Students know that when registration week arrives it is time to scramble for classes. Throughout college, students rely on an adviser to help him or her through the process.

Picking classes, planning a timetable and keeping track of studies is what these mentors do. However, most students procrastinate until a meeting is necessary.

This causes problems with conflicting schedules, creating a bad reputation for some advisers.

At the beginning of the semester students need to plan an appointment to get to know their advisers. More time would then be available for one-on-one attention.

At the University of Tampa, the student population is 5,300. This number is extremely low compared to the college a few miles north, The University of South Florida.

USF has almost nine times UT’s population, standing at 44,038 students. One of the biggest draws to UT has traditionally been the lower student to teacher ratio, something which should allow for more personal attention.

Donovan Myrie is a popular adviser at UT. “I end up spending a lot of extra time outside of office hours to talk with students and make sure things are going smoothly,” said Myrie.

He might spend extra time to work students into his busy schedule, but others may not.

Although UT mentors might not live up completely to the promised high standards, they do a better job than at most schools. It is inevitable that advising time will not always be met exactly to students’ needs.

This is because every individual relies on one person to help. However, the students might forget what it could be like in another person’s shoes. We may be counting on one person, but several others are counting on that same person as well.

“There are genuinely some great faculty members who really care about the students and try very hard to help them along,” Myrie commented.

Even though they may try as hard as possible, the reality is that there are not enough faculty members for students. Adjuncts and first-year faculty do not advise. This always leaves the job up to full time staff. When students have waited all semester to schedule an appointment, it is impossible for advisers to fit everyone in. Yet, students deserve to get complete attention, and by acting responsibly, being courteous and remembering that they are not the only one needing guidance, students can guarantee complete attention.

Another fact for UT students to remember is the cost of education. For a full-time undergraduate student, tuition and fees total $19,628. The University of South Florida’s tuition is $3,090 for both spring and fall semesters. UT costs more than six times the amount of USF.

This surprising difference is quite large. Therefore, students at UT have the right to feel an abundant amount of time should be dedicated to their educational needs.

Even though the tuition seems high to simply achieve a college education, many other schools are even more expensive.

For example, Yale has the outrageous tuition cost of $25,800 per year. However, it is recognized as one of the best in the country.

Harvard is another among the elite, standing at a monstrous $30, 275 for tuition alone.

Universities such as Harvard and Yale place as numbers two and three on the “Top Ten Universities in the U.S.” list. Princeton stands at number one.

What the students, or more often the parents, pay for is similarity between these schools. size. Princeton, Yale, Harvard, and Tampa are all private schools with a small population and campus.

The cozy atmosphere at these schools is what makes college life enjoyable and draws the attention of many.

“Students don’t get as lost here,” said Myrie. “In some of those big schools like UF, UCF or Florida State, the student body is so big that students don’t get personal attention.”

Personal attention is a huge addition in schools today. It is difficult for a freshman to walk into a new school. Some may have no idea how college works.

The role of an adviser is to help these amateurs with guidance.

Although each student might have his or her own academic plan, the adviser’s role is to approve the course.

If preparations were not yet made, the adviser will help develop a schedule. Together the two will review courses and update the plan each semester during registration time.

While the student is attending classes, advisers are to assist with any issues related to professors or academic grades. Any problem that might occur, the adviser’s job is to act as big brother or sister to keep the path smooth.

Even though the University of Tampa might have its areas to work on, there are definitely benefits to reflect on as well.

Unlike schools up north, UT has its most prized possession