Lean on me

By now, new students probably feel like they’ve been on campus for months instead of two weeks. Sophomores and juniors are finally shaking off mental cobwebs of summer. Some seniors might be looking ahead to job applications or graduate school exams. Whatever your current place on your journey through IU, it’s not too late to revisit some useful advice.\nYou’ve heard it before, probably countless times the longer you’ve been here: “Go see your professors during office hours!” At the risk of sounding redundant, allow me to add to that wise chorus.\nI know there are many reasons not to heed this mantra that parents, professors, advisers and RAs keep repeating. It’s intimidating. It doesn’t win cool points to strike up enlightening conversations with experts in a field. Students might think, “How can this person who’s infinitely older possibly relate to me?” And certainly those 30 minutes could be better spent putting on make-up and fixing your hair to go flirt – excuse me, “work out” – at the SRSC.\nAs an undergrad, I concocted plenty of excuses to avoid actively the resources at my fingertips. But now that I’m on the other side of the fence, I can’t stress enough to the students in my classes: “Use me! I’m here for you!” Or as a great colleague and mentor told his students on the first day of class: “YOU are my job! You’ve paid good money for me to sit in my office and reserve time just to talk to YOU and answer any of your questions.”\nThe same message applies to all the services on this campus. From Writing Tutorial Services to culture centers to Counseling and Psychological Services, IU’s resources will help students through any and all academic, social or personal obstacles that might prevent full development and success. In my opinion, it’s foolish and detrimental to ignore them.\nYet, supportive environments demand efforts on both sides. Faculty and staff must believe firmly that students are their job – moreover, they must act like it. Simply mentioning office hours on the first day of class won’t cut it. We need to convince students we truly want to serve them rather than put on performances that make students feel they’re an inconvenience or impediment to other important work. I’ve experienced downright chilly receptions in student support offices, where staff members have acted severely put out that I’m asking for help and guidance. Students aren’t likely to benefit from all the services that could give them a competitive advantage if people begrudgingly provide such support.\nSo the next time you have a question, concern, obstacle or need, don’t forge ahead alone. Find the people on this campus eager to help you succeed. Think of the lyrics from the great singer-songwriter Bill Withers, who I believe best speaks for IU and all its resources:\n“I wanna spread the news that if it feels this good getting used / Oh you just keep on using me until you use me up.”