Why Should I be a Part of a Learning Community?

As a member of a learning community, not only will you get to live and learn in the same place, but you'll also have many other benefits, including:

·        Special interaction with faculty members

·        Convenient, natural study group

·        Community service possibilities

·        A smooth start that weaves connections all across JMU

Plus, studies have shown that JMU students who participate learning communities finish their first year with a higher GPA than those students who do not participate.  So really, what could you possibly not gain by being a part of a learning community?

And if that's not enough, here's what previous learning community participants have said about their experiences:

• "It is amazing. I absolutely love it. We have all become close and go out on weekends together, study together, work together. We are closely knit, and it definitely helps foster the learning environment."

• "When I heard about a learning community I thought that I would be isolated from the rest of the college experience, but I wasn't. It was even a better experience than I expected!"

• "I truly feel like I was a member of a community. The experience gave me some of the best friends I have at JMU, and I feel like some of the best friends I will have for life. Also, the transition from high school to college was a little easier with the help of having a learning community with which to make the transition." 

• "Being able to take an extra class in the field that really interests you is great, and the extra friendships were well worth it. I also bonded with our professor, so that is always helpful to new freshman who are used to smaller class sizes."

• "It is an incredibly valuable experience that you should take advantage of- you get a great dorm filled with great friends who you have class with. You cannot lose."