"It's such a big place with so many people, I thought I would get lost," said the Louisville freshman majoring in broadcast journalism. "I didn't know too many people, and it looked very scary."

Mahin's worries soon were put to rest thanks to First Year Focus, a developmental workshop for UK's first-year African-American students. The four-session workshop covers everything from personal motivation to study skills to cultural development to time management. The sessions are facilitated by members of UK's Minority Affairs Office, professors from across campus, counselors and a former vice chancellor of Minority Affairs. The workshop is part of Minority Affairs' Critical First Year program, which also features student orientations, planning for graduation, mentoring and tutoring.

Architecture freshman Courtney Lynem of Lexington said she really enjoyed the first session on college survival. William C. Parker, the former vice chancellor, led the session. Lynem and several other students in the workshop are at UK in part by a scholarship endowed by Parker.

"It was really neat to meet him," Lynem said. "Usually you don't have the chance to meet and thank the person who gives you a chance."

Wessley Perry, a mechanical engineering student from Louisville, said Parker's fatherly advice gave him some reassurance he needed.

"Everybody has their doubts about succeeding in college," he said. "What he had to say was good information that students needed. All the sessions gave us the opportunity to ask lots of questions and get some things off our minds. It was nice not to have to run all over campus looking for answers."

Having the chance to meet professors and learn what is expected of UK students made Tiffany Lockhart, a Fort Knox student, less intimidated by her new teachers and more at home on campus. She came to UK thinking her professors would be too busy to deal with the questions and concerns of a freshman.

"I found out they would rather know my name and hear those questions," she said. "Now I make it a point to talk to and e-mail my instructors as often as I can."

Lockhart said the professors' tips on tracking GPAs and study skills will be useful over her academic career.

"One tip was to use note cards to study," she said. "I started making cards and that has already helped a lot."

One session covered the potential pitfalls of the freshman year and made students aware of UK's various policies against all forms of discrimination. Lynem said that reaffirmed to her that UK wants to see its students healthy and successful.

"The presenters made sure we understood that if something happens, don't be afraid to talk to someone and get the help you need," she said. "It proved UK's main goal is to see you graduate, and the people here will help you in any way they can."

A big plus for many students was that the sessions let them meet other African-American students new to campus. It gave them a chance to talk and make new friends. And although they may have grumbled about the workshop at first, the students say they are glad the program was there to help them kick off their first college semester.

"It is good for us to know other minority students on campus," Mahin said, "and it's good to know there are people here to help us."