Welcome to X-Honours!
X-Honours is an extracurricular program from NHL Stenden for students who are open-minded, curious and want to go the extra mile. We meet every Wednesday afternoon in Meppel, Groningen, Emmen (X-lab, room K1.04), and Leeuwarden (the X-Lab). During this time, we have workshops where we solve certain problems or we have inspirational speakers, which can be students. More and more, the program is also lead by students of the program, who want to share their passions and experiences. When students are abroad or on internships, we keep in touch online. That way all students can continue with X-Honours during all parts of their studies.
The program is based on five pillars, which are the following.
This vlog is from 2019. An updated vlog is in the making.
Growing on pillars
During your time at X-Honours you develop yourself on several pillars:
“Acquire self-knowledge, set the direction, and create impact”
In this pillar students set learning outcomes like:
> I continuously direct my own development. I set my direction in a purposeful manner, based on prior determination of my development objectives, motivation, and methods.
> I adjust my goals and direction when needed and can advocate my choices and changes.
> My chosen activities for further development are deliberate and
focused.
> My drives and values are always reflected in my behaviour,
objectives, and choices.
> I am able to link acting on value(s) and the activities that I undertake.
> I can provide my vision on and definition of each pillar. I am able to advocate any differing vision and definition. I have the ability to relate my actions to this.
> I can assess my development regarding the pillars coherently.
> I can explain my impact on my learning process.
> I have impact on others and/or on society and can explain this.
“Recognize, seize, and create opportunities”
This pillar is about students turning ideas into actions and products, and being able to win people over and convince them of their ideas. They show initiative, decisiveness and are flexible and service-oriented without being afraid to step out of their comfort zone. Creating opportunities by nurturing one´s own network, not being afraid to take risks and just trying doing something new is a constant process which doesn´t stop after just one project.
“Work in different subject areas and learn with and from others”
Students work in a multidisciplinary team on a common goal, which means that they collaborate with students of other domains and professionals to reach a shared goal. They approach complex issues and perform research based on various specializations (e.g., IT, design, creative writing), while being open, inquisitive and involved in all relevant subject areas. Students that collaborate interdisciplinary have gained new insights and skills in subject matters outside of their initial study program.
“Create new solutions”
Students look beyond personal (& national) boundaries and create links that may not be obvious at first glance. They come up with new and surprising solutions for complex issues by using their creativity as well as by thinking outside the box. Still, they are able to argue how they came up with these solutions by critically analysing the steps they took.
“Act in accordance with your values and create impact”
Students have a strong moral compass that sets the course for their actions (linking to personal leadership). Values and drives can be identified, explained and discussed respectfully with others regarding how and why they contribute to society. They identify the added values of the professional field and society in their surroundings or elsewhere in the world.
Students have one free pillar to develop and formulate objectives upon for themselves. Of course, this is always closely related to the pillar Personal Leadership and other pillars. Still, student choose one topic or theme and make specific learning objectives for that.Some examples:
- A student CMD wants to get professional in drawing. Her free pillar is Drawing. She develops activities for X-Honours in drawing, opens an art-account on instagram, follows a course and makes drawing a central theme in her internship.
- A student Mechanical Engineering wants to develop more internationally as this is not a part of his study. He chooses ‘Internationalization’ as his free pillar . He goes abroad for a minor and he applies for an International Congress.
- A student Creative Business wants to grow professionaly in Photography and get knowledge beyond her study. She finds an extra minor in Sweden ‘Photograpy’, she takes on commissions as a photographer and she organizes an online workshop Photography tips and tricks that she learned for many interested X-Honours students.
The programme
In the guide (next to this text), you can find more detailed information. If you think about starting X-Honours, open the guide and read it before starting. Here are some highlights:
- In X-Honours, you create your own route with activities and projects of your choice. This way, you can combine X-Honours with the various things that you are already working on, and work on the five pillars in a way that fits your learning preferences and personal goals.
- This way you can continue to work on the pillars, even when you are temporarily not on location, but abroad or on an internship.
- You get support from a coach, a coaching group, and a community of students and professionals.
- We offer an inspiring programme on Wednesday afternoons on the locations Emmen, Groningen, Meppel and Leeuwarden with guest lectures, challenging questions, workshops, excursions and discussions. You will also work on your projects and meet your peers.
- When you start X-Honours, or the new programme, then you will follow the onboarding programme during the first semester.
- You can start with the programme at two different moments per academic year: September and February.
Are you ready to join X-Honours?
The X-Honours guide
Click on the image below to open the X-Honours guide in a new window.
Our student's projects
As an X-Honours student, you formulate your own learning outcomes on the pillars. In order to achieve them,you can do many different activities that we call projects. They can either be initiated by X-Honours, from a student in the programme, from outside, or maybe you have your own idea.
The website you are looking at now is one of those student-initiated projects. Students and coaches with different expertises have worked together on creating content, and are constantly improving the website. This is a nice example of the projects we do at X-Honours. If you are curious to some more examples, see the Wall of Honours.
More detailed information about projects and activities can be found under projects
The X-Labs
In the locations Leeuwarden, Groningen, Emmen and Meppel we meet weekly. We strive for our own space: X-Labs. In Leeuwarden and Emmen we have realised this already.
In Emmen there’s an X-lab (K1.04, Kennispoort, ground floor, upstairs). On the other locations things are developing and rooms might change weekly.
The X-Lab in Leeuwarden is a space created by members of the X-Honours program. This includes students, coaches and especially Martin who is always trying to find ways to make the Lab even nicer and more welcoming. It is a place where you can work and get things done, but also meet people and have a good time together. We meet there outside of Honours and have dinner together or order pizza and play games or watch movies.
The X-Lab is an inspiring place to be, it is full of different projects, memories and plants and most of the times it feels more like a big living room rather than a classroom. You always meet new and interesting people there. It connects all of us. It is a ‘safe spot’ where everybody can be themselves. Students follow their passions, so don’t be surprised if you see someone playing the piano or the guitar, or painting.
Interested? Just come by and spend some time there and experience it yourself.
NHL Stenden locations
On the NHL Stenden locations down below it is possible to follow the X-Honours programme. You can find our contact details down below the page.
Leeuwarden
NHL Stenden Hogeschool
Rengerslaan 8-10
The X-Lab (room N-D.0037)
8917 DD Leeuwarden
Emmen
NHL Stenden Hogeschool
Van Schaikweg 94
7811 KL Emmen
Meppel
NHL Stenden Hogeschool
Van der Duyn van Maasdamstraat 1
7942 AT Meppel
Groningen
NHL Stenden Hogeschool
Eemsgolaan 17
9727 DW Groningen