Summer Courses to Help Incoming College Students Adjust

"National data suggests today's college students are less prepared to succeed in college than previous cohorts, due in part to the COVID-19 pandemic and remote instruction. Students lack academic and socio-emotional readiness, administrators say, prompting colleges to implement new interventions to get them up to speed. For years, Mount Saint Mary's University in California has offered a summer bridge program for students who may be less prepared to make the transition to college, such as first-generation students."

"This summer, MSMU launched Summer Pathways, which is designed for all incoming students to get a head start on college. They complete two college courses for free and are able to connect with peers and explore campus before starting the term. "We felt the earlier we can engage students, the better," said Amanda Romero, interim assistant provost. How it works: Summer Pathways is a six-week, credit-bearing experience that takes place in the middle of the summer, after orientation in June but before classes start"

"Students take classes Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; on Tuesdays and Thursdays they participate in workshops about managing their time, dealing with impostor syndrome or maintaining well-being. "We've invited the whole campus community to come in, meet with our students in person, talk about their careers, their offices, how they ended up at the Mount, what their hopes and aspirations are for the future," said Elizabeth Sturgeon, interim assistant provost and director for Summer Pathways."

National data suggests today's college students are less prepared to succeed in college than previous cohorts, partly because of the COVID-19 pandemic and remote instruction. Students lack academic and socio-emotional readiness, prompting colleges to implement interventions. Mount Saint Mary's University launched Summer Pathways, a six-week credit-bearing program for incoming students. Participants complete a seminar and one introductory course, attend classes three days per week, and join workshops twice weekly on time management, impostor syndrome and well-being. The program connects students with faculty, staff and peers, introduces campus resources, and includes cultural excursions around Los Angeles to build community before the semester begins.

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