Susan Reddaway
Nome
by Tori Tragis,
RAHI courses are serious business for Aaron Kowalski, Kotzebue; Susan Reddaway, Nome; Nolan Lind, Dillingham; and Steven Piazza, Dillingham. Photo by Sam Chanar
May 30-June 10
When we arrived at the Rural 草榴社区 Honors Institute the first couple of
days were filled with "getting to know you" activities, campus tours and
receiving our schedules. After that it was all studying--or at least that鈥檚
what it felt like it. In the end you get used to it. It鈥檚 usually at least
a seven-hour class day plus a two-hour study hall at night. That weekend however,
we got to relax: we went on a hike. Actually, it was a lot of fun. We went to
Angel Rocks on Saturday and it was real scenic and stress-relieving. Some of
the RAHI students were climbing these huge steep rocks at the top of the mountain;
I never figured out how they got up there.
The second week was basically more of the same but we started our 750-word essays in Communications 104. That weekend, however, we got to go to a movie or bowling or something. In between the academics, store runs and weekend activities is either homework or sleep. The RAHI web page tells you to challenge yourself. It鈥檚 totally worth it.
June 11-17
This week was more studying. In geoscience we went on a field trip to the
Chena River. That was awesome; two girls actually jumped out of their canoe
and into the river--cold. On Saturday we went on the Midnight Sun
Run, a six-mile run through town. I have to admit it was really satisfying
to finally crawl across the finish line. Afterward we stayed up late at
the dorm and a lot of people ordered pizza. I ended up passing out as soon
as I walked into my room and then the next day was all studying for Monday.
June 18-24
This was midterm week. It was terrifying--even if you study, you鈥檒l
never feel prepared. We did several 30-minute essays in Communications 104
and a geography test in study skills. It was long and difficult but at least
preparation for it was pretty straightforward. Students never know exactly
what the essays will be on so it鈥檚 always imperative to study all of
the notes, and if by some chance students "forget" to study,
the best they can hope for is a subject they can bluff well-if such
a thing exists. The geoscience final was also a little intimidating but once
again as long as you studied you at least had a chance. It鈥檚 probably
safe to say the midterms could have gone better and worse for just about
everyone.
June 25-July1
This week the main event was getting back from Twin Bears on
Sunday. We got there on Saturday and were there overnight and then drove
back to the dorms about noon the next day. When we got there we had some
competitions between the family groups: races, musical chairs and last of
all, skits. To be honest, I hadn鈥檛 been looking forward to the skits at all--mainly
due to stage fright--but they turned out to be incredibly funny and the highlight
of the trip. That night we had the option of staying in cabins or sleeping
outside by the fire. I opted for the fire because it was warmer and then
I ended up staying awake all night. Everyone just sat up talking until about
six in the morning, when I guess a few people got tired and went to sleep.
Later we had brunch and drove back to the dorms. Twin Bears was one of the
greatest parts of attending RAHI.
July 1-8
On the last day of RAHI we attended a banquet and then stayed up all night before
the flight home. This was a fun escape from the finals of the days before.
In geoscience I tried to study but there was so much material to cover it became
somewhat overwhelming. In English at least I made sure I was as prepared as
I could get in 24 hours. The last week of RAHI was stressful but survivable.
Good luck to any future students.