James Madison Education Major

The major stereotype that I hear all the time is that JMU is just a big party school.

JMU is not just a big party school. Yes, like any other college there are parties on the weekends; however, there is so much more to do than just party. Students attend plays and musical performances for free and there is a free student lounge called Taylor Down Under where students can get coffee, hand out, and listen to live music or poetry. Students also attend sporting events for free and there is a movie theater on campus that only costs 2.00. There is so much more to do than just go out and party.

James Madison University is the best fit for me. It is just right in size, classes, and extracurricular activities. There is no one best thing about JMU, the students, the atmosphere, the accessibility of professors, the beautiful campus, and so much more make JMU spectacular. Lately, most of my time on campus is spent either in class or in the clubhouse. The clubhouse is free to all students and it is a place to make banners, advertisements, and posters for different clubs and organizations. It is a great place to hang out and bond with the people in your organizations as well as do something great for the campus through advertisements of fund raisers and events.

The professors at JMU are always there for their students. Emails are answered within the day, phone numbers are given out, appointments and office hours are available. The professors really want to be involved in their students academic achievement. 80% of all of JMU professors have a terminal degree in their field, meaning the highest degree possible in that field.

I do not really hear a lot of complaints on campus. All students love JMU and when walking across campus you can always see a sea of purple and gold. There is so much school spirit and pride in being a JMU Duke.

My favorite classes at JMU are the ones that pertain to my major. The education program at JMU is amazing, like a family. All of the students in the classes know each other and are friends. The professors know each of us by name which makes the entire atmosphere more comfortable to express opinions. Everyone in my classes is constantly helping each other out, giving each other advice, and listening to each others stories.

One of my education professors gave the class a pizza party outside of class because he wanted to get to know us better and let us get to know him better. It was a good idea because it helped us to feel more comfortable with him.

In my opinion the students at JMU are open to differences and differences in opinion. These things stimulate intellectual conversation and help shape perspectives by learning those of other people.

We stand up for what we believe in around campus. Students organize all types of student awareness campaigns. When many of our sports teams were taken away due to title nine students organized a petition to protest this.

I am involved in Student Ambassadors on campus who serve students past present and future. We work with alumni, put on fund raisers and community service projects on campus, as well as give tours and work to bring more and more students in. In doing this I have learned a lot about our campus and the students who attend. Dorm doors are usually left open during the day for visitors and what not. I met my best friends in my freshman dorm and have lived with them ever since.

I do not know the one most popular organization but there are over 300 clubs and organizations on campus. Fraternities and Sororities are part of the school but are not the biggest part. SGA and UPB are similar to student ambassadors and do a lot for the JMU community.

Football games are a huge deal on the JMU campus, during home games the campus is full of school spirit and pride.