Learning, Connecting & Growing Together at Whitman

Honestly, one of the things I was nervous about in college was the "everyone for themselves" mentality that I had heard about from high school teachers and older friends. I was worried I’d end up in a high-pressure environment where my classmates were unwilling to help me succeed so that they would do better in comparison. But within my first few weeks at Whitman College, I realized it is the exact opposite here.

I am a Brain, Behavior, and Cognition major (neuroscience!), which is actually one of the newest and popular majors on campus! Even though the classes are challenging, the culture is entirely collaborative rather than cutthroat. Whether we are working through complex data or prepping for exams, there is this reassuring sense among the students, professors and staff on campus that we are all in this together. 

At Whitman, there is a strong sense of collaboration, which makes it easy to set yourself up for academic success. I’m here to share my best advice for leaning into the community early.

Don’t Be Afraid To Use Office Hours

Our professors are incredibly approachable and genuinely want to talk to you and care about how you are doing both academically and personally. During my time at Whitman, I created really close relationships with my professors. I researched with them, babysat for them and joined them for holiday dinners.

Make Use of Whitman’s Resources

I also recommend forming study groups, visiting the Academic Resource Center for peer tutoring or visiting the Disability Access Services office for help setting up accommodations. The staff are super friendly and always willing to help you out! The real secret to feeling confident in your classes is fostering an open line of communication with your professors and peers.

Soak Up Everything Whitman & the Walla Walla Valley Has To Offer

One of the coolest things about my major is that the learning isn’t just in the classroom or library. Only at Whitman will you find a lab class where students actually teach rats to play basketball during finals week with a March Madness-style “rat-sketball” tournament! It is definitely a conversation starter and one of those unique parts of the Brain, Behavior and Cognition major that makes learning the content feel a lot more fun. 

On the weekends, my friends and I love heading to the drive-in theater south of town for a cheap, vibey double feature movie showing. Or visiting a local farm—especially during the free student u-pick days, which is such a highlight of the season. You can also join the Glean Team to help harvest extra produce from local fields that will be donated to the food bank so nothing goes to waste. It is a great way to get involved in the local community while supporting sustainability efforts!

Connect With Whitman Alums

One of the most fulfilling experiences of my time here was my recent trip to New York City as a Garrett-Sherwood Scholar. It was so powerful to meet alums who were once exactly where I am now. Beyond just the professional development, it made me realize how strong the Whitman support system is, even thousands of miles away from campus. It gave me a huge boost of confidence knowing that I have a network of people cheering me on, no matter where I go.

Whitman is a place where you can be a serious student and find constructive challenges, while still letting your personality shine. If you are looking for a community that is as kind as it is curious, you are going to love it here. To see more of what life is like for students on campus and in the valley, I definitely recommend checking out the OurWhitman Instagram page!

Maille Moynahan ’26 (she/her) is a recent grad from Missoula, Montana. During her time at Whitman, she was a Garrett-Sherwood Scholar and majored in Brain, Behavior and Cognition and minored in Art. While on an excursion for her summer bird research with a Whitman professor, she learned that baby burrowing owls make rattlesnake noises to scare predators away from their underground nests!