Helping first-year students find their place

By Kyle Hobstetter on November 19, 2019

Starting college is one of the most exciting times in a young person’s life. It’s a chance to meet new people, experience exciting new things and start a path towards a career.

But for many, starting college can be a nerve-wracking experience because a lot of new students are on their own for the first time. 

Towson University wants to make that first year as easy as possible. The Towson University First Year Experience (FYE) advising program was created to give new students an opportunity to learn skills and make decisions essential for academic success and progress.

All new students are assigned to an FYE adviser, who may be a TU faculty member, professional academic adviser or staff member. These advisers can answer questions about curriculum, majors, special opportunities (i.e., internships, studying abroad) or general adjustment to college, including crucial time management and study skills. 

Along with advisers, first year students will meet with FYE Leaders — these are current Towson University students who have participated in the FYE advising program. FYE leaders interact with new students, and help them with any information they need.

Meet three FYE Leaders who are working to help new students adjust to Towson University. 

Kobe Highter ’22

Major: Business Administration-Entrepreneurship  
Hometown: Baltimore City, Md.

How was your experience as a student in the FYE Program? 

My experience was interesting because I knew what I was getting into with the seminars and the sessions we had to sit through, but I did not know I would actually have so much fun doing it. I did not feel as if I was working the students that I had made me feel as if I was just hanging out and chilling for hours.

How important is the FYE Program to TU? How does it help first-year students? 

The FYE program is very important for first-year students because high school was like a student growing from a guppy to a big fish in a pond and they became the largest fish in that pond. Then that fish travels to the ocean and their the smallest one there. The FYE program is that helping hand to nurture that fish or first-year student so that the students can get the information they need to grow larger. Its main goal is to make a big, new city feel like a small well-known town, so one is not overwhelmed with the nuances of Towson.

Caroline Anderson ‘22

Major: Elementary and Special Education
Hometown: Morris Plains, N.J.

What made you want to be part of the FYE Program?

I’ve always wanted to give back to the campus and help incoming students love Towson! This program fit perfectly with my schedule, so it was the perfect opportunity for me.

How did the FYE Program help you with adjusting to Towson University?  

When I was a freshman, having a mentor to help aid me as I tried to adjust to Towson was extremely helpful! Being able to have my questions about Towson answered by a mentor was much easier than having to figure everything out for myself.

John Jones ‘20

Major: Biology
Hometown: Princess Anne, Md. 

How did the FYE Program help you with adjusting to Towson University?

Most of my family are teachers, so when I told them I wanted to major in biology, they were clueless on what types of classes I should take or how many. I was fine taking five-to-seven classes in high school, so I thought the same would translate into college—besides I’m majoring in something I enjoy learning. That quickly was not the case and my FYE adviser 1) scolded me for being too stubborn and 2) offered advice on how many classes to take and when to take them. She was able to help me in the one aspect my family couldn’t.

How was your experience as a student in the FYE Program?

So being that this is my last year, and being an FYE Leader, recently I thought back to how FYE went for me. While I didn’t pay too much attention to the first session because it was a lot of review to what summer orientation was; meeting with my adviser and discussing how I wanted my four years to go was helpful. She made suggestions, checked my progress in my classes, and told me I shouldn’t be so stubborn. I keep a good relationship with her. 

Learn more about Towson University’s First Year Experience advising program.

This story is one of several related to President Kim Schatzel’s priorities for Towson University: TU Matters to Maryland, TIGER Way.