Students Speak

"Upon first coming to UW-Eau Claire, I felt overwhelmed. Being a member of TRIO has really helped me adjust and make the transition from a small-town girl to a university student. Thanks to Student Support Services, I am aware of all the campus has to offer me. I know where to go if I need career advice or how I can get help to figure out what classes I should take for my major. The staff is friendly and more than willing to help me in any way they can, or just to listen and chat. In addition, being a member of the SSS Student Advisory Board has really helped me make friends with students that are faced with the same challenges that I have (or will) deal with. The SSS program has definitely been a blessing for me."
K.L., Journalism major

"SSS has made me more involved than I would have been without this program. I have been able to attend forums, plays, and workshops. SSS has been a valuable resource for me because I know all the members come from similar backgrounds and are therefore easier to relate to. Because of this, I know that if I have a question about something, one of my peers has probably been through a similar situation and will be able to help me out. The SSS staff has also been a very helpful tool. They are constantly informing us of upcoming happenings on campus and they encourage us to get involved."
C.G., Criminal Justice major

"SSS has had a positive impact on my education. The services provided made for an easy transition into college life and gave special insight into requirements that made me more at ease as a first-year student. For example, I took advantage of a workshop about class registration offered by the TRIO staff. The workshop provided tips on how to plan a schedule and best navigate the registration system. I have also taken advantage of workshops to enhance my resume as I prepare for potential jobs and internships. I have further benefited from TRIO's commitment to make admission tickets available to fine arts activities on campus, such as concerts, plays, and speakers. This unique exchange allows students who otherwise would not be able to afford such events to experience what the campus has to offer. I am pleased by the services provided by TRIO and plan to take advantage of them throughout the remainder of my college career."
K.N., English Education major

"Becoming adjusted to university life didn't just come naturally to me, and Student Support Services has made my first two years at UWEC more secure. I have attended various workshops, including those on financial management, class scheduling, scholarship searching, resume writing, and job interviewing. These experiences provided me with invaluable skills, but even more importantly, they motivated me to continue being a productive student. They also taught me the importance of taking responsibility for my life and for my future. The educational opportunities presented by Student Support Services have guided me in fine-tuning my priorities."
J.O., Art major

"Before I came to college, I was scared about not being able to succeed. Being the first child of my family to attend college, I did not get much help from my parents to prepare for college, nor did I know what to expect. When I began classes, SSS helped me right from the start by inviting me to their informational welcome session, which connected me with various resources around campus. To enhance my leadership skills, I was given the opportunity to be on the Student Support Services Advisory Board. SSS has helped me make sure that I will be a successful student by providing workshops in time management, internships, financial planning, study skills, and test preparation. Lastly, SSS has given me the greatest experience as a first-year student by providing me with tickets to various activities around campus. This program has helped me to take charge of my life and to believe in myself."
C.Y., Accounting major

"Through SSS, I have been able to participate in many school activities that I wouldn't normally go to such as the forum with Ralph Nader and the viewing of The Producers at the Orpheum Theatre. I have been fortunate to be able to participate in the mentoring program and further my leadership skills while making some new friends on campus. I have also attended some workshops that have enhanced my knowledge about how I will pay for college and when I will be able to graduate. I have recently started thinking about graduate school, and these workshops have been very helpful in determining what careers I will be able to have and what great things I am capable of accomplishing."
C.D., Biology and Spanish major

"I have benefited from SSS in many ways throughout my three years here at Eau Claire. Before I came to college, I had no idea what to expect. My parents never went to college, so they couldn't really answer my questions. Through the different programs put on by SSS, I was able to get a little better understanding of what college was all about and meet some new people. In my sophomore and junior year, I was able to use SSS as a way to polish my leadership skills. I was a mentor as well as an Advisory Board member. I was also able to use the Forum/Artist Series tickets to broaden my college experience even further. As a senior, I will continue to be a part of SSS."
T.L., Nursing major

"As a first-generation college student, I have taken advantage of the workshops, career counseling services, and cultural enrichment opportunities that Student Support Services has offered. I have received guidance through workshops to assist me with finding and applying for financial aid which has made it possible for me to continue my education. During the Fall 2004 semester, I was provided training on where to locate graduate schools that meet my educational and future employment interests and what the application process entails. By providing me with tickets, I am able to attend cultural and social events, such as Civil Rights speakers, ballets, and plays performed on campus that I would not be able to afford without their assistance. Student Support Services has provided me with a place to turn when I have questions or concerns that do not pertain to the average, traditional-age college student. Student Support Services has helped to make attending the university an enjoyable and rewarding experience by helping me to acclimate to and encouraging me to participate in the campus culture."
R.B., Social Work major