Learning communities increasingly popular

Confronted with a foreign Storrs campus for the first time, increasing numbers of freshmen are using UConn's learning communities to get involved.

Choosing to live in a learning community places students in an atmosphere with others who share the same "interests, lifestyle or commitment to a major," according to the UConn learning communities Web site.

"They're a place where students live together and it creates a close knit community within the larger [UConn] community," said learning communities program coordinator Melissa Foreman.

Students also take a seminar course related to the type of learning community they're involved in, as well as participating in activities together outside of class.

Living and learning communities are organized based on interest, such as EcoHouse, Global House, Public Health House or by major and program, including nursing, fine arts and honors.

Living in a learning community is a way for students to "expand their college experience," Foreman said.

Sarah Stockmann, an 8th-semester elementary education major, lived in honors learning communities her freshman and sophomore years.

"I liked it, especially freshman year," Stockmann said, explaining that living in Shippee made the big UConn campus seem much smaller.

"It gives you a chance to be around people that are similar to you, and have the same interests as you," Stockmann said. "It's a great way to meet people. It makes the transition easier."

In her junior year, Stockmann did not live in an honors learning community, but instead moved to Garrigus Suites and found her living experience to be much different.

"We didn't get to know a single person on our floor," she said, explaining how in the honors learning community, many residents kept their doors propped open, quickly turning neighbors into friends.

Anne Zinn, a 4th-semester English major who works as a student administrative specialist for the learning community program, explained that students benefit from the learning communities in different ways.

For some, it can mean "meeting people with the same interests," Zinn said. For others, it can mean "meeting your best friends off the bat."

"You get what you put into it," Zinn added, explaining that students can make the most of their experience by attending the group dinners, movie nights and other activities.

Elsa Anglin, a 6th-semester animal science major, has been a part of the Global House learning community since her first semester. She said the learning communities can be especially beneficial "if you do take advantage of ways to get involved."

Global House, which connects UConn students with international students, has offered trips to cities, as well as team nights with different country themes, Anglin explained. "There's a lot of room to get involved," she said.

Though some students may hesitate to live in a learning community, fearing that it might limit their college experience, Foreman explained that the communities "are not meant to take over your life. They're meant to enhance your experience."

"It's all about what students make it," Foreman said.

Not only can students find comfort living with like-minded students with similar interests, they may also gain valuable resources and connections in faculty members, as well as with one another.

"They tend to support each other," Foreman said, noting that some major-based communities form study groups.

Students should be aware that some of the learning communities are open to upperclassmen, and that they're not solely based on academics.

There are also non-residential learning communities – allied health, pre-journalism, environmental science – offering students seminar classes based on their majors.

"Get involved," Foreman said. "You won't regret it."

On Friday, Jan. 22 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. there will be an information session about UConn's learning communities in CUE 130, open to all students.