JACOB KONST/Arizona Summer Wildcat New Start participants Tyral Russell and Renee Valencia relax on a couch in Yavapai Residence Hall. The New Start Program allows incoming freshmen to adjust to the UA before classes begin.

With over 36,000 classmates, hundreds of classes to choose from and the prospect of sharing showers with strangers, college life can at first intimidate many incoming freshmen. But for the 250 students enrolled in this year's New Start Summer Program, that adjustment might be a little easier.

The New Start Summer Program is a six-week orientation program designed to bridge the gap from the high school to university environment, all before students enter the University of Arizona as freshmen.

Since it began in the 1960s, New Start has helped students of ethnic minority or in financial need learn where to find and how to use campus resources, establish instructor and advisor relationships and make new friends to smooth their transition into college.

"It's really amazing that this university has maintained the commitment to making sure students have this experience prior to their freshman year," said Kendal Washington, UA director of Multicultural and Academic Student Affairs.

The students in the program this year, who hail from both in and out of state, attend a morning class, a peer advising workshop and participate in various outside activities each day, all while earning college credit.

"Freshman year is arguably the most difficult year · there are so many different transitions students have to make," Washington said, citing not only academic and social transitions, but cultural and emotional changes as well.

Crystal Ramos, an incoming freshman from Phoenix, said she heard about New Start through her high school counselor and thought it would be a good experience.

"I really wanted to have a feel of what it will be like and to get to know people beforehand," said Ramos, one of 90 New Start students living in Yavapai Residence Hall.

"If I need help, I know I'll have someone I can talk to and trust," Ramos said.

Out-of-town students are required to live in the residence hall and are not allowed to choose their roommates ÷ a program feature that incoming freshman Jeanette Valencia of Nogales said is very beneficial.

"I'm forced to get to know people, but it's a good thing," said Valencia, who said that not only has she met new people in the program, but she has learned about their culture and diverse backgrounds as well.

Valencia said she is also looking forward to the relationships and connections she will make with academic advisors and professors in her three-week general education class.

Students in the New Start program can chose to take a math, English or an

individuals and societies class that will apply to any of their chosen degrees.

By placing students in a real college classroom and setting, Washington said students learn how to be more productive and comfortable during their first year.

"(College) is an unfamiliar environment and students don't always know the rules of how to engage themselves in this environment in order to be successful," Washington said.

Washington also said that the program aims to help incoming freshmen understand the expectations of a university environment by offering academic courses.

"That's the part that makes New Start different from any other summer orientation program," Washington said, comparing the UA program with other high school transition programs at both ASU and NAU.

Many universities have minority recruitment programs, but New Start is especially important to the UA, Washington said, in light of the budget cuts.

"We are really lucky that we have maintained the budget that we have with all the cuts," Washington said.

With the program's fees at $75 for one three or four-unit course, peer advising workshops, tutoring and social activities, and $60 dollars more for out-of-town students who live in the residence hall, many of the low-income students are given an opportunity they might not have had if the program required them to pay full-price, Washington said.

But incoming freshmen are not the only ones who will take something from the program.

New Start student leader Patrick Bryan went through the program two years ago, and after serving as a resident assistant last year, is the hall director of the program this year.

"This program gives you everything you need to keep going," said Bryan, who is now a senior.

"The strength of the program is really in connecting you with people, services and resources," Bryan said, adding that he met a majority of his close friends during his time in the program.

After completing the program, Bryan said he was amazed at how much it helped him.

"It really just preps you all-around."

That preparation is something that more students wish they could have experienced.

Michael McClung, a physics graduate student said that when he came to the UA, he had a hard time learning how to manage his time.

"I think (New Start) could have helped, especially if you had a good teacher to help get you up to speed," he said.

÷ Cara O'Connor contributed to this report.

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