By: Yade Medina
Students are often only told how difficult college will be and how hard it will be to make it in the “real world.” After years of a particular set of courses and expectations, students get handed their degrees and go off in search of a job.
With that in mind, just how appropriately tailored to a student’s future needs as a working member of society are the classes here at UWG?
Are there more specific areas of expertise that students need? How does this class of seniors feel about graduation, and how do the juniors and sophomores feel about where they are in their education?
We asked a few upperclassmen, particularly juniors and seniors from varying departments, whether that be students in the undergraduate program, or students circling around a second time for their master’s degree.

It is evident after what they had to say, that even though each program requires something different for student success, most students have come to a consensus that their needs and the optimism that they have about their futures in the current climate of work is also similar.
Each department has its own struggles and benefits for students as they pursue their degrees, for the music department it can be their class load, though for some students it can be manageable after time.
Bert Agripino, a senior in the music department discussed that even though he does not necessarily agree with how much freshmen and sophomores have to do when it comes to the number of classes they take, but he does believe that it is vital to get through to develop skills and improve.
When asked further of the struggle to complete work, he added that it can be daunting for students to have to manage private lessons, labs from different instruments and techniques, and their classes, though he reiterates how important it is as a student to get through it to understand different facets of music.
When asked about the environment and preparation the program gives to its students, Agripino noted how tight-knit and friendly the students are, and how positive it is to build relationships like that for their major specifically, “The nature of our profession is based on networking, so those connections are important.”
For the English and Education programs, it is synergy amongst their student teachers, which is not a point made for all programs, as the English educators have been the only one to voice these concerns. As more students were questioned, the issue was solved through either constructing a schedule with their professors or seeking to take their non-teaching courses at a different time.

Though, more than not students have been excited that they get to pursue this career and have been able to navigate their problems through the community the program has provided, not only with other students but with the professors!
Kate Fussell is an English Education major, and despite whatever difficulties she may have had, she has love and appreciation for the school. From going to school thinking she would have a career in STEM, she realized her love of English and came here!
She is proud of the bond she’s formed with her classmates and the staff here, and is more than excited for her future as she begins her student teaching!
Kate and other students in the program have noted that they love their professors and understand that there have been attempts to rectify issues, which they appreciate.
Many English students have applauded the synergy between professors and texts within the program as they begin their concentrations or simply graduate with the information they have.
A point of clarification I would like to add, the students do not mean to demean the school or be unappreciative, as many of them are excited to graduate with the knowledge and skills that they have learned,
Clay Fillers, a film major here at UWG, voiced his thoughts on his graduation. Stating that he has a fear of being hired, as well as how he can work on his passion projects and see them all through. `
What he said that really stuck out was that apart from all the fears and the unknowns, he was optimistic, “Pessimism kills.”
The students may have their qualms and struggles related to their individual programs, but sometimes as students, work can just be hard, courses can just conflict, and studying may be the most daunting task in the universe.
For that, some of the graduating seniors in several of these programs gave some advice that has helped them as they complete their work and pursue a future!
Anise Mines, a biology student discussed a few of her study strategies, as a graduating senior. Stating that she would highlight printed versions of the PowerPoints her professors would teach from and rewrite them!
She also expressed how much discussing what she is studying among friends and normal conversations can also help.
When it comes to the department itself, she was quite satisfied with what they provided, while being realistic in that preparation from college can only take you so far, it is not only the degree you receive, but what you intend to do with it.

WOLF Radio’s own Michael Tucker did the same, aside from being Operations Manager here at WOLF Radio is also a graduate student on his way to getting his master’s degree! When asked about his study methods, he mentioned how he learned to be aware of due dates and would move them up to help with procrastination.
Michael also talked about the environment as well as the idea of graduate school as a whole. He noted that the environment is not necessarily as “tight knit” as the music program, but they still all have connections and sometimes even share similar courses.
When it comes to grad school, he recommended it immediately, saying it was more specific than the undergraduate program, which was a subject we didn’t get to discuss much with the rest of the seniors or grad students.
Our Graduate Assistant here at WOLF Radio, Ayana talked about their experience and reflections about grad school. According to them, they would have never thought of school after their Bachelor’s, until they did. There was this feeling that they didn’t know enough, and that led them to Grad School.
With their position at WOLF Radio and Grad School almost over, they feel excited that they have had the ability to improve their knowledge in what they want to do and are excited at their future goal of working in radio.
Ayana, along with the other students have expressed a firm belief in the diversification of knowledge, and many of them believe UWG is doing their best to bring that forward. As students they are also vocal when that is not happening and are always prepared to stand up for their education.
You may recognize some names on here, but in our next check in with the seniors, you might not! It’ll be interesting to see what the rest of the graduating classes are up to!
If as a freshman reading this you feel overwhelmed, it’s a perfectly normal feeling, but after you find your flow, you’ll find a way to navigate your education that works in a way specific and comfortable to you!

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