Bellarmine University’s president, Dr. Susan M. Donovan,
recently answered questions from incoming first-year students during a
video filmed in her office.
The questions were submitted via Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat and email in
July and early August.
She sought to reassure students who may be nervous about starting college without a declared major. “You should not be worried,” she said. “Over half of the incoming class are undecided. I was
undecided most of my college career.”
In response to a question about what to do when a course seems too hard, Donovan said: “Many of your courses will appear to be very difficult, and challenging at first. Just work at it, spend
some time with faculty outside of the classroom. They love it when you visit them in their office. And be a part of study groups when you can. You are capable, that's why we admitted you.”
She also addressed those inevitable first day
nerves. “I think I was probably anxious on that trip to college, which was about 90 miles,” she said. “But, once I got there the first day, I thought it was great.”
Her advice for balancing coursework, studying, work
and a social life: get a calendar, and use it. “Put all of your assignments in there and honor the calendar,” she said.
Donovan is beginning her second year as Bellarmine’s president, after arriving on campus herself last
summer.