By:  Margaret A. Beccavin
Office Coordinator, Admissions Welcome Center

Almost every professor tells you on the first day of class to make a friend who you can rely on in case you miss class. Let’s be honest, people skip class in college all the time. I’ll say with confidence that a high majority of students don’t take their professor up on this because it feels awkward turning to the stranger sitting next to you and giving them your number.

I know this because three and a half years ago I was that nerdy and outgoing person who did turn to someone to see if they would be my “classroom buddy.” A majority of the time, I wouldn’t find someone I could rely on until the second or third person I picked to ask.

It is now my last semester of college and I noticed that in almost all of my classes, I know at least two-thirds of the students by name and probably a little bit about them.

You know who these people are? These are the students who I shared contact information with a few years ago. These are the students who wanted to succeed as much as I did. These are the students who make class interesting because they actually voice their opinion and have input on classroom discussion. These are the students who make class fun and interesting. These are the students who have helped me to succeed.