Eastern Kentucky University - Milestone Yearbook (Richmond, KY)

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Students See Their Fifth Year An increasing number of students discover the necessi- ty for extending their college careers from four to five years. Thus, the five-year student is created. Various reasons con- stitute this change for college students. One of the most com- mon reasons is the delay in de- claring a major, those who wait a year find themselves be- hind a year in their four-year programs. One five-year student, Beth McCoun, a nursing major from Shelbyville, waited a year to declare her major because she was not sure about what she wanted to do. She explained, It ' s hard for eighteen-year- olds to know what they want to do for the rest of their lives. After Beth worked in a hospi- tal as a nurse ' s aide the sum- mer after her freshman year. she returned to the University knowing she wanted to be a nurse. Beth said, Waiting gave me time to mature and direct my goals in the areas I want- ed. Many students have to lengthen their time in college by necessity instead of by choice. A common problem is waiting to take a required class and finding it is a prerequisite to most of the other classes needed. Neil Thompson, an accounting major from Louis- ville, did not take a beginning major class and found later that he couldn ' t take other classes until he took the first one. Neil is a photographer for Public Information and the Milestone. Although he is get- ting more experience from his extended time in college, he does not plan on becoming a professional photographer. Activities to be involved in at the University are many, and a lot of students partici- pate in quite a few. Being in- volved has given Tim Cole- man, a performing arts major from Shelbyville, more experi- ence than he thought he would ever get at the Universi- ty, but it has also been a reason fo r extending his college ca- reer. Tim is a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity, Show Choir, a Madrigal Singer, and works weekends in Nashville, Ten- nessee, on a production at Opryland. Tim stated, Being so involved has slowed me down, there hasn ' t been enough time in my schedule for general education require- ments because of ensemble hours I needed. A common similarity found in five-year students is that they feel they are more ready for the real world. Having possibly been in more extra- curricular activities and held leadership positions because of their extra time in college, five-year students are more confident about their futures. Beth McCoun, who is Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority Presi- dent and also a member of the Greek Honorary, Order of Omega, said, Without this ex- tra year, I know I wouldn ' t be holding the positions I am, be- ing a five-year student defi- nitely has its advantages. Left: As part of his job with Public Informa- tion, Neil Thompson awaits a football play during a home game. Student Life 23

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Above; This five-year student examines these stones during class. Top: Relaxing outside, these roommates take a break from their studies. Right: Five-year student Tim Coleman performs with Show Choir in its fall presentation. 22 Student Life

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