If there was a way to start your college career with a higher chance of success and a stronger sense of belonging, would you sign up?

At IUPUC, we offer Early Start, a proven, in-depth orientation program for first-year students.

“Year after year, students who’ve participated say they feel less lost and more a part of the campus community,” says Matt Rothrock, Educational Resources Leader and Early Start Coordinator. “Plus, our Early Start scholars have a proven record of success, encounter fewer obstacles, and—perhaps most importantly—they know where to go for help.”

Participants have sessions on study skills, time management, communication, stress management and financial matters, which are often the top issues college freshmen encounter. Early Start students also get first-hand experience using campus technology and resources, and they learn about services and policies in place to help them.

The program includes some fun, team-building activities where students get to know one other better. That way, on the first day of school, they’ll have familiar faces in their classes and may have already made some new friends. Early Start participants also meet faculty who teach first-year classes, as well as key staff and administration.

“They’ll have spent 20 hours on campus before classes even start,” Rothrock explained. “Early Start participants come out knowing where all their classes are, having met their professors and student-mentors, and generally understanding our culture and feeling part of the Crimson Pride.”

The program runs Aug. 14 to 18, and participants chose either the morning session (9 a.m. to noon) or afternoon session (1 to 4 p.m.). Rothrock expects between 80 and 120 participants, along with a staff of 10 Early Start mentors. Faculty Coordinators include Andrea Gillett and Anna Carmon.

Enrollment is open now! To sign up or learn more about the program, visit the Early Start website.