My LBC Experience at EMU By: Travis Jackson Jr. Learning beyond the classroom is a value that most students don’t get to experience while
in college. Eastern Michigan University has given me this great opportunity to go beyond my
comfort zone in order to better my student experience. The LBC participation that I took part in
was the University 101 class my freshman year. Coming to Ypsilanti was a different experience
for me since I am from a smaller city where there are not a lot of opportunities to better
ourselves.
This class that I took satisfied my LBC credits for this institution, and also taught me
more values about college preparation that I expected to get. I honestly did not expect to be in
this class, but it actually was a good choice considering the fact I was a freshman who needed
guidance at the time. Within this class we about various campus resources, ways to prepare
ourselves for success, and also had guest speakers from various departments on campus come in
and inform us about what is vital to the campus community. This class experience relates to my
college learning because it kept me organized and aware of what we have to offer at this great
university.
I now carry a planner to keep up with my assignments and
events that I deal with on a daily basis. I am also now able to
guide and mentor underclassmen at this university because they
need the help more than most of us upperclassmen realize. We
were in that same position at once, so helping others will improve
the campus culture and make them feel more welcome here. I
recommend that all incoming freshmen take this class for two
main reasons. The first is that you get to meet other incoming
freshman. Coming to Eastern Michigan University I only knew a
handful of people here. Within the University 101 class I was able to make a few friends in
which I still communicate with until this very day, and we are all graduating in April as well.
The second reason why it should be taken is because of the great guest speakers. I was
able to hear from and visit the snow health center on campus. If I had not taken that class I may
have never went inside the facility. Every student should visit each building at least once over
their four or five years here at Eastern Michigan University. The presentations given gave a good
insight on how to get help from staff around us because they want to see us succeed more than
we can actually believe. These skills have helped me build my resume and venture off into new
scenes in which I would never expect to be in. Overall the course helped me come outside of my
comfort zone, get better information about campus resources, and feel that I can get help when
needed. I can now graduate with a sense of belonging here forever.