The following post was written by Peer Advisor Sam, a CCAS junior double majoring in political science and communication.
A week into the semester and you’ve started questioning your course-load. “Why did I decide to take two WIDS at the same time?” “I don’t think I actually want to take acting as my GPAC arts credit.” “Was taking ALL the sciences this semester really such a great idea?”
You think about how you’re going to talk yourself through it. “I just need organization,” you might say. But soon you find yourself on the registrar’s website again, scrolling classes that seem perpetually full. Then you remember you’re in the Honors Program, and you have a sweet solution for this problem: CONTRACT COURSES!
But do you qualify? Is it even possible? CAN IT BE DONE?!
As you freak out, the Honors Program gods (*Cough* Catherine and Mary *Cough*) shine a light down on you when you ask “Who can take these classes?” They mix fairy dust, love, and magic together when they sprinkle you with the answer “Anyone who is interested.”
So you think to yourself, “This is too good to be true.” You’ve realized that you can get credit for an internship, do independent research, or even find an Honors research assistantship. All you have to do is find a professor who will supervise your work and meet with you regularly to review your progress.
This sounds amazing. Incredibly, it turns out to be even better than you’ve originally anticipated. You find that professor who you connect with, you talk to the boss at your internship, and you start drafting ideas for an incredible paper.
This paper helps you grow beyond that boring lecture you dropped. Your research makes you interesting to other students, faculty, and real-world folk. People start to ask about your research. Organizations and future internships become interested in you because you took initiative as an undergraduate. Future you looks back on current you and nods in approval.
Current you realizes that you need to take one of these classes immediately. So where do you start? Make an appointment with a Program Officer to talk specifics. Then, head on over to this page for some clarifying points, draft a proposal, and then jump right in to your new favorite semester. You done good, honors student.