King's Edge offers support to new students

As King’s offers a welcome to new students at the start of the winter term, COVID-19 and remote learning may yet lead to some uncertainties. The King’s Edge transition program is a collaborative effort designed to ensure students have the necessary tools to help them succeed in their first year of studies.

The King’s Edge includes International Student Bridging Program, the Mature Student Transition Program, the Peer Guide Program and the King’s Academic Mentoring Program (KAMP), along with a new initiative—the Smart Start program designed by Western University’s Faculty of Education.

“Although we are continuing to face the challenges in this pandemic, King’s and our partners at Western are committed to providing a range of supports to students to transition to our special community,” says Joe Henry, Dean of Students. 

The International Student Bridging Program, one of King’s long-standing traditions, provides students with the opportunity to become comfortable with King’s, Western University and the city of London. This year, the Bridging Program was a largely virtual event, informing students of resources available at King’s, academic requirements, and supplying information about living in London.

The Mature Student Transition Program supports new mature students with a dedicated program designed specifically for their needs. The program pairs upper-year mature students known as Transition Assistants with their incoming peers to offer guidance and advice throughout the year.

King’s peer-to-peer programs connect new students with upper-year students to gain tips and strategies to help them navigate through their first year at King’s throughout the Academic Year.

The King’s International Peer Guide Program is a voluntary program designed to assist international and exchange students new to King’s in the adjustment to university life and Canadian culture. Students benefit by developing cross-cultural skills and a diverse friendship network.

The student-led King’s Academic Mentoring Program (KAMP) provides support in many aspects of the transition period of a student’s first year of university. Pairing incoming and senior students, the KAMP program mentors provide guidance on strategies for academic success, health and wellness, goal setting, extracurricular activities, course information and services at King’s.

King’s has partnered with Western University in the Smart Start Program to help students bridge any gaps in their academic skills due to the COVID-19 pandemic or strengthen skills with modules in Math and/or English and Writing. Students from the KAMP program will work as Learning Coaches in the Smart Start program and members of several King’s student support services will provide seminars on a range of topics.

The King’s Edge transition program is a collaborative effort between Enrolment Services, the Academic Dean’s Office and the Student Affairs department. For more information on the King’s Edge, please visit https://www.kings.uwo.ca/future-students/be-become-belong/.