Villanova University Student Reviews

Academic Life

Academics at Villanova are tough, there is no doubt about that. I came from a very prominent academic background from one of the best high schools on Long Island, but I had to relearn how to study once I got to Villanova. My professors challenged me so much, they wanted to know why I believed what I believed. A lot of them tried to shake me from my comfort zone a little bit so I would be able to see the things I have been blind to my entire life. All of my professors knew my name this year. My largest class was about 60, and my smallest class was about 10. If I was not in class, I knew I had to email my professors to tell them of my whereabouts, because if I didn't, they would. They were genuinely concerned about my well being. My favorite class was called ACS (Augustinian Culture Seminar). We all have to take it as freshmen, and it is a discussion based class. I learned a lot about different perspectives on religion, modernity, the self, and so on. I really was able to interact with my small class of 10, all of whom lived in my co-ed dorm. I didn't like Business Law, but that is probably because I find no interest in the subject. Students definitely study some major hours during the week. However, they always make time for fun, sitting outside in the nice weather reading their material, or hanging out in their rooms and relaxing after class. Finals week has a kind of quiet atmosphere. The borders of fashion come down as everyone walks around in sweatpants. The library is packed. The hours put in during that time are definitely intense. Depending on which class you're in, there will be more or less participation. Obviously, in a lecture class, there is not as much participation as there will be in a conversation-based class. Outside of class, I'm surprised about how much I speak of politics and challenging issues for our country or simply our school. ACS definitely provoked some interesting conversations about our beliefs, and led to debate among my friends and me. Some students are competitive, but mostly we try to work together to help each other out. No one maliciously uses competitiveness to gain edge in class, but then again, teachers do not favor students in my experiences. My most unique class was my leadership class that I took in my dorm. Since I lived in a learning community, I was required to take a class in my dorm with fellow dorm mates. For about 2 hours a week, I learned about how to become a better leader, develop people skills, and excel in my own atmosphere. It taught me a lot about how I can improve on my own life. I actually went to my ACS professor's home for dinner at the end of this past semester. He entertained us and treated us as adults. It was very rewarding that, after a semester's worth of hard work, my teacher made me dinner and spoke to me about what was happening in my life. It was one of the best experiences I have had at Villanova. I think that Villanova's academic requirements have enabled me to gain a broad view of the different careers I may choose. Since it is a liberal arts school, I am required to explore outside the realm of my particular major so I will have a better understanding of what I want to do. I think it's an amazing way of learning. In high school, going to school was all about the rat race of getting the material for a test and acing the test so you could go to college. At Villanova, it's all about understanding the material, and I had many more papers than written or scantron tests.