Tanya Celestine will present “Committed to Learning,” the latest Lamar University REDtalk, at 1 p.m., Wednesday, on the sixth floor of Gray Library. Celestine will speak on the importance of students’ commitment to their academic goals.
As an academic advisor, Celestine said she wants to ask students what they are doing to make a commitment for their academic goals.
“I want to get into the minds of our younger students,” she said. “What are you going to do to commit to your commitment with yourself, with Lamar University? Because you have decided to access higher education — what are you going to do about it?”
Celestine said she will be specifically speaking to freshmen and sophomores.
“This is serious business,” she said. “This sets the tone for later on in life.”
Celestine said students need to take their commitment to learning to a different level.
“A lot of our students come in and play so much,” she said. “I want them to understand the importance of this, of being here. Not just come here and follow your friends. It’s so much more serious than that.”
Celestine said she advises students to branch out and join different organizations.
“Get involved with the university, to where you’re focused on university life,” she said.
Celestine said she hopes to give students insight on what it actually means to be a college student.
“Gain insight on the importance of getting involved, gain insight on the importance of keeping your mind structured,” she said.
Celestine also has advice for when students decide to change their majors.
“I always tell them, have you googled that industry?” she said. “Have you seen where the demand is? Are you willing to move there? If it’s not demanding here, you have to move where its demanded.”
Celestine said she wants her REDtalk to be a real conversation with the students.
“I didn’t want the setting to be Power Point,” she said. “I want to talk to the students, look them in the eye, have them be engaged with me.
“Some students may not even know why they’re here. They may feel like, ‘Oh, this is just the next step.’ But why are you here? What are you going to do while you are here?”
Free Frito pie will available for attendees.
For more information, contact Kelly Williams at 880-7209.