The Governor’s Honor Program (GHP) is a rigorous, yet fun, month-long summer residential program that affords rising juniors and seniors the chance to pursue a field of their passion under successful college professors without the financial burden of most other programs. The program is highly selective – only 14.30% students who passed the regional round became finalists, and of the total sophomore and junior population in Georgia, these finalists rank in the top 0.05%. Nonetheless, students who enter the program will have an unforgettable opportunity to strengthen their passions without limits and create a friend group with students all over the state.

Key Terms

• Major: The field of interest a student applies for
• Minor/Elective: A collection of additional classes that GHP participants can attend during the program
• RA: Resident assistant
• Seminar: Free-time activities throughout the day that are organized by RAs

General Format of the Day

                From Monday to Saturday, students spend the first five hours working on their selected major. The format of these five hours may vary: while some majors have independent work sessions for the entire day, others may follow a traditional block schedule. Regardless of the structure type, every teacher is determined to provide a fun summer experience for the students, so it is uncommon to send students with copious amounts of homework after class. When also considering that GHP does not give grades, students are mostly free from the pressures of the typical school year.

                After an hour-long lunch break, students spend two hours in a minor that they chose on the 2nd day of the program. After minors, students can spend their time in their room, on campus, or in a seminar. Throughout the program, there will be chances to view showcases for other majors/minors, such as the jazz concert, the art exhibit, and the STEM conference.

                Students may feel homesick as they realize that they will be separated from their families until the Family Day event at the start of week 3. Nonetheless, as they spend time with their new friends and work passionately on their majors, they will find themselves begging to be able to spend another month at GHP.

Tips for Maximum Enjoyment

1. Dorm buildings open at 7am, but there are no limits on when students can wake up. If students have projects to work on or medication to collect, it is advisable to wake up early to be able to leave by 7am on the dot.
2. Students must have a buddy while outside the area of the dorm buildings, or else they could face disciplinary action. Within the first week, students should identify friends who have the same schedule as them so that they may walk together.
3. Since finalists come from around the state, almost no one knows each other. In fact, during the first week, it is common to walk up to a random person and have a conversation with them before learning their name. Latch onto these friendships because these students could be the most authentic people one may find.
4. Use Tupperware to bring food to last for at least a few weeks. If students have a project due or feel tired after class, it may be more beneficial to eat in the dorm instead of going to the café. However, please take note that the stove and oven in each dorm are off limits, so all food must be able to go into the microwave to heat it.
5. Use the month as an experimental period. Do not be afraid to ask teachers for internships, join a class that may not match the theme of a college application, or share some interests that felt too embarrassing to share at school. If things go poorly, then the poor experience only lasts a month. If things go well, then students can keep in touch with their new friends and mentors for years to come.

Things the Reporter Loved

1. As a math student, I chose 3 out of 12 classes that interested me. Apart from the fact that there was no pressure to score a high grade, the teachers were friendly and experienced, which made each class fun and insightful.
2. There was a diverse buffet for cafeteria food. The food changes every day, so there is always something to enjoy. Moreover, the cafeteria staff was extremely kind, which made going to breakfast more pleasant.
3. I enjoyed having my independence and being able to create my personalized routine when outside of class. Since I was in a 2-person dorm, I did not have to worry too much about waking anyone up. Furthermore, I could leave or stay in my room whenever I needed, as long as I was in my room by curfew.

Things the Reporter Disliked

1. Hall checks. First, there is a difference between room checks and hall checks. The former refers to when an RA looks around the dorm room to make sure it is clean. This check is not too invasive, but if any part of the room is too dirty, there may be consequences. Hall checks, in contrast, are meetings where everyone in a hall (usually 16 people) is required to leave their rooms to perform a headcount, receive updates, and talk about their day. While these checks can grow bonds between hallmates, they can sometimes take up to half an hour, which can be irritating considering the last hall check is at 10pm and lights out is at 11pm.
2. The roads. The Georgia Southern University campus can be challenging to navigate. There were multiple paths to the same areas, but they wildly differ in road quality, length, and neatness. Not only did this make it easy to get lost, but as someone who was in a wheelchair during the program, it was occasionally frustrating to get to a walking buddy who was willing to go down a longer, bump-free path with me.
3. The heat. As a summer lover, I do not mind the heat too much. However, even with a parasol to protect me from the sun, there were days when going back from class in the afternoon was unbearable. Moreover, it would increase the number of bugs in the air. When planning to attend GHP, bug spray, a water bottle, an umbrella, and sunscreen are all crucial.

                GHP is a fantastic experience that is an excellent opportunity for anyone who has a strong passion for a field. Despite the evident rigor in the selection process, students should not be scared to apply. Consider visiting Dr. Hunt or a teacher in a subject area of interest to prepare for the next application cycle.