Welcome to the Honors College, the most challenging experience in FAU education. Whether you are a new student, a returning student, or have never heard of the Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, the basic information remains the same.

This year, the Honors College will welcome 154 freshmen to the Jupiter campus, bringing the total enrollment to 300 students. The school’s two residence halls will be completely full, and some upperclassmen will even have the opportunity to live in Abacoa’s trendy apartments. With the growth of the MacArthur Campus will come expansion: ground has already been broken for a new library-classroom building, and there are plans to build a third residence hall building.

So get ready for a small, friendly liberal arts college where it is hard to get lost in the crowd and easy to get in over your head. But not to worry: read on for some useful information, helpful tips, and small guidelines to become a successful Honors College student.

The academic requirements

The Honors College is a liberal arts college, where graduates earn a Bachelor of Arts Degree, and may “concentrate” in several different areas, the most popular of which are biology and psychology. Other concentrations include Law and Society, Economics, Chemistry, History, and English Literature.

Additionally, Honors College Students are required to complete a writing portfolio at the end of their sophomore year with written pieces that they’ve submitted to professors, and also to participate in an internship or study abroad program.

The “concentration,” or area of specialization, can be chosen from the list, or students are able to design their own interdisciplinary concentration. Students are permitted to have dual concentrations, and other minor concentrations, as well. Honors College students must write and complete a “Senior Thesis” project in their area of concentration.

Honors College requirements and perks

One of the weaknesses of the Honors College is the availability of classes. This is why you should take the opportunity to finish many of your Core requirements in your freshman and sophomore years.

One of the many benefits of the Honors College is the student’s relationship with his or her advisor. Your advisor is there to answer your questions and help you succeed. Listen to him, and know his office hours.

Each teacher will give you a class syllabus; most of the time office hours and location appear on the syllabus. It is a good idea to keep a list of your professor’s office hours taped near your computer so you can see it. Honors College professors love when students come to their office; it shows interest and commitment to the course, and they can get to know you on a one-on-one level. Make it a priority to visit each professor’s office hours at least twice during the course of the semester. If you are having trouble with the work in the class, visit whenever you need help. There is nothing the professor likes less than a student coming to them at the end of the semester, for the first time, begging for mercy. Get your act together as early as possible.

Residential life

Ah, the Honors College Residence Halls. Honors College Students are given excellent living amenities; they live in suites of four, each student has his or her own room, and there is one bathroom with a shower and a sink and another with a sink and a toilet.

There are two Residential Assistants on each floor. Your RA is an excellent person to consult for all sorts of advice. He or she has been through at least one year at the Honors College and has been trained to respond to your questions, concerns, and problems. Each evening, there are always two RA’s on duty to respond to any emergencies you may have.

Ways to get involved

There is no better way to make friends at the Honors College than to get involved in one of the many clubs and Student Government organizations on campus. At the very least, you should try to attend all the fun and interesting Student Government and Residential Life sponsored events, which give you a chance to relax, get free stuff, and hang out with your friends and roommates.

Need a job? Student Government offers both paid and volunteer positions to serve the students of the MacArthur Campus. For more information on how to get involved in Student Government, stop by the Student Government office in the MLC Building, or contact Governor Noemi Coltea or Senate Speaker Mindy McLester.

Student health services

The new Health Services clinic, located in MLC 274, provides students with relief from sore throats, colds, coughs, and urinary tract infections. The clinic also offers women’s health services such as breast and pelvic exams, birth control, and testing for sexually transmitted diseases.

Student Health Services also offers assistance for anxiety, insomnia, eating disorders, and depression, and works closely with the campus psychologist on counseling services.

What to do

1. Get Involved. Pick a club or join Student Government. You can get involved with RSA; if you live in the dorms, you’re already a member.

2. Carry your keys and Owl Card with you at all times.

3. Go to class. Many professors have attendance policies.

4. Keep your Trailblazer in your car. The Trailblazer is the guide to all the area businesses, restaurants, and attractions.

5. Keep all essays and written assignments for future use in your writing portfolios.

6. Do your forum papers. Forum is an easy class that you don’t want to repeat.

7. Take good notes and study for all your tests.

8. Take advantage of free tutoring, available in the MHA building.

9. Set rules with your suitemates. Decide who does what cleaning, when it is acceptable to have guests, when it is ok to be loud, and when it needs to be quiet.

10. Have a great time at the Honors College, make a lot of friends, take a lot of pictures, and share a lot of memories.

What NOT to do

1. Don’t lose your keys. If you lock yourself out of your room, it costs $5 to get back in, if you lose your mailbox key, a new one is $10, and if you lose your dorm key, it will cost $75 to “re-core” all the doors in the suite.

2. Don’t get caught drinking. The campus police will get involved, and you could get into some serious trouble.

3. Don’t take more credits than you can handle.

4. Don’t rush into choosing a concentration. You have time to figure out what interests you.

5. Don’t cheat. There is an Honor Code that professors make you sign off on each time you take a test.

6. Don’t keep your cell phone on in class. It’s rude, and professors hate it.

7. Don’t miss deadlines for financial aid, drop/add, or registration. Besides being inconvenienced, you will be charged.

8. Don’t sit in your room and study 24/7. You will go insane.

9. Don’t become a victim of the “freshman fifteen.” Innova Fitness in Abacoa is a gym that FAU students can use.

10.Don’t slack off at the end of the semester.

The Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College is a wealth of knowledge, opportunity, and personal attention. Successful students find their niche and have a good time. So to the 154 new freshmen and transfer students, welcome, and to everyone else, welcome back.