Health studies major Ella Kilstrom recalls the thrill and anxiety that she experienced as a first-year student arriving on campus, and the honors class that helped her to acclimate to the university.

Dear Prospective Student,

Congratulations on surviving high school! These past couple of years have been something completely out of left field, but you handled it with grace and have finally crossed the finish line. Your successes are admirable and nothing short of celebratory, but you may be wondering what they mean now that you’re entering college and leaving it all behind.

The college transition is a monumental moment in your life. Whether you’re practically running out the door or scared for what’s to come in this new chapter, this transitional period is everything from exhilarant to overwhelming. I still remember my very first week on campus and how the thrill of it all was underlined by the anxiety of figuring out who I was and where exactly I was meant to be in this new world. One of the biggest helpers in soothing my worries during this time was the University of Iowa Honors Program, more specifically what we call “Honors Primetime.”

Honors Primetime is a 3 ½ day workshop held the week before the semester begins for incoming first-year honors students. In this workshop, professors give a seminar on a topic that they’re passionate about to a group of Honors students like yourselves. My professor, Dr. Ben Hassman, focused our seminar on what he nicknamed, “To Know is to Tell.” We spent the days exploring the intricacies of communication and how to best employ our words in making meaningful statements and connections with others. Not only did this experience help to acclimate me to the educational environment at the University of Iowa, but it also helped me in feeling more comfortable on campus, meeting new people, and exploring opportunities available to me.

I could praise Honors Primetime for pages, but instead I’ll highlight some of the other features of the honors program. Through this community, students are given the opportunity to surround themselves with like-minded individuals as they pursue their higher education related goals. Honors courses provide a setting for smaller, discussion-based classes where students are able to get to know their peers and professors on a deeper level. Additionally, the honors program facilitates experiential learning, where students apply themselves and their education through meaningful experiences, such as study abroad or research.

I hope that I was able to help in some way. If you have any questions about the UI Honors Program or about the University of Iowa in general, please don’t hesitate to reach out to myself, one of the other honors ambassadors, or a member of the honors professional staff. I love being able to talk to prospective and incoming students like yourself about what makes the University of Iowa, and specifically the honors program, so special. I wish you the best in all your future endeavors!

Best,

Ella Kilstrom