Marie Higinbotham

10/10/2011
Honors 100 Section AE
Assignment #1: Early reflection
The first few weeks of college are a whirlwind of change and upheaval. Not only
do students adapt to altered schedules, expectations, companions, and options, but they
also are forced to face head-on the question of the future. Along with this intimidating
and difficult question come the issues of purpose and world-view, of how to make sense
of ones beliefs, whatever they may be. Of course, some lucky students already know with
a fair amount of clarity what path they want to takebut I am not one of them. In the
context of this difficult evolution of ideals and principles, I found David Brooks article
Social Animal to be quite relevant.
One of the main points I took away from the article was the necessity of social
connection for a truly fulfilling and meaningful experience. And indeed, the hope of
connections to teachers and students influenced my decision to apply to the Honors
ProgramI had hoped the smaller size of the program would facilitate the creation of
these connections. I come from a relatively small high school, and I knew from that
experience how happy I felt when my classmates and I formed a cohesive unit, where
everyone knew and supported everyone else. Actually, I know more now how much I
enjoyed those groups. Like so many things, I did not fully appreciate the opportunities I
had there until I lost them. At the time I applied, I thought I knew, but only now do I truly
understand the benefits those connections gave me. Like Harold, I learn best from
teachers whose world-views resonate with mine. I hope to find similar experiences in the
smaller Honors classes. Perhaps I will be lucky enough to find my own Ms. Taylor
someone able to celebrate both our ability and our limits simultaneously with whom I
fully identify.
Knowing that I enjoyed that small, intimate setting, you may ask why I chose to
come to the UW rather than attend a smaller liberal arts college. I came to the UW for the
sides of the experience that a smaller school couldnt give methe size and range of
students, the breadth of opportunity and activity, and the feeling of stepping into
something so much larger than myself, and larger than anything Id ever experienced. I
dont regret that choicebut in the face of such an overwhelming amount of activity, its
hard not to feel a little lost, and a little alone. I hope that by being in the Honors Program,
I will be able to, on some level, bridge that gap, and attain the best of both worlds.
I also hope that, in this setting, my own personal views will fully evolve and
solidify. That aspect of the article I also appreciatedthe aspect of finding meaning even
in concepts that arent strictly religious, in the science of genetics or probability or
evolution or anything. This struck me most when Harold listens to the speaker relate his
philosophy, and has his own sort of epiphany. College is a time when ideas and
perspectives are challenged and reformed with terrifying frequency, and hearing someone
explain their own philosophy and search for meaning has a comforting and encouraging
effect. I hope that by the end of this experience, I will have refined my own views and
opinions.
I know that, regardless of what program I join, the connections and opportunities I
desire wont just come to me on their own. I recognize that reaching out and meeting

others are the only ways to really find out whats possible, and what Im capable of. My
expectation of myself is to refuse to be afraid of rejection, and to continue to reach out
and try even harder to find what Im looking foreven if I cant always tell exactly what
that is. I expect myself to stay on track, to not allow my indolence and nervousness to
keep me from working and trying and questioning and achieving my best, both in
academia and in other areas of my life. I expect myself to do more than I realize I can am
capable of. And I expect myself never to back down and take the easy way out.
I hope that with the help and resources available to me, I can meet all of my
expectations and have an unforgettable experience, and, like Harold, confidently choose
my own path. And every day, I feel a little more confident that this is exactly what will
happen.