What Students Say about LSDP

“LSDP gave me a sense of belonging and community during a time when I was really struggling. This experience gave me the opportunity to learn more about myself, my wants, my needs, and my goals. When you hear other students talking about how amazing the class is it’s easy to be skeptical that a college course could be so life changing. But it is truly unlike anything you will ever experience, and I will be forever grateful that I did it. As someone who is very introverted I really struggled to make friends my freshman year. Through this course I was able to come out of my shell and make lifelong friends with the best people. The lessons I gained from this class allowed me to be more confident in who I am, which enhanced every single other aspect of my life. If there were any course I would recommend you take in your short time at Eckerd, it’s LSDP. ” Jas, Participant '25

"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." - Maiya, 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." - Julieanna, 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!" - Francesca, 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.” - Maddy, 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." - August, 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." - Jayden, Participant '23

"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." - Jennings, Participant '24

"Because of LSDP, I was able to grow out of my comfort zone and become more open to new experiences. LSDP helped me decide on a Leadership Studies minor and helped me realize my potential for leadership positions like Peer Mentor and a Facilitator for the LSDP course. This class not only teaches you about yourself and how you approach different situations but how to effectively work in a team. It was an experience that I will never forget." - Nayeli, Participant '22

"For me, LSDP was a whirlwind of different experiences. I was pushed out of my comfort zone and asked to rise to the occasion every day. I learned so much about myself and how I move in the world. I discovered where my strengths lie and how best to utilize them. All my habits, both good and bad, were brought to light. LSDP was an explosion of growth. It helped me further navigate the insanity that is transitioning to college life. After that Winter Term ended, I had a whole new perspective for what I wanted the next four years to look like. It was also just enormously fun. I met some of my best friends and was constantly laughing so hard my stomach hurt during class. Through LSDP, I rediscovered my love for movement and the simple joy of playing just to be silly. I really could not recommend it more. At the risk of sounding corny, I have to say that LSDP changed my life." - Ryn, Participant '25

"… As someone who has always felt a little out of place, no matter where I went, I wanted to utilize the opportunity provided by LSDP ... to “learn” myself. I wanted to know who I was—and I bared my personality, my internal beliefs about myself and the world, and my insecurities to that classroom of peers, friends, mentors, and professors. I have never been good at vulnerability, and learning how to be vulnerable throughout the duration of this course is ultimately what changed me, and broke open who I was. …. While I discovered myself, I learned … how to discover more about my friends and form authentic relationships, and how to interact with the diversity of personalities I was surrounded by. It was exhilarating, energetic, and at times, exhausting. However, it was an extremely rewarding thing to do for myself. … - Sojo, Participant '25

LSDP is an amazing course for first-years to take because it allows you to make mistakes and grow from them. Every person in the class comes as they are, ready to share their true authenticity with the group of once strangers and now friends. I valued my time in the class because of the deep self reflection I had time to process over the course of Winter Term... I would recommend this course to anyone who is looking to get to know themselves better..., seeking new friendships, wanting to get connected to the Eckerd community, or simply to anyone who wants a fun adventure!"  - Sloan, Participant '25

LSDP is an opportunity to not only shine a light upon yourself as a leader but it teaches you how to better shine that light on your peers. Peers you might not have ever talked to unless you decided to take LSDP. The same people who have now become some of my closest and truest friends here at Eckerd. ... You feel the love of being a part of a community of people who all enjoy each other's company and ideas. Developing these relationships ... gave me more confidence ... to further connect to Eckerd and take on more roles with my community... I will forever be grateful that I was able to be a part of this program and meet all of the amazing friends that have felt like family ever since!" - Priscilla, Participant '25

"LSDP was an amazing experience! It brought a new outlook, community, and meaning to being an Eckerd student. I was able to grow as a person by testing my boundaries and being able to make new, close friends! I was also able to gain new leadership skills that made me think critically and be more professional. I believe anyone who is looking for a community, wants to learn more about Eckerd itself, grow their leadership and personal qualities, and make a change for the better, should join LSDP! It's a course that you won't regret!" - Megan, Participant '25

"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." - Amelia, 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... - Hazel, Participant '24

“LSDP is the fundamental experience that has spurred, for me, a career at Eckerd of involvement, excitement, and determination. This school is full of such wonderful opportunities, and my time with Dr. S, the facilitators, and my peers has taught me how to squeeze every ounce of goodness out of my time here — like a particularly ripe orange. I love oranges. Yum yum. Yeah, LSDP is like if a class was an orange. Come get your Vitamin C, y’all.” - Hugh, 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!" - Isabelle, Participant '23