How to succeed at Pitt-Titusville

So you’re a new student at Pitt-Titusville, or maybe you’re back for another year. Either way, the faculty and staff of the tight-knit Titusville Education and Training Hub have your back — and they want to make sure you have what you need to thrive.

“It all comes down to time management and organization,” said Assistant Professor of Nursing Elizabeth Flickner. She has been teaching nursing students at Pitt-Titusville full-time since 2015, shepherding them through experiences both in the classroom and in the clinic, so she knows a thing or two about how to get the most out of your experience.

One of the biggest challenges Flickner sees students face is finding time to dedicate to their education along with their already busy lives. She encourages students to come in with a firm gameplan — including time for driving to campus and back, figuring out who’s watching the kids and all the other little things. “You have to allocate time to your current lifestyle and add space to be successful in academia,” she said.

Her other piece of advice? Take advantage of the Learning Center, helmed by director Melanie LaLone. It’s a place students can go whether they need help with a specific anatomy problem or they’re struggling with bigger issues around test-taking, time management and more.

LaLone has her own words of wisdom.

“We pack a lot in a couple of years. It’s all worth it in the end, but you have to make sure you’re set up for success,” she said.

LaLone echoed Flickner’s advice about setting aside the time to study between other life obligations. She also added that it’s critical for students to build community, which isn’t always easy on a commuter campus filled with many students with already-full lives.

“It’s important for our students to connect with each other, and to really be able to lean on each other and help each other,” she said. “You have to work together as a team.”

And above all, if you’re having a tough time, know that the faculty and staff at the Hub are here to support your journey.

“Seek help early and often. We’re small, so there’s always going to be someone to help you,” said LaLone. “It’s going to be a very concentrated effort — but it’s doable, it’s manageable and there are people here to help you through.”

— Patrick Monahan, photography by Mike Drazdzinski