Transition Program Enhances Student Accomplishment
A special program introduced at UPEI two years ago to enhance first-year accomplishment is proving popular with students who have taken a break from their formal education as well as those whose high school grades did not reflect their true academic potential.
The Transition Program strengthens writing, research, reading, study and computer skills; provides academic and personal support; and helps to ensure that new students benefit from all of the valuable services and activities available to them on campus. It was designed to meet the needs of mature students who need to rebuild their confidence and study skills; students from various cultures who are interested in transition support; graduates of upgrading programs wanting to take their education to a higher level; and students with a brief previous experience of university who want to return and ensure success.
"The transition program has helped me adjust to university life. I've learned skills and developed confidence that will accompany me in my university career," says Ashley Jadis, a mother of two, who is originally from Scotchfort and now lives in Charlottetown. Her goal at UPEI is to pursue a degree in Nursing.
Gita Giroux of Charlottetown had been in the workforce for five years before deciding to further her education. "I had not been in school for so long that going to university was a little intimidating. I wasn't sure if I could fit in academically or with my peers. I decided to take the Transition Program along with three other courses," she explains. "The program gave me one-on-one support and provided a comfortable atmosphere in an intimidating place. I am pursuing my career goal as a social worker, and will return to UPEI in September to continue my degree. I now feel confidence in my academic capabilities and I've made some great friends."
Karen Gillis of Eldon joined the Transition Program with the goal of obtaining a degree in Psychology and Creative Writing now that she has raised her two children. When she joined the program she had been out of the education system for 28 years.
"I had always wanted to go on to university after I finished college in 1979, but the timing never seemed to be right. When I was accepted into UPEI I worried that I was too old. I thought I'd forgotten more than I knew in the first place but I still wanted to try it. The Transition Program gave me a firm foundation to build my confidence so that I could still meet my educational goals which had been put on hold for so long," she says. "It helped me learn to read faster and more effectively, and to study and take notes better. It helped me update my computer skills. It even taught me how to write a resume, cover letter and make a learning portfolio; maybe one of the most important tools I'll have for obtaining employment."
Karen adds that what she liked best about the program was the diversity of students, backgrounds, and ages. "I learned so much from my classmates whether they were fresh out of high school, coming back after raising a family, or changing careers. We became a close group, sharing experiences and strategies for coping with our first year of university. As a result, I feel comfortable in knowing where to go for the support I need to be successful in reaching my goals."
Most participants take three credit courses and one Transition Program course per semester, and this classifies them as full-time students. The program is also open, on a part-time basis, to students taking one or two credit courses each semester. More information is available through the UPEI Centre for Life-long Learning at http://www.upei.ca/transition/. The Centre develops and delivers a broad range of continuing education courses, workshops, programs, summer institutes and other services to help meet the life-long learning needs of Islanders.
