Final project

Talking About Freedom: My Summer Advantage Journey

When I first heard about HPU's Summer Advantage program, I wasn't sure what to expect. A month of intensive learning exploring American history through unconventional methods? Now, looking back on this transformative experience, I can confidently say it reshaped not only how I understand American history but also how I approach learning itself.

First Impressions and Finding My Way

Arriving on campus was a whirlwind of emotions—pure adrenaline mixed with nervous energy. The "honeymoon phase" was real as I spent those first few days running from dorm to dorm, meeting new people and making connections. Everyone was eager to share their backgrounds and life stories, creating an incredible diversity of experiences and perspectives.

Finding my classes on the first day was an adventure in itself. I was completely lost, wandering around campus until our RA stationed by Wanek Hall helped guide confused students like me. It was humbling but also a great ice-breaker—everyone was navigating this new environment together.

Professor Smith: Breaking Stereotypes

I'll admit, I was nervous about meeting my professor, expecting the stereotypical intimidating, distant college instructor. Professor Smith shattered every one of those preconceptions from day one. He turned out to be one of the best teachers I have ever encountered, providing invaluable guidance that extended far beyond American history.

What made Professor Smith's teaching so effective was his interactive approach. He gave us word-for-word definitions during lectures, used diagrams to show connections between events, and actively engaged us in constant dialogue. He didn't just talk at us—he made lectures feel like conversations, creating an environment where we felt comfortable asking questions and sharing thoughts.

Revolutionary Learning Methods

The four historical timelines we studied revealed different perspectives on freedom, helping me relearn topics from high school in a more memorable way. As a visual learner, I was grateful that Professor Smith never just stood and talked without providing visual examples. Topics like slavery and social movements suddenly made sense in ways they never had before.

Documentaries had a huge impact on me and my fellow students. They were way more useful than textbook chapters or regular lectures. While textbooks give you clean, academic information, documentaries threw me right into the raw reality of what actually happened. "Klansville USA" completely changed how I understood the Civil Rights era—I could see actual footage of KKK rallies and hear recorded speeches from Klan leaders. I witnessed the real fear and tension in communities and saw the faces of both perpetrators and victims. This engaged me on both intellectual and emotional levels in ways written accounts simply couldn't match.

Our 13 blog posts throughout the program were another revelation. Instead of lengthy papers, these shorter assignments forced us to distill complex ideas into clear arguments while writing for our classmates as an audience. The format felt relevant to modern communication and helped develop our authentic voices as writers.

Personal Growth and Skills Development 

Mock trials transformed us as both learners and communicators. Everyone became a noticeably better public speaker by the end of the program. We started nervously and hesitantly, but grew more confident with each trial. The role-playing aspect allowed us to step into the shoes of historical figures and truly understand the different periods and moral complexities. Initially, I was hesitant to use AI because, in high school, we were taught that it was cheating. Professor Smith completely changed my perspective, showing me how to use AI effectively for tasks like spell checking, organizing notes, and research assistance while maintaining academic integrity and critical thinking.

Community and Looking Forward

The communal aspect created bonds that will last throughout my college experience. Living together meant academic discussions continued outside class through late-night conversations and organic study groups.

Professor Smith didn't just teach us American history—he taught us how to think, communicate, and engage with complex ideas. His innovative methods made every class session something to look forward to rather than endure. This course set the standard for what education can be when a professor truly invests in student success. 

This reflection represents my personal transformation through HPU's Summer Advantage program. Claude AI was used to organize my notes.