John Garry - feeling more focused and able to handle the stress now.

The Winter 1999 issue of The Observer featured nine students from the class of 2003, one from each of the University’s nine schools and colleges. To tell the ongoing story of their lives, The Observer will periodically visit with each of them during their four years at the UofH.

In this issue, two of the nine describe their first year as college students. John Garry of Waterbury, Conn., is an elementary education major in the College of Education, Nursing and Health Professions, and Erica Geller of Cherry Hill, N.J., is a vocal music education major at The Hartt School. For both students, it has been a good year, with a few glitches.

"The first semester went well," John said. "I was not as focused the second semester, and during spring break I realized I had a lot of work to do, so I decided to get to it." He also stopped running with the UofH cross-country team late in the semester to allow more time to study. "I needed to readjust my schedule, but I will run again next year."

His focus on academics may also have been affected by the doubts about his major that crept into his thoughts at one point. "But I still want to work with kids," said John. "Education is where I want to be—the question is, what part of it. This year, I worked with kindergarten kids, and they seemed so young. Next year, I will be working as a teacher’s aide in local schools, and I will move up a grade or two. I think I prefer working with older children."

Because he is from Waterbury, John has had to deal with a question faced by many "local" students—whether to develop an on-campus life. He did that, going home only twice each semester and widening his circle of friends through work-study and basketball.

"I tried to keep busy so I didn’t think about how stressed out I was at times," said John. "I’ve been getting up early to lift weights, go for a run, and play basketball." Without a car, he goes off campus when he can, even walking to Bishop’s Corner to get his hair cut.

John will stay busy this summer. He joined the Red Caps, a volunteer student organization that assists with campus visitation and orientation programs. He worked during Orientation Week in May and will do so again during the one leading into the fall semester. This summer, for the third year in a row, he will work as a counselor at a Waterbury day camp run by one of his high school teachers. The camp is for children ages five through 12.

Refining the Voice. Erica Geller left, receives guidance on proper vocal expression from Janine Hawley, assisstant professor of voice at the Hartt School. Geller was singing an assigned musical piece for Hawley's voice class.

Like John, one of Erica’s semesters was more challenging than the other; in her case, the first semester. "I really had no idea what to expect at first; I was just hoping for the best," she said. "I was a little homesick and I called my mother a lot, but it was just me being paranoid and silly. I also talked to my older sister, Meryl [a graduate student in physical therapy at Temple University]. We had heart-to-heart talks, and she made me feel like I was normal. She had gone through the same thing.

"I started to come out of my shell in the second semester, and now I feel like I belong here. It takes a while to establish friendships, but I overcame the social challenges and matured as a person. I knew a few people from my hometown here at first, but all my friends now are new."
Erica’s social activities included joining Hillel, the Jewish student group; the Hartt Choir; and helping to form a singing group of music education majors. She also joined the Music Education Association, and went to its national conference in Washington, D.C., in the spring. When there’s time, she goes to campus parties.

"I have always managed my schedule well and kept my grades up, so I find myself with extra time," said Erica. "The first semester, I made the President’s List and also began to work out at the Sports Center almost every day."

She finds her music courses inspiring. "I have learned a lot, and the things I already knew have been strengthened. The courses are great, and every professor knows my name. My goal is still to teach music to young children."

Summing up her first college year, Erica said, "[I] definitely had my ups and downs, but I feel good now. There were a lot more ups than downs. Everything has turned out just fine."