Lessons in Heartbreak
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An Honors Student’s Directed Individual Study experience in the “Love Lab” Katie Albritton Class of 2016
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Although we should not say we are “hoping some of the couples break up,” this study would not work if all of the couples remained together. The study is still in progress, so I cannot disclose any results. Working in the Love Lab has been a very enjoyable experience, and I would emphatically recommend that anyone who is looking into graduate school do a DIS at some point. It is great experience for what you will be doing in graduate school, and it’s fun!
any Honors College students are already thinking about graduate school, and there are several different ways to gain experience and beef up your resume, one of which is completing a Directed Individual Study (DIS). DIS is working with a professor in your department, be it biology, history, psychology, etc. This semester, I started my DIS with Dr. Shanhong Luo in the psychology department. A Directed Individual Study can be We began studying human undertaken by completing the necessary romantic relationships in what we paperwork with the UNCW registrar fondly refer to as the “Love Lab.” after meeting with an intended faculty In the Love Lab, we studied the various reasons why couples (Photo by author) Katie Albritton mentor to direct the course. The class can count from one to three credits and break up. In particular, we examine can function as preliminary research for a student’s dcouples who have been together for two to six Honors project (499) or simply as an exploration of a months. The study involves having participants fill student’s personal academic interest. out an initial survey, and then complete another survey a month later, rating different aspects of the relationship.
“What’s an Honors Contract?” A
re you done with your university studies but still need Honors credits? Are you eager to take upper level classes in your major? You may want to complete an Honors contract. An Honors contract is a written plan, similar to DIS paperwork, in which a professor and student agree to count an upper-level (300-400) course in the student’s major. The student must complete extra assignments to earn Honors credit. The Honors contract must be turned in to Dr. Katherine Bruce by the end of the drop/add period for that semester
So, what are the benefits? You can get ahead in your major without having to worry about fulfilling your Honors university studies, and it allows you to showcase your ability to go above and beyond a course’s typical requirements. For more information on how to complete an Honors contract, consult the online Honors handbook: uncw.edu/honors/documents/ studenthandbook.pdf