Extracurricular engagements
Why require this?
Honors College views education as pursuit of knowledge in a holistic manner. This means that while academics are the focus of a college career, there is a lot to learn in extracurricular activities as well.
Social Support
Honors College recognizes the importance of not only academic support, but social support. Extracurricular engagements give many students the opportunity to feel confident in their goals and motivated to continue working in their academics as well. I found myself casually discussing Tagalog with my friends, historical development of the lobotomy, difficulties understanding a specific chapter in my course, and my hopes for graduate school and my future. I genuinely believe this would not have happened without the encouragement from Honors College. Many of the students in the college tend to be introverted, motivated and curious, but the encouragement from the College brought us together and provided a community.
Adjustment
Extracurricular activities allow for students to bond over common stressors, and motivate each other as they adjust through the next steps in their lives. For me, I adjusted academically with my peers through my first year, socially in my second, adjusted my focus to my career in my third year, and moved into leadership and mentoring in my final year.
University Dance
My most exciting extracurricular activities were in dance. I loved being pushed with my peers to refine my art and to continue to learn better ways of doing things. I could visibly see my growth and learned how to nonverbally communicate and interact with others. I viewed expression much differently even in the smallest of ways, from body language to listening to the muscles in my body.
Filipino American Student Association
I found my home with FASA. Their slogan, “FASA if Family” really holds true. From my first semester to my last, I grew closer with each member and learned Larong Kalye (Filipino Street Games), dance forms, small bits of Tagalog (the language of the Philippines), cultural norms and struggles, and more. I am forever grateful for the openness and honesty I found in this group, and still talk to members daily. I really identified with their struggles and feelings of expectations, and they helped me work through so much in my college career.
Order of Omega
Order of Omega is an extremely prestigious Honors Fraternity, in which only the top 2% of greek life are admitted. From across multiple sororities, fraternities, and cultural greek societies, I was one of four people chosen to participate in the organization. As soon as I was able, I became president of the organization and planned fundraisers and integration for people among all areas of greek life. I addressed diversity and hindrances to people in the organizations, and promoted academic success among all people.
