<p>We at Davidson often crack the joke: “Academics, Social Life, Sleep: pick two.”</p>
<p>But in fact, the work-load is not THAT bad, especially not if you’re coming from a high school with a decent work-load, and if you’re a person who works hard anyway. I occasionally have to sacrifice a basketball game to study for a test the next day, but generally speaking, I find I have time for everything I want to do here and still perform extremely well in all of my classes. I agree that Davidson has a lot more work than other colleges, including peer (similar) institutions. But, I also believe its students tend to play that up unrealistically – that perhaps many of them spend more time complaining about their work than doing it. This is actually something of a pet-peeve to me. So, to directly answer your question. Are the courses very difficult? Yes. Is the workload hard to manage? Yes. Is it possible to do very well here? Absolutely yes. </p>
<p>I have found that students achieve success here when they find a balance: a balance between academics, social life, and the bare necessities of life (eating well, exercising, sleeping well, etc.).
Students also achieve academic success when they adopt a realistic grading standard. The concept of “grade inflation” does not exist at Davidson. The professors here give us exactly what we deserve. For example, if I’ve spent six hours studying for a major midterm and doing finish, only mastering 3/4 of the material, I’m probably going to only going to get around a 75% on that midterm. If I study less than that, I’ll probably make below a 75. If I study thoroughly and feel comfortable with the material, I will probably make a 100. As I said, you get what you deserve. If you put in the time and effort, you will no doubt get the A you deserve. If you don’t go all the way, you’re going to have to settle for the B or C.
At other schools, it’s much easier to get an A by doing less work.
Never fear, though - graduate schools and employers are usually very familiar with Davidson’s rigor and consequently consider candidates with decent GPAs at Davidson comparable to candidates from other good schools with outstanding GPAs.</p>
<p>Another key to success is choosing classes and a major that you will not only enjoy, but also probably find easier than alternatives – and you would be assigned an advisor who will help you find the course-load that is best for YOU. For example, if you hate literature and are terrible at English courses, the comprehensive survey course of Literary Criticism is probably not one you should take. Young Adult Lit might be a better alternative. Terrible at math? Don’t take Multivariable Calculus! Take Exploring Mathematical Concepts or something similarly general. Not good at science? Don’t take General Chemistry. Take instead Chemistry of Art and Artifacts or Special Topics in biology. I’m terrible at math and science, so I took “baby physics” ie. Astronomy. It was still a very challenging course, and I didn’t put as much work into it as I now wish I had, but it was much easier than say, the first premed biology course, Bio 111 (Molecules, Genes, Cells). Freshmen year, I damaged my GPA taking this last course. I convinced myself I was going to be premed, but I should have taken the hint during high school that math/science courses are not my best.</p>
<p>Most students here are very involved in life outside of academics. Involvement-wise, I would say I’m a pretty typical Davidson student, and I’ve got a pretty full plate. I’m in Rusk Eating House (similar to a sorority in function, but also quite different in structure), I’m President of the Young Democrats, I’m in the Canterbury Episcopal Fellowship (the campus Episcopal youth group), I’m in the Pre-Law Society, and I’m an intern for our Sports Marketing Association. Next year, I’m keeping all of these activities, and adding a job with Residence Life as a hall counselor (freshmen hall Resident Advisor / RA). Many people hold leadership positions, are affiliated with a Patterson Court organization (one of the fraternities, eating houses, or sororities), and are involved in at least one or two other activities. </p>
<p>A typical day for me involves about two hours of class, two to eight hours of homework and reading (in busy weeks, it can be a lot more; in calm weeks, it can be a lot less…it really just depends!), and spending the rest of the time in activities, with friends, at parties, at Rusk, eating, or sleeping. Davidson is a full-time job…but it’s worth every minute and every penny.</p>