Ovid publishes writing from Butler University's First Year Seminar students and shares exemplary work produced in FYS courses. We aim to empower students' understanding of writing. We hope that this resource serves as a learning tool in classrooms and in the community at large.

See the Aims and Scope for a complete coverage of the journal.

Ovid’s FYE Letter Contest – Open to all sophomore students

Deadline: October 17, 2025

Submit Here!

As a Butler University first-year student what did you wish you knew? What did you think you knew? Further, what does an incoming first-year student need to know? What places should they go? What should they do? What don’t they know they need to hear and why?

You are invited to write a letter to a first-year student sharing your experiences and advice. You might focus on university life and social expectations. You could address academic challenges and mental and physical wellness. Share best practices and any secret you can spare.

Considering your own experiences, reflect on how reality meets expectation. Consider challenges you encountered and how you positioned yourself for success. What questions drove you, what answers found you? Who are you now, as you reflect on who you were at the start of your first year? 

Letters should be personal and sincere and can be creative in form and structure.

Writing should demonstrate focus, development, voice, and creativity. Avoid cliché and be specific. Above all, be honest.

The winning essay and runners-up will be published in Ovid 2025-26, and authors will be recognized with a reading in their honor Thursday, November 6^th.

Read last year’s Letter Contest Winners here!

Ava Esteves

Emily Henderson

Haylee Florkey

The top three essays will receive Amazon wish lists in the amount of $200, $100, and $50.  

Students should submit work by Friday, October 17, to https://digitalcommons.butler.edu/ovid/