THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
PAGE 30
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
ADVISING
Voice your concerns and class questions
ANNA ALLEN
aallen@kansan.com
Zirkel suggests students be vocal since the advisers don't always know what you can and cannot handle.
Figuring out what classes to take before walking down the hill can be an overwhelming, often confusing task, but idly accepting everything your adviser suggests can result in problems that waste your time and money.
"I didn't think too much about it at first, just thinking how tough the semester was going to be taking them all at the same time," Zirkel said. "I ended up dropping genetics and doing very poor in the other two classes. It dropped my GPA so low that I could not raise it back high enough to keep my scholarship," she said.
Lisa Zirkel, a recent graduate, said not voicing her concerns when she was advised to take genetics, organic chemistry and microbiology during her first semester as a Jayhawk was a big mistake.
When recent graduate Althea Schnacke's adviser made an error in where Schnacke was placed, Schnacke was able to have her class credit applied to another requirement. However, this
THURSDAY, AUGUST 16, 2012
is often not the case. Instead, students are told they are just as responsible for double-checking their class's credit.
"I recommend that incoming students find upperclassmen in their chosen major and take advantage of whatever advice they can give them in what classes to take and when." Zirkel said.
Jody Johnson, associate director of the undergraduate advising center, said that he encourages students to be involved, and aware of their plan of study.
Johnson added that keeping track of what is discussed in your advising meetings is crucial.
Johnson said students should make use of the online course catalogue and that students should also go back to advisers, have discussions and double-check their courses.
"If you are concerned, go back to where you started," Johnson said of students being confused about their study plan and schedule.
"There is not one central advising center," Johnson said. "All across campus, the schools provide advisors. Be clear of where you are assigned."
—Edited by Kelsey Cipolla
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Blogging pair aims to help collegiates cope
KELSEA ECKENROTH
editor@kansan.com
Mother and daughter bloggers Julie and Lindsey Mayfield probably have the answers to your questions about college finance, roommates, campus safety and the overall college experience.
Lindsey, a junior from Overland Park, and her mother began blogging for the U.S. News and World Report education blog, "Twice the College Advice," last summer. The Mayfields use their personal experience as a college student and parent of a college student to answer questions and give advice about college.
"It's really from the perspective of a parent sending her oldest to college and a student going to college" Julie said. "It's very much a 'this is what's worked for us' kind of blog."
Lindsey enjoys writing about how to acclimate yourself in college, such as first year things and how you can get involved and meet new people.
"My freshman year, I went through a lot of trial and error to kind of find my place at KU," she said. "I like being able to help students with that since I kind of struggled with it, and now I feel like I have it under control."
Julie writes a lot about being a parent of a college student and finding when it is appropriate for parents to intervene and when to let their student figure out things on their own.
"College is a process of letting go for parents," she said, "and it's kind of incremental."
The Mayfields write a lot of blog entries about college finance, including advice about student loan debt. They said the financial posts generate the most views and reader comments.
Keeping up with the blog while Lindsey is in Lawrence can be
"We are just kind of unique, and I am going to go through college without any debt and people really like to hear that perspective," Lindsey said.
tricky, but Lindsey and Julie make sure to blog and maintain their relationship while she's away.
"As long as we know the topic, we can work independently," Julie said. "Sometimes just deciding what we are going to write about that week is the hardest part."
"When something happens to me and I think it's funny, I'll call." Lindsey said. "We have a lot in common just together, so we are constantly talking."
Lindsey said her and her mom's relationship is "all over the board."
The Mayfields said writing the blog together is a fun mother-daughter thing for them to do while they are apart to stay in contact with each other.
"It's really a blessing that we get to do it together and in a medium that people actually read," Lindsey said.
Edited by Megan Hinman
CONTRUBITED PHOTO
Lindsey and Julie Mayfield are a mother and daughter blogging team. The Mayfields use their experiences as a college student and a parent of a college student to help other students and parents.