Program Overview | Project Upward Bound | SIU

The academic year program runs from September to May. It is composed of Saturday workshops, skills enhancement, and counseling. Students will also be given opportunities for recreational and social activities.

Saturday Workshops

Participants will have the opportunity to participate in 13 – 15 workshops during the academic year. Some of the areas to be focused on include: career development and exploration, reading comprehension, study skills, personal and social development, financial aid opportunities, college admissions, writing and thinking skills, math anxiety, scientific problem solving, leadership development, and skills assessment. The workshop format and strategy are discussed further below.

Skills Enhancement

For the purposes of the Academic Year Program, the traditional tutorial component will be replaced by skills enhancement activities during Saturday workshops. Targeted subject areas (English, Math, and Science) will be covered at designated workshops. Participants will attend general sessions on the targeted areas, and can also obtain individualized help with specific problems or assignments. Students with specific questions will be asked to bring them to the workshop. Other participants will be given skills enhancement exercises to work on. Students are encouraged to work in small groups and assist each other with assignments.

Counseling

The Project will schedule counseling sessions two times per month at each of the target schools. Students are encouraged to attend all scheduled counseling sessions. These sessions will cover the following areas: personal, academic, college preparation, and career development.

Personal Counseling

The purpose of personal counseling will be to create a better understanding of self and others, to provide assistance with personal problems and concerns, and to provide opportunities for personal growth and development. Students will be assisted in developing life goals during counseling sessions.
Individual sessions will be held with students regarding personal problems and concerns. Parental conferences for special concerns will be scheduled as needed.
Group sessions will include the following topics: self- awareness, conflict resolution, personal value systems, stress management, proper social and health habits, human relations, life-styles, risk-taking and decision-making.
During individual and group sessions, students will complete personal information questionnaires, and interest inventories. The Upward Bound counselor will stress to students the necessity of developing a positive self-concept in order to fulfill academic potential and achieve personal success.

Academic Counseling

Academic counseling will be provided to help students understand the traits needed to become a successful student. The counselor will hold individual meetings with each student. Topics discussed with each student will include proper study habits, time management, proper course selection, and high school preparation for various majors. The aim of academic counseling is to provide support and help the student apply strategies in order to succeed academically.

College Preparation Counseling

The purpose of college preparation counseling is to help students succeed in applying to and enrolling in college, and to acquaint students with the college environment. A variety of activities will be planned to achieve these goals, including:

1. Assisting students with the completion of applications for the ACT.
2. Assisting students in the use of college catalogs.
3. Assisting students with the completion of college admission applications.
4. Assisting students with the completion of financial aid forms.

Career Decision-Making

Career decision-making helps students assess the multifaceted variables that have been major determinants in one’s progress through life stages.

The aim of career decision-making is to help students understand:

1. themselves and their environment, 
2. career information,
3. career exploration opportunities, 
4. decision-making processes,
5. steps involved in career planning, and 
6. factors in employment, training, or educational placement.