Student Life at Hope!

My expectations about college life were shaped by what I saw on the tv show Gilmore Girls… Rory consistently spent her free time back at home in Stars Hollow. Before college, friends warned me that small schools are often “suitcase schools,” where every student packs up and goes home over the weekend. Since I wasn’t planning on doing this, I was scared that college would be lonely. Luckily, Hope doesn’t fit the suitcase stereotype. I’ve found there’s always people around, and always something to do. If you don’t know where to start, let’s talk about a few ways you could get involved with student life here.

I think that the living community is a great place to start. First year students will have an RA and an RD that have been hired due to their leadership and mentoring capacities. They put on events such as Procrastination Pancakes or Bachelor Watch Parties to build community and create a safe home base for residents. Campus life starts within your hall, and it’s a great place to meet some friendly faces.

Hope has a group called the Student Activities Committee that consistently organizes events for students. There are so many fun events that SAC has put on this year alone. In early fall, for example, Jordy Searcy (a popular singer/songwriter) came to campus with SAC and put on a concert in Dimnent Chapel. SAC also does annual events like Silent Disco, Fall Fest, and Spring Fling.

Jordy Searcy concert!

There’s also plenty of groups that students can get involved with at Hope. Things like intramural sports, the Pull, Nykerk, Dance Marathon, or Greek Life often yield community for students. Joining a Bible Study and going on an immersion trip are two of the ways that I’ve loved spending time and meeting people here at Hope.

Student life at Hope is multifaceted, but there’s truly so many opportunities to get involved and find your people. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone, to try something new, or to go to an event alone– you’ll be surprised what can happen!

Transformed by Hope

At Hope, you’ll often hear about how being here has changed people’s lives. While it’s become a bit of a cliche at this point, that’s because it’s true. You would be hard-pressed to find someone here who hasn’t experienced the aptly named Hope difference, and I am no exception. Here are just a few of the ways that I have been transformed by Hope. 

Academics

Coming to Hope, I didn’t expect to become someone who could hammer out a three page paper in an evening. Essay writing had always been a struggle for me in high school. Plus, since I’m a computer science major, I wasn’t exactly banking on getting much practice. This notion only solidified for me when I cried over my final paper for American Politics in the fall semester of my freshman year because I thought it was the worst thing I’ve ever written. But throughout my time at Hope, it’s only gotten easier. In fact, it’s gotten easy enough that I decided to tack on a major in philosophy, which notoriously requires a lot of writing. This is just one example of an experience that many have had at Hope. You achieve things you never thought were possible. 

Faith 

You may think that it’s obvious that a Christian college would inspire you to grow in your faith. Although I did anticipate that happening, what I didn’t expect was how much I’ve been encouraged to question my preconceived notions of what it means to be Christian. While Hope itself is affiliated with the Reformed Church in America, all sorts of different backgrounds and perspectives are welcomed and encouraged here. For example, Hope regularly hosts talks sponsored by the Saint Benedict Institute, which is a Catholic organization founded and run by Hope faculty and the local Catholic parish. These talks and many others hosted by different organizations are emblematic of Hope’s culture of asking questions and going deeper into matters of faith. 

Friendship 

In my mind, what really makes Hope what it is are the friends you make while you’re here. They’re the people who have been at my side when I’m asking those big questions about faith or freaking out about another paper. I first found this incredible community when I was a Phelps Scholar, which is a program for freshmen that explores issues of diversity. Talking with my friends in the program was always a wild ride. Sometimes we would have the most profound conversation of our life, sometimes we would crack up over a lame joke, and sometimes we would do both in the span of five minutes. This strong community is what has allowed me to experience Hope’s transformative effect the most. While we find ourselves being changed at Hope, what really changes us the most is each other. 

The prospect of being transformed may sound daunting, which I totally understand. So much is already happening in college, and having your life changed feels like a lot to handle. But in my experience, it happens when you least expect it. There have been so many times where I’ve been caught off guard by a moment being unexpectedly profound, and these moments are only made possible by being at Hope. If you’re looking to be transformed by Hope, my only advice is to buckle up and get ready for a wild and wonderful ride, because my experience has been nothing short of that. 

DR 2024: My Experience on an Immersion Trip

Immersion trips are one of my favorite opportunities at Hope. Students can sign up with Campus Ministries and travel on weeklong trips over spring break where they are able to be immersed in a new culture, have their worldviews expanded, serve in new ways, and build community with one another.

In my freshman year, I was blessed to travel to Nashville and learn about people experiencing homelessness over spring break. This past week, I went on an immersion trip to the Dominican Republic. My experience was so different from my time in Nashville, yet still so very beautiful.

Last year, a close friend and I signed up for Nashville together. We didn’t know anyone else going into the week, so we leaned on each other a lot through that experience. This year, I signed up for the DR trip by myself. I was so nervous to travel out of the country with 20 students I didn’t know, but I’m so glad I pushed myself to do it. Going out of my comfort zone led me to meet so many amazing, Christ-like people from Hope from all different years, majors, and backgrounds. These are connections that I hope and expect will only continue building now that we’re back on campus.

Every immersion trip has a different focus. In the Dominican Republic, we spent the majority of our week building a chapel for a community that had requested it. Personally, I’ve never done anything construction-related before. The nature of this project as a whole really challenged me and pushed me to depend on God– because in my weakness, He is strong. It was so cool to be the hands and feet of Christ in this new way.

Our team and the chapel we built!

We also had the opportunity to engage with the families that lived in the village where we built the chapel. The pastor, missionaries, and church congregation are some of the most joyful and generous people I have ever met. Their demeanors and the way they reflect Christ’s love is something that has stayed on my mind since being back in the states.

We truly had a beautiful week of worship, testimonies, dependance and serving in the Dominican Republic. I’m so thankful that Hope and Campus Ministries have opportunities like immersion trips that make perspective-broadening experiences attainable for college students. Signing up for any immersion trip is an experience I truly couldn’t recommend more. I truly can’t wait to see where God takes me next spring break, whether that’s back to Nashville or DR, or maybe somewhere new altogether…

“Hope”ful Living

Spring is in the air, birds are singing, the sun is shining, and there are scattered showers. Along with this beautiful weather there are so many exciting ways to “live it up” at Hope. Whether you are an incoming freshman or a graduating senior, you want to enjoy your college experience. Here at Hope, you will never be bored.

Spring Exclusives

To begin, Spring Fling! The obvious option. Coming soon on the last Friday of the academic year. There are always inflatables, live music, a mechanical bull and food! There are also free t-shirts — no one can turn down a free shirt! You will enjoy the weather with your fellow peers while snacking on good food and playing yard games.

Every year my friends and I make a bee-line for the spike ball nets. We play for a few hours rotating who is eating and who is playing. Even if it’s not sunny and overwhelmingly warm, we make the most of it. Spring Fling is an on-campus break from homework and the upcoming dread of finals week.

There is usually something to enjoy in the Pine Grove during the warm weather seasons. Bring your own hammock and sway in the breeze, bring a blanket and take a nap in the sun, or follow SAC on Instagram to keep up with Student Activities!

Staying Inside

If you aren’t the outdoorsy type, or if the weather is just not preferable, there is always something to do inside! Sometimes SAC offers crafts or DIY projects to get involved in.

My friends and I usually keep an eye out for any of SAC’s or the Gardening Club’s potting events. I have several pots that I have painted, or drawn, on over the years.

I also attend the holiday events. From listening to Christmas music and decorating cards to listening to sappy love songs and making bracelets, the holiday-themed events are always a blast.

What to Watch

There are performances throughout the semester that are open for students to enjoy. Theater performances created by students or professors, ballet recitals, improv nights, and more! I have attended a little bit of each. The Vanderprov group performs at least once a month. They never fail to bring laughs and relaxation to the students who attend. The performances usually guarantee a break from the stressors that school can bring.

There are dance companies that perform throughout the year. Usually, throughout the year, there are two student-choreographed dance concerts, the annual department dance concert, many dance companies and even dance clubs if you are interested!

Then, don’t forget about the theater program here at Hope! There is usually something happening in theater. Many performances get put on at Hope throughout the year, some are even written by students! You aren’t going to want to miss these beautiful performances.

Are You Bored Yet?

So as you can see, there is always something to do. Student life is always buzzing here at Hope. There is a strong focus on community and creating a “home away from home” for all students. Everyone is welcome to fend off boredom on campus.

Keeping up with the Coursework

Academics and coursework at Hope College can be overwhelming at times. So much to do and so little time. There can be many doubts: am I going to have enough time? Are my professors going to be helpful? Is there help that I can get? Let me reassure you; you will be okay. Hope College offers so many resources to be the most successful you can be in your academics here. From tutoring to office hours there are so many opportunities and sources of support for you.

Overall Coursework Management

In general, there is a need to stay somewhat organized. Hope has all different kinds of events and meetings that are open to students. This being the case there are plenty that professors require students to attend for a course. Because of this requirement, you need to make sure you know your homework and expectations. This will help you ensure you can attend anything your professors throw at you.

I, being an English major and Art minor, have had to attend a variety of meetings, presentations, readings, and events. If I had avoided organizing my time and arranging the proper amounts of minutes to complete different assignments I would have sat through these required events with extreme anxiety. I would have feared the lack of time to fully complete my assignments. My freshman year I took for granted the fact that everything was online. I would attend required Zoom meetings and do homework in the background. So, when Sophomore year rolled around, and some events were now being done in person, I struggled.

I had stopped managing my time and assignments, which left me sitting nervously in talks and events because all I could think of was everything I needed to be done. When I finally got around to managing my time and keeping proper track of my assignments it was laughable the amount of relief I had. I stopped losing track of due dates and started getting homework done early! It can be overwhelming, but managing your coursework can be pretty stress-relieving.

Getting Help

Help is always available at Hope. Your advisor is always available to go over your schedule with you and discuss course difficulties. CAPS is available to have someone to talk to and find support in. There are several tutoring options, from the Writing Center to the Academics Success Center. Both are available most of the week and their hours are listed online.

These are people and sources set up for your success. They can cover a variety of majors and topics so you don’t feel like there is no one to help you who would understand. The Writing Center, for example, is run by student tutors who are trained in various forms of writing and various forms of courses. The students have been where you are, have written or heard of the assignments you are stuck on. They really can relate.

I have found comfort in the tutoring options at Hope. I haven’t entirely used them to their full capacity, but getting to know what they are all about has led to some relaxation. There is always someone available to help me. I am not stuck on my own.

Don’t be Silent

If you are struggling in your academics or don’t know where to begin, don’t keep that to yourself. There are people who understand or who are willing to listen and help you. Hope College has set up their academics to accommodate students no matter what they need or who they are.

Here at Hope you aren’t alone. Don’t struggle by yourself. Find someone to rely on.

A School Day in the Life at Hope College

Every day at Hope looks different for me, but I try to maintain a semblance of routine and productivity throughout. Let’s walk through what my day last Thursday looked like– a combination of class, work, social time, homework, and self care.

9:00 AM-11:00 AM

My morning starts every day at about 8:30 or 9:30, but I like to wake up before that to ease myself into the day. This day, I had a meeting with a professor and a group project member at 9:00, then went straight to Health Communications class from 9:30 to 10:50.

11:00 AM-12:30 PM

After class, I went to work at my on-campus job in Campus Print and Mail. I love working because it’s a good opportunity to productively disconnect from any academic stress. Every shift looks different, but usually involves receiving and sending packages, helping students, and doing homework if we have down time.

12:30 PM-1:30 PM

After work, I got lunch in Phelps with a friend from my immersion trip last year. Then, we ran to Lemonjello’s downtown to get some coffee before I had class. This was a good time to disconnect from academics before continuing on in my day.

1:30 PM-4:00 PM

At 1:30, I had my second class of the day, a philosophy gen ed. We talked about the representation of disability in literature. After class, I had a second group project meeting where we finished up a paper.

4:00 PM-4:45 PM

To disconnect from school for a bit, I went on a run downtown in the late afternoon. Running is a hobby I’ve really picked up this year, and I love it so much. It’s been an amazing way for me to disconnect from stress and take care of myself, while also getting outside and moving my body.

5:00 PM-7:00 PM

After my run, I went with a friend to our Spanish class placement. We volunteer at a nonprofit called Community Action House where we have the opportunity to both serve the Holland community and practice our Spanish. This has become a staple every week and I’ve really enjoyed engaging with Holland in a new way.

7:00 PM-10:00 PM

After coming back to campus and eating dinner, I headed to Campus Ministries– one of my favorite places to get work done. From 7 to 10, I sat with some friends and worked on a few assignments.

10:00 PM-10:30PM

At 10:00, a friend and I went on a study-break donut run. This certainly doesn’t happen every night– it was my first donut run of the semester. It was just what I needed to augment my studying, though. We walked to Good Time Donuts (a Hope College staple that’s open 24 hours!) and got a donut to share, then headed back to Campus Ministries.

my very first donut run, above, was during orientation my freshman year.

10:30PM – 11:45PM

After our donut run, I finished up a little more homework at Campus Ministries, and then headed to my room and went to bed.

Every single day at Hope is definitely not quite as packed as this one was. Even when things are busy, I do my best to find moments of joy and connection throughout the day. On Thursday, I found those moments off campus at LJ’s and Community Action House, going on a donut run, and just studying and getting meals with friends. As the semester wraps up, I know these are the moments I’ll look back on.

A student’s advice for exploring scholarships at Hope

Why did you choose Hope College? This is a common question that most students on campus have previously answered. While many answers range from the liberal arts education to the student involvement opportunities available to the beauty of the Holland community and everything in between, I have also consistently heard a seemingly more practical answer: financial aid and scholarships. For me, I have a similar response. 

While it’s no secret that Hope College (similar to other private colleges and universities) can be costlier for students and families, the College also seeks to make a Hope education more accessible by providing generous support and scholarship packages. 

As listed on Hope’s website, there are several academic award packages available to students: National Merit Scholarship ($24,000 per year), Trustee Scholarship ($24,000 per year), Presidential Scholarship ($15,000 per year and up), Distinguished Scholar ($13,000 per year), Alumni Honors Scholarship ($11,000 per year), and Anchor Award ($7,500 per year). While each of these includes its own set of criteria and standards, they offer opportunities for students to receive financial support for their work in the classroom. Donors also fund scholarships for packages awarded to students within their respective majors and minors. While these may or may not be awarded to first-year students, the opportunities are there as students progress throughout their college careers. 

In addition to academic achievement awards, Hope offers scholarships through what they call “Distinguished Artist Awards,” which provide fine arts awards in the following areas: creative writing, dance, music, theater, and visual arts.

A more recent initiative is Hope Forward – a plan to provide fully-funded tuition at Hope College that is rooted in generosity and gratitude. Currently funded by the generosity of donors, the idea is that awarded students will pay-it-forward out of gratitude after graduation and continue funding other students. This program was spearheaded under the vision of Hope College President Matt Scogin, who seeks to underscore the College’s mission statement and its Christian roots through this distinctive stewardship of resources. This seemingly revolutionary model was even featured on the podcast of five-time New York Times Bestselling author, Malcom Gladwell, who visited Hope’s campus last Spring. 

Aside from these, there are many additional ways to pursue financial support for attending Hope from organizations outside of the college. Hope’s Financial Aid Office website is a great resource for external scholarship opportunities for students who have completed their Federal Student Aid (FASFA). 

While the cost of tuition can feel overwhelming for students and families, it’s important to consider there are supportive resources available. I have outlined only some of the options available and I encourage prospective students and families to speak with their admissions rep and the Financial Aid Office about their specific circumstances and to learn more about the many resources available to them.

Working Student

Often balancing school and a social life is enough. There is already a packed schedule of homework and friends that is swarming over your head. So how do you manage this with a job? Do you need a job?

Busy Schedule

When life is buzzing around you it can be hard to find time. Any time at all, that is. So, when someone brings up the idea of working a job in your current state you can’t help but laugh. Incoming money isn’t bad, it can be relatively reassuring, but if it creates stress then what’s the worth?

You’ll have to analyze your abilities and availability before committing to anything. You could find you have more time than you realized, or you could find you have no time. Either is fine, but it will affect whether or not you could comfortably get an on-campus job.

When I got into my sophomore year of college I found that I had more time and more leniency in my schedule. So, I began looking for a job, something to occupy that free time while keeping me social. I found the applications for the Klooster Writing Center and jumped on that. Because I wanted to make the most of my college experience, I wanted to find a job in a field I knew I would enjoy. As a Creative Writing Major, I knew editing was something I enjoyed and was good at.

Benefits of Working On-Campus

Right away, I found community at my work. I found other students who could relate to struggles I was going through, or who would celebrate with me all the good happening. My job helped me to find more people to connect with, especially since COVID was still on the rise at the time.

My boss became someone I could confide in and find help with. I would make meetings to go over my own papers, or just to talk about something that was causing me stress. They are now a mentor for me, a reference for applications and an adult I can trust.

There is so much community at Hope just waiting for you to join in. You never know who you might meet or what you might get the opportunity to do if you don’t try. Yet, this is not a push towards the idea that “you have to get a job.” You can find community wherever you are. But, branching yourself out and trying things won’t hurt. If you find you have extra time, apply to a job with a friend, or just apply on your own and be open to meeting new people.

Overall, jobs at Hope are available and open to all students. I do believe that applying for jobs and working on campus is a beneficial way to make money while expanding your college community. There are so many interesting people at Hope that you will get the chance to meet and work with. Who knows, maybe you will find that the job you have on campus is an area you want to pursue when you graduate.

Three Reasons Why I Chose Hope College

When I walked onto Hope’s campus the summer before my senior year of high school, I could feel it was different than the other schools I’d toured. Despite my wonderful visit, it took me until spring break of my senior year to officially commit to Hope. When I finally came to this decision, my mom told me she’d known I would pick Hope all along. “I could tell by the way your eyes lit up on the first tour,” she said, “that this would be it for you.” Still, it had taken me eight months to officially make the decision. I didn’t want to choose my college based just on a feeling, after all; I wanted to make the most informed choice I could. Here are three factors that helped me decide that HOPE was the place for me.

a photo from my first visit to Hope in August 2021

1. Class Environment

My experience with COVID and online schooling in sophomore and junior year of high school helped me realize how much I value the traditional classroom experience. Knowing my classmates and teacher by name, and being known in the same way, impacts the way I engage in the learning process. Knowing this about myself helped me narrow down the 5 colleges I’d applied to as I realized that I didn’t want to go to a school where I’d always be a number in a lecture hall. I wanted to be at a school where my professors would notice (and care!) if I wasn’t in class. I chose well – in every class I’ve been in, I’ve had the opportunity to connect with the professor on some personal level. I’ve had professors send emails just to check in on me, or say hi to me when I walk past them in the dining hall or downtown. It’s very clear that Hope faculty are holistically engaged in their students, and that’s something that I’ve been grateful for through my time here. I want to know and be known, and academics are set up in such a way that this is not only possible, but also the norm.

2. Size and Location

My decision to come to Hope was also influenced by its location and size. To me, Hope isn’t too small or too big. If I go somewhere on campus or downtown, I typically run into a few people I know and a few I don’t. I’ve found this in-between to be perfect. I don’t just blend in, but I also don’t know everyone. Every semester so far, I’ve made new friends in classes or clubs.

I also love the location of Hope. It’s about an hour away from my house (not too close and not too far). Even for my friends that have come here from farther away, the small-town feel of Holland became home much quicker than a large and unfamiliar city might. Hope’s size and Holland’s location and feel were a huge factor in my decision making process.

3. Faith Formation

Coming from a public high school education, I’d always been surrounded by nonbelievers in the academic setting. Some moments of my education were definitely difficult for me because my values didn’t align with everyone else’s. Still, I didn’t exclusively apply to Christian colleges.

When I visited Hope, I was enthralled, imagining what it would be like to worship in chapel alongside classmates and professors. I loved the thought of having a faith community at my school, and I also loved that absolutely nothing was required. Every student personally chooses to be involved in Campus Ministries, the Gathering, or Bible Studies, which means that spaces of intentionality are cultivated. I knew that college would be a formative time for my faith, so I chose this people of Hope that would commit to running towards God alongside of me.

If you’re a senior right now, I feel you. The college decision making process is daunting and even burdensome. To me, Hope felt right… yet it took me months to say it out loud and actually commit to it. My hope is that considering aspects such as classroom environment, location, and faith formation will help you feel more confident in your decision making process. I’m so deeply grateful that God brought me here, to this school, and I’m confident that He can and will lead you to the right place as well.

Adjusting to Holland

I can’t wrap my head around the idea that Holland feels small to some people. To me, as someone who grew up in a small Upper Peninsula town, it feels almost limitless. It has so much that my hometown doesn’t have, such as a freeway (seriously, there are no freeways in the Upper Peninsula). This means that even though I’m still in the same state, it feels like I’m in a whole new world sometimes. Needless to say, I’ve had to adjust a lot to life in Holland. Here are some of the changes that took me by surprise. 

One Way Streets

I’m convinced that there are more one way streets in Holland than the rest of the United States combined. I’m sure there’s a reason for why there are so many, but that doesn’t stop it from being confusing, especially for someone new to the area. Navigating Holland can be tricky at first, but it gets easier. I’m as bad with directions as they come, but I still found myself learning where all the one ways are so they can’t surprise me anymore. 

Walkable Downtown

Many people cite Holland’s downtown area as one of their favorite things about going to Hope, and it’s easy to see why. It has a lot to see and do, but it’s nearby and you don’t need a car to go anywhere (so you can avoid the one-ways). A downtown like Holland’s wasn’t something I had experienced before coming to Hope. Since I quite literally live in the middle of the woods, I’m used to taking a 10-20 minute drive to go anywhere. This newfound ability to walk to pretty much any kind of store I could dream of was a little intimidating to begin with, but I’ve managed to adjust. Now I look forward to weekend downtown outings with friends, and I don’t even need to drive to get there. 

So Many Squirrels, so Few Deer

Hope’s squirrels are nothing short of iconic. Since they’re so beloved, I knew that I’d be encountering them quite a bit while living in Holland. However, a month after beginning college, I had a startling realization: I hadn’t seen any deer in a month. While I wouldn’t expect deer to want to hang around a college campus, it wasn’t something that I had anticipated changing. If you’ve ever been to the Upper Peninsula, you know that deer are everywhere. I’ve seen deer in my yard, on the roads, and even trying to walk inside my high school. So even though Holland is far from lacking in wildlife, Holland’s absence of deer was still an unexpected culture shock. 

Even though there have been plenty of culture shocks, Holland has slowly become familiar to me. Now when I’m at Hope, I feel less away from home and more at my home away from home. If Holland feels intimidating to you now, just know that it won’t always be that way. Even if Holland is the complete opposite from what you’re used to, it will become comfortable eventually.