Overview
The Bridge Program is designed to give students the information and skills necessary to facilitate or “bridge” their successful transition to the college academic environment. Program participants are enrolled during the time of admissions based on a variety of academic and application measures.
As a Bridge Program participant, students receive expanded support designed to give them the tools and strategies for academic and personal success at college. Participants will build skills for academic and college success by enhancing the participant’s academic sense of self, practicing effective learning strategies, and connecting goals to academic and career aspirations. Through individual and group work, reflection, and application of strategies, students will gain valuable skills and become part of a community of students, faculty, and staff designed to support their college journey.
The Bridge Program Advantage
Program participants will:
- Learn Academic skills– apply strategies to improve notetaking, writing, reading, test-taking, studying, organization, and time management
- Discover Resources-connect to academic, social, emotional, and mental health services on campus
- Build Community-develop strong connections with a group of students while exploring first semester experiences together
- Engage in Comprehensive Academic Planning -create an individualized success plan and get additional support to help stay on the right track the first semester and beyond
- Increase Self-Awareness and Interpersonal Skills-begin to understand more about oneself and others while creating and practicing strategies to better cope with everyday personal, academic, and social challenges
Participation Details
Bridge Program participants begin the program with a program orientation just prior to Weekend of Welcome (a general first-year welcome program required for all freshmen). The orientation engages students in fun and informative academic and college orientation workshops as well as provides an opportunity to meet other students in a smaller environment.
In their first semester at UWS, Bridge Program participants enroll in a full-time course load with relevant courses that meet university requirements as well as a specially designed College Success Skills class. As an integral part of the program, students also take part in focused academic advising and planning throughout the semester and participate in group or individual required study sessions.
Students must pass the course with a grade of “C” or better and have a 2.5 cumulative GPA or higher to graduate from the Bridge program. If course requirements are not met or college GPA is below qualifying levels at the end of the semester, enrollment in an additional skills course may be required.
Enrollment Qualifications
Students may be enrolled in the Bridge Program as part of their acceptance to UW-Superior at the discretion of the Office of Admissions. Students qualify based on various academic factors, as well as additional college readiness indicators at the time of application. Participation in all aspects of the Bridge Program is required as part of enrollment.
Bridge Program Components
Core Components: Program Participation Requirements
- Bridge Program Orientation
- Interdisciplinary Studies Course: College Success Skills
- Comprehensive Academic Planning
- Bridge Required Study Hours
Program Orientation
This special orientation is required for program participants. It is fun and informative and combines special campus awareness activities (i.e. where to find classrooms, how to use online systems, etc.), social activities to promote connections among students, staff, and faculty, as well as workshops to help orient students to the college culture and expectations.
College Success Skills Course
Participation in the Interdisciplinary Studies Course: College Success Skills course includes a classroom component, academic success planning, and required study hours. Class attendance and assignments, participation in academic advising sessions, and study hour completion are part of the final course grade assessment.
Classroom Component
Students meet one or two times weekly to engage in interactive activities designed to provide students the opportunity to develop and practice skills necessary for success on campus. Course topics include test taking, time management, note taking, reading, writing, organization, stress and anxiety management, and study strategies. Assignments focus on engaging with the material and applying them to their lives beyond the classroom.
Comprehensive Academic Planning
All Bridge Program participants meet individually with the Bridge Program Coordinator multiple times throughout the first semester for success planning. The informal sessions are designed to provide an additional level of support and accountability for students to ensure they are staying on track academically and connect them to additional campus resources as needed. These sessions may continue to be offered on an optional basis depending on student need throughout their first and second year of attendance at UWS.
Bridge Required Study Hours
All Bridge Program students are required to complete a specified number of study hours at the Educational Success Center, on-campus library, or with a qualified UWS peer tutor or Writing Consultant during their first semester. Group study sessions/tables will be offered for credit throughout the semester as well. The hours are meant to help students establish study routines and develop valuable healthy academic habits.
Contact Information
For questions about the Bridge program, please contact bridge@uwsuper.edu.