Honors students have diverse interests and ideas. Major areas of study range from the sciences to the arts, while others are undecided. Generally speaking, honors students are inquisitive, hard working, interested in a variety of subjects, enthusiastic about learning, and willing to be involved in the life of their campus and community.
Crystal, MN
Junior
Major: Accounting
I like to bike, fish, hunt, hang out with friends, tutor, participate in Honors Student Council, and take part in the MNSU Learning Communities programs.
The Honors program at the college level is a group of high achieving scholars that also happen to have social lives! At the high school level, Honors is essentially achieving a high GPA. At MNSU, Honors allows for self-exploration through the competencies of leadership, research, and global citizenship while preparing you for life after college. For freshmen, Honors provides a learning community that allows you to live, work, learn, and hang out with friends that have your common interests. These friends will not only become an important part of your life, but will also push you towards academic success in the rest of your college career!
My favorite part of the Honors program as a whole is the incredible friendships I have developed. These friendships helped me to successfully plan the ECHO Food Drive last year where the Honors program collected nearly 1000 lbs. of food to help those in need in Mankato. This wouldn't have been possible without the strong community of friends that Honors provides.
Join the program! You will be provided with academic support and social opportunities that will become vital to your success in college. You'll also have a lot of fun while you're at it!
New York Mills, MN
Sophomore
Major: Psychology
In my free time outside of college coursework and other extra-curricular activities, I enjoy singing, playing tennis, watching movies, shopping, playing flute, reading, volunteering, and spending time with friends.
The Honors Program is an opportunity that goes beyond the capabilities of a high school education. It is a community of driven students who strive to learn lessons that are applicable to our entire lives and lives of others; we practice real world thinking in our studies of global citizenship, leadership, and research to make an impact in the world we live that we could not grasp in high school.
My favorite honors memory was participating in the Make A Difference project, collecting food donations for the ECHO food drive. We were able to truly serve the Mankato community and those who are in need while also connecting as an honors family.
I would advise new students to make their college experience purposeful. If students get involved with all the opportunities Honors has to offer, they will experience the vast benefits of the program. Be a part of the family, enjoy events, and utilize the distinguished faculty and honors courses to grow.
Chaska, MN
Sophomore
Major: Elementary Education
I enjoy pretty much any outdoor activity including hunting, skiing, and golfing. I also enjoy scrapbooking, DIY crafts, and singing, and playing the guitar in my free time.
Since I went to a private school, the curriculum was about the same level of difficulty, but this Honors Program is really about the students. Unlike high school, we are really treated as adults in the Program by being enabled to choose and pursue our own academic career goals.
My favorite Honors memory was probably participating in the Intercultural Conflict Series last year. This event helped me understand my personal style of conflict resolution, as well as the styles of my close friends. It was really helpful, as well as super fun! Also, I am particularly fond of the free donuts during finals week.
Just do it! It’s a great way to make a large campus smaller and it allows for a lot of amazing opportunities. Also, plan ahead so that you can fit in all of the Honors requirements with ease, it is possible with good planning!
Hutchinson, MN
Freshman
Major: Elementary Education
I played tennis and hockey in high school and plan on participating in the intramural hockey program at Minnesota State University, Mankato. I also enjoy baking and hanging out at the lake with family and friends.
The Honors Program has offered me a lot more opportunities than I ever had in high school. The Honors curriculum was developed for Honors students which challenges us to think outside the box. The learning atmosphere is great. The Honors classes have a smaller student to teacher ratio than most classes at Mankato, which enables the students to be more engaged with classmates and teachers. The Honors Program isn't just about academics, it is also about meeting new people, making friends, and being open minded to new opportunities. Honors students have the opportunity to attend plays, dinners, movie nights, etc. As an Honor Student, you will be challenged beyond the high school level classes, but you have the necessary guidance when needed.
So far my favorite memory is spending time with the girls on the Honors Learning Community floor and becoming friends. We have become a very close group in a short amount of time.
I would recommend the Honors Program to anyone who enjoys a challenge and wants to grow both intellectually and socially.
Anoka, Minnesota
Sophomore
Major: Psychology
When I have free time I enjoy reading, listening to music, singing, camping, relaxing at my cabin, hanging out with friends and family, and playing card games.
The Honors Program differs from high school because it contains a small unit of faculty and staff who develop personal relationships with the students and are sincerely interested in helping them accomplish their goals. Also, the Honors Program provides small Honors courses which have environments that foster higher-level thinking through ways of discussion and hands-on learning.
Over the course of my time in the program I have developed many amazing memories, but one of my favorites was participating in the Intercultural Conflict Series where each student learned what type of characteristics they possess during conflict. This experience revealed so many things about my personality that I have never realized before. It was a very eye-opening and beneficial event. Also, the majority of my favorite memories in college so far involve my friends that I met through the Honors Learning Community, which makes me very thankful to the Honors Program.
My advice is go for it! When I first thought about the program and researched it online, it looked too intense for me. But, as I met with the program director and other students, I realized it was a lot less scary than it looked. Now I can’t imagine what my college experience would be like without the Honors Program!
Oakdale, MN
Junior
Major: German
I enjoy reading and horseback riding, as well as cooking and baking (minus the cleanup!).
I feel as if the students in the Honors Program take their studies seriously. Obviously there were students like that in my high school, but it didn’t seem like there were as many, even within the more academically challenging courses. I’ve also found that students in the MSU Honors program are more aware of their potential impact on the world.
My favorite Honors memory is from my First Year Experience course. Everybody in the class was expected to get into groups and give a mini-presentation on one of the books that we were reading. My group worked hard and we did well, but we also had fun and goofed around with each other in the preparation process!
Even if you’re not one hundred percent sure if you would like to join the Honors Program, go ahead and apply! If nothing else, the application process will give you more time to think about if you want to join. And don’t hesitate to contact the Honors office with any questions that you have!
Minnesota State
University, Mankato
Mankato, MN 56001
1-800-722-0544
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Minnesota State Colleges & Universities system and an affirmative action/equal opportunity university.
