OXFORD, Miss. – University of Mississippi freshman Brent Brislin of
\nApollo Beach, Fla., is convinced that the JumpStart program he’s
\nenrolled in on the Oxford campus this summer lives up to its name.<\/p>\n
“It does exactly what it says,” Brislin said. “It gives you a head start on everybody else.”<\/p>\n
Brislin is among 107 incoming freshmen participating in the program
\nthat allows them to come to campus early and get a “jump start” in
\ntheir studies, meet faculty and – most importantly – meet new friends
\nand adjust to college life before the entire freshman class arrives for
\nfall semester.
\n
Participants earn up to nine hours of academic credit toward their degree programs. During orientation, the students are encouraged to select their JumpStart courses when they meet with their advisers to ensure that they are part of their total first-year schedule. A student’s choice of courses depends on their major, work plans, etc.<\/p>\n
“I looked up the requirements for the civil engineering degree in the course catalog and decided to get English out of the way so that I could have all engineering-based classes in the fall,” said Chase Dickerson of Atlanta. “The engineering folks recommended the logic class, so I went ahead and signed up for that class, too.”<\/p>\n
Dickerson feels the JumpStart experience is preparing him for the demands of a busy fall semester. “The pace has helped me get my feet wet and see what it’s going to be like. It’s also helped me learn to manage my time and make sure I get everything done.”<\/p>\n
Brislin agrees. “As long as you work hard, [this experience] will give you a good GPA,” he said. “That’s a great way to kick off your freshman year.”<\/p>\n
Besides academics, the program also includes activities and experiences that encourage students to interact with each other while learning to manage the freedom and independence of college life.<\/p>\n
Chemical engineering major Landon Rone of Stewart has been impressed with his classmates. “I guess I didn’t expect them to be so ready for the experience,” he said. “I’ve been coming (to Oxford and Ole Miss) at least once a month since I was a sophomore in high school. I also attended Summer College last year, so I knew what to expect, and I knew my way around, but for some of the others, it’s all new, and I think they’ve handled the whole independence thing in a new place really well.”<\/p>\n
All three students said they definitely recommend the JumpStart program to future freshmen.<\/p>\n
“There are only maybe 20 people in my classes, so I can actually talk to my professors,” Brislin said. “I already feel connected.”<\/p>\n
Rone expects the academic credit he’s earning will give him a break this fall. “Getting the hours in will surely make (the fall) a lot easier,” he said. “I’m getting seven hours: Engineering 100 and Chemistry 101 and 102. I feel like I’ve hit the ground running.”<\/p>\n
And that’s what JumpStart is all about, said program coordinator Greg Earnest. “We promote the program as a ‘snapshot of college life,’ and that’s really our goal. We want to introduce students to their new environment and give them a security and confidence level that will empower them in the fall. We want to set them up for success.”<\/p>\n
The six-hour JumpStart program runs until July 25, and the nine-hour program until Aug. 12. To learn more, go to http:\/\/www.outreach.olemiss.edu\/summer\/olemiss?start\/ or contact Greg Earnest at gaearnes@olemiss.edu or 662-915-3034.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"