Sidebar Title

Hilary Heyison

Hilary Heyison

Name: Hilary Heyison

Graduation Year: 2013


Major(s): HSSP with a possible minor in Education Studies



What activities did you do during your sophomore year?

Companions to Elders: I am a coordinator for Companions to Elders, through the Waltham Group.  I also am a weekly volunteer for Companions to Elders and visit with my companion at the Leland Home. 

The Justice: I take photographs for the Justice

Hillel Tzedek Committee:  I help to plan community wide service projects such as Mitzvah Moments and Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week. 

C3 Living Community:  I helped to plan and fundraise for an alternative spring break with six other suitemates.  Our alternative spring break is at the Gay Men's Health Crisis in New York City over February break.

Relay for Life: I am on the Logistics planning committee for the 2011 Relay for Life.

How did you navigate decision-making during your sophomore year?

I relied on my friends and family to help me make decisions during my sophomore year.  I often talk to my sister, mom, and dad when I am confused as to what courses I should take.  It is nice to use someone who is not at school as a soundboard.  I also ask other people who are in the same field of study what classes they have taken.  This is a great way to hear what classes are interesting and fun and what professors one should take a class with.

I also have found that it is best not to over analyze every decision that you make.  I could go back and forth deciding between to classes, but in the end either one will work.  It can be hard to do, but some times it is best to go with the flow and not over think every decision that you make.  In the grand scheme of things everything seems to work out. 

What campus resources did you utilize during your sophomore year?    

During my sophomore year I met with the HSSP department head to speak with him about study abroad opportunities and whether or not I was on track to meet my major's requirements.  He also helped me navigate which courses would best suit my interests in the department.  I also attended events held by the Education department to find out more about completing a minor in Education Studies.  When I was applying for study abroad I went to Hiatt to have my resume checked and approved.  During this time I also went to the Study Abroad Office to find out more about study abroad programs and which programs best suited my major's needs and my interests.

What advice would you give other sophomores?

I would recommend finding activities that really interest you and pursuing these.  I found that by the middle of my sophomore year I found the activities that I was really interested in and was able to put more time into these.  I also met many new friends in these activities.  It is important to step outside your comfort zone and meet new people.  I also found that it is useful to take at least one or two courses for your possible major, one required course, and one just out of pure interest.  This way your schedule is balanced with what you need and what you want to take.  It is also important to know, that you don't have to know your major until the END of your sophomore year.  It is perfectly okay not to have everything figured out.  I didn't declare until I had to for study abroad!  Along with this I would also advise students to get to know someone new every semester and to be open to making new connections with friends, staff members, and professors.