Mature students are making up an increasing proportion of the student population at Canadian colleges and universities. At Assiniboine Community College (ACC), in southwestern Manitoba, an average of 360 mature students enrolled in various programs each year from 2008 to 2013. These mature students bring with them unique strengths and challenges.…

What exactly is an "outdoor orientation program?" First offered in the United States in the 1930s by Dartmouth College, outdoor orientation programs (OOPs) use adventure programming to help incoming students adjust to university or college. Typically, these programs are conducted in a wilderness or backcountry setting, are several days…

Describes a peer helping orientation program for first year college students using upperclass students as peer helpers. Reports study of effectiveness of peer helping program which compared students in the peer helping group (N=88) to no-contact (N=34), living at home (N=37), and residence hall (N=74) students. Results indicated significant…

Describes a collaborative project between Canadian elementary and junior high school counselors designed to ease the transition between elementary and junior high school. The orientation program included school visits and tours, counseling sessions, a buddy system, and a concentrated effort to combat rumors. (JAC)

In a country as diverse as Canada, no single school system could adequately serve all students. Programs vary markedly across the country and even within provinces, as the schools strive to accommodate the vast differences among the students. With a few exceptions, high school students of Native ancestry attend the regular provincial high schools…

Students around the globe have unique first-year experiences but struggle with many of the same challenges. This monograph focuses on their journeys and provides insights for educators interested in learning about how institutions across the globe provide supports to students dealing with first-year transition issues. Based on the successful…