Return
to Student Advice Counseling Resources
by Lynn Vecsernyes ( evecsern@umich.edu ), Literacy, Language & Culture - 1/20/2004
"When I started the program I was the only Ph.D. student accepted that year so it was a little lonely. I actually have a cohort that is part of a larger program that I took some classes with during the first year, but beyond that, my support system has come from the outside. I found several resources listed in the fall schedule book, and I decided to check them out because I feel that when you are having difficulty you should really run all the possible avenues for help. I used the university counseling services and I think it's important that you understanding these services are a bridge to help you perhaps find something outside the university to help you build a support system. These are professional people but they do work for the university so it's important to ask them up front what kind of information they are going to be sharing with other university personnel. They certainly try to keep things confidential, but they are tied to the university."
"If you find yourself having trouble with a specific course or professor, seek out a tutor that has been successful with that course or professor. Even if it costs a few dollars it is worth it. I used a GSI (Graduate Student Assistant) from a previous class as a tutor because I knew he had experience with the professor. If you ask around, even as a new person, you can ask around and find someone who has the experience and information you need."
