The University of Redlands

Date: Jul 16 2010
Major: Other (This Major's Salary over time)
Going to school at Redlands is the best decision I've ever made. I'm a student in the Johnston Center for Integrative Studies, a truly unique individualized study program, and I am getting exactly the education I want to receive. I honestly love almost every aspect of my life at Redlands and I can't imagine going anywhere else. I'll try to describe as much specifically as I can…

The professors are top notch. With the exception of one part time art professor I had, every professor has been an excellent teacher. Classes are as beneficial as you make them - Redlands isn't a school where you can sit back and expect a good education to be handed to you. If you take initiative and get involved with the subject matter, you will learn more than you ever thought possible. Professors try to help you with this and are willing to help you do whatever you need to do to succeed. Classes are small, my smallest has been 5 students and biggest around 25, with an average of probably 12-15. I call most of my professors by their first names and am on friendly terms with all of them. One of my professors even had our class to his house for dinner last semester.

Classes are engaging and interesting, challenging without being overwhelming. You need to do the work and try hard to succeed, but it's not impossible and I never felt overly competitive with other students.

Johnston is fairly different academics wise from the rest of the university; we get narrative evaluations instead of grades and write graduation contracts to create our own majors, as well as course contracts for each class. (there's a lot more involved in the Johnston education that I won't go into here, but I HIGHLY recommend looking into it if you're interested in creating your own major…or interested in being a part of an AWESOME program) Johnston students are highly motivated and invested in their own education which creates an incredible learning atmosphere. Johnston is pretty much the only program exactly of it's kind in the country, it's really a hidden gem. I was very unmotivated in high school but I've found myself to be so much more involved in my education and excited about learning since I came to Johnston.

The community of Johnston and Redlands itself is one of the biggest reasons I love it. I feel like I have a family at school; it's easy to meet people and form lasting bonds. There are many active clubs and organizations; diversity based organizations are huge, Greek life is open and welcoming, Outdoor Programs runs tons of trips, performance groups are great, there's really something for everyone. I don't know where these comments about no party scene are coming from - I came to Redlands from a huge college town and my social/party life at Redlands is as good or better than many of my friends who go to our huge party state university. There's always something going on, and usually enough parties that you can keep going to more at night without getting bored or running out. There's all school parties, fraternity and sorority parties, house parties all around campus, something is usually going on at the student apartments, and if you're in Johnston there is literally ALWAYS something going on on complex. I've rarely been bored on a weekend.

Honestly, I love everything about Redlands and am so glad I found it and the Johnston center!