Troy University students flooded into Student Support Services lab Monday afternoon to attend TRIO Program’s workshop.
TRIO is a program which assists students who meet one of the three required criteria: students who are first-generation, have a documented disability, or have a low-income base.
The workshop offered students candy and treats to enjoy as they learned some useful tips to succeed during their time at Troy.
The focus of the workshop was to inform students about significant topics such as registration for spring semester classes, scheduling meetings with advisors, graduation fees and applications and student degree maps. Jade Blocker, academic advisor for the college of education, led the workshop Monday afternoon.
“TRIO is a really great program for students to get involved in,” Blocker said. “They get to go on different trips; they have the computer lab; they have different seminars like this, engaging people from the university and giving that information off to students.
“Those resources are there to help them, and it’s extremely important for students to get acclimated with those resources on campus because that can better their university experience.”
Blocker covered a variety of topics. However, she shared the few that were most important in her eyes.
“The most significant thing to remember is if you see that you have a hold, get that hold taken care of before you register for the classes that you need,” Blocker said. “I really hope students took away that their academic advisor is there to help them, and they’re not there to hurt you.
“If they have any questions, feel comfortable with going to your academic advisor.”
Alexys Frazier, a sophomore computer science major from Tuskegee, Alabama, is a first-generation college student who found the workshops extremely helpful.
“You’re going to actually learn something,” Frazier said. “Last time, we learned about building our resume, and I was doing it wrong the entire time, so if you don’t know, please come.
“You will learn a lot of things here.”
TRIO also provides opportunities for students to take trips and travel to numerous destinations, including major cities and other countries.
“It's showed me better opportunities so far,” Frazier said. “In about two weeks, I'm going to a leadership convention, so I'm excited for that.”
Kylie Blankenship, a freshman nursing major from Decatur, Alabama, is also a first-generation student who attended the workshop.
“It’s a good way to learn things that aren’t necessarily taught in class or before you get to college,” Blankenship said. “I think it’s good to know because as a freshman, specifically, you don’t really know how to do certain things.”
Blankenship shared how being a part of TRIO has impacted her life and gave a piece of advice to other first-generation students.
“I think it gives out a lot of useful resources because, being from a first-gen student family, I didn’t really know anything coming here,” Blankenship said. “Ask questions because I was nervous at first, but I asked any question I could, and it helped a lot.”
For spring semester courses, registration opens Nov. 6 at 8 a.m. for seniors and 1 p.m. for juniors. Registration opens Nov. 7 at 8 a.m. for sophomores and 1 p.m. for freshmen.
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