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"Great Aspects of Rollins"

April 20, 2006

Greetings, R-Journal readers. I bring you yet another update…this time, however, I am not writing to celebrate Fox Day or from one of my usual exotic locations. Rather, I write you from the middle of one of my classes. Now, granted, I typically pay attention in class. I’m sure that all of you recognize that I am an extremely studious person, but also a guy who also has a lot to get done this time of year. So, I peek in and out of the class discussions, but keep my handy laptop up and running during the lulls of conversation.

We are quickly entering into one of the craziest times of the academic year…final papers and final exam time. I know that I always wondered how much homework is assigned in college and how much time you actually spend working on it. Well, this time of year, I’m getting set (next week) to work three, maybe four, solid hours a day on finishing up some of my larger papers and in starting to prepare for exams. In an average week, however, I might end up doing an average of about two hours a day. It truly depends on your course load, your reading speed and work ethic as to how long homework (by that I mean almost exclusively reading and writing) takes you. If you can “study” with the television on, then add some extra time on as well. Someone saying that they can study or write while watching television can probably study by the Alfond Pool as well, FYI (there is wireless internet). Just let me know if you actually pull it off. I’d be impressed.

So, I have been wanting—especially in this decision-making time of year—to really write about the reasons why I chose Rollins and if these reasons were applicable in my first year and if my expectations were fulfilled. At this point last year, I had just decided on Rollins as my college choice after comparing offers from more than 20 schools…many schools very similar to Rollins, and a few schools that were very, very different from Rollins. I know I touched on many of these in my first journal entry, but I did want to make sure that I talked about them again:

1. Accessibility:

Rollins is a campus where, quite frankly, the undergraduate students run the place. Want to rent out a facility for a meeting? Go for it. Want to talk with the President? No problem. Need to get some advice in choosing classes? Give your professor a call at home or drop him an e-mail. There’s very little red tape at Rollins, and while I do complain about, well, parking, or maybe filling out an extra form, I’m pretty happy with how easy it is to take care of some of the operational details of college life.

2. Adaptability:

Need to create a major? We’ll give you a chance to pitch your idea to a committee. Want to take a few classes in dance or theatre and still major in biology? We’ll look forward to seeing you on stage. Want to schedule a final exam a bit early so that you can go home early on a break? I’ve had professors do it. Rollins is overwhelmingly personal and interested in seeing students succeed. You’ll find a whole lot of friendly, flexible people here in Winter Park.

3. Academics:

The academics at Rollins are very good. I’ve had a class similar to a class I took in high school (but better taught), but have also had a lot of classes completely different from those that I’ve already taken…picture a class in which the students and their discussions run the entire period, or a class session that meets without the professor to play the board game Risk to study international politics. Our quality academics create a great deal of respect nationally and locally. Rollins graduates get jobs and get into great grad schools. I have two friends here on campus who will be heading to Oxford and Harvard next year for graduate school. Not too shabby.

4. Campus Community

Well, obviously (if you’ve ever seen ANY photos), our campus is gorgeous. I visited more than 20 campuses and still would fight that Rollins has the finest campus with the best facilities. However, our buildings house so much more than aesthetic value…they house community. It’s great to be able to walk from building to building and get a few friendly “hellos” on the way over, or to buy a T-shirt at the bookstore and have the cashier know you by name. I even think that it is pretty awesome that you can be running on a treadmill in the fitness center and have your professor running (albeit a bit slower =o) ) right next to you or to see your professors and their families walking throughout campus. Pretty exciting stuff.

I would hope that all of you are looking for some of the things that I’ve mentioned in the schools that you are considering. Rollins is a great school, and we look forward to welcoming so many of you to campus next fall (even though I contest that they call it “Fall Semester” when it really starts in mid-August…that’s when it is just starting to heat up in Ohio!).

Please continue sending emails with your questions. I’m more than happy to answer any questions you might have.

Steve

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