Attending a university with approximately 40,000 other students can seem daunting. Some students break down the size of campus through clubs and registered student organizations, but other students also choose to set themselves apart academically by joining the Florida State University Honors Program. We got the opportunity to sit down with Honors Student Association executive board member Kayla Cusick and talk about her time as a member of the Honors Program.
Courtesy: Honors FSU
Her Campus (HC): Hi, Kayla! Tell me about yourself and what you’re involved in on campus.
Kayla Cusick (KC): I am a Senior at Florida State studying Chemical & Biomedical Engineering, graduating this coming spring! Besides my involvement in the Honors Program, I am involved in the Society of Women Engineers and I am a sister of the Chi Omega sorority.
HC: Can you describe what the Honors Program and Honors Student Association at FSU are?
KC: Sure! Students can achieve admittance into FSU’s Honors Program through an application when they gain admittance to Florida State, or they can apply laterally their first year in school. Students in the Honors Program get first dibs at classes (we enroll for classes each semester at the same time as the seniors), have access to honors classes (much smaller class sizes – usually around 20 students) and get to be in the Honors Student Association. HSA serves to get Honors students more involved at FSU and help them meet fellow Honors classmates with academic panels, social events, volunteering opportunities and fun bonuses like free monthly breakfasts.
HC: So, you are on the executive board for HSA. What does your position entail?
KC: I am the Director of Student Success for HSA. This means I work with a Professional and Academic Development chair to help plan academic events, a Sports and Recreation chair to plan recreational events through FSU, and a Mental Health chair to plan events encouraging students to prioritize their mental health.
HC: What Honors events are planned for the semester? What is your favorite event you’ve put on thus far?
KC: We host monthly breakfasts, general body meetings, monthly yoga, medical school panels, law school panels, IM sports, 5Ks on campus, social events, Odds and Evens tournament (through FSU Homecoming), finals week events and so many more! My favorite event that we have hosted so far this semester was our general body meeting. This had free tabling, free headshots, free chipotle and an informative meeting on how to get involved at FSU in different clubs/organizations.
HC: Can students participate in Honors activities without being in the Honors program?
KC: The benefit of being in the Honors Program is all of these events, so they are geared specifically toward students that are part of HSA. Non-honors students are still encouraged to be part of our IM teams if they are interested!
HC: What would you say are the top three benefits you have received from being a part of the Honors Program?
KC: 1. Getting to enroll prior to most of my classmates for classes that fill up fast, letting me choose the best schedule for me. 2. Gaining leadership experience. 3. Meeting amazing people!
HC: How do you think your experience as an Honors student is different than if you were not in the program?
KC: I would have had to reach out more to get involved; it was nice to already be part of an organization that I could make an impact in. I also feel my classroom experience would have been different. Small classes are so much better for learning difficult concepts, and a larger classroom size would have made learning a bit harder.
HC: What are your post-grad plans? What resources has the Honors Program equipped you with to feel confident in your career/grad school when you leave FSU?
KC: I plan on going into industry and getting a job within Biomedical Engineering or Process Engineering. The Honors Program has offered many resume workshops and interview workshops over the years which have helped me in my job search!
HC: What advice would you give freshmen and incoming honors students about being in the Honors Program?
KC: Be as involved as you can! You are only an undergraduate student once. Do the most with your time! Focus on academics, get active and have fun.
For more information about joining the Honors Program or resources that are available to Honors students, visit the FSU Honors website.
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