Students adjusting to college workload

MANKATO, Minn. (KEYC) - The third week of college classes has started for most students in the Mankato area, and students are starting to enter the meat of their classes.

“It’s going great. There’s a lot more programming and computer work, which was highly anticipated and very exciting,Ashley Fleischer said.

“Classes are starting to hit. We’re doing stuff in them. The professors are super encouraging, they’re super supportive and classmates are always such a joy to work with,” Mia Taylor said.

While workloads are getting heavy, the students are finding things they enjoy.

“My favorite things, I think actually, have been getting a good lab study group, because when you have a good group, it can make or break a class if you have good group for projects,” Abbi Richards said.

“My favorite thing so far is the actual hands-on machining. I love to learn by hands-on -- doing the work. But then in the background, we’ve been doing a lot of computer work, and that’s been really fun, too,” Sean Wilson said.

And some are getting used to more than just school adjustments.

“Surprises, I would say, is the culture shock for me personally, like I said, it’s closer knit. But specifically in the school, it’s just like the way things are run differently. But challenges, I guess, would just be waking up early,” RJ Valdes said.

“Now I think about it, time management would be the real, real challenge, but once you get a plan going, and if you can get a good rhythm going, it’s becomes a lot easier,” Rob Ferenchik said.

But overall, it’s been a good time, and students aren’t pulling all-nighters yet.

“I’ve been having a really good year here, actually. Same experience as a lot of other people I’ve talked to, that the instructors are really helpful and staff is really helpful to try to help you succeed in any way they can,” Richards said.

Happy studying to students as they work on completing their fall semester and onward.

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