Choosing a Community of Camaraderie

By: Ann Marie Ballance, Honors College Sophomore

One of the most exciting days of my high school senior year was receiving my acceptance letter from the ECU Honors College. As an education major, I wanted to attend ECU because of their reputation in producing great teachers; however, I still questioned whether or not I would to attend ECU because I was considering the other schools to which I had been accepted. Receiving my acceptance letter from ECU’s Honors College changed the indecision. I was certain that I wanted to go to ECU because I saw an amazing opportunity to grow in academics and leadership through the different programs offered in the Honors College. Besides the scholarship and other experiences, a main selling point was the ability to be part of community of students who were interested in learning. I knew that while living in the Honors Living Learning Community during my freshman year, I would meet amazing students who had similar interests and were motivated like me.

Looking back, I can see that the Honors Living Learning Community was one of the most important parts of my freshman year. As I had thought, I met people who were motivated both inside and outside the classroom with interests in improving themselves and others. As a History Education major, I always love to see people sharing their knowledge and passions which is at the core of the Honors College. Many students come from different majors; however, all of us are truly interested in helping others through our interests. I never expected that many of my friends would come from varying majors and the Honors College; although, I am really glad that they have.