Access to Success Camp Offered for Incoming Students to Any College

April 18, 2016 (Notre Dame, Ind.) — The Saint Mary’s College Office of Student Success is excited to offer Access to Success, a five-day summer seminar for students beginning college; those who had a difficult start in college; and students returning to college after being away for some time. The camp is open to all students, whether they attend Saint Mary’s College or not, including male students. The purpose of Access to Success is to empower students with the skills and strategies needed to succeed academically in college.

Diane Fox, director of the Office for Student Success, will lead the camp. Her entire career has been focused on helping high school and college students succeed. Fox’s mantra is to start the academic career on the right foot and maintain good habits so that the transition to college is successful.

Fox will cover topics like:

• how the brain processes information and why students forget;
• how individual students learn best and most easily;
• the difference between homework, studying, reviewing, and learning;
• the importance of time management, among other skills and strategies;
• selecting and arranging course schedules.

“Attend classes, be engaged in the classroom and while studying, and prioritize and manage your time effectively,” Fox says, offering a sample of her philosophy. “As the first semester of college unfolds, continue to go to class, work hard, enjoy studying in and out of class, and modify your time management. As the semester comes to an end, look forward to — rather than fear or dread — your grades and assessments.”

Access to Success programming is based on the material that Fox presents to Saint Mary’s students in workshops throughout the academic year. Topics covered at the camp will include time management and goal setting, reading and note-taking skills, and the downsides of procrastination. Fox wants to empower students to advocate for themselves. “Not only are these academic skills, they are life skills.”

The camp runs June 13-17, from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., and costs $65, if you register by June 1. After that, the cost is $75. A limited number of scholarships are available. Registration includes daily instruction, book and supplies, lunches for the week, and a completion reception the last day. It will take place in room 254 of Madeleva Hall. For additional information, contact Diane Fox at dfox@saintmarys.edu or (574) 284-4463.

About Saint Mary's College: Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Ind., is a four-year, Catholic, residential, women’s liberal arts college offering five bachelor’s degrees and more than 30 major areas of study, such as business, nursing, art, chemistry, and social work. Saint Mary’s College also offers two graduate degrees: a Master of Science and a Doctorate. All programs that fall under these degrees are co-educational and include a Master of Science in Data Science, a Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology, and a Doctorate of Nursing Practice. Founded in 1844 by the Sisters of the Holy Cross, Saint Mary’s College seeks, according to its mission statement, to educate students, develop their talents, and prepare them to make a difference in the world. Saint Mary’s College ranks among the top 100 Best National Liberal Arts Colleges for 2016 published by U.S. News & World Report. Follow Saint Mary's College on Twitter @saintmarys and @saintmarysnews. 

Contact for News Media: Gwen O’Brien, director of media relations, Saint Mary’s College, gobrien@saintmarys.edu (574) 284-4579.