The G.O.A.L.S of the Honors and Scholars programs are 5 categories that students actively participate in each semester.
The G stands for Global Awareness, in which students learn about different cultures and appreciate diversity among their peers and in the world. Students can explore this through different classes, studying abroad, and different clubs and organizations on campus. I’m currently taking MUSIC 2250, which investigates different music cultures around the world. It’s really caused me to broaden my horizons and explore different types of music that I’ve never heard before from cultures I don’t know much about. In addition, I’d really like to study abroad! There’s a trip that happens almost every year to Iceland through the College of Food, Agriculture, and Environmental Sciences and I would love to go someday!
The O stands for Original Inquiry, in which students explore their curiosity and get involved with different research projects on or off campus. It’s quite difficult to engage in this during an online semester, but it’s possible! I recently participated in a graduate student’s research project on the effects of exercise in a natural area on well-being. I got to take two 45 minute walks around campus and fill out surveys. I’m looking forward to seeing the results! In addition, I’ve been looking into different research labs on campus. I haven’t found one to work in yet, but I hope to in the future!
The A stands for Academic Enrichment, in which students push themselves to keep up with academic rigor and go above and beyond both in classes and out. In high school, I took 8 AP classes and maintained above a 4.0 GPA for all four years of high school. In addition, I was in many music extracurriculars and multiple clubs. Here in college, I’m taking a rigorous courseload and I’m trying to participate in clubs related to my major. It’s difficult with COVID, but hopefully it will get easier in future semesters.
The L stands for Leadership Development, in which students cultivate leadership skills and show them both in and out of the classroom. In high school, I was president of French club, vice president of hammock club, and a section leader in marching band. In addition, I was a member of the student council and National Honors Society. It’s been difficult to find clubs this semester, but I hope to get more involved with Students for Recycling or Under the Sea.
The S stands for Service Engagement, in which students participate in community service and help people. This semester, service opportunities have looked a lot different than in the past. I’ve participated in distanced street clean ups this semester in an attempt to clean up our environment. The amount of plastic bag waste produced from the dining hall this semester is astonishing, and one of my professors asked for plastic bag donations for an engineering project. I collected some plastic bags from my dorm building and donated them all. It’s not traditional service, but it’s the best I can do in such turbulent times.