This event’s focused on potential FTIC’s who will be entering UCF with 30+ college credit hours completed by means of test credits (AP, IB, CLEP, AICE) and/or Dual Enrollment credits by the start of fall or spring. There were over 160 students and parents in attendance.

Rita Simpson said, “Based on the information provided, our collaboration with the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and the Student Financial Aid Office was a success.” Presenters included: SSYC-Rita Simpson and Joshua Clemmons; SFA-Vilma Ramos; and UA- Christie Hasegawa.

Students and parents who attended this outreach received information concerning UCF admission process, how to secure financial assistance, strategies for a smooth transition, and successful tips from a student perspective.

Based on the survey results, 98 percent of students and parents who attended were very satisfied with the information they received, and 100 percent stated that UCF staff was friendly and approachable. Some positive feedback received was: “Great presentation” and “Can’t wait to be a Knight!”

The theme was “Get Smart, Get Connected.” A total of 56 students attended and met with academic advisors from SSYC as well as to staff members from the Student Academic Resource Center, Career Services and Study Abroad.

Students had the opportunity to learn about valuable academic resources and strategies for academic success. A student panel discussed their prospective as to what helped them be successful in the Summer B session and following semesters. The panel also included an active question and answer session, followed by a very interactive Jeopardy game played by the students attending this session.

Refreshments were served and students earned 1,000 LINK points for attending. Students were also awarded prizes by entering into a raffle at the beginning of the event.

Comments included: “I learned about Study Abroad opportunities for my major and how to attain tutoring services from SARC,” and “Great event! People were friendly and helpful,” and “I enjoyed the trivia game.”

But with studying, activities, internships and other commitments, you may not even notice time whizzing by.

So what’s the secret to making the most of your time at UCF and graduating as planned?

Over the past 50 years, nearly 250,000 students have graduated from UCF, and we’ve gathered tips for academic success from across campus to help you on your journey to reaching that milestone.

Get involved in campus life. UCF is home to hundreds of student organizations, including Greek life, academic and cultural clubs, and intramural sports teams.

Don’t fret if you don’t know where to start. Each fall during the first week of classes, UCF hosts a welcome week called . Social, academic and service activities are planned for each day to help new and returning students get acquainted with campus and meet fellow Knights.

Among the new student groups launching this fall is First Knights Organization, which will support first-generation college students as they adjust to campus life and help them get involved.

“As a first-generation student, involvement is a big reason why I have had much success at UCF,” said LaShaunda Hayes, the organization’s interim president. “Getting involved my freshman year helped me to surround myself with other leaders on campus, and that’s what I hope First Knights does for other students.”

Apply for scholarships. UCF awards more than $500 million in financial assistance each year, and there’s a piece of that pie out there for you, too.

Be aware of the grant and scholarship opportunities that are available. Many of them are listed online .

If you’re aiming high, consider reaching out to the Office of Prestigious Awards. The office works with students in pursuit of major scholarships or fellowships funded by national or international foundations, and staff can help you determine which awards might be the best fit for your skills, talents and goals.

Get on a first-name basis with your advisor. Your academic advisor can help you navigate courses, guide you in changing your major and ensure that you’re on track to graduate on time, so don’t hold off on introducing yourself to them.

First-year students are assigned an advisor from First Year Advising & Exploration. Once you declare a major, an advisor from your college is assigned to you. Students who haven’t declared a major or are in the process of changing their area of study can visit the Sophomore and Second Year Center.

“Regardless of the questions students have, know that we can either answer them directly or point students in the right direction,” said academic advising coordinator David Oglethorpe. “As for schedule planning and academics, it’s very important that students review their planned schedules with their advisors at least once a semester – this way, we can ensure that everything is in place for success.”

Visit the Student Self Service tab on myUCF to learn how to contact your advisor.

Consider learning outside of the classroom. Nearly three quarters of all UCF students take at least one online course each year, and web, video and blended classes account for more than 34 percent of all student credit hours.

It’s no secret that web-based courses offer flexibility for students, but a study from the U.S. Department of Education also found that on average, students perform better in blended classes than they do in face-to-face classes.

Some UCF programs even offer fully online undergraduate and graduate degrees.

“Blended and online learning gives you options, and that’s why I find them so convenient,” said Joyce Jacobson, a junior business management major. “I have a job, but I can still watch lectures and learn lessons in a way that fits into my schedule. Those types of courses also teach you a lot about time management—you have to be responsible and watch lectures and take notes. The accountability falls on you.”

Remember that it’s never too early to think about what’s next. From resume critiques to mock interviews to career exploration, Career Services and Experiential Learning helps students plan their futures outside of UCF.

Whether you’re on the hunt for a job, internship or career, the office’s location near Memory Mall is a one-stop shop for students seeking assistance with achieving their academic and professional goals. There are resources to help you explore career fields, gain hands-on work experience and line up plans for after graduation.

The key is to think about what comes next early on.

More than 100 employers will gather at UCF on Oct. 3 for the Fall Career Expo, which is open to students and alumni looking for a way to connect with the job market. More information is available , and the deadline to register is in September.

Giron and eight other şŁ˝ÇÖ±˛Ą students will travel to Europe this summer as part of the university’s Sophomore Experience Abroad.

The unique study abroad trip engages students and helps build skills they’ll need during a year of transition, self-discovery and decision-making.

The trip was created as part of UCF’s Academic Advising Enhancement Program. Last year, seven students traveled to Germany and Austria.

“The program is designed without classrooms,” said Christopher Cook, the academic advising coordinator who created and leads the program. “The students spend their day-to-day activities engaged with the people, culture and history around them.”

Participating UCF students meet prior to their trip to discuss expectations for themselves as well as the program. They also learn about ways study abroad can benefit academic and career opportunities.

In 2010, researchers concluded after a decade of documenting academic outcomes from the şŁ˝ÇÖ±˛Ą System of Georgia that students who study abroad have improved academic performance upon returning to their home campus, along with higher graduation rates. They also found that study abroad helps the academic progress of at-risk students.

This year’s Sophomore Experience Abroad itinerary includes a visit to the Czech Republic and stops at places such as the Munich Opera and the BMW Museum. Traveling students also will collaborate with German students to experience cultural exchange through partnerships with the German-American Institute in Tübingen and Amerika Haus in Munich.

“Chris designed the trip and our assignments to incorporate important skills like intercultural communication, confidence and interaction with others,” said Giron, an accounting major. “For example, we’re giving a presentation to German students and will have to use public speaking skills to articulate what our education system is like to people who are not familiar with it.”

Giron will also have the opportunity to connect her experience abroad with her academics; she just finished reading Night, Elie Wiezel’s firsthand account of surviving the Holocaust, for one of her classes, and will be visiting the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial as part of the trip.

Because the program is a three-credit hour course, the schedule is also developed around students’ assignments, which include maintaining a journal and blog, leading guided tours and making several presentations.

The program has already garnered attention, winning UCF’s Judy Boyte Academic Advising Innovation Award, which recognizes innovation in advising. It was named among the top five most innovative new study abroad programs by GoAbroad.com, an international education and experiential travel resource website.

The number of applicants for this year’s program indicates interest as well—it received the second-largest number applications of all UCF study abroad programs this year.

Interested participants in the Sophomore Experience Abroad can be from any major and must have between 30 and 60 credit hours and be in good academic standing to qualify. Financial aid opportunities are available. Cook reviews the applications and interviews potential participants, looking for students who have limited experience traveling outside of the United States.

The program is made possible through the cooperation of several offices on campus, including the Office of International Studies, the Office of Interdisciplinary Studies, Student Development and Enrollment Services, the Sophomore Second Year Center and the advising community.

To learn more about the Sophomore Experience Abroad or read student blog posts about the trip, visit .

Parents and their high school students with at least 45 college credits completed were invited to attend this information session to learn about the next steps for students moving forward in their academic careers at a university or college, with the primary focus on a smooth transition to UCF.

A total of 60 students, 27 parents, and eight Brevard County Public School staff and counselors attended this program to hear presentations from Sophomore & Second Year Center, Undergraduate Admissions, Student Financial Assistance, Transfer & Transition Services, and from a current UCF student to get a personal perspective on collegiate life and student success strategies.

Information packets were provided to all attendees, plus numerous door prizes given out to add to the festivities. Students, parents and guests also had an opportunity to meet individually with UCF representatives for questions and answers.

One parent commented after the program, “Thanks UCF for taking the time to meet with us, and for all the great information provided.”

Sophomore & Second Year Center and Transfer & Transition Services are offices in the Division of Student Development and Enrollment Services.