Forging New PATHS for Families: A Practical Guide to the First Year Experience
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This presentation provides information for families of students in the PATHS Scholars Program at UC San Diego. It discusses the program's benefits and expectations for scholars, as well as tips for families to support their student's transition to college. The presentation emphasizes that the entire family is part of the larger UC San Diego "Triton family" and encourages open communication, respect for scholars' commitments, and taking advantage of university resources together.
Forging New PATHS for Families: A Practical Guide to the First Year Experience
- 1. Morgan P. Appel Assistant Dean, Education and CommunityOutreach Guadalupe Cruz Director, PATHS Scholars Program
- 2. This presentation and a host of related materials and resources may be accessed directly using Slide Share (https://www.slideshare.net/). Just search my name and you will be there in a flash (although when you’ve hit French recipes, you’ve gone too far).
- 3. Please keep your microphone muted at all times Use the chat feature on the side of the screen to ask questions.We will have a Q & A section at the end of the presentation If you experience technology issues, please contact 858-246-3039
- 4. One Big Happy Triton Family It may be your son or daughter who eventually enrolls at UC San Diego, but just as it takes a village to raise a child, so too does it take a family to uplift and sustain a student who is new to the university. Everyone has a vested stake in the outcome and every family member plays an important role as a new student moves through the process. When one goes, all go, and all are members of the larger UC San Diego Triton family.
- 5. Role of the University during COVID 19: keeping students and scholars safe First year at any college or university can feel like moving to a new country with unfamiliar cultures, customs, geographies and languages Introductory (lower division) courses typically held in lecture halls or auditoriums with up to 300 students, requiring determination, attention and self motivation Can’t afford to take eyes off the ball, even momentarily. Even temporary shifts in focus can make it challenging to recover and maintain forward momentum (life here moves quickly) Experience may prove overwhelming initially and feeling disconnected is common (importance of building support networks)
- 6. Workload can prove arduous, time consuming and exhausting, consistent with standards at any top-tier research university Easy to feel discouraged when faced with actual and perceived pressures: cultivating a ‘growth mindset’ is essential (sense of balance, peace of mind and confidence) Significance of ‘being there’ and taking advantage of all the university has to offer (academically, socially and professionally) A whole new world: distractions are abundant and varied for those with great potential (even choosing a major can prove challenging) From big fish in a small pond to a big fish in the ocean: brilliant peers in a highly competitive (often cutthroat) academic environment
- 7. Our mission is to increase the number, persistence, and success of underrepresented minority students in STEM PATHS Program Benefits Financial • Up to $10,000 a year in scholarship money • Access to paid summer research opportunities Academic • Required participation in a 10 week summer bridge program • Priority class registration • Access to Academic Coaches Personal • Access to Graduate Advocates • Year-round cohort activities • Guaranteed on- campus housing for 4 years Professional • Certification through the Research Methodology and Training Lab • Interactions with faculty • Graduate school preparation
- 8. Required attendance for full summer bridge program – exact dates and details will be shared with selected Scholars at a later date During regular school year, Scholars, like all other undergraduate students, will need to remain on campus most of the time in order to study efficiently and have access to the academic and personal resources that are available to them here Required Study Halls and weekly meetings with Graduate Advocate to receive high- touch mentorship
- 9. Scholars are expected to place their wellbeing above all other priorities, including sleeping well, stress management, healthy diet, exercise, and seeking psychosocial support when needed This means that you may notice changes in how your child communicates or in how much time they are able to give at home Please trust that their wellbeing is our top priority and that we invest an incredible amount of time and resources into holding them accountable
- 10. Commitment and respect are essential to be successful through our program If Scholars do not commit themselves to consistently meet the expectations of our program, it could result in their suspension or removal from the program. In some situations, this may also mean that they lose their scholarship We stand by the side of every Scholar on their individual pathways to success. If your child upholds their commitment, we uphold our full commitment to them
- 11. Anticipate change and recognize that interruption in routine is not easy—but manageable and well worth it for everyone in the long run Experiencing the first year: the family learns and makes sense of it together (highs and lows) Noteworthy milestones are designed to be shared: (move-in, family days, graduations, award ceremonies, etc.) The family that plans together: assistance with scheduling, organizing and other aspects of university life makes all the difference in the world
- 12. Check in regularly—be a good listener above all, a shoulder to cry on if need be. Nothing beats an unexpected care package or a home- cooked meal Whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger: doubts and second thoughts are commonplace in the college experience The intensive nature of university work may impact visits home by your son or daughter: although they may not there, know that they care! On solid ground: rest assured your son or daughter will retain the values you’ve instilled and will use them as a foundation to navigate new experiences and ways of thinking
- 13. Students tend to be their own biggest critics and own worst enemies Encourage your daughter or son to engage with campus and take advantage of opportunities and support available at/through the university College life can be expensive—financial assistance (no matter how small) is always appreciated Let your children that you are proud of them and that they belong at the university: they are resilient and will get through! Remember: we are all in this together —one bigTriton family!
- 14. In partnership with PATHS, Education and Community Outreach UC San Diego Extension offers dedicated support for families ParentUniversity: brief seminars designed to assist parents and families in support of PATHS scholars Family Association sponsorship (meeting spaces for parent groups, guest speakers, etc.) Access to Extension’s College Counseling curriculum and advisors, as well as 0n-demand support for concerns and questions about the college experience, particularly at UC San Diego
- 16. Morgan Appel Assistant Dean, Education and Community Outreach UC San Diego Extension mappel@ucsd.edu/ 858-534-9273 Guadalupe Cruz Director, PATHS Scholars Program gcruz@ucsd.edu/ 858-534-1920