4 Years in the Life
4 Years in the Life of an Honors Student
Freshman Year
Students use their freshmen year to find their niche at OBU. Freshmen honors opportunities are both academic and social, headlined by events such as the Black and White Reception and our Honors Fall Retreat (odd years we retreat to the great outdoors; even years we attend cultural events in the city), and the select invitations to breakfasts with visiting lecturers.
- Enroll in the Honors section of three CORE classes (these may be taken at any time during your time at Ouachita)
- Enjoy the fall retreat and make new friends
- Get involved in Alpha Tau
Sophomore Year
Your sophomore year is a time of growth and curiosity in the program. You will enjoy taking two seminars covering interdisciplinary subjects that you would never find in a traditional catalogue. A few examples from 2014 include “The Undead: Good vs. Evil in Literature and Film” and “Virtue and Vice in Fantasy Novels.” These classes are always taught by the most engaging and knowledable professors on campus.
- Take two Honors Seminars (1 credit hour each)
Junior Year
As an active member of the Honors community at OBU, junior year is full of exciting possibilities. You will build on your love of learning by studying a topic of your choice one-on-one with your chosen professor. In the spring, you can apply for travel grants for research. We have sent students to all seven continents!
- Complete a one-hour directed study
- Apply for grants to travel worldwide and do research
Senior Year
As a culmination of your hard work and scholarship, you will work on a senior thesis throughout your last year at Ouachita. Usually, this thesis is based on your directed study, but, again, it covers a topic of your choice. You will submit your completed work to be bound, and then present at Scholars Day, an annual event hosted by the program.
- Write and present a senior thesis or project (4 credit hours)
- Receive honors recognition at commencement
