Dr. Alex Campbell graduated from Cambridge University, UK with a PhD in Criminology and is now a professor at UNE, teaching courses in criminology and sociology. She is closely involved with the Criminology Club at UNE, and prides herself on being a resource to all students on our campus. When asked if she had any advice for incoming students or freshmen, she answered, “Be very aware of the norms of each class and expectations that may be different across the board. My experience has been that each class, even a freshman class, can have very different requirements about attendance and work. Making a connection with a professor, like a real connection: coming to see them after class, sending an email to check in, can make a real difference to a success in an individual class. You’re not just a number, you’re not just a face that comes in. At Une in particular, because of our class sizes and the size of our campus, those possibilities [for connection] exist. At a campus like this, if you make an effort and lean into it, you can be very familiar with your professor and they can really be an incredible support for you. […] I would also say to not overextend your first semester. Take a very reasonable course load. Try to take a class, if you have any choice, that is connected to your major so that you can start to become more interested. Be open minded to classes that aren’t in your major because very often students don’t continue with the major that they begin with. Being open to possibilities and change can be incredibly helpful.” Later in the interview, she also stresses the importance of making connections with other students, and developing a sense of community. Joining clubs, chatting with classmates, and playing sports were a few of the examples she gave for helping make connections with other students. Overall, her biggest point was that professors such as herself will always be looking out for students, and taking advantage of the support they can give you is imperative to your success.
