Advice from Staff

Advice from Christine Sczaraz
Prevention and Outreach Counselor

Get to Know Christine - She was a First Generation Student too!

 Get involved and build connections!

• Successful students have support networks that they can rely on, which include peers and professionals.
• Join clubs and student organizations that are in line with your personal values and professional goals.
• Look for role models, and reach out for support and advice.

Be realistic!

• College is a huge – and hugely worthwhile – undertaking, and success will likely require adjusting some priorities. For example, many first-generation college students are employed in addition to their classes, but it can be very difficult to balance academic and work responsibilities. Be aware that at Stony Brook, the expectation for students is that for every one hour in class, they will spend 2-3 hours reviewing, studying, practicing, etc – this means that if you are taking 12 credits in a semester, you have an additional 24 – 36 hours a week of academic work that needs to be done in order to get good grades. To balance these responsibilities, some students may opt to take fewer credits, while others may opt to work fewer hours – whatever you decide to prioritize, make it an informed decision and be aware of the potential consequences.
• Time management is a key skill for any college student – use something (a paper calendar or day planner, the electronic organizer on your computer, daily to do lists, etc) to track and manage your time, and to be sure that all of your responsibilities are being addressed when they need to be.