As of Fall 2011, UCF’s student enrollment reached an astonishing 58,698. It’s remarkable to think that when the college first opened in 1968 there were only 1,948 students enrolled to attend the university. UCF has come quite a long way since then, becoming the nation’s 2nd largest campus in less than 50 years and establishing itself amongst the top schools in the country. While having such a large enrollment is certainly something to celebrate, is being such a mega-campus beneficial to UCF’s students?
The answer to this question isn’t exactly clear cut. When asking students their main reasons for choosing UCF, its size and resources are usually in the top 5. Having a vast amount of students means having vast amounts of alumni, which creates countless networking opportunities for students and funding for the University. More funding means more programs and resources, which would draw in more prospective students, which creates a circle of never-ending growth. Though this growth provides students with innumerable benefits, students also face many obstacles because of it.
A common problem at UCF is interaction among students, especially freshman. The average size for general education classes range from 200 to 350 students, and there is usually very little time for communication. A common phenomenon is to sit next to someone one day, utter a few friendly words and never see them again once the class ends. Unless a student has friends that also elect to attend UCF or join the various clubs and organizations on campus, it becomes very difficult to create lasting relationships.
Another problem for students is establishing lines of communication with professors. While in college it is crucial to develop a strong student-teacher relationship, especially if one is considering higher education such as graduate or medical school. From these student-teacher relationships come strong recommendation letters, tips on the application process, and possible internship opportunities. The problem arises because of the multitude of students that professors are presented with every semester. It is difficult to recognize specific names and faces among a class of 300 and most students are too intimidated to try to initiate contact.
Though these problems may seem minor to some, they can seriously impact student achievement in the long run. Students who feel alone and friendless are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety, which can affect academic success as well as physical and mental health. Failing to create good student-teacher relationships could damage hopes of higher education and career possibilities.
UCF’s enormity is the obvious cause for the complications of student achievement mentioned above, but it can also be the resolution. Because UCF is filled with so many students, there are always opportunities to meet people. From LGBT causes to chocolate, it is widely known that there is a club on campus for nearly anything a person can think of. These clubs and organizations are the key to not being lost in the sea of 59,000 students. Professors also serve as faculty advisors to these various clubs and organizations, so there is also an opportunity to create connections with teachers and staff. As cliché as it sounds, college really is what you make it. Don’t be afraid to get involved. Though it is hard to stand out at UCF, it is more than possible to make your mark.