What's New at Preview?

by Mae Kiggins

Every year the Preview freshman orientation program helps thousands of excited, energetic and sometimes nervous students prepare for a new life at UF. This year Preview has gotten even better, thanks to UF academic advisors. Rachel Nelson, an advisor in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS), along with fellow CLAS colleagues Lynn O’Sickey, Jeff Morales, and Danae Simonsen, have created a new presentation which is now being incorporated into the regular Preview format.

Entitled “Making the Most of Your UF Degree,” this thirty minute, interactive workshop has students sharing their ideas about how to enhance their academic experience rather than solely focusing on degree requirements or preparing for medical or law school. The presentation encourages students to make intentional choices and to take advantage of curriculum flexibility when choosing electives. With the ability to apply up to 45 credit hours of AP/IB course work toward their UF degree, students have even more opportunities for exploration and enhancement. Formal options like minors or double majors and informal options like skill development, academic research, and study abroad opportunities are also discussed as possibilities for degree enhancement.

We cannot talk about Preview without mentioning the academic advisors who signed up to serve as Preview advisors this year: Sarah Eberhart, Kim Fugate, Derek Guffin, Melissa Jones, Becca Kidwell, and Martha McDonald. This is the first year that UF advisors have been given this opportunity. Here is what a few of them have to say about taking part in Preview. Sarah Eberhart, from the College of Health and Human Performance, says “Working Preview is a great way to get to know the issues/concerns of incoming freshman and to encourage them to take an active interest in their college and real world work experiences. This is such an exciting time in their lives and I just enjoy being a part of it.” Derek Guffin from the School of Business says that “The most rewarding part of being a Preview advisor is seeing the look on students’ faces after they have finished Preview and realizing that I played a small role in their successful transition. It’s a privilege to serve UF in this capacity.”

If you are interested in serving as Preview advisor next year, contact Lynn O’Sickey. Twelve-month faculty/staff who become Preview advisors are compensated with expense money, which can be used toward attendance at a professional conference, seminar, or other professional development opportunity.