ENMU Freshman Seminar teacher Sharon Duran jokes, "My Freshman Seminar class is the best one!" Duran has been teaching the class for over five years.

Former students Cynthia Lewis and Michelle Castillo recall that Duran's class has helped them get outside of their comfort zones and be less shy.

"I appreciate the way that she is so helpful not just inside the classroom, but outside. She is always there when you need her," Castillo reminisced about the class.

Lewis says that she liked the way Duran got everyone involved in the class. "She always went above and beyond."

Duran focuses the class on the formation of communities and getting the students involved in a community service project. Also, students learn aspects like time management and budgeting skills, as well as learn about the resources available on campus.

Duran does activities that put the value of time management into perspective. She says that the majority of students need help with time management.

At the beginning of the semester, Duran brings toothpicks and Dixie cups to class, and asks the students to place the cup on top of their heads.

Asking the students yes or no questions, Duran said, "You poke a hole in the cup with the toothpick each time you fail to do something… Now, would it be okay if I poured water in your cup?"

After realizing the importance of managing their time, a roar of laughter erupted in the classroom; next, the students opened their planners to begin scheduling their time and days out. 

"We talk about things like the degrees they want to pursue. I have them research their potential careers and what's available, along with the salary and the area they want to live in," Duran said.

College can be big shock to incoming freshmen. Duran says that ENMU feels it is important to help students adjust because this is the first time they have a newfound freedom without their parents.

The Freshman Seminar classes help students get involved in other organizations on campus, and attend athletic, art or social events. The class encompasses many ice-breakers and teambuilding exercises, including going over diversity issues that can help students adjust to the college life. 

"We live in a melting pot with different beliefs and cultures," Duran said. In her class, students are exposed to diversity issues within their society to help them learn and broaden a way to address the issues with respect and communication.

In the middle of the semester, she assigns a project to the class to help them come together as a unit and serve the community for a greater good.

The class's community service project is focused on or around Halloween. "We buy supplies and sell Boo Grams in the CUB. We help out with the Halloween Carnival that the CDIS graduates put on every year," Duran said.

This year, Duran's class transformed their room into a Hotel Transylvania theme with characters complete with a ring toss on witch hats, Pin the Fang on the Vampire Game, candy, and a photo booth with Dracula and Jonathan. Students painted and designed the entire room, and came up with prize winning games.

With relevant projects and activities, the class comes together to form a community that relies on one another for help. Duran says she has seen lifelong friendships form and shy students come out of their shells in her class. The class has taught many to balance their personal lives, homework and work.

"ENMU should be on prospective students' or first generation students' radar for college because we really mentor and help them out," said Duran.