Impact of the Preparation for Academic Success in Science (PASS) High School to University Transition Program - Article 6

Oct 15, 2026

The transition from high school to university can be difficult and stressful for students who lack clarity on academic success and on participating in activities beyond the classroom. The paper presents the design and outcomes of the Preparation for Academic Success in Science (PASS) transition program in the University of Windsor’s Faculty of Science. A two-day program before fall term supports study habits, note taking, examination preparation, and guidance on research, study abroad, service learning, internships, and student organizations.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages17

Reading Time43 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Program design and supports

Outcomes and comparative results

Discussion and implications

The Canadian Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning | Volume 14 | Issue 1 | Article 6 | | --- | --- | Spring 05-31-2023 Impact of the Preparation for Academic Success in Science (PASS) High School to University Transition Program Chris Houser University of Windsor, [chouser@uwindsor.ca](chouser@uwindsor.ca)[ ](chouser@uwindsor.ca)[Dora Cavallo-Medved](Dora Cavallo-Medved) University of Windsor, dcavallo@uwindsor.ca Michelle Bondy University of Windsor, [mbondy@uwindsor.ca](mbondy@uwindsor.ca) Follow this and additional works at: [https://www.cjsotl-rcacea.ca](https://www.cjsotl-rcacea.ca) [https://doi.org/10.5206/cjsotlrcacea.2023.1.13485](https://doi.org/10.5206/cjsotlrcacea.2023.1.13485) Recommended Citation Houser, C., Cavallo-Medved, D., & Bondy, M. (2023) . Impact of the Preparation for Academic Success in Science (PASS) highschool to university transition program The Canadian Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, 14(1) . [https://doi.org/10.5206/cjsotlrcacea.2023.1.13485](https://doi.org/10.5206/cjsotlrcacea.2023.1.13485) Impact of the Preparation for Academic Success in Science (PASS) High School to University Transition Program Abstract The transition from high school to university can be difficult and stressful for many students who are not sure of how to be successful in their courses and become engaged in extracurricular activities beyond the classroom. This paper describes the design and outcomes ofthe Preparation for Academic Success in Science (PASS) transition program in the Faculty of Science at the University of Windsor, amid-sized university in Ontario, Canada. The two-day PASS program, offered in the week before fall classes begin, is designed to introduce incoming students to effective study habits, note taking, and preparation for examinations. Moreover, students are advised on how to get involved in undergraduate research, study abroad, service learning, internships, and student organizations, while balancing their time, health and wellness. Results from PASS cohorts between 2017 and 2019 suggest that students who participated in the PASS program had higher major and overall averages in their first and subsequent years, and significantly greater engagement in extracurricular activities compared to the (control group) students who did not participate in the transition program. PASS is presented as an effective transition program, but it is argued that further study is required to determine how academic performance and engagement are related to the intentionality of the student when they start university, and the importance of the program to building community and a sense of belonging. La transition entre l’école secondaire et l’université peut s’avérer difficile et stressante pour denombreux étudiants et de nombreuses étudiantes qui ne savent pas comment réussir à leurs cours ets’impliquer dans les activités extracurriculaires au-delà de la salle de classe. Cet article décrit la conception et les résultats du programme de transition PASS (Preparation for Academic Success in Science) de la faculté des sciences de l’Université de Windsor, une université de taille moyenne del’Ontario, au Canada. Le programme PASS de deux jours, offert au cours de la semaine qui précède ledébut des cours en automne, est conçu pour introduire les nouveaux étudiants et les nouvelles étudiantes à des habitudes de travail efficaces, à la prise de notes et à la préparation aux examens. De plus, il est conseillé aux étudiants et aux étudiantes de s’impliquer dans la recherche au premier cycle, dans les programmes d’études à l’étranger, dans l’apprentissage par le service, dans les internats et dans les organisations d’étudiants et d’étudiantes, et on leur indique la manière de le faire tout en équilibrant leur emploi du temps, leur santé et leur bien-être. Les résultats des cohortes du programme PASS entre 2017 et 2019 suggèrent que les étudiants et les étudiantes qui y o

FAQs

What problem does the PASS transition program address?

It addresses the difficulty and stress many students experience when moving from high school to university, especially around academic success and engagement beyond class.

What activities and support does PASS provide before university starts?

PASS helps incoming students build effective study habits, improve note taking, prepare for examinations, and learn how to engage in undergraduate research, study abroad, service learning, internships, and student organizations while balancing time and wellness.

What do the results between 2017 and 2019 suggest?

Students who participated in PASS showed higher major and overall averages in first and later years and significantly greater engagement in extracurricular activities than students in the control group who did not join the transition program.

Oct 15, 2026

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