University Star

More students need to take advantage of the special opportunities and aspects offered by the Honors College to make its presence more largely known on campus.

Many students may have the false idea that participation in the Honors College requires a lot of upkeep and is not worth the hassle it entails. Additionally, some students do not realize that they decide their own levels of involvement within the Honors College. Students can be very active in classes and events or opt to be largely inactive and still be part of the college. A minimum of five honors courses, including a thesis class, are required to graduate in the program.

For admittance into the Honors College, students only need to complete an easy application on the Texas State website and hit submit. Once accepted, an honors student has to maintain a GPA of 3.25 or higher to stay in the college. As an option, students can take special courses offered by the Honors College and write a thesis. Even without taking honors courses, all honors students are able to access the benefits of the program. 

There are many perks to becoming a member of the Honors College. For instance, honors students get to sign up for classes on the first day of registration each semester. Even if a student is not taking honors classes that semester or is not planning to enroll in the courses at all, he or she will still receive access to early registration.

Another perk to becoming an honors student is the special subject matter of the designated classes. All honors students have access to specific classes and have the opportunity to substitute an interesting class such as “The Art of Storytelling” for a boring basic class like sophomore literature. “Nature and the Quest for Meaning,” “The Problem of Evil” and “Hollywood Amnesia” are just a few of the unique honors course offerings this semester.

In addition, honors class sizes are much smaller than typical course enrollments, and students are able to have direct interaction with professors. This may offer students a more intimate classroom experience. Students can also come up with future honors class ideas, and faculty can elect to teach a proposed subject or any others of their choosing. These special aspects give students yet another chance to personalize their learning experiences. Students who are searching for classes that are rigorous and interesting while remaining small and personal need to look no further than the Honors College.

Students also have the opportunity to graduate with honors or to minor in honors studies. In the case of both options, students get the chance to write a thesis, get funding for research and have their work published and held at Alkek Library. Students can minor in honors studies through a process that includes taking at least seven honors courses, including senior seminar and writing an essay describing study abroad or cross-cultural experiences.

Alongside classes and early registration, the Honors College offers outside opportunities for its members. Many scholarships, societies, study abroad programs, conferences, special volunteer events and gatherings are offered exclusively to honors students.

Unfortunately, many Texas State students have misconceptions about the university’s growing Honors College that may cause some to write off the program entirely. The truth is, if you have  a 3.25 GPA or higher, there is no excuse not to apply to the Honors College and reap the many benefits available to honors students.