OWL Talks

We get it. Choosing a major can seem impossible; especially if you’re unsure about what career you want. But picking a major doesn’t mean you’re stuck. Often times, one major can you lead you down multiple career paths. At Westfield, our career counselors can help you choose the right degree for you.

 

 

Traveling abroad can seem impossible for some students; taking time off from school, paying for hotels, being alone in a foreign country. But for other students, the world becomes their classroom. If you are interested, studying abroad can really enhance your education. Read on for our tips on Studying Abroad with Westfield State University.

Failing classes. Wild roommates. Freshmen fifteen. These are just some of the fears that every first-year college student has to face. Trust us, we’ve been there. Read on for our tips for college freshmen and how to handle everything from a few bad grades to feeling homesick.

The Fall 2016 semester brought the beginning of the Westfield State Honors Mentoring Program. Despite formally starting in the fall, the program’s impact on students began over the summer. Olivia Barbeau, a first-year student in the Honors Program, said, “the Mentoring Program has helped me to adapt better to the Westfield community since I was able to text my mentor all summer. I liked that I got to know a familiar face on campus before I even got here.”

For me, one of the most important factors to consider when choosing a college was the study abroad options. Once I explored the endless possibilities for studying abroad offered at Westfield, I knew it was the right place for me. Freshmen year, I jumped right in and joined the short-term course to Nicaragua and, cheesy as it may sound, it changed my life. Spending our days digging and moving cinder blocks, it seemed that the more I sweat and worked, the deeper I fell in love with Nicaragua. In the afternoons, we introduced some of the children at Nueva Esperanza school to educational games on tablets. As a Special Education major, this part of the day was always my favorite and I loved every second of my time spent in the classroom. Two weeks in Nicaragua was not enough time and in my heart, I knew I would return.

Heading off to college in a couple years? It may seem like you have tons of time to make a decision, but finding your first choice school - choosing the right college for you -  is not a quick process. You really need to begin researching and planning for college during your junior year of high school. We created this helpful timeline to be sure that you plan ahead for what will be the best experience of your life, your college years! 

Experiences that students have outside of the classroom contribute to their growth, networking and overall tranformation. Attending conference is one of the experiences that Westfield students have that is life-changing.

In December, Westfield State University recognized eight students for their leadership and service with the President’s Award for Excellence in Leadership (read about all recipients here). Each winner participates in a wide range of on-and off-campus activities. Rachel Cofsky of Charlton, Marissa Cremin of North Easton, and Samantha Lee of Hopkinton, all members of the Honors Program, were among the awardees.