Student Profile
Lauren
- Class: Senior
- Major: Spanish
- Gender: F
- High School: Chaminade college Preparatory
- Transfer Student: N
Big Picture
the best thing about Davidson are the people and the amazing opportunities that are brought to the school in terms of lectures, performances, concerts. I would change attitudes about work, some people are perfectionists and tend to freak out very easily about the work load. It could also be helpful to encourage more students to be more open with their professors about how they are handling the work load and suggesting ways to help. Davidson is small, but if that's what you're looking for it's just right. Usually people from California don't know anything about Davidson and they ask if I mean U. of California at Davis. But as the years have gone by and Davidson is more recognizable nationwide, people are excited to hear me talk about Davidson and are interested in how I am enjoying it, especially what I'll be doing after graduation. I spend most of my time in the student union, my eating house, Chambers and my dormitory. Davidson the town is very much connected to the college. There are some cute restaurants, a public library, clothing stores and even a museum of wooden gnomes. But it's by no means a college town because most of the college "action" takes place on campus. The students and the people of the town of Davidson however have always had a great relationship, especially this year during the basketball season! the administration is fantastic. the biggest recent controversy was addressed by a rally where people talked about "differences" and diversity on campus and how the student body reacts to differences. there is a lot of school pride, but many students don't seem to realize that they belong at Davidson and sometimes feel overwhelmed by the amazing things their peers are accomplishing, not understanding that they themselves are also special. We have a great community of students but sometimes the pressure gets to us and it seems to effect our perception of ourselves. It is unusual how much Davidson students attend to their work on the weekends, but it's also a great skill to be able to balance work and social activities. I will always remember Odyssey from Freshman year, all of my freshman hallmates and activities, and Dance Ensemble. Frequently, students complain about word load and the dating culture: you are either in a serious relationship (headed toward marriage) or single and hooking up with people.
Academic Life
all of the professors strive to get to know their students in class and outside of class, frequently inviting students over for dinner or going out for a drink at the Brickhouse. My favorite classes have been chemistry of art and artifacts and human biology (sciences for non-major) and all of my spanish classes (which made me want to be a spanish major), theater classes were always fun and interesting, I loved my Writing course freshman year. We only had 13 people in the class and we talked about images of disability in literature and how it's perceived by society as well. I hated the one and only math class I took, but in retrospect the professor was very open and always available and wanted the students to succeed. but i took the class as a freshman and never liked math to begin with. there is great class participation, my favorite thing about davidson has been the people because of the intellectual conversations we ahve outside of class. there is no competition here, which i love. that was a major reason for me to come to davidson. my major is spanish, the department is extremely helpful and they care so much about their students. I have had hte best experience with my thesis director this semester and he has always looked out for me. when iw ent abroad, I took 8 classes that I needed to receive credit for at Davidson and the spanish department was very accomodating and made sure that all of my classes counted toward my major. i see professors outside of class in office hours and my shakespeare professor this semester is hosting a birthday party for Shakespeare at his house in the coming weeks. the academic requirements helped me choose my major, I am in favor of them. Even taking math wasn't so bad... the education at Davidson is not geared toward a specific career path but it will help you get a job because it trains you to be trainable and flexible. You learn skills that will always be important and useful no matter what job you apply for or higher level education you enroll into after Davidson. You will learn to analyze, discuss, and use your writing.
Student Body
I've always felt like Davidson was an open campus, we have had some issues come up about race and sexual orientation on campus, but the reactions to those issues have always included huge rallies or discussions or forums to talk about why these issues come up. there will be issues on every campus, but the important thing is to look at how the students react and if they want to see a change. Davidson students want to see change. a student would feel out of place at Davidson if they were not passionate about anything. people don't get dressed up for class, but you'll see jeans or clean pants, collard shirts, polos, t-shirts, sweatshirts, athletic clothing, tennis shoes or sandals, very rarely high heels. davidson is liberal, but you see a variety of political and religious opinions. people love to talk about these opinions though. students are interested in having fulfilled lives, i have never heard anyone talk about how much money they want to earn.
The Best Things
life long friends, professors, RSC and other cultural opportunities, alumni connections, weather
The Worst Things
Grade deflation
