By: Sharday Alston, Pre-ADN Student
There’s a popular saying: “First impressions go a long way.”
That was true for me when I was considering going back to school to become a nurse.
The thought of meeting new people, starting a new experience, and embarking on a new journey can cause feelings of anxiety, nervousness, and fear. A positive first impression can help ease those fears and open doors to lifechanging experiences. Understanding the importance of making positive first impressions can also be a lifelong lesson — encouraging us to be mindful of how we treat one another.
As a career professional and single mother deciding to return to school for my Nursing degree, I felt those fears and concerns. However, that all changed when I received my first phone call from an admissions officer at University of Bridgeport.
When the phone rang, I was hesitant to answer the call. I knew it was likely someone following up after I submitted an online inquiry about the Nursing program. It became all too real, and so many feelings rushed over me. Was I nervous, or was I excited? “Is this a mistake?” I thought to myself. “Can I manage school while working full time?”
So many feelings and questions raced through my mind, but I decided to answer the call — and I am so glad that I did. The admissions officer was supportive and kind, which helped ease my overwhelming feelings. She made me feel motivated and encouraged me — addressing my concerns and educating me on how the program fits someone in my shoes. She even reviewed the program’s flexible learning options and explained the resources available to me.
After hanging up that first call, I said, “I can do this!”
The Admissions team seemed invested in my future and assured me that I had all of the support I needed as I went through the application process. In addition, having my academic advisor available for any questions and concerns helped foster a positive experience for me. He helped me plan a pathway to graduation, gave guidance on what courses I should take, and contacted me before starting classes to make sure that I was set up for success. The team also made sure I had time to address any questions about financial aid with Student Financial Services (SFS). All this support was offered in a timely manner, which was important for someone like me, who was excited to start back at school.
It was clear to me that students from all walks of life are embraced by UB’s community. UB’s faculty and staff thrive on creating a welcoming environment, which is very important — especially in the world we live in today.
“UB truly stands out from the rest”
Since joining UB as a new student, this culture has shaped all my experiences, from orientation and meeting fellow students to starting new courses and meeting professors. Showing the initiative to foster a positive environment from the first interaction made UB stand out and helped set me up for success.
The staff at UB has always been kind, informative, and supportive, which are all traits that could help make the world a better place. I always say that it is important to be kind, no matter what, because you never know what the next person is going through. A simple “hello,” “have an amazing day,” or even “I love your shoes!” could really make a difference in someone’s day. I am sure that the Admissions team had no idea how I was feeling about starting school, but their genuine kindness truly changed the trajectory of my journey. I felt encouraged, motivated and prepared after speaking with the team — they really pushed me to follow through on the next steps in the application process. The overwhelming feeling that I started with was replaced with excitement and I could not wait to start my Nursing degree.
I hold two degrees from two different universities, but my interaction with UB truly stands out from the rest.
The positive and welcoming campus culture is embedded in the values of the students, faculty, and staff, and this culture is important for our future leaders of tomorrow. My son was able to attend orientation with me and he had a great experience as well. As we were sitting, a UB student walked over and introduced himself and offered to teach him how to play chess while I completed my enrollment information. The student created a safe and welcoming learning environment, even for a 7-year-old. It was a great feeling to experience, especially as a mom.
This was his first time visiting a college campus, and I am so grateful that his first experience was a positive one. He now wants to go to college and become an artist, and he tells everyone that a student in college taught him how to play chess. First impressions truly go a long way, whether we realize or not, and I am happy that everything that I experienced so far has been genuine, professional, and memorable.
Sharday Alston is a Human Resource professional with a bachelor’s in business administration (2010) and a master’s in human resource management (2013). She is a new student at UB pursuing her associate degree in Nursing. She works with medical professionals who motivated her to pursue nursing. She enjoys traveling, building Legos with her 7-year-old son, and hanging out with her puppy, Leo.