Winthrop University is a wonderful public school located in the heart of Rock Hill, SC. I lived over four miles from the school and appreciated that there was a sidewalk I could ride on for most of the trip. With all of its perks, there are five things that I wish I knew before deciding to go to Winthrop University. Why do I wish I had known all these things before attending? Well, I transferred to Winthrop in the middle of my sophomore year of college. I would have picked Winthrop University as my first choice in higher education had I known that:
1.) They have a very active and alive campus life. As I said earlier, I lived off campus. I worked, road my bike to school, and road home immediately after my classes to start homework. I did not know about the student organizations, shows, and other activities they had to offer students. Winthrop has a solid Model United Nations team that travels to other colleges and states for competitions. The theatre department offers many shows throughout the year and basketball games are often free to attending students. If there is no current student organization available for your interest, there is a lot of support for creating new clubs. While I attended Winthrop some of my friends started the first GLBT group on campus called Global. It is the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender ally League.
2.) They were building the best recreation center that I had ever seen called the West Center. This facility was completed the year after I graduated and offers free access to all attending students. The two features that really blew me away and stand out from other student fitness facilities were its indoor climbing wall and indoor swimming pool. Winthrop University truly takes the health and fitness of its students seriously.
3.) Winthrop University offers very nice student and family housing. The first school I attended before Winthrop had the kind of dorm rooms one usually expects to see from a university or college. Twin beds, linoleum floors, and shared shower space. However, Winthrop offers its students apartment style living facilities. They also offer family housing for students who are married or have children. Neither the children nor spouses are required to be enrolled in classes at the school. These accommodations really impressed me and showed Winthrop’s commitment to educating everyone. One of the hardest things about going to school is maintaining a job to pay your bills while attending class. But with family housing, your student loans and or scholarships can cover the cost of living for the whole family.
If you’re interested in Winthrop University, check out our story on Lackluster Meal Options at WU.
4.) I wish I knew how small the class sizes are. While I was attending Winthrop, they had just finished adding on a new building so that they could decrease some of their class sizes. This allowed one to sit close to the instructor in every course and really absorb the information being given. The professors at Winthrop also make themselves very available to the students. With small class sizes, they get to know all of the students in their class and have a vested interest in their success. The school that I went to before Winthrop had very large class sizes. I got lost in the hustle and bustle. When I went to ask my professor for assistance he could not even verify that I was a member of his class. I had to come from the other end of campus and had to take the only seat available in the very back. Winthrop does not have this problem with losing its students. The professors have regularly scheduled office hours and offer students their personal emails to keep in touch.
5.) I wish I had known that one could get paid while attending. My sister and a dear friend were able to find paid positions working for Winthrop as a teacher assistant and in their small elementary school on campus. The school helped students learn to become teachers, but also offered students with children a close place to send their children for their educational needs. This truly is a “win” “win” set up.
The only negative thing I can say about the school is that during my transfer, administration lost my application. This delay caused me to lose my Life Scholarship that is offered to all South Carolina students with a qualifying GPA. However, Winthrop offered me other grants and scholarships that made up for this deficit. In fact, there is currently a scholarship available for eligible English majors in honor of my friend and Winthrop Alumni who passed in 2012. Winthrop University has a wonderful learning environment and really makes efforts to give back to its students. You will not regret your decision to attend this school.
Tiffany Clutter is a 2007 Winthrop Alumni who received her BA in psychology. She is an entrepreneur who currently spends her day writing and taking care of her daughter in East Tennessee. Tiffany is an avid environmentalist who enjoys spending time outdoors. She takes weeks long camping trips with her family and friends. Tiffany enjoys cycling and kayaking in her free time as well.