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Should You Join a College Honor Society?

Sarah Jimenez

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Photo: BOOM 💥 (https://www.pexels.com/photo/student-sitting-behind-the-desk-in-a-classroom-12585804/)
Photo: BOOM 💥

What is a college honor society—and should you join one? A professor weighs in on the pros and cons of academic honor societies.

As a professor, I served as the faculty advisor for the campus chapter of Phi Alpha Theta, the history honor society. That experience showed me the many benefits of joining an honor society. But there are also reasons to turn down honor society membership invitations.
—Genevieve Carlton, Ph.D.

What Is a College Honor Society?

Unlike a sorority or fraternity, honor societies recognize students with exceptional academic records.

College students will typically encounter two types of honor societies:

  1. General societies open to all students
  2. Societies for certain academic disciplines

Many humanities and social science majors have national honor societies, for example.

Reputable honor societies set admission criteria.

For instance, students may need to rank in the top 20% of their class or have a minimum GPA.

In addition to the national honor society standards, local chapters might add their own requirements.

A psychology honor society may only admit students who complete at least 15 credits in psychology with a 3.5 GPA in their psych classes.

Honor societies offer several benefits, including members-only scholarships, chances to gain leadership and academic experience, and mentorship and networking opportunities.

For some students, the pros of joining an honor society outweigh the cons.

3 Pros of Joining an Honor Society

Why do students join honor societies? And should you consider joining if you meet the membership requirements?

Here are some pros to joining an honor society.

You Qualify for Scholarships

Many honor societies award scholarships exclusively to members.

Members may also qualify for awards, travel grants, and other financial support.

Here are some honor society scholarships you could qualify for by joining:

  • Phi Theta Kappa: Members qualify for transfer student, career tech, nursing, veteran, and undergraduate scholarships worth up to $7,500.
  • Honor Society: Honor Society offers dozens of scholarships ranging from $1,000-$5,000. Scholarships recognize leadership skills, academic achievements, and community service.
  • Alpha Kappa Delta: The sociology honor society offers awards and travel grants for members, including a paper prize and a minority fellowship program.
  • Pi Lambda Theta: The education honor society offers scholarships of up to $2,000 for members.

Since only members qualify for these opportunities, the odds of winning a scholarship can be higher than those for open scholarships.

Honor Societies Offer Leadership Opportunities

Looking for leadership experience?

Don’t overlook honor societies.

Each chapter elects officers to run meetings and events.

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In smaller, major-specific honor societies, it may be even easier for members to earn an officer title by volunteering.

Depending on the honor society, chapters may be required to elect certain officers, including a president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer.

Chapters can also create their own positions, like social media manager or director of outreach.

These leadership positions will build your resume while demonstrating your scholarly commitment.

Many Host Academic Conferences and Award Prizes

If you’re thinking about … [ keep reading on BestColleges.com ]

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Op-Ed

Which is better for self-defense: tasers or pepper spray?

DORAL 360

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Photo by Andrew Neel

As women, we’ve been taught to fear the world outside. Whether it’s through warnings from our parents or statistics on the news, we know that danger lurks in the shadows. And while we may never know when that danger will strike, we can at least prepare ourselves with self-defense tools. But with so many options available, how do we know which one is right for us?

Today, we’re going to explore two of the most popular options: tasers and pepper spray.

Let’s start with tasers.

When most people think of tasers, they picture a small, handheld device that delivers a jolt of electricity to the attacker, rendering them temporarily incapacitated. And while that may sound like the perfect solution to our self-defense needs, there are a few things to consider before investing in a taser.

Firstly, tasers can be expensive. A quality taser can cost several hundred dollars, and that’s not even factoring in the cost of replacement cartridges. And while the initial cost may seem worth it for the peace of mind that comes with having a powerful self-defense tool, it’s important to remember that a taser is only effective if you can actually use it.

Using a taser requires close proximity to the attacker, which can be risky in itself. Additionally, tasers require a level of skill to use effectively. In the heat of the moment, it can be difficult to remember the correct technique for deploying a taser, which can render the device useless in a critical situation.

Now let’s consider pepper spray.

Pepper spray is a chemical spray that, when deployed, causes intense pain and temporary blindness in the attacker, giving the victim time to escape. Unlike tasers, pepper spray is relatively inexpensive and easy to use. It requires minimal skill or training to deploy effectively, and can be used from a safe distance.

However, pepper spray does have its drawbacks. It’s not as effective on individuals who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and can be blown back into the user’s face in windy conditions. Additionally, pepper spray can take several seconds to take effect, which can feel like an eternity in a high-pressure situation.

So which is better for self-defense: tasers or pepper spray?

The answer is neither. Both options have their pros and cons, and ultimately, the best self-defense tool is the one that you feel most comfortable using. The most important thing is to invest in a tool that you feel confident using and to practice deploying it in a safe environment.

Whether it’s a taser, pepper spray, or another option entirely, the goal is to be prepared and empowered to defend ourselves in any situation.

Here is a list of places where you can buy tasers or pepper spray online:

  1. Amazon has a wide variety of self-defense products available, including tasers and pepper spray.
  2. Self Defense Products is an online store that specializes in self-defense tools, including tasers and pepper spray.
  3. Taser is the manufacturer of the popular taser brand of stun guns, and they sell their products directly on their website.
  4. SABRE is a well-known brand of pepper spray, and they sell their products on their website as well as on Amazon.
  5. Damsel in Defense is an online store that specializes in self-defense products for women, including tasers and pepper spray.
  6. Security Pro USA is an online store that sells a variety of self-defense products, including tasers and pepper spray.
  7. The Home Security Superstore is an online store that specializes in home security products, including tasers and pepper spray.
  8. Cabela’s is a hunting and outdoor store that sells a variety of self-defense products, including tasers and pepper spray, on their website.
  9. OpticsPlanet is an online store that specializes in outdoor and tactical gear, including tasers and pepper spray.
  10. Walmart sells a variety of self-defense products, including tasers and pepper spray, on their website.

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How-To

When, why, and how to use self-defense pepper spray safely

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Photo by Cottonbro Studio

Self-defense is an important aspect of personal safety, especially for vulnerable populations EVERYONE. One of the most popular and effective self-defense tools is pepper spray, a non-lethal weapon that can incapacitate an attacker. That said, it’s important to know when, why, and how to use pepper spray safely.

When to Use Pepper Spray

Pepper spray should only be used as a last resort in situations where there’s an immediate threat of physical harm. Obviously, it’s not a toy, you shouldn’t use it for pranks, and it shouldn’t be used to intimidate or threaten others… unless they deserve it (just kidding).

Some situations where pepper spray may be appropriate include:

  1. Walking or jogging alone in a secluded area
  2. Being followed or stalked by someone
  3. Confronted by an aggressive or violent individual
  4. In a situation where physical force is the only option for self-defense

Why Use Pepper Spray

Pepper spray is a relatively powerful self-defense tool that provides you with a decent level of protection in dangerous situations. When used right, it will temporarily blind an attacker, causing them to experience intense pain and difficulty breathing — giving you time to escape or call for help. Unlike other self-defense tools, pepper spray is compact and easy to carry, making it a convenient option for everyday use.

How to Use Pepper Spray Safely

Using pepper spray requires careful consideration and preparation. Here are some important tips to keep in mind:

Choose a quality pepper spray product:

Look for a product that contains at least 10% oleoresin capsicum (OC) and is specifically designed for self-defense. Avoid using products that are expired or past their shelf life.

Know how to use it:

Practice using the spray before you need it, so you can be confident in your ability to use it effectively. Aim for the attacker’s face, and spray in short bursts while moving away from the attacker.

Be aware of your surroundings:

Before using pepper spray, make sure there aren’t any innocent bystanders or animals in the immediate area. Wind conditions also affect the spray’s effectiveness, so be aware of the direction of the wind. The last thing you want to do is spray yourself.

Only use it as a last resort:

Remember, pepper spray should only be used in situations where there is an immediate threat of physical harm. Avoid using it in situations where there are other options for de-escalation.

Takeaway

Pepper spray is a useful self-defense tool that can provide you with added protection in dangerous situations however, it’s important to use it safely and responsibly. By understanding when, why, and how to use pepper spray, you can take steps to protect yourself and others while staying safe.

Here are some places where you can buy pepper spray online:

  1. Amazon – Offers a wide variety of pepper spray products from different brands, including Sabre, Mace, and Fox Labs.
  2. Walmart – Online store also carries a selection of pepper spray products from different brands.
  3. Pepper Spray Store – Online retailer that specializes in self-defense products, including pepper sprays.
  4. The Home Security Superstore – Sells a variety of self-defense products, including pepper sprays from different brands.
  5. Sabre Red – Leading brand in the pepper spray industry and has its own online store where you can purchase its products.
  6. Mace – Another popular brand in the pepper spray industry and has its own online store where you can buy its products.
  7. Defense Devices – Another online retailer that offers a wide range of self-defense products, including pepper sprays.

Remember to research local laws and regulations before purchasing and carrying pepper spray, and always use caution and follow proper safety procedures when handling these products.

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