Scholars Halls

RA Encourages Honors Students to Consider Scholars Halls
Tips for Success
Scholars Hall Testimonials

RA Encourages Honors Students to Consider Scholars Halls

by Josiah Bournes

My name is Josiah Bournes, and I am the Resident Assistant of UCSB's San Nicholas Scholars Hall. The Scholars Hall is home to students from various honors programs on campus and other students who have chosen to take advantage of the positive learning environment offered in the halls. The transition from high school to college is often challenging, and the presence of motivated peers is helpful to students struggling to maintain their priorities. In addition, scheduled appearances by concerned faculty and staff help orient residents to the university and provide ideas about making the most of undergraduate life from choosing a major to participating in research. Last but certainly not least, the Scholars Hall provides students with a comfortable social environment in which to balance work and play.

The Scholars Halls are more conducive to learning than some other housing situations on or near the campus. In fact, the atmosphere of the Scholars Hall, with its student-initiated study groups, actually encourages academic success. Because loud music can make studying difficult, residents on the Scholars Hall agree to control the volume of their music based on the needs of their peers.

Resident assistants serve as valuable resources on the Scholars Halls. As an RA, I enjoy helping students formulate a thesis and edit their papers, speaking French with my residents so we don't forget what we've learned in high school, and cheering my math majors on. In addition, close contact with Honors Coordinator Regina Fletcher has proved a priceless perk of living on the Scholars Hall. In addition to her normal academic advising, Regina takes the time to come to the Scholars Hall to assist residents with choosing their classes. Regina and I have some programs planned for the year, including one called "How to Choose a Major," which addresses a pressing issue for first-year students. Because members of the Scholars Hall exhibit intense concern for the future, plans for a workshop on how to prepare for and choose a graduate school are also popular topics which may be addressed on Scholars Halls. In addition, faculty members drop by to discuss with students topics ranging from university life to world affairs. The Scholars Halls also provide students with a comfortable social environment, offering movie nights, shopping trips downtown, hall sports and board games, and, of course, stimulating conversation.

Personally, I am a second-year student double majoring in religious studies and Black studies with a minor in philosophy. During my free time I enjoy playing soccer, listening to gospel music, reading for leisure, writing, talking on the phone, and catching up with my friends. Having another job (working at the front desk in Santa Rosa residence hall) in addition to my classes and being a resident assistant keeps me constantly busy and focused, and the atmosphere of the Scholars Hall has proven ideal for my schedule.

If you would like to learn more about living on the Scholars Hall, feel free to contact me at josiah_bournes@umail.ucsb.edu

Josiah's Tips for Success at the University

• No matter what classes you take, be diligent about thoroughly mastering all the reading material.
• Attend all lectures. In addition to knowing course material, it is essential to know what is important to your professor, and these priorities become clear in lecture.
• Go to the library as often as you can. Uninterrupted studying is crucial.
• If possible, finish your papers early. This way, you can have your teaching assistants review them, which will help you turn in quality work. Remember, sometimes one paper can be worth 30% of your grade.
• Finally, although it sounds overwhelming, taking a few moments to plan out your day will help you stay organized and productive.

Josiah Bournes is the RA on the San Nicolas Scholars Hall. There is also a scholars hall in Anacapa and an honors house in Manzanita.

Scholars Hall Testimonials

Living on the scholars floor has made it easier to find friends who are similar to me. Josiah is an extremely involved and supportive RA. He helps make the hall feel like a safe place to live. — Mallory Furnier, Freshman, History

I couldn't have chosen a better place to live during my first year than the scholars floor. The transition from home life to college life has been made so much easier by the people on the floor. We're all essentially family on this floor; there is rarely any conflict, and if it arises, it's resolved very quickly. Everybody on this floor contributes their own unique personality, and that is what makes this floor so enjoyable. Josiah, our RA, really cares about "his scholars." He's understanding when he has to be, but at the same time knows when to lay down the law. — Jason Ang, Freshman, Biology

I was nervous about living on the scholars hall at first, but it's one of the best decisions I've made here. My floor is like a family, and I feel Josiah helped a great deal to set that atmosphere. — Danielle Sharaga, Freshman, Pre-Biology

^ top