Themed Learning Communities offer support a student needs to plant his or her feet firmly on the ground during these college years.

I mean, how many times have you walked into a biology lecture room and immediately wondered what you got yourself into? Did you ever found yourself zoning out? Not having any support when you feel as if you are constantly sinking can not only put a damper on you emotionally, but can also greatly affect your grades.

With TLCs, students are allowed access to smaller classes — 25 students per course — with a common theme among the courses’ material. Students are also able to meet one-on-one with their professors more frequently.

These aspects of TLCs help students to feel better prepared and adjusted instead of isolated.

That isolation students experience is exactly what the TLCs aim to combat. Stephanie Zobac, assistant director of the Office of Student Engagement and Experiential Learning, spoke quite highly of TLCs, noting it to be “a fantastic program.”

According to the information provided by Zobac and the Office of Student Engagement and Experiential Learning website, TLCs offer many benefits to its participants that help them to become more successful academically and socially.

Students who have participated have earned higher grade point averages, higher retention rates, gained better study habits and formed relationships with peers and faculty. These all make college a much more enjoyable time.

Utilizing the many programs NIU offers, like TLCs, can be a huge help in alleviating such feelings. These communities can help make the college process run smoother, especially for freshmen who are having a hard time adjusting to college.

I had absolutely no idea about TLCs when I first began my journey at NIU. Although I stayed on task in my classes, I feel as though being in a community such as a TLC would have helped me to not feel so stressed and tense all of the time. I would have had the smaller classes and relationships that I desired as opposed to the isolation I often felt in large lecture classes.

My advice to all of you reading this, especially freshmen: Don’t let college get you down. Your college years should not be dreaded or leave you feeling as if there’s something missing. You’re only here for so long, so try to make the best of it. Your success and happiness depend on you.

Take advantage of your resources. They’re here for you.