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Bear Life at UCA: Your First-Year Success Starts Here

Starting college is exciting, but it can also feel like a big transition. Classes, studying, and expectations often look different from high school — and that’s completely normal. Bear Life is UCA’s free first‑year success program designed to help you navigate that transition with confidence.

Beginning Fall 2026, all new undergraduate students can join Bear Life. When you complete the program each semester, you’ll build the habits, connections, and skills that lead to a stronger first‑year experience — and we’ll celebrate your achievements along the way. Just sign up, choose your path, and start building a great year.

⭐ What Bear Life Offers

Bear Life connects you with the people, tools, and experiences that help you thrive at UCA:

  • Personalized Success Coaching with trained peer coaches who understand what it’s like to start college and can help you adjust to academic expectations.
  • Individual Wellness Check‑Ins with graduate success coaches to support your well‑being across the 8 Areas of Wellness.
  • Study Hour Tracking at designated campus locations (including your LLC) plus peer study support.
  • Major and Career Exploration events and Financial Wellness programs created specifically for first‑year students.
  • Hands‑On Academic Skills Workshops to strengthen your study strategies, test‑taking, and more.
  • Dedicated Study Spaces in the Student Success Center and other campus locations.
  • Regular Updates and Tips from your success coaches through New Bear News and the Bear Life Instagram.
  • End‑of‑Semester Celebrations recognizing your accomplishments — complete both semesters and your name will be added to the Bear Life Wall of Success.

Additional Perks for Bear Life Students

  • Access to supportive staff during online and in‑person Bear Life Office Hours.
  • An introduction to the Bear Bucket List and Bear Experience through the FYE Office.
  • Game nights and special events just for Bear Life participants.
  • Campus merch and door prizes for attending Bear Life activities.

Bear Life is sponsored by Student Success Services in collaboration with First‑Year Experience, Student Advocacy and Community, Student Transitions, and Living Learning Communities.

🐾 How Bear Life Works

Complete the four steps below each semester to get the most out of your first year — and earn entries into our monthly Bear Life Merch Giveaway.

1. Schedule Three Success Coaching Check‑Ins

Meet with your designated Success Coaches throughout the semester. Sessions last about an hour and you can choose:

  • Group Coaching to learn strategies for starting strong at UCA and meet other Bear Life students.
  • One‑on‑One Coaching for personalized support and help creating your Academic Success Plan.
  • Wellness Check‑Ins (one per semester) with a graduate coach to explore the 8 Areas of Wellness.

2. Track at Least Five Study Hours Each Week

Log your study time at approved campus locations, including:

  • Student Success and Veterans Resource Center
  • UCA Torreyson Library
  • Tutoring and Academic Support Center (TASC) – Torreyson Library #223
  • Center for Writing and Communication – Thompson Hall #109
  • ABC Lounge in OSAC – Bernard #207
  • Study rooms in your LLC

You’ll receive weekly progress updates and earn merch drawing entries each time you meet your goal.

3. Attend Two Academic Success Workshops

Choose from workshops on topics like academic planning, test‑taking, and career readiness. Most are held during X‑Period (Tues/Thurs, 1:30 p.m.–2:40 p.m.), with additional pop‑up sessions for Bear Life students.

4. Complete Two Additional Activities Each Semester

Many of these also count toward your FYE class or Bear Experience requirements.

Fall Options:

  • Attend the Majors Fair (October)
  • Start your Bear Bucket List
  • Complete a Personal Finance Learning Module
  • Attend a tutoring session (TASC, CWC, or other approved locations)
  • Complete a Student Lingo video workshop (via myUCA)
  • Complete the Focus 2 Career assessment, a résumé workshop, or attend a Career Fair

Spring Options:

  • Complete the Personal Finance Learning Module
  • Attend a tutoring session
  • Complete another Student Lingo workshop
  • Complete the Focus2Career assessment, a résumé workshop, or attend a Career Fair
  • Record at least 5 service‑learning hours on Give Pulse

Call us at (501) 450-5969, email us at bearlife@uca.edu, or stop by the Student Success & Veterans Resource Center #122 to see us in person.