Stetson University has given me a chance to finally love learning. Unlike in high school, I was in large classes of usually thirty-one students and being in Stetson and having classes with only twenty or fifteen students is refreshing. The small numbers also give the professors an easier time to really get to know their students. The professors there actually pay attention to you and want to see you succeed and thanks to some amazing professors I have managed to survive my freshman year and develop effective study habits. The school itself has so many different classes and majors that I found myself studying for a Biology test one moment, in another trying to get some friends to help me in a Sociology experiment involving eating popcorn out of an empty tampon box or talking to people with my back to them and finally I end my day with an argument about how much I’m in love with Albrecht Dürer and have my friends poke fun at me since he is dead. Don’t judge me! Stetson is not all fun and games you will have to work, but believe me it is worth it. I have never learned so much about sociology, biology, art history, history, math or any other subject until I came to Stetson. I'm even more surprised that I actually started a conversation about how my favorite hypothesis test was Anova in my statistic class. This is one of the many side effects that you may experience when in college: you develop an interest to something you used to hate.
Do you enjoy the experience at your school?
Do not get me started on how much fun I'm having at Stetson because we may be here all day...or a few days. To the point, ever since I started to volunteer in high school I have grown to love volunteering to the point that it was not a chore, but a fun activity I was a part of. The community of Deland may be quiet in the party scene, but it has so many opportunities for the volunteering junkie. My experiences range from bathing dogs at New Horizons to occasionally lending a hand in our school's garden. The gardening was a big think for me since I have been known to have the black thumb of famine. Stetson is not only volunteering there are also a number of events going on. You just need to keep your ear to the ground, your eyes on the colorful posters that tell you when the event is and your mouth spreading the news to friends so they can have fun too. The organizations in charge of the fun are CSA and Nightcap; these two handle the fun on the weekends. On the weekdays you can count on the fraternities, sororities and clubs to have an event planned that is filled with fun. My favorite events this year was the snow fight (yes Nightcap made it snow for us.), the tie-dyeing, any event involving food and IMPACT (hosted by my lovely Bonners!). Even if you miss out on any event you can still have fun with friends. I can still remember the brutal game of Mario Kart that we all had and how we acted like 'Chickens Roaming the Prairie' during our game of Cranium at the coffee shop. Good times.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
At this point Stetson sounds like it has to problems or issues. Wait, what is that? Oh look that's the backhand of reality. This is how I felt the first time I saw the tuition. I'm from a low middle class Hispanic family so we are not exactly sipping from golden goblets that are encrusted with diamonds and living la vida loca. Thankfully, Stetson knows that it costs a lot and tries everything to help you afford it. The Financial Aid Office is filled with amazing people that are willing to help you get through this wall and quell any worries you have. Also if you think they made a mistake in your bill, do not feel nervous about calling them. They are there to help and will fix any mistakes that they have made. Overall, Stetson is worth the cost.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
When coming into Stetson take time to get yourself organized and never leave anything the last minute. Sure that test is a month away, but sooner or later your other professor will want an essay due in two weeks, then the other class wants a project due next week. Basically you will find yourself with no time to study if you leave everything last minute. So, for the sake of your sanity start everything early. Another important item that you WILL need is a planner. This will be your survival guide for the whole year, it keeps you organized and sane. Ultimately, do not forget to also have fun in college and socialize. One of the things that has kept me going was the support of my teachers, friends and my helpful study buddies.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
Stetson is great for those who prefer small town over big city, nature-lovers and students who want to be part of our small Stetson community. For those who want to party, we do have fraternity parties, but if your expecting something like 'Animal House' then try another college that is party crazy.
Stetson University has given me a chance to finally love learning. Unlike in high school, I was in large classes of usually thirty-one students and being in Stetson and having classes with only twenty or fifteen students is refreshing. The small numbers also give the professors an easier time to really get to know their students. The professors there actually pay attention to you and want to see you succeed and thanks to some amazing professors I have managed to survive my freshman year and develop effective study habits. The school itself has so many different classes and majors that I found myself studying for a Biology test one moment, in another trying to get some friends to help me in a Sociology experiment involving eating popcorn out of an empty tampon box or talking to people with my back to them and finally I end my day with an argument about how much I’m in love with Albrecht Dürer and have my friends poke fun at me since he is dead. Don’t judge me! Stetson is not all fun and games you will have to work, but believe me it is worth it. I have never learned so much about sociology, biology, art history, history, math or any other subject until I came to Stetson. I'm even more surprised that I actually started a conversation about how my favorite hypothesis test was Anova in my statistic class. This is one of the many side effects that you may experience when in college: you develop an interest to something you used to hate.
Do not get me started on how much fun I'm having at Stetson because we may be here all day...or a few days. To the point, ever since I started to volunteer in high school I have grown to love volunteering to the point that it was not a chore, but a fun activity I was a part of. The community of Deland may be quiet in the party scene, but it has so many opportunities for the volunteering junkie. My experiences range from bathing dogs at New Horizons to occasionally lending a hand in our school's garden. The gardening was a big think for me since I have been known to have the black thumb of famine. Stetson is not only volunteering there are also a number of events going on. You just need to keep your ear to the ground, your eyes on the colorful posters that tell you when the event is and your mouth spreading the news to friends so they can have fun too. The organizations in charge of the fun are CSA and Nightcap; these two handle the fun on the weekends. On the weekdays you can count on the fraternities, sororities and clubs to have an event planned that is filled with fun. My favorite events this year was the snow fight (yes Nightcap made it snow for us.), the tie-dyeing, any event involving food and IMPACT (hosted by my lovely Bonners!). Even if you miss out on any event you can still have fun with friends. I can still remember the brutal game of Mario Kart that we all had and how we acted like 'Chickens Roaming the Prairie' during our game of Cranium at the coffee shop. Good times.
At this point Stetson sounds like it has to problems or issues. Wait, what is that? Oh look that's the backhand of reality. This is how I felt the first time I saw the tuition. I'm from a low middle class Hispanic family so we are not exactly sipping from golden goblets that are encrusted with diamonds and living la vida loca. Thankfully, Stetson knows that it costs a lot and tries everything to help you afford it. The Financial Aid Office is filled with amazing people that are willing to help you get through this wall and quell any worries you have. Also if you think they made a mistake in your bill, do not feel nervous about calling them. They are there to help and will fix any mistakes that they have made. Overall, Stetson is worth the cost.
When coming into Stetson take time to get yourself organized and never leave anything the last minute. Sure that test is a month away, but sooner or later your other professor will want an essay due in two weeks, then the other class wants a project due next week. Basically you will find yourself with no time to study if you leave everything last minute. So, for the sake of your sanity start everything early. Another important item that you WILL need is a planner. This will be your survival guide for the whole year, it keeps you organized and sane. Ultimately, do not forget to also have fun in college and socialize. One of the things that has kept me going was the support of my teachers, friends and my helpful study buddies.
Stetson is great for those who prefer small town over big city, nature-lovers and students who want to be part of our small Stetson community. For those who want to party, we do have fraternity parties, but if your expecting something like 'Animal House' then try another college that is party crazy.