MURFREESBORO, Tenn. —  Transitioning from high school senior to college freshman is monumental. Some consider it an exciting rite of passage, others an overwhelming shift. But whether they arrive on campus excited or scared, students who complete Middle Tennessee State University’s Scholars Academy Summer Institute are bound to start classes feeling a little more prepared.

“Scholars Academy allows us to come in two weeks earlier than the average freshman. They provide us informative lectures on the resources on the campus,” said Nyah Hamilton, an animation student who took a gap year after graduating from the Ark Academy in Chattanooga.

Coordinated through the Office of Student Success, the two-week early arrival program introduces students to the myriad opportunities at MTSU, helps them navigate campus, connects them to mentors and advisors, and provides them with the skills they need for a successful academic career.

“It’s not just about the school,” said Meredith Klemke, a graduate of Lakeland Preparatory School who plans to study special education and was among the 185 students in this year’s recently concluded institute. “It’s about how to study properly, how to manage your time.”

Between the rigor of learning, the Summer Institute still finds time for fun. Bonding activities like games, karaoke, and a talent show foster a sense of belonging and group identity. Students even took a field trip to Nashville, visiting Opry Mills Mall and the Country Music Hall of Fame.

But for future freshmen to benefit from all that Scholars Academy has to offer, assistant director Michai Mosby explained that they must take the first steps.

“We need you to apply,” said Mosby. “Even if you don’t think you need the program, we have a lot of students who look back and are grateful that their parents made them do it. They’re grateful that they end up getting a chance to move in early, because it’s so beneficial to their matriculation through college.”

Moving in early may be one of the program’s biggest perks. Students who live on campus settle into their dorms several days ahead of the student body’s official move-in times, while commuter students become familiar with parking on campus.

“That helps so much,” said fashion design student Molly Elrod from Whitwell High School in Whitwell, Tennessee. “Instead of going in with the rest of 20,000-something students, we get to go in with just 200 students. It’s way smoother of a transition.”

“We get to walk around and find where our classes are before there’s a bunch of people on campus,” added public health student Presley Lewis, who graduated from Riverdale High School here in Murfreesboro.

MTSU launched the Scholars Academy Summer Institute to equip incoming freshmen for success, so every student crossing the threshold from high school to college is equipped to reach their fullest potential.

For the class coming up behind them, Scholars Academy students have advice to share.

“I would say they need to learn balance with their fun activities and schoolwork,” said Timothy Beach, a Smyrna High School grad studying psychology.

“Take notes when you get into those classes, that’s important as well,” said art and design major DeMarcus Byrd from Riverdale High School. “And try to avoid procrastination.”

“Make connections with your professors, because you never know when you might need a letter of recommendation in the future,” said Lewis. “And they want to get to know you, so you should try to get to know them.”

“I think if you have the opportunity to go to Scholars Academy, then you should,” said Elrod.

For more information about the Scholars Academy, visit https://scholarsacademy.mtsu.edu or contact the Office of Student Success at [email protected] or 615-494-8650.

— Cat Curtis Murphy ([email protected])