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ASCEND Student Experience

We are excited to welcome students for Fall 2022!

Every Fall, the ASCEND Student Experience is offered to help students with their academic transition to UC Merced. ASCEND provides incoming first-year and transfer students with essential academic skills and an understanding of university expectations, and it connects you with vital campus resources to help you continue your successful transition to life as a Bobcat. 

All new UC Merced students will participate in the ASCEND activities during the first two weeks of the Fall 2022 semester. Workshop descriptions and details can be found further down this page.

First-Year Students

Students will complete:

  • Two (2) live workshops 
    • Bobcat 101 
    • Time Management
  • "Classroom Learning Success" CatCourses Module (available August 19 via CatCourses)

Transfer Students

Students will complete:


OIT Basics

Attend this session to learn the basics about IT at UC Merced. In the first half, we’ll cover the services we offer students (for free!), how to get help if you have tech problems, some basics about keeping your information safe, plus insider tips about computer labs, printing, and gaming/device registration on campus. In the second half, we’ll give you a crash course in CatCourses, the campus course management platform. Learn about finding your courses, submitting assignments, managing notifications, and tips and tricks to get things done.

  • Workshop Times
    • Monday, August 22nd, 1:00 pm (SSB 160)
    • Tuesday, August 23rd, 1:00 pm (SSB 160)
  • Other Resources

So You Want to Be a Healthcare Professional

Are you interested in a career in healthcare? Join us for a workshop introducing the pathway to becoming a physician/dentist/pharmacists/veterinarian, including how you can start preparing right now!

More information about Pre-Health Advising can be found at https://prehealth.ucmerced.edu/


Classroom AdvenTOURS image

Classroom AdvenTOURS

To help you prepare for your first days of instruction, we have partnered with the Welcome Center to host "Classroom AdvenTOURS". These classroom specific tours will help you locate buildings, find your classrooms & labs, and will ensure that you know how to navigate the campus like an experienced Bobcat!

With seven tours happening daily on August 22nd and 23rd, there is sure to be a time that's right for you. To see available tour times or to sign-up, visit:

https://uc-merced.foleon.com/admissions/classroom-tours/home/


Tracking Completion

All first year and first semester transfer students are expected to participate in the ASCEND Experience, however, your completion of ASCEND is by honor system.


Bobcat 101

First year students - Building off what you learned through Orientation, this workshop dives deeper into UC Merced’s academic experience, including structure, expectations and resources for success.

Time Management

Make the best use of time for studying, work and fun!  An interactive scheduling activity will allow students to calculate time for responsibilities and celebrate the remaining hours for involvements.

Bobcat 201

Transfer students - Building off your previous academic experiences and what you learned at through UCM's Orientation, this workshop dives deeper into UC Merced’s academic experience, including structure, expectations and resources for success.


Bobcat 101

Students will have the opportunity to participate in-person sessions on August 22nd and 23rd. 

Monday, August 22nd

  • 9:00 am (COB2 130)
  • 10:00 am (COB2 130)
  • 11:00 am (COB2 130)
  • 1:30 pm (COB2 130)
  • 3:00 pm (COB2 130)
  • 4:00 pm (COB2 130)

Tuesday, August 23rd

  • 1:00 pm (COB2 130)
  • 2:00 pm (COB2 130)
  • 3:30 pm (COB2 130)

 


Time Management

Learn how to make the most of your time. Practical tools will be provided! Bring a syllabus from a current class.

Students will have the opportunity to participate in-person sessions on August 22nd and 23rd and throughout the start of the Fall semester. 

Monday, August 22nd

  • 10:00 am (COB2 110)
  • 11:00 am (COB2 110)
  • 2:00 pm (COB2 110)
  • 3:30 pm (COB2 110)

Tuesday, August 23rd

  • 11:00 am (COB2 110)
  • 1:00 pm (COB2 110)
  • 2:00 pm (COB2 110)
  • 3:30 pm (COB2 110)

Bobcat 201

Students will have the opportunity to participate in-person sessions on August 22nd and 23rd. 

Monday, August 22nd

  • 12:00 pm (SSB 170)
  • 2:00 pm (SSB 170)

Tuesday, August 23rd

  • 12:30 pm (SSB 170)
  • 5:00 pm (SSB 170)

This site is maintained by the Division of Student Affairs. To submit questions or suggestions about this site, please contact studentsfirst@ucmerced.edu.
Learn more about campus safety precautions and associated information about UC Merced at Campus Ready.