In the series “Student Voices,” current students write about the reasons they chose Hampshire and how our educational model works from their perspective.
More than One Academic Passion
You’re starting college, and you can’t choose what you want to study. Maybe you’re trying to decide between theater and psychology, creative writing and social justice, or studio arts and neuroscience. You’re not alone! Many students have more than one academic passion, and Hampshire College is a school to consider if you are facing this common dilemma.
I am a fourth-year student at Hampshire, concentrating in creative writing and illustration. Initially, I wasn’t sure if I could handle concentrating in more than one area of study. I thought it might be difficult to balance two major interests, and I feared that eventually I would have to choose one over the other. However, I have found the opposite to be true. Hampshire has inspired me to study multiple subjects, rather than to focus solely on one academic pursuit.
First-year (Division I) students at Hampshire College are required to take classes in multiple areas of study, encouraging them to expand their academic horizons and learn about subjects they may not have explored before. During the second and third years (Division II), students design their own concentration—Hampshire’s equivalent of a major—which can incorporate their various interests. In their fourth year (Division III), students work on a yearlong independent project. Most of these independent projects involve work in multiple subjects, and are a creative way for students to tie together all of their academic passions.
I have found it easy to balance my pursuits of writing and illustration without having to prioritize one or the other. At Hampshire, I have always had the freedom to design my own educational path, and to take any classes I felt were relevant to me and my independent work. For my Division III, I am writing and illustrating a book—which is something I wouldn’t have been prepared to do if I hadn’t had the opportunity to take an equal amount of writing and art courses.
Hampshire is a great environment for students who want to pursue more than one subject. Instead of being forced to choose one focus, students are encouraged to draw from a variety of interests. I would recommend Hampshire to students who have more than one academic passion. In my experience, it has been a wonderful atmosphere for learning about multiple subjects.
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