Surge to Success: A Strong Start for First-Year Students 

Submitted by Michael Richards, Student Leadership & Co-Curricular Learning Officer, Student Success & Services 
  
This fall, our post-orientation programming, Surge to Success, welcomed first-year students with an engaging eight-week initiative. Designed to help students successfully transition to college, the program provided opportunities to build resourcefulness, connect with the SLC community, and immerse themselves in campus life. 
  
Through the following themed checklists, students attended events and accessed self-directed learning resources that support a healthy college transition:

1. Building Foundations 
2. Academic Success 
3. Campus Life 
4. Student Wellness 
5. Belonging 
6. Community Engagement 
7. Reflection & Goal Setting 
  
Over these eight weeks, students discovered resources, better prepared themselves for college life, and connected with their fellow peers. Below are a few highlights to celebrate: 
  
- 15 students successfully completed all checklists and earned their Surge to Success badge, a proud addition to their St. Lawrence Experience Record (SER). 
-Most students completed 50% or more of their checklists, demonstrating a strong commitment to starting off on the right foot. 
-Approximately 154 events were offered during the First Eight Weeks, featuring workshops such as Stress Management, Creating Achievable Goals, Effective Study Strategies, Library 101, Successful Time Management, Exam Excellence, and multiple Career Essentials Webinars! 
  
Across our departments, our teams put in a lot of effort to providing an exceptional student experience. At times, we all get busy, and the fast pace of the semester can quickly blur our calendars and leave us asking, “Where did the time go?” When we feel the rush, it’s important to step back and remind ourselves of our Students First value and why we’re all here. Below are a few words from a student that shows us how our cross-departmental collaborations work to support our student community. 
  
"My experience with Surge to Success was a good one. I used the first eight weeks checklists as an opportunity to take workshops that could be of use to me. For example, I learned about professional writing in one workshop. It also gave me the chance to socialize with new people, like attending a Global Conversations Club meeting. There were also fun events I attended with friends, like the Halloween movie night. I would recommend Surge to Success for future students—I think it can be helpful in learning new things and meeting new people." 
  
The success of the First Eight-Weeks is evidence of the collaboration and effort of our partners across the college. A heartfelt thank-you goes out to our colleagues who made these first eight weeks impactful! Your teamwork, programming, and commitment to student success makes a meaningful difference for new students and their start at SLC.  
  
Events and workshops are offered by: 
Career Services 
Student Governments 
Financial Aid 
Student Success Facilitators 
Library Services 
Academic Support Centres 
Student Rights & Responsibilities Office (SRRO) 
Indigenous Services 
Wellness & Accessibility 
THRIVE 
Footprint 
Athletics & Student Engagement 
Global Learning Centre 
Belonging, Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion (BEDI) 
 
With Surge to Success now complete, we’re inspired by the value this initiative has brought to our students. We look forward to continuing to support their transition to SLC and working with our departments to provide future students with unique First Eight-Week experiences. 
  
If you have ideas or suggestions for events or workshops that can support new student transition, please reach out to our team and we can work together to provide these opportunities. The more topics and resources for students, the better! 
  
For more information about Surge to Success or the St. Lawrence Experience Record, visit My St. Lawrence Experience Record or contact URSLC@sl.on.ca.