Coming from high school and trying to find a place for themselves in college can be an overwhelming transition for students, but being a part of the Cormier Honors College is a great opportunity to be are part of a community. Having honors classes with other honors scholars, many of whom I know from living in the honors dorm or being in past classes together, is a unique experience. The honors college also puts on events for the students, which is another great way to get to know classmates. The honors college is also divided into 4 houses, all of which compete with each other throughout the year to gain house points. Honors faculty are also available to students often, as their offices are located right next to the honors study rooms and lounges. Although students join the honors college because of their academic standing, the students and faculty strive to make the college an open and welcoming community.

The honors retreat before the beginning of my first semester was what really made me feel community of the Cormier Honors College. Like many other students I started that retreat knowing no one, but I left with ties that would follow me through my time at Longwood and beyond. On the second day of the retreat three of the people I met were Hannah, Sami, and Joely, all of whom I quickly befriended. The four of us were even able to live together during our second year at Longwood. In fact, we chose to live in a dorm on a floor that was designated honors housing. This was truly a unique experience, as many of the people who lived around us that year had been people I met through the honors college during my first year. The Cormier Honors College does an excellent job at connecting students, and even professors, and forming a sense of community in the school. So many of my friends here are part of the honors college, whether we met through the retreat, honors classes, or simply living in a close proximity in honors housing. Being surrounded by all of these other students in the honors college creates a kind of support system of like-minded people  you know will be there for you and support you during your time at Longwood, both academically and personally.