As the importance of having a college degree increases, it seems that the work, level of organization and time needed to acquire one does too.
Of course, this comes as no surprise to the multitudes of incoming freshman and members of the largest first-year class ever who are returning to UNM for their second year.
But what those students may not know is that timing is essential in taking advantage of the programs and offices UNM has available to them so they can graduate on time and get the most out of their college experience.
Tracking success
Mark Chisholm, director of UNM's Office of Institutional Research, helps track student retention and graduation rates - figures that indicate the success or failure of the University's efforts to guide students through the college process.
"Our data shows that students who succeed academically in their first year and return for a third semester are much more likely to complete their college degrees," Chisholm said.
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According to data provided by Chisholm's office, 42.6 percent of the full-time students who started at UNM in 1996 had earned their degrees by 2002.
The six-year mark is the category reported to the Department of Education by all colleges and universities.
Every year since 1999, more students who completed their first year at UNM have returned for their third semester; culminating in a 76.3 percent retention rate for full-time students starting at UNM in 2001.
First-year advantage
"In that first semester, in fact the first three weeks, the die is cast in the sense of how they will pursue their education," said Joel Nossoff, director of New Student Programs.
To Nossoff, students who get started off on the right foot and take full advantage of every opportunity given to them during their first year are more likely to earn their degrees and complete them in a timely manner.
What UNM is trying to do with New Student Programs is to give first-year students the orientation and training needed to succeed at the University now, rather than later, when the student becomes a junior or senior, Nossoff said.
The college experience
Associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Wanda Martin, UNM's largest college, said that although attaining a degree in a timely manner is important for a variety of reasons, it may not necessarily be the most important thing for students.
"A college education is in itself a destination," Martin said. "Getting one quickly isn't always the most important value. There is something to be said for taking some time to explore."
Martin said she has found that students who get involved on campus, whether it is through an on-campus job or some other outlet, are the ones who are most likely to connect with UNM and succeed at the university level.
Help for all
Rosalie Otero, director of UNM's Honors Program, said that all UNM students can apply the lessons learned by her students such as meeting regularly with advisers and faculty.
Networking with faculty members, advisers and peers can help all students learn important guidelines in a timely manner. She also said that knowing your major's curriculum requirements can help anyone find the path of least resistance to his or her degree.
Deborah Baness, program manager for UNM Special Programs, said her office has a variety of programs to help just about any student navigate through college.
"The idea is to take away all of the traditional barriers of when a student wants to drop out," Baness said.
Although Special Programs only serves about 5 percent of UNM students, Baness said those students definitely benefit from their interaction with each program.
