Native Outreach Day 2019: 3 Things Incoming Freshman Need to Know

Imagine this: you just moved into your college dormitory, said goodbye to your parents, and cannot wait to start your next four years with a new chapter in your life. High school was a breeze, so the college experience shouldn’t be too different, right?

That first-year transition becomes a time for many students to experience independence away from home. But this year of new beginnings can also be a point of stress and anxiety for many, including first-generation students from low-income families. An article from the New York Times found that as college attendance has increased for the lowest wealth group in the U.S., graduation rates do not reflect the heightened numbers. Of the economically impoverished group, only 11.8 percent of children born in the 1980s went on to pursue a bachelor’s degree. How can students today set a good example as the pressure to complete 4-year programs matters now more than ever?

My first year at Syracuse placed a weight over my shoulders as the differences between high school and college left me wishing I had done more. Native Outreach Day is set for Friday, November 1. Interested high school students from Indigenous reservations across New York State will gather at SU, as many represent first-generation students from underrepresented communities. Here are three tips from my perspective that may help native students at ‘Cuse when arriving next fall.

Tip #1: Get to Know Your Advisors ASAP

College is a time where students become responsible for creating their schedules, seeking out academic opportunities and determining their educational goals from their degree programs. But this process can be challenging to navigate alone as a first-year student. Get comfortable with setting aside time to meet with faculty advisors throughout the semester to ensure a strong relationship early on. Regina Jones, the Native Student Assistant Director, provides a week-long Nya wenha Ska:nonh Orientation Program for incoming freshmen to connect with campus services at the beginning of the semester. Whether you are struggling in a class or want to put a name to a face, academic advisors provide the guidance you need can obtain by asking for help.

Tip #2: Get Involved and Explore Your Interests

With over 300 extracurricular groups on-campus, student organizations at SU may seem overwhelming to some first-year students. Club programs consist of academic, political, cultural and recreational interests - and there really is a club for everything. OrgSync is a useful tool that allows students to find an organization that targets their curiosity and lets them do some research before the big ‘Student Involvement Fair’ event. Secondly, discover what organizations work for you. If a program seems to be doing more harm than good for your growth, recognize when to remove these stressors from your schedule. Current native students at SU are involved with various sports clubs, radio stations like WERW, cultural programs like Indigenous Beading Club, and student-run newspapers like the Daily Orange. Get out there and find what speaks to you!

Tip #3: Recognize You Are Not Alone

It can be easy to lose sight of what is important when a student lacks a personal support system at SU. One piece of advice I would give first-year students who may struggle with the shift from high school to college would be to understand you are not the only one feeling this way. The higher course-load, vast social environment, and separation from native families once at these 4-year institutions are not always smooth transitions: and it is perfectly normal to feel overwhelmed. The Iokerihonnieni:ni Mentoring Program pairs incoming freshmen with juniors and seniors engaged in similar areas of study as a source of support for native students. The program provided a safe space for me to express the struggles I faced during my first year. Incoming freshmen alike can benefit greatly from talking to someone who shares similar stories and gives relevant advice.

A recent statistic from Partnership with Native Americans found that only “17 percent of Native American students are given the opportunity to continue their education after high school.” With the services provided at colleges like Syracuse University, I think we have a pretty good chance of changing those numbers in the years to come.