For as long as I can remember, I knew that I wanted to be a part of something that would help others. This led me to explore the field of psychology and my curiosity on how our thoughts and feelings influence our behaviors. I discovered that the Psychology major at Springfield College had an emphasis on research skills and graduate school preparation, which were very valuable to me and the direction that I wanted to take in my future career in forensic psychology. The Psychology major also has flexible credit spacing for completing your classes, which allowed me to explore Criminal Justice classes as well, and apply them to what I was learning in my major. 

To expand on my learning potential as a future Psychology major, I applied to join the Honors Program the spring before my first year. I was immediately drawn to its message of encouraging the community to be well-rounded, curious, up for a challenge, and excited to learn more. This way of learning was something new that I knew from the beginning would set me up for success in the future. I was later accepted into the program and quickly welcomed into this new community. 

One proud moment in my Honors Program journey happened last semester. I got to present my research poster that was developed from the semester-long work I did in my honors Adolescent and Young Adult Development class at the College’s undergraduate research showcase, Scholars in Action. I also got the opportunity to volunteer as a representative of the Honors Student Council last year at a fall open house at the College. Getting to talk with prospective students and their families about my experiences in the Honors Program here was like a full-circle moment for me. 

Other activities that are available weekly to all Honors Program students are “Out of Class Learning Experiences,” such as school-led lectures, performances, presentations, and off-campus trips. In my first year, I went on a nature walk with Rebecca Lartigue, PhD, director of the Honors Program; Chelsea Corr-Limoges, PhD, associate professor of Environmental Science, and other honors students to learn about geology while seeing the Thayer Brook Trail’s Whale Rock in Wilbraham, Mass. Last fall, I attended the Humanics Leadership Conference for an Exploring and Fostering Emotional Intelligence event in the Flynn Campus Union. Every semester has a “big event” that brings all the Honors Program students and Springfield College community together. Important and well-known speakers from all over the country come to our campus, such as Karine Jean-Pierre, former White House press secretary.