Shepard Freshman Resource Center: First Year Workshop

The First-Year Workshop Program is designed to help first-year UP students understand the dexterity needed for academic success in higher education. The weekly workshops are led by Workshop Leaders who are sophomores, juniors, and seniors who assist freshmen in making the adjustment to life on The Bluff.

The topics covered in the workshops include time management, campus resources, stress management, reading textbooks, taking notes, studying for math and science, taking tests, active learning, goal setting, wellness, choosing a major, and registration.

The workshops begin during Orientation weekend and continue through the first semester until the week after fall break. The workshop classes are "cohorted" - students will find that their peers in the workshop class are also in one of their introduction courses, and generally one or two additional classes as well. This allows for great opportunities for students to interact and form social and academic connections from their first weekend on campus.

The Fall 2013 Workshop Leaders are excited to meet you!  Before you get to campus they wanted to share a little advice.  We asked the question, "What do you wish someone would have told you the summer before you came to UP?"  Here are a few things they had to say:

New places.  New experiences.  Don't hold back.  Have fun!

This experience is what you make of it.  College can be everything you want it to be depending on your approach, and we are here to help guide you.

You will make friends!  People here are really nice!

Reach out to people in the very beginning because everyone is nervous and in the same boat as you.

You don't have to pack EVERYTHING.  Expect the unexpected.

There is always a way to change classes without it being the end of the world.

Bring a mattress pad.  

Participate, don't anticipate.

Nothing has to be decided now.

It is ok to have no idea what you want to do.  

It's going to be ok!  Everyone is in the same position you are.  It's scary, but you're going to get through it and everyone here wants you to succeed.