FSU Honors Program Newsletter, Issue #21- January 2020

FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY

HONORS

ISSUE #21 January 2020

contents 3

UPCOMING EVENTS

4

FALL RECAP

5

DIRECTOR'S WELCOME

7

WHAT IS HEP?

8

HONORS IN THE ARTS

9

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

10

STUDY SPOTS

11

STUDENT SUBMISSIONS

13

NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS

14

DORM ROOM RECIPE

HSA FALL RECAP!

UPCOMING EVENTS & DEADLINES

SPRING HONORS INDIVIDUAL AUGMENT CONTRACT DEADLINE Friday, January 24th at 4:00pm HSF Honors Office

HONORS IN THE MAJOR HISTORY DEPARTMENT WORKSHOP Wednesday, January 29th at 11 am to 1:30 om HSF Great Hall

HONORS IN THE MAJOR ROUNDTABLE LUNCH Thursday, January 30th at 11:45am to 1:00pm HSF Great Hall

HONORS IN THE MAJOR ROUNDTABLE LUNCH Thursday, January 30th at 11:45am to 1:00pm HSF Great Hall

YOGA IN LANDIS Thursday, February 6th at 5 pm Location TBA

SHARE-IT NIGHT AT MAGDA'S Thursday, February 6th at Time TBA Magda's Ice Cream

VALENTINE'S SOCIAL Wednesday, February 12th at 5 pm to 7 pm Location TBA

VALENTINE'S FUNDRAISER Friday, February 14th at 10 am to 1 pm Landis Green

HSA GENERAL BODY MEETING Tuesday, February 18th at 5:30 pm to 7 pm HSF Great Hall

MONTHLY BREAKFAST Thursday, February 27th at 8 am to 10 am HSF

Director's Welcome DR. ANNETTE SCHWABE Happy New Year Honors students and friends of Honors!

As we enter the new year of 2020, I would like to recap some honors activities during Fall 2019 while looking forward to spring semester and beyond. This academic year, 2019-2020, is a highwater mark in terms of admissions at FSU. FSU admitted over 7,000 new and highly qualified undergraduate students in Fall of 2019, up from about 6,200 in the Fall of 2018. Selecting the 577 incoming freshman students to join the Honors Program from among a very competitive field was challenging. Also difficult was the process of selecting 92 new laterally-admitted Honors students, who have done exceptional work in their first semester at FSU and who will begin taking their first Honors courses this semester. Please welcome them!

We are pleased to have such a high-caliber, sociable, and engaged group of Honors students, who have the support and mentorship of our excellent advisors and faculty. Through your presence in the Honors, Scholars, and Fellows house, you will also have access to many active and caring "senior" students who inhabit the beautiful spaces in the building to study, chart their future, and develop personal and professional relationships!

Speaking of seniors, 52 students graduated with Honors Distinctions this past December. Of those, 40 completed the requirements for the University Honors program, three earned “Dual Honors” having completed both the university honors program and an HITM thesis, and two students achieved the distinction as an Outstanding Senior Scholar, which means they earned Dual Honors and had a 3.9 or higher GPA upon graduation. Seven additional students who were not in the University Honors Program completed an HITM thesis.

You can see photos of the ceremony on the FSU Honors/HSA Facebook page -- fun was had by all! I hope you can all envision yourself walking across the stage to receive your Honors medallion, an important distinction in your college career. I hope that all of your hard work culminates in reaching that high-water mark in your undergraduate careers! All of us in Honors are at the ready to help you find resources and take steps toward crossing the Honors finish line so you, too, can enjoy the satisfaction of achieving this distinctive status.

Reading about the accomplishments of your peers and thinking about getting to the Honors finish line might provoke some worry or doubt. In the spirit of making the new year the best it can be while feeling happy in your everyday lives, I have some words of advice for the new semester and year ahead.

1. Pause and take a mental break from your long “to-do” list, worries about applications, course performance, relationships, or whatever else might be clouding your mind. You are, no doubt, talented, capable, and energetic, but you are also human and need time to reflect and re-charge.

You deserve to feel happy. Whether the past year was exciting, fulfilling, full of accomplishment and led to new and positive relationships or was just plain difficult and bumpy, the Honors Program provides many opportunities to build community and find resources for success.

2. Today is a new day and the semester stretches before us, full of possibility as well as challenges that will foster growth and later success. Devote time every day to care for yourself in the midst of it all and fulfilling relationships, successes and happiness will follow.

3. Instead of doubting whether you should indulge in something you love or constantly striving, treat yourself! If you love working out at the gym, go to the gym and cherish the time as a pleasure and not a chore! If you hate working out at the gym, find another healthy pursuit that also makes you happy – whether kicking back with a friend over coffee or a good movie or walking outside in solitude or with others. If you feel lonely or unfulfilled socially, strike up a conversation in line at Starbucks, before or after a class, join activities in your residence hall, LARP on Landis Green, or participate in one of the many amazing student groups. Get actively engaged in HSA meetings and feel the satisfaction of being with people who share your dispositions and interest.

4. Show up – physically and mentally. The spaces in HSF provide numerous ways to feed your success and happiness – finding study groups, having interesting and open-minded folks to talk to or make plans with, places to meditate while looking over Landis Green, a small quiet garden outside for rest and reflection, and fantastic courses and student-focused events to pique your interest and pursue your passions. By showing up, you’ll find your people (there are lots of them in the Honors Program – both students and staff).

5. This brings me to my final words of advice for the new year that will bring comfort, growth, and success: tolerate ambiguity and uncertainty. Live it in without worrying about it. Venture forward to try things that might or might not work out perfectly and you’ll develop personal resilience as you discover many wonderful (and kind) people, positive experiences, and insights into yourself that bring you joy.

DR. ANNETTE SCHWABE Director of Honors

WHAT IS THE HONORS EXPERIENCE PROGRAM? The Honors Experience Program is a pilot program with the purpose of creating an Honors identity and a more involved program chock full of worthwhile experiences. HEP students take extra courses with an interdisciplinary focus with the four HEP professors. Started in 2018, it is designed to: Meet Liberal Studies requirements that students have not typically before arriving at FSU Make it easier to achieve the Honors Medallion Create a more competitive Honors program in the future Even smaller class sizes based on discussion and research

BY CALLISTA PAYNE YOU WERE AN UNDERGRADUATE HONORS STUDENT. HOW DID THE FINE ARTS POSITIVELY IMPACT YOUR EXPERIENCE?

Theatre & Honors: An Interview with Dr. Arianne Quinn Wanting to get involved in the creative arts?

Don't know where to start? Dr. Quinn has the why and how covered for combining honors and the fine arts!

WHAT EXACTLY IS AN ARTISTIC COMMUNITY? Communities of artists are groups of people who share vision, passion, enthusiasm and hard work. They are safe spaces where you can experiment with a new project, performance or composition, and you can fail with support and guidance. It is particularly challenging to pursue artistic endeavors in a culture that does not value the arts or humanities, and which constantly devalues the need for creative expression.

By participating in or forming your own community you experience the encouragement and support you need to create and perform the art and music that our culture desperately needs.

WE HEAR YOU’RE STARTING A NEW COMMITTEE. WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT AND HOW CAN STUDENTS GET INVOLVED? As part of our Honors Experience Program, we teach interdisciplinary courses that speak to a common theme, which right now is Freedom and (In)equalities.

Each faculty member directs a student leadership committee; this semester I am forming an Arts and Culture group. This group will meet to plan events, such as invited performers, workshops, jam sessions, improv nights, performances of original work–– the possibilities are endless! The Spring semester will culminate in a musical theatre cabaret performance spearheaded by our HEP Players. If you are interested in taking part please email me at aquinn@fsu.edu!

Being a fine arts student provided a built-in sense of community for me which lasts to this day. It expanded my sense of possibility, and exposed me to new cultures, sounds, and ideas that I never would have experienced otherwise, such as a performance-based course I took on Indian Classical music. As a music student, you always have a rehearsal, practice, class, performance, etc. with the same group of people. I also got to perform in masterclasses in places like Malaysia and Germany.

So not only did I gain a strong community network, but I also learned that the world was a lot bigger than I thought when I started college!

WHY DO YOU THINK IT’S IMPORTANT FOR HONORS STUDENTS TO HAVE CREATIVE OUTLETS? Creative outlets are a vital part of any college experience, but particularly for honors students. These outlets, whether it be theatre, music, or visual arts, allow you to discover who you are and what you love, and how you can contribute to the world around you. The relationships that you build with people who share your passion remain for life. This shared passion drives you to do your best, to work hard, and to not compromise when it comes to your art and work. That’s why it’s so important to engage with the arts as part of your college experience, even if it’s not directly related to your major.

WHAT MADE YOU INTERESTED IN MUSICAL THEATRE (BOTH THE ART AND IN TEACHING IT)?

I began my academic studies as a pianist in my undergraduate program and focused on Renaissance Italian music in my Master’s program. While I have studied a variety of repertoire ranging from Bach to Stravinsky (and I love it all), my passion remains the British and American musical theatre. I also have a lot of experience accompanying singers, vocal coaching and performing as a singer myself. The stories of the great works of American and British musical in particular are timeless, and although the stories may be imperfect, they help us understand who we are. As a former teacher, I love introducing students to the different styles and sounds of musical theatre, and helping them to engage with performance, regardless of their prior experience or skill level. I also love to show students how to engage with primary archival materials. These sources have much to tell us about the lives and identities of musical theatre creators, performers, and audiences that shape our responses and understanding today.

WHAT HAS YOUR FAVORITE EXPERIENCE WITH FSU'S HONORS PROGRAM BEEN? My favorite experience with the Honors Program was being a Colloquium Leader. Teaching the course for two years, I learned a lot about myself as an educator, student, and peer. As a leader, it was my responsibility to share important resources, create a sense of community within the Honors program and emphasize areas of social, academic, and personal growth. I had a wonderful experience with both of my sections and I hope that they were able to take away something meaningful from the class.

WHAT HAS YOUR FAVORITE EXPERIENCE WITH FSU BEEN, IN GENERAL? My favorite memories as a Seminole occurred studying abroad. During the summer of 2019, I went with the FSU psychology department to London, England. With my amazing flatmates, I traveled around Europe and was immersed in the culture of countries around the world. My friends and I crawled through caves in Budapest, climbed the stairs of the Eiffel tower in Paris, and drank tea in Buckingham Palace. Additionally, the curriculum abroad focuses on learning through experience so classes were held in museums, theatres, and walking tours. Everyone should study abroad and Florida State University makes it easy to earn class credit, have unique experiences and thrive in a foreign country.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR ANY CURRENT OR INCOMING HONORS STUDENTS? My advice to incoming or current honors students is to make a connection with your Honors Colloquium Leaders and Honors Program Advisors. We all go through trainings to equip ourselves with the tools to help you succeed. If you have questions about resources, campus, the Honors Program, or even life, all you have to do is ask! College is about making connections and your Colloquium Leaders and Advisors are an excellent and often underutilized resource.

Student Spotlight: Laura Elkin Laura is a Senior at FSU majoring in Psychology. After graduation, she plans to attend law school and has already applied to multiple law schools including FSU's own College of Law!.

WHY DID YOU FIRST CHOOSE TO ATTEND FLORIDA STATE?

When I was deciding what college to attend for my undergraduate degree, I loved Florida State University because of its gorgeous campus, competitive athletic program, and diverse student body. Most importantly, I appreciated the emphasis on student growth. As a senior in high school, I chose Florida State University because I knew it was an environment in which I could thrive.

HOW HAS BEING AN HONORS STUDENT AFFECTED YOUR COLLEGE EXPERIENCE?

Being an Honors student has elevated my college experience. My favorite internship was working with the Honors program as an Honors Colloquium Leader.

My favorite classes were full of Honors Students pushing each other to explore more about the materials within the class.

Being an honors student is membership to a community of ambition, dedication, and passion within Florida State University.

WHERE TO STUDY ON CAMPUS STROZIER LIBRARY

HONORS, SCHOLARS, AND FELLOWS

The centrally-located

This space is home to our Honors faculty.

library offers group study rooms, individuals study rooms, and lots of space.

DIRAC SCIENCE LIBRARY Students love this library for its STEM focus.

ALLEN MUSIC LIBRARY In the basement of the Housewright building, this musical study spot has a silent reading room .

CLAUDE PEPPER LIBRARY

This congressional library

HERITAGE MUSEUM Located in Dodd Hall, this study space features gorgeous stained glass windows.

GRINDHOUSE CAFE Study at the ASLC with friends, couches, and a chill atmosphere.

ACE TUTORING STUDIO In William Johnson, the ACE tutoring studio offers free tutors for your classes, in case

DORM STUDY ROOMS In your own dorm, there's likely to be an under-utilized study room with a TV, whiteboard, and room to spread out.

is a treasure trove of historical government

LANDIS GREEN

documents.

If you like a lowkey study experience in nature, Landis Green is the perfect place for group study sessions.

STUDENT SUBMISSIONS Submission by: Abby Ellis

TOP TEN SCIENCE FICTION NOVELS There are so many great science fiction novels and I have read far too many of them (thanks to Kindle Unlimited). However, this does make me extremely qualified to pick my top ten favorites (despite not being a literature major). Now, in no way does this represent the best or the brightest or the most life-altering science fiction novels out there; these are just some of my very favorites. So, please enjoy these fantastic science fiction novels!

1. Saving Mars by Cidney Swanson

This novel is one I haven’t read in a while, but I still love it! Set in a place where Mars and Earth are at odds, Saving Mars follows the story of Jessamyn as she flies a plane to Earth in an effort to save her planet. Get it on Kindle for free.

2. THe Ripple Trilogy by Cidney Swanson

Another novel by Cidney Swanson (do you see a pattern?), this novel is the absolute perfect mix of romance, realistic fiction, adventure, and science fiction. This novel follows Sam and her friends after they realize they can disappear at will and as they try to stay one step ahead of an evil doctor. Buy it on Kindle for $7.99 3. The Maze Runner by James Dashner

This novel is one I haven’t read in a while, but I still love it! Set in a place where Mars and Earth are at odds, Saving Mars follows the story of Jessamyn as she flies a plane to Earth in an effort to save her planet. Get it on Kindle for free.

4. The Moon Dwellers by David Estes

Winner of the 2015 Society of Voice Arts Award, The Moon Dwellers is a great YA novel for those who want a long series to read. This series includes 7 books, if you read the sister series (which I highly recommend).This novel is set underground, where all of humanity lives. Adele and Tristan must find a way to bring peace back to the Tri-Realms. Buy it on Kindle for $0.99 5. Grounded by G.P. Ching

Grounded is the first book in the Grounded Trilogy. While it is not as well-known as some of the other books on this list, it is certainly an exciting book with many twists and turns. After Lydia leaves her life of isolation, she begins to realize that she has unique powers of using electricity. Unfortunately, this means the government is continually trying to capture her.

Can she escape? Get it on Kindle for free.

6. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

This novel has become very popular since it was published in 2008 and has since been turned into a hit movie trilogy. It was also named one of the Best Books of the Year by Publisher’s Weekly in 2008. Katniss Everdeen is forced to participate in the Hunger Games, which is a fight to the death between children of each district in Panem. Because of her experiences, she begins to rebel against President Snow to free all of Panem. Buy it on Kindle for $7.99 7. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

This novel is one of my very favorite classic science fiction novels. My favorite part of this book is its focus on the importance of books. It won the Retro Hugo award for best novel when it was first published. This novel follows Montag as he begins to realize the world he lives in is not as good as he thought. Buy it on Kindle for $2.70.

8. Matched by Ally Condir

Matched was a #1 New York Times Bestselling Series. Despite being published in 2011, this book is still relevant and an easy read. In a society where the government makes all decisions for you, Cassia is matched with her friend. However, due to a glitch, she sees the face of another man, Ky, and begins to fall in love with him and become disillusioned with her society. Buy it on Kindle for $9.99.

9. Time Trap by Micah Caida

Time Trap is the first book in the Red Moon trilogy. Written by Micah Caida, a USA Today Bestselling author, this book is sure to be a hit. Rayen is not your average girl. In fact, she doesn’t even know where she came from, only that she is 17 and goes to a small private school.

While still trying to figure out her past, Rayen and her friends find a secret that could unravel their past and their future. Get it on Kindle for free.

10. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley This novel is an “oldie” but a “goodie.” While it can be dense, it is a classic example of science fiction. In fact, many people argue this novel started the entire science fiction genre. This novel follows a doctor named Doctor Frankenstein and a monster he creates. Written as a series of letters from Doctor Frankenstein to his sister, it focuses on the idea that sometimes what you can create can lead to disaster. Buy it on Kindle for $4.49.

With around 64% of New Year’s resolutions abandoned one month into the new year, here are some tips on how to keep your resolutions this year!

New Year's

Resolutions!

Get More Sleep

Higher quality, longer, and more consistent sleep leads to a higher GPA and overall academic performance

Achieve By: Setting a bedtime for yourself and not using electronic devices for at least 30 minutes before said bedtime Establishing a bedtime routine that relaxes you and prepares you for bed

Eat a Healthy Breakfast Eating a healthy, fulfilling breakfast gives you an energy boost to start your day (WARNING): Eating a sugar-filled breakfast will cause your sugar levels to spike and then crash, leaving you tired midway through the day

Achieve By: Heading into Suwannee before class for their morning breakfast buffet Starting your morning at Einstein Bros Bagels for an early morning bagel and study session

DORM

ROOM

RECIPES

MICROWAVE PIZZA QUESADILLA

INGREDIENTS 2 flour tortillas 1 cup Italian blend shredded cheese 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese Pizza toppings!

DIRECTIONS 1. Assemble quesadilla with 3/4 of the Italian blend shredded cheese and 3/4 of the pizza toppings.

2. Microwave the quesadilla in 30-second intervals until the cheese is melted and edges are crispy.

3. Top the quesadilla with the remaining cheeses and toppings.

4. Microwave the quesadilla in 30-second intervals until the cheese on top has melted.

Editor-in-Chief: Lillie Brody Content: Karyna Bugos Jennifer Lamont Callista Payne Photos: Alexa Scalchunes