All in a day’s work
For any student, finding time to study is hard.
But Derek Howell isn’t just trying to find time for himself.
Since September 2005, the South Lyon senior has worked as a French tutor at CMU.
Howell said he decided to become a tutor when one of his former French instructors, Jeanne-Sarah de Larquier, suggested the idea.
“I enjoy seeing where people start out at and how they develop during the year,” he said. “Every time I tutor someone, it’s like a mini-review for me.”
He said he thought tutoring would help him with his French skills as he works toward finishing a bachelor’s degree in French. He said he also wanted to help out students.
Howell is finding out how important time management is this semester by balancing his school work, while at the same time, tutoring five students. Using a daily planner is Howell’s key to staying on track.
“I just try to schedule around my students’ schedules as well as mine,” he said.
He said he makes sure to find time to do his homework, but it is hard to get enough sleep at night. Depending on the amount of homework he has, Howell sometimes finds himself staying up until 2 a.m.
Besides working on finishing his bachelor’s degree in French and Apparel Merchandising and Design, Howell is a multicultural adviser in Fabiano Hall.
Howell has served as a resident assistant for most of his college career, but decided to live off-campus last year.
One thing he noticed off campus was that he had less interaction with people.
“I didn’t even know my neighbors and I just thought that was wrong,” he said.
Howell talked with Residence Life and decided to become a multicultural adviser in Fabiano Hall. He said he not only wanted to educate his residents on multicultural issues, but he also wanted to build a community within his hall.
“It’s about a whole community, where everybody is equally important,” Howell said. “Everyone is unique in their own way.”
Janelle Todd, residence hall director for Celani and Fabiano halls, said Howell has a great sense of making connections with people.
“I’ve been really impressed with how he has learned everyone’s name in the hall,” Todd said. “He is getting people to connect and understand each other.”
Maryruth Mau, Farmington Hills sophomore, and Kaycie Sharrow, Marine City sophomore, said they couldn’t be happier to have Howell as their M.A.
“He’s really friendly and always upbeat,” Mau said. “He has a contagious personality.”
Both said they appreciate Howell’s interest in making his residents enjoy their school year in the new residence hall.
In his spare time, Howell also is involved in the Fashion Association of Merchandising and Design and was elected as president of the organization in the 2006 spring semester.
