For ND Students, it's Smart to Start School in the Summer
Although the majority of new naturopathic doctoral (ND) students begin school at Bastyr in the fall, starting classes during the summer can be a smart strategy.
As incoming ND student Brenden Witte explains, getting a head start on classes can alleviate future stress. "I know my education will be extremely rigorous, and taking courses this summer is an opportunity to reduce my class load," he says.
Starting in the summer also facilitates a smoother adjustment to the University environment, especially for those new to the Seattle area. "It is great to be in the area and become familiar with how things work at Bastyr University," says Witte. "That way I will feel more comfortable in the fall."
Admittedly, it is hard not to feel comfortable in such a supportive community. "So far I love it. The community here is just wonderful," Witte observes. "I can't even begin to describe it." Just two weeks into summer quarter, he is already participating in study groups for all of his classes. He is also impressed with faculty. "The professors are so wonderful — they have such amazing things to contribute." Witte is taking Histology, Fundamentals of Research Design, and Fundamental Principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Some of his fellow students are taking the same three classes, while others are only taking one class, such as Whole Foods Production.
Another compelling reason to start school in the summer is quite simple: it alleviates impatience. "I was really ready to begin the ND program a year ago, but I had to spend last year completing prerequisites," notes Witte. "I am so excited about the program that I wanted to jump right in."
