Reflection
The required Gateway to Honors class was in some aspects very informative and useful, but in others an inefficient usage of time in my opinion. The class was extremely helpful in that I learned all there was to know about Honors at UC: requirements, experiences, seminars, portfolios, and reflections. I also enjoyed meeting other people in Honors and getting to know my Honors advisor on a more personal level. One of the most helpful class sessions was having the upper-class honors students come into class to answer any questions we had and give us strong examples of portfolios. However, I felt that most of the information could be either learned independently from the Honors website, or through a single two-hour Honors meeting. Outside of learning the basics of the Honors Program, I felt that the extra assignments completed in class were not absolutely necessary. Writing the autobiography, the This I Believe statement, and creating the Honors powerpoint were all assignments that could be created into requirements for Honors without the class. I do not believe that the assignments were a waste of time, because I actually found them to be a good break from regular classes and I enjoyed having the chance to reflect on myself; however I could have done without the peer review and class to complete the assignments. For future incoming freshman, I believe that it would be more beneficial for UC Honors to hold two or three mandatory meetings where students can have the chance to meet their advisors, have their questions answered by upperclassmen, and be taught all the important information. In addition, I feel that both the autobiography and This I Believe statement can simply be made into required written assignments that need to completed prior to graduation, similar to the reflection requirements. With the implication of these changes, I firmly believe that the Honors program can improve the first-year experience as well as carry on the strong foundation and standards it has already set for its students.