by Irie Quitugua, for KUAM News

Graduates finish one chapter of their lives and the Triton Summer Academy ensures students know they are able to begin their a new one at UOG.  With various workshops, presentations, and tutoring offered, incoming Tritons know they aren’t alone on this journey.

Austin Augustine, an incoming freshman psychology major, shared his experience with KUAM News, saying, "So far I was able to connect with a lot of new people here as well as connect with the staff and faculty that was helping us throughout our TSA journey here. And it’s been very nice and helpful as well to get to connect with everyone."

The one-week program also allows participants to tour the campus and witness current UOG students in their college lives. "We got to see each building and understand like where certain classes might be at and get to walk around and also like witness other students and how they go about their day like their routines and stuff like that and their hangout spots and places to get food and stuff like that," Augustine added.

With these realistic college life experiences also come words of wisdom.  Biology major Adrianna Sepulia takes these words of advice into her college journey, noting, "They gave us so many opportunities and so many people gave their advice on how college life is and how its gonna be and I really think I’m going to carry on with their advice."

Jasmine Bassett, Triton Advising Center project director, shared how UOG walks these students through this transitioning process. "Part of the Center is to be that connecting force between university departments as well as our student population," she said, "so any type of student success services, success programs, we want to be that front line for the students to connect them to the right individual."

By the end of the week, students submit their necessary documentation, are familiar with UOG’s platforms, and are prepared for their courses and placement tests. A big takeaway is that these students are also able to be apart of early registration for the semester.

Skyler Verango, who declared pre-nursing for her UOG path, and took a liking to this aspect of the program.  "We got to see each building and understand like where certain classes might be at and get to walk around and also like witness other students and how they go about their day like their routines and stuff like that and their hangout spots and places to get food and stuff like that," she said.

"A huge benefit of the program is that when they do come in with us, they do math and English tutoring to help them with their preparedness and their placement tests and we also offer to pay for their math placement fee."

Bassett hopes that all students know that their success will be supported during the program and beyond, adding, "I hope they understand that every department who comes here or is part of the University of Guam, we’re all here for your success. Most importantly, everybody is willing and able to help one another or at least point you in the right direction."

"Tell us what you need so we can help you because we know all the pieces it’s just the matter of knowing which piece fits your right."

The Triton Summer Academy makes its mark on the students, as the students make their mark on UOG.