A Big Crochet of Different Strings
Article and Photos by Daisy Arvonen
As incoming freshmen embark on their BYU experience, the Honors Program hosted sessions at New Student Orientation last Tuesday to introduce prospective Honors students to the program and spark excitement about all the Honors Program has to offer!
Upstairs in the WSC, current Honors students guided new students to different booths to learn more about unexpected connections courses, great question essays, leadership development experiences, theses, and interdisciplinary thinking. Honors advisement gave away prizes, students enjoyed treats, and everyone could feel the excitement as students anticipated what’s to come in the Honors Program.
“It was fun to feel the energy from other people,” said Emmie Hall, a senior Honors cybersecurity student who guided students at the event, “and I feel like I got excited about the Honors Program again.”
Teresa Fairbanks and Washington Pearce, HONRS 320 instructors, introduced the Great Questions Essay to new students at one booth. Teresa said that she wanted students to know how important interdisciplinary thinking is, and that they have the ability to answer questions they face. “We want the students to learn to think deliberately and to feel like they can be proactive in answering things,” she said, “I think it's a really healthy way to navigate life instead of just being stressed and anxious about questions you have.”
Incoming students said that they are interested in the interdisciplinary approach of Honors, and that it seems like a good way to get to know other people, broaden their perspective, and complete general education credits.
“It seems like a big crochet, you kind of put everything together even though they may be different strings,” said Logan Storms, a new student considering the Honors Program.
“As someone who likes looking through different perspectives, and trying to understand every imaginable point of view, it's a very interesting idea that I’m definitely excited for,” said another new student, Emmaleigh Anderson, “it sounds like the Honors Program is a good way to enable people to go learn new things and to strengthen their testimonies.”
Current Honors students gave new students advice at the event, and helped them understand what they can do to be prepared for difficulties they may face. They recommended not procrastinating and talking to Honors advisors if they are struggling in an unexpected connections course.
Shiro Contreras, a sophomore Honors student studying accounting, said of his first year, “It was hard, it was challenging…but it was worth it.”
Brooke Smith, a senior Philosophy Honors student helping with the event, said that many prospective students feel intimidated by the Honors Program, but that it is really achievable. “It's super doable. I think some people hear honors and they’re like, oh my gosh that’s not for me, that’s too hard,” she explained, “but it's just a big community, a big family, and everyone wants everyone to succeed.”
A big thank you to members of the Honors Student Leadership Council, Honors faculty, advisors and volunteers who helped make this year's Honors sessions at NSO a success. As classes start and new chapters of life unfold, there is much in store for new Honors students this semester. We are excited to welcome you all!