On Monday, Aug. 25, the 色色研究所鈥檚 Judy Genshaft Honors College
welcomed more than 750 new outstanding students for the fall 2025 semester. For these
first-year students, the fall will be filled with the excitement and challenges of
starting their undergraduate journey. Between finding their way around campus, forming
good study habits, and making new connections, their path may be difficult to navigate
alone. Fortunately, Honors Peer Mentors are here to show them the way.
Part of the college鈥檚 Honors First-Year Programs, Honors Peer Mentors are returning students who volunteer to lead one section of
the Honors Foundations course. A requirement for all incoming first-year students,
this once-weekly seminar is designed to guide new scholars through the fundamentals
of college in a relaxed and collaborative setting. Students learn to set SMART goals,
create a four-year graduation plan, and may even create a LinkedIn profile to help
build their professional networks.
Beyond their classroom guidance, Peer Mentors share wisdom from their personal experience
as USF Honors students.
Our Best Advice for New Honors Students
Zoe Dieudonne
Zoe Dieudonne, a history and anthropology double major, implores new students to trust the process. 鈥淚t is normal to come into college and not know what you want to do. Changing your major is normal! Give yourself grace to explore all that USF has to offer. Take all sorts of courses and pick the major and extracurriculars that work best for you!鈥�
Dana Lara
鈥淪it with someone new at the dining hall!鈥� advises seven-year BS/PharmD student Dana Lara. 鈥淚f you see someone else eating by themselves, introduce yourself
and ask if it鈥檚 okay to sit with them. I have yet to get a 鈥榥o,鈥� and it鈥檚 a fun way
to make a new friend, even if it鈥檚 just for that moment.鈥�
Malik Zekri
Malik Zekri, a 2025 Barry Goldwater Scholar, recommends new students take time every day to write something down. 鈥淭he hustle
and bustle of college life hits hard and fast. You meet lots of new people, get involved
in new initiatives, and learn a lot in classes. This makes it easy for time to slip
away, leaving you feeling like 鈥業 wish I did this or that differently.鈥� In my experience,
writing down something about my day helps me avoid feeling like it鈥檚 鈥榯oo late.鈥欌��
Pushti Kanani
As a biomedical sciences and philosophy double major, Peer Mentor Pushti Kanani has
plenty of experience exploring diverse coursework. 鈥淪yllabus archive is a very helpful
tool on Canvas! You can use it to get access to syllabi from past semesters, helping
you to get familiar with a class you don鈥檛 know much about. It鈥檚 great when you鈥檙e
planning for registration day.鈥�
Valentina Baretta
Many Peer Mentors advise first-year students to get out of their comfort zone, literally.
Biology student Valentina Baretta says, 鈥淕et outside! New students tend to find comfort
in their residence halls with a clique of friends, but this prevents them from exploring
everything the campus and community has to offer. Taking advantage of your free time
and weekends can lead to surprising and unforgettable adventures.鈥�
Ava Wood
鈥淎sk for help,鈥� advises Ava Wood, a criminology and information sciences student.
鈥淚 know it can be intimidating to reach out and seek resources when everything is
so new, but please do so! There are so many kind people all over campus who will be
eager to help if you ask.鈥�
Nicholas Beskow
National Merit Scholar Nicholas Beskow highlights the importance of patience. 鈥淏e patient during your first
few weeks or semesters. It takes time to build the support systems that will keep
you strong, but things tend to click eventually. Be yourself, and you鈥檒l find your
crowd!鈥�
McKenzie Newbern
McKenzie Newbern, an aspiring marine biologist, recommends students attend on-campus
events. 鈥淓ven if you have to go alone, going to events is one of the best ways to
meet people and find new opportunities. It doesn鈥檛 need to be related to Honors or
academics, just take advantage of what鈥檚 being provided!鈥�
Fabiana Requena
Finally, 鈥淛ust say 鈥榶es!鈥欌�� says Fabiana Requena, an Honors marketing assistant. 鈥淪ay
鈥榶es鈥� to new things and to welcoming new people into your life. Whenever you come
across a new opportunity, saying 鈥榶es鈥� can lead to lifelong connections and memories.鈥�
Just the Beginning
The college will formally welcome all first-year students with its Honors Convocation ceremonies on the St. Petersburg campus Aug. 29 and the Tampa campus Sept. 5. At the ceremonies,
students will learn more about the dedicated resources available to them across USF
and how to get involved with expanding opportunities such as undergraduate research
and the Office of National Scholars.
鈥淭his year鈥檚 cohort of incoming students is among the most impressive in the college鈥檚
history,鈥� said Judy Genshaft Endowed Honors Dean Charles Adams. 鈥淭he word is out on
the Judy Genshaft Honors College, its supportive community, and the incredible opportunities
for students at USF. Last year, the college enjoyed an over 75% increase in applications,
making this our most competitive and academically accomplished class to date. We are
thrilled to welcome this group of exceptional students and can鈥檛 wait to see the impact
they will make at USF and beyond.鈥�