What can I say about U of R? It’s a place I’ve come to know well over the past two years — a place where I built a community and formed meaningful connections with both peers and mentors. It’s a place that has played, and continues to play, an essential role in shaping my future success. A place I now proudly see as an extension of home. U of R offers many experiences and traditions that every Yellowjacket holds close to their heart, but in this blog, I’ll share the five things I love most about U of R.
1. Open curriculum and the flexible to shape your own academic path
Here at U of R, you’ll constantly hear about its open curriculum. But what does that really mean? It means you aren’t required to take general education courses like math, science, history, or English literature. The only class you are required to take is a writing course designed to help you transition into college-level writing. Not only are the options for these writing classes flexible — they can even be fun. For example, my writing class was called Video Games and Play, where I literally got to play video games and write a paper of my choice related to them. My friend’s writing class was focused on Reality TV, and her homework was to watch a reality show and write a paper connected to it. Another friend’s class centered around horror movies, and he loved it because his homework involved watching scary films. But the flexibility in your academic career doesn’t end there. At U of R, you can even create your own major by combining classes the University offers. You have full control over what you are learning — it just needs to meet the requirements for an interdepartmental major. You can also pursue a dual degree, like majoring in both dance and biology, without having to apply to a separate school within the University. All you need to do is declare both majors and fill out the dual degree form.
At U of R, you are in charge of your education — not the school.
2. The community
The U of R community — including staff, faculty, students, alumni, and more — is full of people who are genuinely passionate about what they do, both on and off campus. I’ve met many students who are just as excited about their classes as I am about mine. I’ve also had the chance to learn from faculty members who are truly passionate and energized by the subjects they teach. For example, in my Child Development (PSYC 170) class, my professors often shared real-life examples from their own research and clinical experiences. They didn’t do this to test us, but simply to share interesting things they had recently discovered in their labs or with clients. This wasn’t unique to just one class — it’s something I’ve experienced again and again during my time at U of R. It showed me that I was learning not just from experts, but from people who are actively engaged and growing in their fields, and who genuinely want to share their knowledge with students. To me, this strengthens the connection between students and faculty here. Beyond the faculty, the staff members who help U of R run smoothly are always polite, supportive, and encouraging. I’ve had many short conversations with staff in elevators or around campus, and they’re always welcoming and genuinely interested in what students are studying.
U of R also hosts regular events that connect students with alumni, helping us build networks and find summer employment opportunities. Alumni are eager to give advice on how to best use U of R’s resources and often look out for undergraduates. Overall, the community at U of R feels like one big family — always willing to share knowledge, support one another, and lift each other up. The environment here is collaborative, not competitive, and that’s something I really value.
3. There’s always something fun to do
Every week, the Wilson Commons Student Activities Center sends out emails about what’s happening at the end of the week and over the weekend. These usually include events taking place from Thursday to Sunday. I find these weekly emails really helpful because they make it easy to find fun ways to de-stress and hang out with friends. The events cover a wide range of activities — from religious gatherings and movie nights to bowling, cookie decorating, club events, and more. I think this is especially great around the holidays, when they offer festive activities that can either be a new experience for some or just a fun night out with friends. I remember around Halloween, they promoted a corn maze event. My friends and I went, and it was a totally new experience for me since I had never even seen a corn maze before! Another thing I appreciate is that most of the events are offered at discounted prices — perfect for college students — making them not only fun but also affordable. So, make sure to check your emails — you never know what fun opportunities might be waiting for you!
4.Good Opportunities that help with your Career Path
Here at U of R, there are so many opportunities to help you move your career forward while still in your undergraduate years. One of the main things you’ll often hear about U of R is that it’s an R1 school. Being an R1 university means we are a top-tier research institution, with professors who not only teach but are also actively conducting research — and this applies to fields outside of STEM as well. With so much research happening on campus, it’s very easy to get involved. You can even do research in a field you aren’t majoring in. For example, my friend is a business major, but because she’s also interested in biology, she joined a biology lab — even though it’s not her main field of study. Thanks to U of R having a full-service medical center, pre-med students have great access to research experience, internships, and fellowship opportunities that help strengthen their med school applications.
On top of that, U of R has the Greene Center, our career center, which helps students build professional profiles — including CVs, resumes, cover letters, LinkedIn accounts, and more. There’s also the Undergraduate Research Office and the Fellowships Office, both of which provide resources to help students find research positions and fellowship opportunities. Overall, U of R is truly well prepared to help students gain the knowledge and experience they need to be ready for life after their undergraduate years.
5. Many Options for academic support
U of R offers many different ways to support students academically. When you join a U of R class, it often comes with a recitation, workshop, or lab attached. These are all ways to help you practice the class material outside of lectures. Labs are usually required and count toward your grade, but they give you a great chance to apply what you’ve learned in a hands-on setting. Workshops and recitations are usually led by teaching assistants and can be either mandatory or optional, depending on the class. They’re great opportunities to get help with homework, review tricky concepts, and get extra clarity on what you’re learning. I often think of workshops and recitations as an extension of office hours.
On top of that, U of R has a tutoring center that covers almost all classes and a writing center that can help you with any type of writing assignment. There are also subject-specific librarians who can help you find materials for papers or guide you through research on a particular topic. Many classes also organize study groups that break down the material and help you prepare for exams. Because of all these resources, I never feel like I’m fighting a losing battle with my academics here at U of R.