Education

2 SUPPLEMENT TO THE FREE PRESS • SATURDAY, AUGUST 10, 2024 EDUCATION GUIDE M ore than ever, students are feeling the gap between high school and university. To help bridge that gap, UM has assembled a team of specialists who guide students through their transition into university, supporting them in their first year and beyond. Students have access to wrap-around supports provided by dedicated academic advisors, transition specialists and high - ly trained peer mentors. Ali Wood-Warren, Director of Student Transitions and Success, emphasizes that her team empowers students by helping them un- derstand their options and equipping them with the knowledge to make informed decisions about their academic journey. "We help students understand what to expect in university and teach them the skills needed to meet these expectations during their first year and throughout the remainder of their time at UM," Wood-Waren says. UM'S FIRST YEAR CENTRE: SUCCESS STARTS HERE The journey from high school to university can be challenging and overwhelming for new UM students. To address this, UM's First Year Centre (FYC) offers expert guidance and support, dedicated to helping students navigate this pivotal time with confidence. As the only support office on campus dedicated to providing first-year students with the tools they need for success, the FYC is a one-stop shop for help. "We take a very holistic approach to student success," says Ramo - na Donaldson, First Year Advising and Communications Special- ist. "What works for one student may not work for another, so indi- vidual needs are top of mind as we explore options with students." While the FYC is available to help students, part of its goal is to lead them toward independence. "We aren't here to simply tell students what to do. Rather, we help them understand their options and guide their decision making without being directive," Donaldson says. The FYC has created a wealth of online resources, including the New Student Checklist, First Year Planning Guide, FAQs and Get Ready to Register, all available at umanitoba.ca/firstyear. Also, parents and supporters can follow@umfirstyearcentre on Instagram for important reminders and updates, helping them stay informed and guide conversations effectively. "We regularly hear that parents and supporters appreciate having a place where they can easily get accurate information, without having to navigate through the entire website. When parents are informed, they feel better prepared to provide the critical support that new students need," Donaldson says. ORIENTATION: A PROCESS, NOT AN EVENT UM has a comprehensive orientation program that starts in May and continues through the summer into the first weeks of the Fall Term. "Orientation is not so much an event as it is a process," Wood-War - ren says. Two large-scale in-person orientation events, Preparing for University (May 5) and Welcome to the Herd (August 7), have al- ready taken place. Welcome to the Herd features mini-lectures to provide students—and their parents and supporters—with a sense of the classroom experience. With most of course registration com- plete, students could explore lectures according to their own sched- ules. "We want students to become more comfortable on campus by ex- ploring places and spaces relevant to them. We want them to feel that it's not 'the' campus—it's 'their' campus," Wood-Warren says. Upcoming events include Prep Week and Welcome Day. Prep Week, from August 27 to 29, offers virtual academic prep sessions featur - ing practical, skill-based approaches for transitioning into univer- sity. It also provides a chance for students to spend time on campus in advance of the beginning of term rush. "This is a great time for students to get their student card, transit pass, textbooks, and find their classrooms," Wood-Warren says. Welcome Day includes faculty sessions and Homerooms, where students receive critical information for academic success. A Pep Rally and Welcome Day Carnival allow students to have fun, feel Hundreds of first-year students take part in UM's comprehensive orientation program each year. SUPPLIED PHOTO UM's first-year support system Navigating the transition: UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA We aren't here to simply tell students what to do. Rather, we help them understand their options and guide their decision making without being directive" — Ramona Donaldson, First Year Advising and Communications Specialist Indigenous students during orientation day SUPPLIED PHOTO

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