By Sophia Pellegrini, Stella Pace, Chris Carter, Reilly Hughes

​by Georgia McGill, Jenna Quiambao, Patty Rodriguez, and Valentina Serino

One Holt student in an interview said, “I feel like this school is developing better quality human beings. Better quality students, which are going to be the future. Better quality people like for me, implementing what I’m learning into my business and craft, where it’s not about me. It’s focusing on society.” Would you like to know what this student is talking about?

​Below are three insightful points of information you may or may not know about Rollins College’s Hamilton Holt program. Yes, that evening undergraduate program for Business Management, Communication Studies, Elementary Education, Psychology, and more majors and minors! And yes, ALSO that evening graduate program for MA in Teaching, Clinical Science, MBA, and more. Take a look!

1. IT’S A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY FOR “NON-TRADITIONAL” STUDENTS.

The Holt program is not designed just for young students who possibly work part-time, but also for older individuals with full-time jobs or families. A recent survey revealed that Holt currently has students from eighteen-year-olds to those well in their sixties. These participants also have commonly commented that they applied because of the “more affordable” costs than the CLA program, the “convenience” of its location in Central Florida, and because of the “flexibility” it offers for those who cannot study during the day due to their circumstances. Instead of paying for tuition, the education is paid per class! To add, a Holt student in an interview has said, “The transition is so easy. If you read on the Holt website, it says as long as you have a 2.5 GPA, you’re approved.” The requirements are remarkably low! Holt makes it clear that they want to encompass as many kinds of people with diverse backgrounds as possible. Wow.

In sum, if you’ve been wanting a college education but can’t afford it or don’t have the time for it, consider Rollins’ flexible Hamilton Holt program!

2.  GAIN GUARANTEED POST-GRADUATE CAREER SUPPORT.

With the Holt Program, as an undergrad or graduate student, you have the ability to gain a unique educational experience and get guaranteed support as an alumni. No matter what the age, the Holt program will allow you to thrive and apply what you learn into you everyday lives. One graduate student said, “Holt advertises heavily for a one-hundred percent employment rate for all graduates, meaning that one-hundred percent of third-year students who do their internship and final year of training are one-hundred percent of the time hired in that same institution.” That is one passionate commitment!

Through Holt, you can gain experience and be assured a job for a great company!

3.  HOLT STUDENTS CAN TAKE CLA CLASSES (AND VICE VERSA!).

The ability of students in the College of Liberal Arts (CLA) to take Holt classes allows them to be in the everyday flow of classes while still being able to take advantage of the flexibility Holt classes offer. Holt classes are usually in the evening, which is convenient for CLA students who may work a part-time job in the daytime or have plenty of time to commute from off-campus locations. This also speaks for many students giving them the ability to sleep in without sleeping through their classes.

The same is true for Holt students. One student has said, “One thing I like [about Holt] is that they allow you to take one (1) CLA class per semester.” With more options to choose from in the CLA course schedule, Holt students are free to enroll in any course they choose while still under the prices of Holt instead of CLA’s tuition fee. What a deal!

There is definitely more that can be said about this incredible program, but we’ll end this on a final quote from another student we interviewed: “I found sanity through Holt. For a world that’s so desensitized, I don’t see that here. I found more caring people, more people after what’s right. And as we’re being exposed to that, it creates that in us.”

​Let us know— what do YOU think about Holt?

More knowledge such as majors and Holt contact information are listed in the links below!
https://www.rollins.edu/evening/ 
https://www.rollins.edu/evening/academics/ 
https://www.rollins.edu/evening/visit/  

College is a different experience for everyone. Some people want to live on campus, see  the  same  people  every  day,  and  eat  exclusively  at  the  on-campus  dining  halls.  Others appreciate   the amenities   of   campus   life   but   have   other   commitments   during   their undergraduate education to tend to. Both are valid, and in our experience at Rollins College, there are undergraduate programs to provide you with the unique college experience you’re looking for.

The Hamilton Holt School at Rollins College offers a variety of graduate and undergraduate programs with weekday and weekend evening meeting options. With most courses having 17 students, it’s a customizable education option to fit the lifestyle you’re already actively living. There are many benefits to the Rollins College education, but some are exclusive to the Holt program, learn about 3 of those benefits below. 

Convenience and Flexibility of Schedule 

Between family and work, you might feel too busy and intimidated to pursue your educational goal. I’m here to tell you you’re not alone! The Holt program might even be the answer to your concern as it’s designed to fit your needs and lifestyle. What I mean by this is that the courses are designed to meet the interests of professionals and other adult learners. This is because we understand that keeping your current professional occupation and being able to take care of your family is one of your main priorities when deciding when and how to  follow  your  academic  dream.  The  program  extends  quality  education  to  students  who prefer  the  flexibility  of  part-  or  full-time  study  and  the  convenience  of  late-afternoon, evening, and weekend classes. 

By Samantha, Parker, Marina, and Malaika

The Holt Evening School at Rollins College is a great option for students that are either a first-time college student or are a student that is transferring credits from another school.There are so many degree programs that can help you stand out to employers which is extremely important. Due to the pandemic, one of the most dominant aspects of Holt School is the convenience it offers to you. Holt is allowing students to either be in person, completely virtual, or hybrid. This is a huge advantage to students looking for a degree but having a busy lifestyle.

Between family and work, you are busy. The Hamilton Holt School at Rollins College is designed to fit your schedule. Since you have the option for in-person classes or online classes, the Holt school gives you the opportunity to earn your degree at your own convenience. In addition, the Holt School allows for you to pick and choose your classes around your life. For example, if you have work from 9am to 5pm, you have the option to take your classes at nighttime. This benefit of being able to have a flexible class schedule is a substantial reason why theHamilton Holt School at Rollins College is a great place to earn your degree.

In the wake of the pandemic, Holt School has made some changes to their class schedule to even better accommodate the typical Holt Student lifestyle. Since classes can be in-person, or online,Holt school has made it so students who have in-person classes one day, will have all online classes on another day, so they do not have to commute to campus and then commute home to meet virtually. In speaking with Holt Student Autumn Rudolph, she describes this as “they split up the classes into three separate days so that you don’t have to be on campus for one and the off campus for another.” This example of making an active effort to alter the schedule for students convenience is just another reason Holt School is a great place to get your education.

Remember when we said one of the best aspects of Holt is the convenience it offers? That extends not only to the education part, but also the health service they have to offer. Whether it be the common cold, mental health counseling or rapid COVID-19 testing, the Wellness Centre has free, quick and convenient services that extends to all its students. At a difficult time like this, the Holt School is doing its best efforts to make the community feel united and safe by offering several virtual and socially-distanced in person services for physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health and wellness.

      The moment you enter the Center of Health and Well-being you are greeted with an enthusiastic, “Welcome!” This initial greeting can prove that the environment at the Center is nothing but welcoming. As you walk through the beautiful building you will see each staff member smile and give you a wave, trying everything in their power to make you feel at home. Home away from home is a good adjective to describe the center because of the experience, amenities, and social aspects that it brings to its members. This gives you the impression that the center is a friendly environment that cares for the well-being of everyone who walks through their door. 

       In addition to the approachable staff, the architecture of the building was another outstanding factor that distinguishes the Center from other facilities in Winter Park. The building has been structured with glass windows surrounding the building which allows the sun to beam through the whole building. The glass structure provides a way to brighten the place literally and in a metaphorical way. Each small design of the building has a meaning and purpose. After speaking with one of the staff members, Michael, as the TV/Producer he has recently interviewed the architect who built the Center. He mentioned that each specific pattern and color choice was all a purpose for the building, which created the ultimate peaceful ambiance. 

         I am so excited to begin attending the Center for Health and Wellbeing on a regular basis! Sometimes I get a little stir-crazy being on our tiny campus 24/7, but it’s so good to know I can get away to such a welcoming and positive place not too far down the road. I’m hoping that incorporating the amazing programs that the Center offers into my emotional self-care routine will help manage my stress levels and keep me accountable. I plan to take advantage of Thoughtful Thursdays, a program that supports you in achieving your short and long-term goals and encourages you to be more mindful on a daily basis. As someone who likes to express my emotions through art, I am also thrilled about the Unleash Your Creative Spirit drawing events coming up! The Mindful Meditation class is also a great opportunity to calm the mind when things get hectic in our lives. Even just being at the facility to do homework is something that I think will benefit me emotionally because everyone is so nice and it’s so bright and revitalizing there! I might even hit their gym to release some endorphins while I’m at it. There are so many ways that I can use this Center to take care of my emotional wellbeing, and it’s safe to say that I’m happy about it!

         The center has so many wonderful programs, it makes me even more excited for the future programs they will have! As a college student, trying to eat healthy can be a huge struggle. Sometimes it seems like it’d be so much easier to just eat out or have it delivered right to my door. This is where the center comes in. Armed with their vast knowledge of nutritious eating, a cooking class for college students is just up their alley. Giving college students a cheap alternative to eating healthy will benefit us in many ways.
            Cooking isn’t your thing? Don’t stress about it! The center will help you deal with that day to day stress. Life can be extremely stressful for college students. There are papers to be done, projects, student athletes with sports, and not to mention any extracurricular activities we might be engaged in. A program catered to helping deal with life’s stress will be sure to attract more students to the center.
            If you’re anything like me then a bit of activity will go a long way. Yoga has been known to help with your body but your mind as well. Getting a moment to declutter your mind as well as your body will have you feeling brand new. A program that will offer many different types of yoga will surely appeal to a broader audience.
            Come down to the Center for Health and Wellbeing and tell them what it is that you want. While you’re there, make sure you grab a coffee and take a look around.

by Samantha Anderson

The Winter Park Center for Health and Wellbeing believes that our environment affects our inner wellness as much as things such as physical health, spiritual health, social health, etc. In order to stimulate your senses and help you reconnect to the outside world, the center has built seven different gardens around their property, to encourage you to get outside and enjoy the fresh air, while re-centering yourself through an immersion into nature.

​The gardens include the Welcome Garden, the Meditation Garden, the Terraced Garden, the Reflection Pool, the Aromatherapy Garden, the Bamboo Garden, and the Commons. The Welcome Garden is full of edible herbs and vegetables that are all used in the café. The Meditation and Bamboo Gardens, as well as the Reflection Pool, offer areas more secluded, to stimulate serenity and tranquility.

​The Center also believes that the environment which you spend your time indoors is important as well, as in the Commons, offering a space for “both passage and place”, lined with tree-like columns, a canopy like ceiling, and a welcoming place for socialization or relaxation. There are plenty of places located within the center that will invoke a sense of peace within whatever space you are in.