UPEI ‘jumpstarts’ campus life for new students

Attending a university for the first time can be an intimidating prospect, but the University of Prince Edward Island has an innovative online program that will make new students' introduction to university life easier.

UPEI has introduced a new program called Jumpstart@UPEI, aimed at all students who are starting their studies at the Island's university, whether they are high school graduates, students who are returning to university after a break, or transfer or graduate students.

James Reddin, acting director of UPEI's Student Services department, says the program is designed to connect students with the campus community and each other as soon as possible, and to get them into the habit of actively managing their school lives.

'Students who are well-informed ahead of time are better prepared to be successful,' he says. 'They already know what support systems UPEI offers them because they have learned about or accessed them through Jumpstart.'

The program gives them an advance introduction to UPEI's online learning environment, known as Moodle, which they will use as soon as they begin their studies.

"Jumpstart introduces you to the university, and it's an easy way to connect with other new students," says Ellen Gormley, a Grade 12 student at Charlottetown Rural High School.

Students from outside P.E.I. are also finding the program useful. Chantal Skonsberg from Saint John, New Brunswick, says, 'For me, Jumpstart@UPEI is helping a lot…. It lets me feel like I can begin connecting with other students and the university itself even though I can't do physically do that.'

Here's how Jumpstart@UPEI works. When students accept an offer from UPEI, they receive an e-mail address, student number, access code and an invitation to sign up for the program. Once they sign in, they can get to know and chat with other new students. They can also explore UPEI programs and facilities, and post questions, which are promptly answered by Student Services staff.

Each month, a 'Coming to UPEI' checklist will be posted on the site with suggested tasks that students can do in advance of their arrival, such as setting their e-mail accounts, exploring the campus virtually and deciding where they plan to live. Students can enter a contest to win a $400 gift certificate from the campus bookstore. The deadline for the contest is June 15.

Since Jumpstart@UPEI began in late April, over 200 students have accessed the program, from all over P.E.I., across Canada and from as far away as Korea, the Netherlands, Sweden, Pakistan, Kuwait, Israel, China and Turkey. They are chatting with each other and asking a wide variety of questions about life at UPEI, ranging from carpooling opportunities, sports and Frosh Week to scholarships and bursaries, the cost of books, and services available to students. The program will continue all summer and into the late fall, with regular updates sent out to participating students.

Chris Power, student recruitment coordinator, says that Jumpstart@UPEI is just one way that the university works with its incoming students to ensure their first exposure is a positive and enriching experience. The First Year Advisement Centre on campus is available to help students select and register for their classes well in advance of the fall semester. Students are encouraged to take advantage of both Jumpstart and the First Year Advisement Centre, and to register as soon as possible so they will get the courses they want. Early registration began on June 8.

For information about Jumpstart and First Year Advisement, call (902) 628-4353 or 1-800-606-UPEI (8734).