Is the Honours program worth it ?

November 4, 2011 in What's up by uzo Akubuo

I am part of my college’s honours program, and I have no regrets whatsoever. The Honours program has sweet emotions that you would seldom find in the ordinary classroom. The pleasure does not come as fast instead, fear and feelings of anxiety overwhelms you at first. As you contemplate joining the Honours program. This adrenalin rush is a positive one as long as you do not allow it to dwarf your hopes and potentials. My program does not require more classes to graduate or anything, but I have to take a certain number of classes through the honours programme. In general getting high grades is not one of the aims of the honours programme. If that is what you’re after, work hard in the regular curriculum and go for Cum Laude. But there is no rule against getting high grades within the honours programme of course.

The challenges of the Honours are quite a few. Consequently, as the world is moving and we move along, even when it runs we want to run with it because we want ends to meet. Therefore, this could obscure our motivation to do that what we actually desire . However, the benefits outweigh the cons of the programme.

Foremost, following world events as they happen through the constant current affairs sessions leaves the individual adequately informed about world issues. Secondly, reading ten books that shock the world in a year is an invaluable experience. Furthermore, your inter cultural competence skills and creativity will be put to test during discussions and debates in a multicultural setting .

Challenges
# 1: Making a schedule
Most people like to be spontaneous, but Honours students are not when it comes to planning.

# 2: Sticking to a schedule
After school you want to relax and unwind, but Honours student that sit that long in front of Television, computer, and games.

# 3: Reading
Most people are scared of books especially voluminous ones, but Honours students are not. They are treasure seekers and books are where they find those treasures. Honours students don’t just read book, they digest books, and not just any kind of books, but academic books that refine the way you think and places you on a footing to know and participate in discussions that matters most around you.

# 4: Assignment
Some people don’t meet deadline with the normal school assignment, therefore it could be difficult to meet up with extra assignment in the Honours program. Challenge # 1 is very crucial to # 4.

FAQS

Admission criteria

• For whom?
The honors program is meant for students with a strong motivation for deepening and broadening their education, combined with a strong academic record and the ability to deal with the uncertainties of a pilot-program.

Admission criteria
The criteria for successful application to the Honours programme are:
• all courses passed
• average grade 7,5 (in cases of P/F, pass is considered 7,5)
• minimum grade EL&C1 and 2: 7,5
* application letter to illustrate your motivation (needs to be in before December 25th 2008, by email to Vladimir Bartelds)
* application interview (will be held in January with at least two teachers in the honours)
dispensation can be given on requirements 1, 2 and 3, but only due to special circumstances.
Can I try?
The choice for the honours program is not to be taken lightly. You commit yourself to a pilot program, you are expected to give it your best shot. In case of difficulties talk with your ACC, but consider your choice permanent for two blocks at least.
What if I discover honours is not for me?
If you have discovered (or if your ACC does) you are not suitable to complete the honours program there should be no problem re-entering the regular IC-program. The responsible way to do this is of course during the block change, otherwise you would hamper the group you’re in.
Can I enter the honors on a later date?
No you can’t. Because we want to mention the honors on your diploma, you need to have been part of the honors from the beginning. Remember that a lot of the honors activities are open to all students (like Current Affairs, Guest lecturers etc.).

What’s the difference with Cum Laude?

Cum Laude
Cum laude (in the Student Chapter translated ambiguously as “with honors”) is about grades only, not about depth and width of your study.
The Examining Board awards a student the classification ‘with honors’ for their propaedeutic or post-propaedeutic examination if their overall achievement meets the following requirements:
a. examinations of units of study to which the pass/fail system is applied must have been passed within the nominal duration of studies;
b. where a marking scheme is applied, the average of all results must be at least 8.0, no mark may be below 7.0 and the student must have completed his/her studies within the nominal duration of studies.
Supplementary to the preceding paragraph, the Dean may set out in the Teaching Regulations that a final mark of 8.0 or higher is required for a certain unit of study.
No student against whom the Examining Board has taken a measure depriving him/her of the right to take one or more examinations at Hanze University Groningen will be entitled to the classification ‘with honors’.
Will my class change?
Yes, all classes will be shuffled between block 2 and 3. The honors students will be in class 1D at the start of block 3. One block they will work together, in block 4 the honors students will be mingled in regular project groups. After year 1, the honors is a personal program and the students will be divided over all classes.
Reason for this is that being able to work with all kinds of different students (read colleagues) is a core competency for communication professionals.

Text by Dr poet Africa