Posted on Jul 3, 2015
SSgt Fellow
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I am currently the president of Student Veterans of University of Alaska Fairbanks. Recently I created a survey that I shared with members asking various questions.

A few of these were:
How do we better connect the veteran community on campus?

How do you create commodorie and what sort of events, activities would veterans participate in?

How do you help a veteran struggling with text anxiety, being in a classroom, and connecting with in the civilian sector.

My goal is to create a better organization that serves our veterans at UAF
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Responses: 39
LTC John Shaw
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Being a veteran gives you a strong background of experience to pull from and share. Veterans also should learn to be a good student, how to focus on your classes and establish effective study habits that lead to successful integration with an academic environment.
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SSgt Fellow
SSgt (Join to see)
9 y
Thank you sir!
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PO3 Sherry Thornburg
PO3 Sherry Thornburg
9 y
Agree, but I found most Vets had a better grasp of the concept of study habit, reading text books and paying attention in class than most other students.
BS in Professional Writing - 2014, University of Houston-Downtown
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SMSgt Lawrence McCarter
SMSgt Lawrence McCarter
>1 y
I found I had no problem in college, stayed on the Deans list, became the Co-Captain of their first Cross Country team, wrote sports article for the college newspaper, was on the yearbook staff and did the entire sports section plus other sections. Had no shortage of friends on both faculty and fellow students, i lived in the dorm and participated in nearly every social event on campus, I enjoyed, Although I had the VA to help I still was working also to help pay other expense myself such as room and board and self expenses. Although Myself and some fellow Veterans there were a few years older than most the students We fell right in.
I obtained a BS in Criminal Justice, Roger William's University, Bristol, RI
other two years undergraduate work from University of Hawaii, Manoa and also
Honolulu Community College, while I served full time in USAF.
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SPC Makissa Lewis
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Edited 9 y ago
As a person who did it unsuccessfully and successfully I would recommend 1) take it seriously 2) ask for help when needed and ask for help often 3) if you can use your military career to make a point don't be afraid to do so 4) enjoy the moment not many veterans get to that point you did

Should you require additional help feel free to hit me up.
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SSgt Fellow
SSgt (Join to see)
9 y
Will do thank you so much!
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SPC Makissa Lewis
SPC Makissa Lewis
9 y
You are always welcome
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MAJ Monique Ruiz
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Veterans need a lot of social support. Integrating with people who have similar goals or direction help ease the anxiety. If they don't know what events or organizations to participate in, it would be like picking a degree or exploring interests; they won't know unless they get out there and experience it.

Another helpful tool is to get into some sort of individual counseling. It will allow the veteran to get comfortable communicating how they feel about the transition and how to sort out their thoughts to feel confident about moving forward in civilian life. Best part of it, the therapist/counselor keeps everything confidential to avoid the veteran feeling embarrassed or shy about the information they share.
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SSgt Fellow
SSgt (Join to see)
9 y
Thank you mam!
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