Free Academic Services to Help You Succeed in Your Classes

We want to remind everyone that we have free academic assistance available to all students on all campuses. Tutoring includes math and math-based science classes, as well as help with papers and speeches. Other resources include research assistance and programs for students who have specific needs.  We put many of these resources together for what we call the “College Success Zone.” It’s not an actual place, but rather a list of programs, by campus, that can help Vol State students. Visit www.volstate.edu/collegesuccess

Vol State Events this Week

Jan. 21 Spring classes start
Jan. 21 Want to Make S’More Friends? S’mores and hot chocolate, Nichols Dining B, 12:45-1:45pm
Jan. 22 The Well Table, information about student support services, free lunch, SRB second floor hallway, 10:45am-11:15am.
Jan. 23 CAB Café: Do You Wanna Build a Snowman Cookie? Nichols Dining A, 12:45-1:15pm

Student Spotlight: Tiara Harris

Tiara Harris with her supportive best friend

New student Tiara Harris, a recent high school graduate, is a true example of grit and hustle. Graduating from high school a whole semester early, she’ll be attending Vol State in the spring in Radiologic Technology. Harris has overcome adversity, from her having been adopted as an infant by her grandparents, to the serious health problems of some of her immediate family members.

Harris has a love for athletics and hopes to get involved here at Vol State, especially cheerleading. She and I also spoke about different club activities that she could get involved with, including the National Society of Leadership Success (NSLS).
-Savannah Stover

Advice for New Students by Current Students

Welcome to Vol State! A new semester is upon us and I understand the anxieties that can begin creeping in. I thought it would be helpful to hear what seasoned Vol State students suggested for ensuring the best academic experience possible.

Students I talked with consistently impressed the need to be thorough in reading your class syllabus, paying special attention to due dates, “making a schedule and (navigating) eLearn,” Vol State senior Charles Cason advises. Vol State senior Josh Lampert says, “Don’t get behind and don’t procrastinate. Keep your GPA up. Many programs require a high GPA for acceptance (for example), any medical program.” Vol State senior Julia Bazenet says, when it comes to “big assignments, do a little bit everyday rather than waiting until the last minute.”

Another frequently emphasized tip: study, study study. “You can never study too much,” advises Bazenet. Utilize the study rooms found in the campus library, she further suggests, “They’re out of your own room and away from distraction.”

The most frequent advice given was to use every campus resource afforded to you as often as you need. Build positive relationships with fellow classmates for peer support and professors and don’t be shy to go pay them a visit in their office if necessary.  That’s what they’re there for. The unified goal is for your ultimate success. Don’t go it alone. “Don’t give up, there’s good help here. You are not alone,” said Daniel Walker, Vol State graduate and now on staff as a math specialist in the learning commons.

I felt the best summary was in this succinct, humorous advice given by student Gillian Mraz: “Do your work, study, Quizlet all day every day, utilize your professor, check your friggin’ email.”

Good luck to all newly incoming and returning students alike! Let’s make this semester great!

-Savannah Stover

Tips for New Students

Hundreds of new students are kicking-off or continuing their college career this spring semester. Welcome to Vol State! Classes start the week of January 21. January 20 is a holiday. Here are a few tips for those first few days of classes:

1. Print up your schedule at home so you have it ready to go, before you get to campus. If you have a class scheduled for Livingston, CHEC, Cookeville, Springfield or Highland- those are different campuses, in different cities, not buildings. If you still don’t have a room assignment for a class, make sure it is not an online section unless that is what you intended. Online courses have a C in the course number. Contact the Division Office for that class if you have a question about location.

2. Print up a Gallatin campus map to help you get around those first few days.

The other campuses are in one building. If you have questions, ask at the front desk.

3. Give yourself extra time for traffic and parking. It may seem a bit crazy the first couple of weeks; don't worry- parking and traffic both calm down later in the semester.

4. Give yourself extra time to find classes.

5. Ask for directions or help. The faculty and staff will be happy to assist.

6. Attend all of your classes. Missing a class can put you behind. If you do have to miss a class, be sure to let the instructor know, check the course schedule, and do the assignments. Attendance during the first week is mandatory for you to receive financial aid. You won’t get a financial aid refund unless your attendance is taken.

7. Have fun and enjoy college! We have many campus events planned this year, so stay tuned to social media and the calendar on the front page of our website for details: www.volstate.edu

College Holiday Hours

All Vol State campuses will be closed from December 23 to January 1. Offices will be back open January 2. Spring semester classes start on January 21 and there is still time to apply. That can be done at any time online: www.volstate.edu/apply

If you are considering college here are some links:

TN Reconnect- tuition-free college for adults who do not have a college degree. www.volstate.edu/reconnect

We have more than 100 academic areas of study. Explore them here.

Graduate Profile: Melody Montgomery

Melody (center) with Vol State President,
Jerry Faulkner, and his wife Wanda.

Some college students explore academic majors to find out what they want to do for a career. For others, it is a calling that comes from experience, and sometimes that experience is not a positive thing.

“My life has been spent in addiction,” said Melody Montgomery of Livingston. “I’ve been in and out of jail since I was young. I quit high school in the 10^th grade. I actually took one of my GED (high school diploma) tests in jail.”

That initiative took her to Vol State at 43 years of age. She had a singular purpose: “I want to work with women who have been involved in drugs and alcohol,” she said. “I like showing people that there is hope; that there is a life beyond addiction.”

She’s already making a difference as a house manager at a Christian reentry home in Cookeville. The facility helps people in recovery come back into the community. And her work doesn’t stop there. She and her husband, Danny, share their tough experiences on the road.

“My husband found the Lord in prison and today we do prison ministry all across the Southeast.”

You would imagine, with that kind of enthusiasm for helping others, that Melody would be fond of public speaking. That wasn’t the case.

“Cindy Tallent taught my Speech class at Vol State. She pushed me way outside my comfort zone. She believed in me when I didn’t. I am not a speaker. And yet, I went to a state competition for public speech and won bronze.”

She also served as a President’s Ambassador at Vol State, a prestigious scholarship program that involves many public events.  Montgomery is considering attending Tennessee Tech for social work. She said she will miss the faculty and staff at Vol State.

“Vol State has been my home. The people at the Livingston campus have been my family. I was so nervous going in and everyone made me feel comfortable.”

Husband Danny and her son, 23-year-old Coty Ray, will watch Melody walk across the graduation stage on Saturday.