Hastings College Highlights (Spring, 2019)

Let's just discuss the amazing opportunities and events that happen around my college campus thanks to the students and faculty involved with student life and academic planning, shall we? Here is my list of the most exciting events of the semester (in no particular order).

1. The Henry Doorly Zoo Trip

Hastings College Residence Hall Directors organized this trip for 28 students to stay overnight at the legendary Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium (where we slept in the penguin exhibit)! During this trip we were taken on guided morning and night hikes, and got to go behind the scenes in the aquarium to see the shark and turtle tanks from above! We also got the entire zoo to ourselves an hour before it opened to the public.

Bonus: A zookeeper took my boyfriend and I behind the scenes to see some of their exotic birds, their latest model for the upcoming sea lion exhibit, and...spider monkeys!

Double Bonus: The zoo's baby gorilla came up to the glass and interacted with my boyfriend and I!


2. HC Annual 48 Hour Film Fest

This one was originally more of an event for my boyfriend than myself, but I was recruited as the camera man! Students were assigned a theme and a prop to incorporate ("the edge," and a clock) and were given 48 hours to create an original, 5 minute film, which were then screened at an awesome little local venue. The films were judged, and prizes given out for the top three films. Unfortunately, we ran into some technical difficulties and ended up submitting a little late, so we weren't eligible for the prize. Full disclosure, many of the judges said we would have placed! I can't wait to do it again next year, and maybe then partake in the prizes portion.


3. Hastings College 2.0

Part I.
So, did I mention my college is super innovative? A lot of these new initiatives are thanks to our school's incredibly generous donors, so shout out to whomever is funding my future! Starting Fall of 2020 every student will get an iPad Pro and Apple pencil...meaning....NO MORE TEXTBOOK COSTS! They'll all be provided on our brand new, fancy-schmancy devides.

Part II.
Also starting Fall of 2020, HC will be introducing an entirely new higher-education system, involving block classes rather than semester long classes. There have been a lot of pros and cons floating around about this method, but I've FINALLY got on board with the idea. I mean, who can be mad about getting to finish microbiology in 7 weeks rather than 16? Plus, only two classes a day, so we'll be able to keep all the information fresh and un-muddled from classwork subjects that overlap. While this streamlined program may not be for everyone, it's definitely for me. I'll be able to dedicate all my focus to two subjects, and that means homework won't be all over the place either. I've planned to pair all my harder classes with an easier class for each block, so I can really focus on the complex material (example: I'll be taking Introduction to Acting and Microbiology together). Plus, there are studies that suggest this style of learning may be more effective for converting information from short-term to long-term memory.

Additionally, all of our majors have been revised, and we will potentially be able to graduate FASTER, with the max amount of credits per semester raising from 16 to 18. The LAP is cancelled, baby! From now on the only classes you'll be required to take will be 5 core classes (and one of them is FREE TRAVEL). Then, on top of that a major, a minor, and an IDEA (interdisciplinary education area) minor. With double-dipping allowed, all my requirements will be finished by year three!  I'll be graduating with TWO Bachelor's Degrees (as a double major in psychology and health systems), a minor in criminology, an IDEA minor in health and well-being, AND a certificate in service learning. Sounds like a lot in writing, but this system has made it exponentially easier to reach all of these goals!

Part III.
Save the best for last....COMPLETELY FREE STUDY ABROAD - as a REQUIREMENT. You really don't have to require me to do that, I'm jumping at this opportunity. EVERY sophomore student will spend two weeks abroad, with a variety of options, including countries like France, Spain, Ireland, Australia, and MORE to come. Two weeks immersing yourself in a culture for experiential learning. And it is all covered by tuition and donor contributions. Shoutout again to you wealthy folks!


4. Mount Rushmore and Custer State Park (for FREE)

A three day, all expenses (except two lunches) paid trip for 26 HC students to go explore two state parks (Fort Robinson and Custer) and Mount Rushmore! This one isn't till the end of April but I'm stoked just thinking about it. Hiking, nature, and lots of photography opportunities (for my boyfriend, whom I take pictures of while he's taking pictures).

5. Um, my super cool new job?

This semester I was offered a work-study position in the Psychology and Sociology Department working with some of my absolute favorite faculty. I haven't officially started yet, as I have to go through worker orientation and FERPA training, but I get to work very closely with multiple professors I admire. One of them being my faculty sponsor for the research project I will be proposing for a research grant this Spring or next Fall which will involve another trip abroad!


6. Student Association Events

I get it, I'm starting to sound like an advertisement for my school. I swear this is the last one (for now). Almost every weekend the Student Association makes sure there is an event, either on or off campus, for the students. And, they're FREE (as a college student, I've grown to love that word). So far this semester we've had (to name only a few) two Movie Nights at the local movie theater, a chili cook-off for the super bowl, a night at the roller skating rink, grocery bag bingo, Bachelor watch parties (with sparkling grape juice and chocolate strawberries), and more.
Some upcoming exciting ones: Escape Room, Operation Glow, and another Movie Night!