Academically demanding

As I write this, I have to prepare for a calculus test, read a 40-page excerpt from The Oresteia, and start a chemistry lab report. If that doesn't give you an indication of the academic side of Centre, I don't know what does!

I won't try to sugarcoat the fact that Centre is an academically demanding college; each of my professors expects a lot, usually in the form of nightly textbook readings, bookwork, and internet assignments. This Monday, like every other Monday, I have a three-hour chemistry lab experiment. Then, on Tuesdays and Thursdays I have my hour and a half anthropology class, in which I've just been assigned an ethnographic study involving a sub-culture in the Danville community. Oh, don't forget the nightly reading assignments for chemistry, humanities, and anthropology...or the 20 or so calculus problems, too.

Okay, so that sounds like a lot. And yes, I have a lot of homework, but that's why it's called college! I'm glad that I'm being challenged to work hard and do my best. Sounds cheesy, but it's true! I'm sure my upbeat attitude about having heavy-hitting coursework is due to my experience in high school; I participated in the International Baccalaureate Program, a rigorous academic program that helps prepare high school students for college as well as get them college credit. So I guess you could say I got a little bit of a head start on the whole college scene!

No matter what your high school background is, you will have to work hard in your classes to do well—there's no way around it. Fortunately, Centre professors understand that we work hard, and are willing to work with you, which is extremely important. If you're ever feeling overwhelmed about an assignment or test, your professors will be there to help you.

For example, for my first humanities paper, Professor Kinkade had a personal meeting with each student to go over our rough draft and hear any of our concerns. Similarly, my calculus teacher regularly holds review sessions, posts practice problems for tests, and is available daily for help outside of class. Professor Montgomery, who teaches my chemistry class, responds quickly and happily to e-mails at any hour, and my anthropology professor even asked my class what we liked or didn't like about his class so he could change it! All in all, everyone here is ready and willing to help you adjust to the academic rigor of college as much as possible. There have been times I've felt intimidated, but each and every time my professors have been there to guide me.

And even though the work is hard, it's incredibly interesting; I can go to class each day assured that I will hear something that makes me say, "wow!" Well, I really do need to start studying for that calculus test, but now you know what being a student at Centre really involves. Wish me luck, I'm going to need it!