Senior Reflections: Getting the Most Out of College

By: Kelly McLees, Honors College Senior

The following is Kelly’s reflection on her college and Honors College experience.  Kelly will graduate from ECU in December 2014. 

Kelly starting a fire for her Wilderness Writing final exam

Of course, my life was jam packed with your typical college experiences like Greek life, rigorous academic coursework, and part time jobs. However, I am fortunate to be able to say that I also took part in some not-so-cliché exposures, such as the NC Teaching Fellows program, unique Honors College experiences like exclusive classes and video chats with foreign students, and co-teaching a class on diversity at the University! I suppose you could say that I was ambitious to get the most I could out of the short time! At times I still wonder: how in the world did I accomplish it all? 

Although it may not sound like a walk in the park, one of my favorite memories as an Honors College student was participating in an Honors College seminar called Wilderness Writing. Part of this course involved going on a week long camping trip with other Honors College students. We were all attempting to accomplish all of our other schoolwork while freezing in our tents in harsh February weather. At that time, I think all of us wondered how we had gotten ourselves into that mess and why we had chosen the class at all! However, a few short hours later we were all very good friends and remain so to this day. A few weeks after that, we went camping again and had the chance to climb a mountain together! Experiences like that were made available to me through the Honors College, and I will always hold them near and dear.

It is only really fair for me to look back now and say that it was all worth it. The long library hours, the “young” jokes from colleagues and faculty (ahem – I haven’t forgotten Baxter!..), the many pages of reading, and all the tests I ever worried about — every minute was worth it. Now, I have accepted a coveted teaching position in my field of study, and I owe it all to East Carolina and the Honors College that I feel completely prepared and confident! I certainly would not have accomplished all I have without the excellent programs that have been an integral part of my success. And now that the time has flown by, and I’m aware of what I’m capable of… who knows what I’ll be up to next!