As college students we hear the phrase “Use your resources,” on a regular basis, so why don’t we?
The University of Oregon is chalked full of resources. The Women’s Center, the Career Center, the Teaching and Learning Center (TLC) and the Technology Service Desk (Tech Desk), are just a few of the many available on campus. The problem is that oftentimes students don’t utilize these resources.
Technology Service Desk Coordinator, Andy Montgomery wants people to know about the free service offered to students, staff and faculty located in McKenzie Hall. The Tech Desk provides support in software maintenance, wireless help and virus removal, to name a few.
The sad part is, when asked what the most common problem brought to them by students was, Montgomery replied, “Usually it is a password reset for their account.”
Students are only using a small portion of this resource. It is important that these resources aren’t overlooked because it might ruin them for future students. If we neglect to use them, or use them to their full potential, someone down the road might decide that they are not necessary.
One reason that many resources go unnoticed could be because students don’t hear about them.
While discussing services offered at the Teaching and Learning Center, Associate Director Amy Nuetzman said, “Sometimes students haven’t heard about these resources at a specific time that seemed relevant to them.”
If a student who is acing a writing class hears about TLC’s Sky Studio writing tutoring, they would probably dismiss the idea of getting help. Come two years later, when in an upper division class, the student might need some extra help and not remember where to go.
When looking at all of the campus resources, realize that if you need help, ask. A large portion of the reason theses resources aren’t used is because students don’t want to ask for help or they don’t know that the help exists. Don’t know where to start? Get on the University of Oregon website and do a search for whatever type of support you need, whether it be academic, technological or counseling.
It is important that students start using their campus resources to their full potential because in the long run they could disappear or not be as good as they once were. The only way for them to avoid that is by promoting and encouraging students to use their resources more.
If you are already using your resources, you need to tell your peers about them and try to use different parts of them. Don’t be the student who only goes to the Tech Desk when you need a password reset.
These resources are available not simply to help with one specific need, but to make sure that students are supported in all avenues.
Everyone needs help and support at one time or another, especially in the midst of college stress. We need to ensure that the support is there for those who need it.