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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 4, 1990)
foundations help students to adjust By Erik Unger Staff Reporter Note taking. Time management. Test taking. Because many University of Vebraska-Lincoln freshmen seem to ack in these areas, the University foundations program was designed ive years ago, said a professor who teaches the course. Vernon Williams, an educational psychology professor at UNL, said the three-credit course helps fresh men students get accustomed to college. One of the ways founda tions teachers do this is to help freshmen develop their study skills. James McShane, director of the University Foundations program, said many students who come to the university don’t know how to study. Some students come here with study skills, but others don’t, he said. Williams said the troubles of study ing can be attributed to the differ ences between studying in high school and in college. “Almost everyonestudies outside of class at the universities,” Williams said Most students could get by with out studying in high school, he said. Williams said he teaches several study techniques in his class, in cluding taking notes, preparing for exams and getting the most out of reading. Williams also teaches students to concentrate by relaxing. He said he tells them to focus their attention on a restful scene in their mind. They have to concentrate hard to focus on that scene, yet it relaxes them, he said. “If they can relax well, it helps them concentrate,” Williams said. This technique also helps stu dents who have trouble retaining the information they read, Williams said. “The rest is up to the individual student,” Williams said. The University Foundations pro gram works closely with the Aca demic Success Center, directed by McShane said most students never had to manage their time in high school and are used to some one else telling them when to do something. “It is a different kind of world than they are used to,” McShane said. McShane encourages students to get help regardless of their studying problem. He also forces his students to read books, which will improve their study skills. “Foundations exists to help students survive, so later they can thrive,” McShane said. Butch Ireland/DaiiyNebraskan Nebraska Wesleyan students Laura Garcia, center, and Jennifer Beaty, right, study at Perkins, 121 N. 48th St. ^ Perkins doubles as study area By Stacey McKenzie Staff Reporter Students are digging into more than the pancake short stack at Perkins Restaurant, 121 N. 48th St. They are digging into their books. Finding the appropriate at mosphere for studying is some times difficult but according to some students, Perkins Restau rant has that atmosphere. Perkins, open 24 hours daily, is a place to get away from the atmosphere of school, said Gene Deyoe, associate manager of the restaurant. “Some students study until four or five in the morning,” he said. Deyoe, who usually works at night, said he seldom has prob lems with the students who study Monday through Thursday al though on Friday and Saturday nights, students may come in — not for studying purposes - after going to the bars and get some what rowdy. For the studier, though, cof fee seems to be the hot item at Perkins. One can get a hot pot of coffee at Perkins for $1.58. “The coffee’s a lot better than at our house,” said Jay Elfeldt, a sophomore accounting major at the University of Nebraska-Lin coln. “It’s a lot cheaper than buying it at other places and it’s easier than making it yourself.” Steve Mack, a UNL sopho more business major, said he likes to study at Perkins because he isn’t bothered by people talk ing to him. “I haven’t seen anybody I know yet, so they can’t talk to you,” he said. There are a lot of study regu lars at Perkins, said Sonny Pinzon, who has been a waiter at Perkins for eight years. "I get along with everybody," he said in reference to the stu dents. “I make everybody laugh " A lot of the laughter is due to a name tag Pinzon sports. When the name tag is flipped over, typed colorful phrases are re vealed. “Everybody asks about it,” he said. Two UNL seniors who share an apartment said they would nap instead of study if they remained in their apartment. "Our beds are a big distrac tion,” said French major Beth Read. Shelly Atlgilbers, Read’s room- 5 mate, said she doesn’t likestudy ing at places on campus, espe cially at night. "The library depresses me,” she said. "I don’t feel safe going to the library by myself to study. ” For some students, Perkins is good for group study sessions. Three UNL freshmen taking a course together said they study at Perkins because it is located near each student’s place of employment. "It (Perkins) is the only place that’s still open where you can sit down for a while,” said Misty Owens an elementary education major. The group was meeting for the second time this semester and said they would stay at Perk ins "as long as it takes to get this (classical mythology) figured out.” PRESENTS Every Thursday 75 Pitchers • 75C Draws • $1.25 Imports // \\ DJ - DANCING : UNDERGROUND ] ™ fun NO COVER! dance at the New UNDERGROUND! i Back to School I SPECIAL with this coupon I 10 TANS $22,501 ■ | 20 TANS $30.00] T A M S FA r.. • ..*| Tanning Center MONTH $32.50| 474-5355 | unlimited use | I Suite 216 - 2nd Level ••••••••••••••••••* | Gold's Galleria ,3 MONTHS $B8‘$Q.$60.00l r MANICURES by STACEY ' unlimited use ! 50% off- $6.00 !.| I HURRY! Offer expires 10/7/90 ( HURRY! -Offerexpires 10/7/90 I HURRY! LAST WEEK! | jj 5 - 8 PJVI. ONLY JL' b**^3 Tacos or 3 Softshells i for only j $1.25 ] TACO ! 'BELL. ! 245 N. 13th St. J I FREE drink refills anytime Location Only ■ Try Our Hew Chiltol Only79C] by Ken Kiewra. Kiewra, along with graduate student Rayne Sperling, teaches a foundations class and shows stu dents how to use effective learn ing skills to get better grades. Kiewra said he brings speakers into the founda tions class to help teach students to work together and practice effective learning techniques. Freshman students also need help in time management, he said, so foundations instructors "try to get the students to make school an eight-to-six job.” I-—---—