from UB and the Buffalo community aimed at addressing students' academic and personal needs.
"Each semester is a new season. Certain workshops are repeated from one semester to another semester like career, writing resume and time management," Cinelli said.
According to Cinelli, though the workshops are most often attended by Resident Advisors and students registered for UB101 - who are required to attend around two workshops per semester - other students are encouraged to take advantage of the workshops.
"It is an opportunity for students to gain knowledge, explore and develop interests, and meet other people," she said.
Stefanie Sicari, a sophomore English major, said workshops offer assistance for potential problems students might run into.
"(The workshops) are helpful. If you have trouble for specific area you should go," she said.
Cara O'Donnell, a freshman psychology major, who attended a time management workshop, said while the program offered good advice, it might not be very useful in her daily life.
"It gave good tips on how to stay organized, but not everything in life can be planned for, so it almost seemed too structured for my use," said O'Donnell.
James Felder, a senior sociology major, attended the time management workshop and said though the program left something to be desired in the way of entertainment it was still useful.
"I thought the presentation was a little dry," he said. "The presentation should have more interaction between the audience members. But in general, I would recommend students attend because it is a valuable resource within the university."
Yvonna Mitchell, a freshman communication major, said though she has never been to a program and is unfamiliar with them, some of the workshops mentioned might be useful.
"I need to learn about time management because I procrastinate too much and don't leave much time for work," she said. "And I don't really know what I want to do, so I need some help finding a job that I would have fun doing, and would be good at."
According to Thom Neill, a workshop coordinator of Counseling Services, the workshop tries to cover topics that are of interest to students.
"The workshop on long distance relationship was heavily attended, it helped students to know they weren't the only ones going through these things," he said. "That applies to all of the workshops ... giving students a chance to talk about things and to know that they are not alone."
For more information about Life and Learning workshops, students can visit the Web site at http://workshops.buffalo.edu or stop into the office at 150 Student Union.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
