What Students Say about LSDP

"Strangers to friends, friends to family. LSDP is not just any other program, It helps you find your place. Connecting with others, building life long friendships, learning how to grow personally and professionally. LSDP teaches you skills that you need in order to strive for success. Skills like communication, teamwork and present listening. My biggest take away from this program are the genuine relationships I made. It really is a once in a lifetime opportunity you can only truly understand through first hand experience. Everything I learned in LSDP I will hold with me for the rest of my life. I learned how to flourish in community, pave my own path, and lastly LSDP taught me how to work hard but love even harder." - Participant '24

"LSDP changed my life. It was a way for me to not only meet and connect with so many people, but find a home at Eckerd. No one is a stranger in this class and it feels absolutely amazing to walk in and know that no one in the room is going to judge you... Everyone comes as they are and there is something so truly empowering and freeing about not having to hide in front of people. This class provided me with tools to grow as a friend, professional, leader and a member of society; but most importantly it taught me the value of creating strong relationships. LSDP allowed me to feel comfortable picking a major, comfortable talking to new people, and comfortable being myself around others. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and it is so worth it. I would recommend this to anyone who wants to make new friends, expand their horizons and gain the tools needed to succeed as a professional outside of Eckerd College." - Participant '24

"It’s the family you never expected, or even knew you needed. Nobody in LSDP stays strangers and I love it! I met so many like-minded individuals who also sought to understand themselves and others around them better. It’s a place where you can come as you are, and when you’re in such a supportive environment, it’s empowering. It taught me how to think of myself and believe in myself as a leader. On the flip side, it taught me how to see others as leaders too. It allows you to explore new dimensions of yourself and relations with others in fun and exciting ways. I’m so grateful for the opportunities it opened!" - Participant '23

“LSDP provided me with so much, from the tools to grow individually as a leader, friend, and successful graduate, to connections that will carry on long after this class. Although the path of life comes with great uncertainty, I am open to the possibilities that change may bring. LSDP taught me how to do this, it bettered me, my trust in others, and my capacity to grow. If you are up for the challenge, this class will help you become the best possible version of yourself each and every day until it is habit.” - Participant '23

"LSDP was a great opportunity to make friends in a welcoming and positive environment. I felt unafraid to be my genuine self. I learned how to work better as a team, and I learned things about myself that I was previously unaware of. Self-discovery was the biggest thing I gained from LSDP. I became more confident that who I am is someone good that others will accept. I made great friends, and I wish I could go back and do it all over again." - Participant '23

"I got a lot of things out of the LSDP class. I learned so much about how to lead but my biggest takeaways were collaboration skills and how to manage conflicts. I was taught so many different tools to help deal with uncomfortable situations and how to work well with other people. I would recommend this class to first-years because it is an incredibly unique experience. You form amazing bonds with people and learn so many skills that you can take with you your entire life." - Participant '23

"Trying things that were out of my comfort zone has always been challenging to me, but LSDP provided me with a newfound sense of confidence to try things I might not have before taking the class. The class was a safe space for me to make mistakes, challenge myself, and learn. After my first year of college I can most definitely say I have had so many new experiences that I would not have tried without taking LSDP. The environment created by every individual who played a role in the class made it easy to feel comfortable to be myself! I highly recommend taking LSDP if you are looking to find your footing not only here at Eckerd, but for your path in life. The skills I learned here I will take with me forever." - Participant '24

"It was difficult for me to decide whether I wanted to stay home for my freshman winter term or take LSDP. I will be forever glad that I took LSDP. The class gave me an immediate group of friends that I look forward to seeing around campus, people who I trust, who I can study with, and who I can adventure with. The class not only gave me friends, I have learned to trust myself as a leader, how to brainstorm and problem solve, and to push through with a project I’m passionate about. The class was a safety net for me to understand the value of networking, making connections through vulnerability, and knowing how to flex my strengths and improve my weaknesses... - Participant '24

"I found LSDP to be such an amazing opportunity to not only connect with others, but also connect with myself! Through all the different exercises, I learned what attributes make a strong team and also what I bring to the table. This class helped me to find what I’m most interested in, where I might succeed and gave me a better idea of what I’d like to do after college. It was an eye-opening experience that brought me closer to the Eckerd Community, my LSDP class, and also myself. I learned positive things about myself that helped give me the confidence to push myself out of my comfort zone and pursue some great opportunities on and off campus! An unforgettable experience and definitely the highlight of my Eckerd experience thus far! I would recommend this course to anyone looking for an opportunity to grow and become more invested in the Eckerd community." - Participant '24

"Out of the LSDP experience I gained friends and a sense of community in Eckerd when I was really lacking that prior. It’s hard to get involved when you don’t know where to start and feel too shy to put yourself out there. This course really helped me with adjusting, feeling welcome, and finding people I enjoy spending time with. It also helped me find confidence in communicating with the Eckerd faculty and gave me the courage to reach out and discover amazing programs such as Career Advising which helped me get my first job!    I would really, really recommend this course for students who are struggling to find their place in the Eckerd community, who are feeling homesick, and/or who would like to gain valuable professional experience. It’s a scary leap to make for some, but it’s entirely worth it!" - Participant '23

"Leadership and Self-Discovery Practicum was not only a course for me, it was an eye-opening experience. It allowed me to understand myself to elevate my communication and my ability to work with others. Each day was something exciting where we worked with each other, creating our own family. LSDP is a course I would recommend to anyone who wants to learn more about themselves and connect with people who later turn into friends."  - Participant '23