Henna Neilson ’29 delves into Gettysburg’s community through First-Year Seminar experience

My First-Year Seminar (FYS) experience significantly altered the course of my Gettysburg career, helping me not only acclimate to college academics but also create an interdisciplinary academic journey for myself. 

While many colleges have an FYS requirement, Gettysburg College’s wide variety of course options helped me find an interdisciplinary course that reflected my diverse interests. I want to become an elementary school teacher, so I selected Curious & Curiouser: Children’s Literature and the Invention of the Modern Child with English Prof. Jesse Cordes Selbin. It combined my interest in education with my love of reading and studying the past. 

My FYS allowed me to produce my first college-level research in a supportive environment. I researched how the 1787 French children’s story “Paul and Virginia” by Jacques-Henri Bernardin de Saint-Pierre was a product of the Enlightenment’s progressiveness yet also its limitations. The essay process emphasized revision, offering a peer review session, a visit to the Writing Center, and secondary research in academic journals with assistance from research librarians. This experience ensured that I was aware of all the various academic resources that the College offers. The multi-step revision process also improved my abilities as an editor by helping me hone and refine my argument using evidence from a variety of sources.

I had the honor of sharing my FYS research in two unique settings. First, I prepared a poster for the 2026 CAFE Symposium, which celebrates first-year academic achievement. I translated my research from an essay into an infographic and learned how to convey my argument in a digestible five-minute presentation. This CAFE Symposium allowed me to publish my poster in the Cupola, Gettysburg’s collection of published student works. 

Learning about the publication process was fascinating as I learned the ins and outs of licensing my original work. It’s so exciting to be able to say that a piece of my academic work is already available online for anyone to read after just one college semester. 

I was honored to share my poster at the February 2026 Board of Trustees meeting, where I discussed not only my research but also how my FYS experience transformed my Gettysburg career. I shared that I’m currently an English and history double major at the College, but just a few months ago, that wasn’t my plan. I was intent on majoring in history but did not consider adding an English major until Prof. Cordes Selbin suggested it. I became excited about the stimulating opportunities I would gain from the English curriculum and knew it was a necessary addition to my liberal arts education. This experience strengthened my communication skills by allowing me to present my work in front of a large audience. It was rewarding to hear from alumni who had similarly powerful experiences in their FYS courses.

Additionally, my FYS connections set me up for success for the remainder of my college experience, as Prof. Cordes Selbin is now my academic advisor for my English major. Without my FYS, I would not have broadened my horizons to consider more areas of study. I would also lack the support system I have now, which helps me succeed academically due to my familiarity with College support services and my relationship with my advisor. 

“My FYS connections set me up for success for the remainder of my college experience.” - Henna Neilson ’29 

 

This course taught me not to be afraid to ask for help, which has pushed me to be the best student I can be despite challenges. Moreover, the public speaking skills I gained have helped me find a voice beyond the classroom, giving me the confidence to work as an admissions tour guide, run for executive positions in student organizations, and develop interpersonal relationships through volunteer work. 

Overall, this course helped me build my identity as a Gettysburg student by helping me define my interests and carve out an interdisciplinary path, shaping me as a student and granting me the capabilities I need to achieve my goals.