Travel, study abroad on agenda for many in millennium class

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the latest in a series of occasional articles about the Class of 2000, a project the Reporter began in the Fall of 1996 by asking 25 freshmen to fill out a survey about themselves, why they chose UB, their hopes for their education and the future.

Recently, we asked these same students, who are finishing up their junior year, for an update. Twenty-three of the original group still attend UB. We'll stay in touch with them throughout their academic careers at the university.

By MARA McGINNIS
News Services Editor

Papers, group projects, exams, internships, jobs and campus activities are keeping the students of the Class of 2000 busier than they ever have been and at all-time-high stress levels.

Now wrapping up their junior year, students say they wish there were more hours in the day, but are looking forward to the summer, which for some includes travel and study abroad.

"This semester has been very hectic. I am taking 19 credits and trying to get everything situated in terms of graduating on time," says communication major Jennifer Abbata. "Things are getting more intense because it's getting down to the count and graduation isn't that far away."

She adds that she thinks she finally has learned how to manage her time: "I think that the more classes I take, the better off I am, the less time for procrastination."

Management major Jennifer Cotignola agrees. "As usual, the semester was stressful." Anything she could do to make it less stressful? "Do not procrastinate," she admits. Cotignola keeps busy as captain of an intramural softball team and as University Union Activities Board secretary, a position that allowed her to work hospitality with the band "Sugar Ray" at Spring Fest this past weekend

Cotignola, who plans to work at CBS in New York City this summer, looks forward most to living in a house off-campus next year, but is not looking forward to "taking the Blue Bird in the snow."

Tanya Stanger, a management major, confesses that it has reached a point at the end of this semester where she does not even care about her performance in her classes. "I am drained and would honestly only see myself happy right now if I were deserted on a beach island!"

While most of the students went home or worked over spring break this year, psychology major Kaya Gerberich went to Panama City, Fla., for a "wonderful week of fun-in-the-sun."

Gerberich, who holds two jobs on campus, is a UB STAR, a resident advisor, a member of the executive board of the Residence Hall Association, a teaching assistant for UB 101, and the first-ever president of the National Residence Hall Honorary, an honor society for residence-hall leaders.

"I'm really looking forward to my position next fall in the undergraduate apartments," says Gerberich, who has been hired as a community assistant in the new Hadley Village apartments that will open in August. "The position is the first ever of its kind here at UB. Plus, the facilities will be amazing!"

Maggie Zak, a communication major, says she also feels stress at times due to all the activities in which she is involved. "On top of being a (resident advisor), a tour guide, a member of a business fraternity, I also work for the Anti-Rape Task Force as assistant services supervisor," she explains.

This summer, Zak will study in London and Paris. She plans to graduate on time, but says she is not looking forward to figuring out what she wants to do after graduation.

Most of those in the Class of 2000 who have kept in contact with the Reporter say they will graduate on time next year, if not early. Architecture major Susan Deacon is looking forward to the possibility of early graduation, since she will study abroad over the summer in Costa Rica through the School of Architecture and Planning. "It counts as a full semester and I will be hanging out in the rainforest with the monkeys!"

Christopher Fedorczak, who is not so happy with his lack of sleep this semester, says he enjoys the classes he is taking. "I'm taking a 3D character-animation course that is great, I've learned a lot and had a good time doing it. Doing an internship at Channel 4 has been a great experience as well."

Fedorczak is looking forward to backpacking through Europe from August until mid-September, when he begins his study-abroad program in London.

UB has changed considerably in Fedorczak's eyes since he was a freshman. "When I got here, it seemed really large, with huge lecture halls and crowds of students. Now, most of my classes are small and since my department-Media Study-is relatively small as well, I know most of the professors and students. I also am isolated in CFA for the most part, so I'm only really exposed to one building, which also makes the school seem small."

A couple of the students have ventured into the Office of Career Planning and Placement for help with post-graduation plans.

"I have an easier time finding jobs and internships through my own research and intuition," reports Fedorczak.

But others, such as Elana Steinhaus, found visiting the office useful. "I went last year to have my resume critiqued," says Steinhaus. "They were helpful; they gave me some advice on how to fix it up."

Steinhaus says the best thing about this semester is that she is doing well academically, but that, unfortunately, she spends too much time studying and never lets herself relax. "I look forward to being a seniorŠbut at the same time, the thought of it being my last year in college scares me."