Hastings College
Reviews

Life at Hastings College

From the minute that you set foot on campus everything is laid out like a town within a town. Everyone from the secretaries in the Dean's office to the financial aid assistant's make life at Hastings College extremely easy to navigate. The curriculum is outlined so that registration is simplified, classes are easy to find and dorms are located so they are not only safe and secure but also close enough to walk to classes. Most students bring a bike to Hastings with them and cars stay parked for days. The workload is designed so that students aren't allowed to over-do anything, work-studies are available for all majors and the Dean will find a work study for you if you are struggling with making ends meet.

The popular place to meet is The Blue Moon Coffee Company off-campus and the student union on campus. Student's gather because it's fun to do. There is often singing and impromptu dancing seen around campus and on fraternity row. The fraternities and sororities are meshed so that there are many chances for mixers and fun times for all personalities. No one is made to feel out of place on this campus.

The minute I set foot on campus I knew I was at home for the next four years and was already proud to call myself an alumni.

Music and education programs

As I was looking at colleges, I heard many great things about HC’s music and education programs. Having been through them both, I have to agree that both programs are very strong and really prepare you for your career.

Simple

Financial Aid was easy, but took a while to fill out everything. It was a simple enough process, just long and drawn out.

Aww Yeah

There's a wide variety of guys on campus. All of the guys are nice and easy to be around. They also don't dress trashy and are unclean.

Super Safe

I've always felt safe at Hastings. It's a small and friendly campus, and even on bad nights it's a very safe place to be. I can walk around with friends and leave my door unlocked and not fear for myself or my things.

Dining

Hastings has three Runza Resturants, lots of pizza places- including Back Alley Bakery which makes pizza from scratch on Thursdays, and the first Eileen's Cookies.

And if Hastings doesn't have what you want to eat, there's much more after the 20 minute drive to Grand Island.

Balanced

Hastings has lots of history, like its oldest building McCormick Hall. The library is nice, with lots of stone finishes, and it's named after the inventor of Kool-Aid.

There are also state-of-the-art buildings like the new science center, football field and arena.

And while the dorms have aged, there are modern apartments for upperclassmen.

It's a great balance.

Not as Boring as You Would Think

Hastings may be small, but with just a little creativity and motivation- it's not boring. There are plenty of locally-owned eclectic shops to visit as well as name brand retailers. There a unique eating options like the all natural bakery "Back Alley Bakery" and a the first Eileen's Cookies.

The town is also rich with History. It has its own 3 story museum and many cultural events. It's even the birthplace of Kool-Aid.

The small town atmosphere is also relaxing.

Old Plus New Equals Awesome!

We have several older buildings on campus, such as one of our dorms and our English/History building, but we also have more modern buildings such as our Science center. This is a great combination that gives all types of students an opportunity to enjoy life on campus. Nothing is too modern, but nothing is too old.

Small Classes

We have very small classrooms which allows for a lot of extra attention from the teacher.

Printing on Campus

Printing on campus is really awesome in the way that you can print for free by using the key fob given to you when you start at Hastings College.

School So Far

School so far has been pretty good. I have learned a lot academically, but to be honest I feel I have learned even more from a personal stand point. Which in the end may be more important.

Are We Clean?

Honestly I don't really notice drug use at my school but I do no that there is a lot of drinking. The school is in the middle of Central Nebraska it is a good school but there is not always a lot of things to do here.

My Major

The pre nursing program at Hastings is pretty good. It prepares you to go into some accelerated program at a larger school. I wish that we had more internships.

The Cleanliness of the Dorms

Hastings College has some of the cleanest dorms I have ever seen. I've been in three of the five dorms and those three are all in great shape.

Decent, but Not Wonderful

At Hastings College, there's computer labs in many buildings across the campus so there is always easy access to a computer or printer. Unfortunately, it depends on the computer and how well it runs. Some days, it can take up to ten minutes just logging you on and other days, you can be in and out of the computer lab in less than five minutes.

The Professors at Hastings College

The reason I came to Hastings College is because it felt like home. After I started my classes, I noticed that all of the professors that I have had are great with the students. They know every student they have by name. I had the ability to eat lunch with one of my professors a few weeks ago and we had an hour long conversation. I'm not sure how many other students in college are able to say that about their professors.

Undergrad

though alcohol is present and available the amount of partying is fairly well controlled and confined. there is very little drug use with almost no serious drugs available. on most weekends there is some sort of college run event either a dance speaker movie or party of some kind

Facilities

We have a very nice facilities including a full library with group work spaces a silent floor class room lots of original art and online library. our athletic facilities are also nice we have a new arena though out indoor track facility is one of the worst in our conference. all of the dorms ahve game rooms sitting areas and kitchens that make college living more home like.

On Campus Computers

there are several labs throughout campus all with adequate amounts of computers and fast internet. we have unlimited printing and free wi-fi throughout most of the campus and in all of the dorms.I know several people who came to school with out computers and have no problems with getting access to the computers on campus. There are also a limited amount of laptops available for rent.

Unique Things

Hastings College has the only Marching band in our conference, has a history going back over 125 years, and has an excellent choir. This is not a huge college, but the smaller campus is nice, especially rushing from one end to the other for classes, and it has a small town sort of feel, while still being in a decent sized city. One unique opportunity at Hastings is the chance to be part of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, a national music fraternity, we're one of only two colleges in Nebraska with an active chapter, and it's a great thing to be a part of. For the ladies theres Sigma Alpha Iota, a very similar thing to PMA, and also a great thing to be part of.

Great Experience

My overall experience at Hastings has been great, the professors have been very helpful, I've made a lot of friends who have the same interests I do, and the campus is just beautiful. Hastings college has a very rich history, and our school has the only marching band in our conference. It's an honor to be part of the Hastings College Choir, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, there are just so many great things to be involved in on campus. I would definitely choose Hastings if i could do it over again, great people, great town, great school.

Music Ed at Hastings

The Music Education program at Hastings is excellent, it's very busy, and a lot of work, but it is a solid and well respected program. The facilities are a bit out of date, but with funding problems that's to be expected. Curriculum is fitting, the faculty are great, all very skilled and knowledgable. It's a lot of work, but I absolutely love being a part of the Hastings College Music program.

More Space

Not alot of parking, if Hastings wants to expand, then it needs to make more parking spaces. Also, there are one line roads in Hastings and its so inconvenient.

Party School

If people say Hastings isn't a party school then their dead wrong. Half of the campus in drunk on the weekend before finals. Dances are great, we play a lot of techno.