ACADEMIC SUPPORT SERVICES

Providing Athletes with Winning Strategies (PAWS)

Providing Athletes with Winning Strategies (PAWS) is a program designed to help student-athletes during their time at York University. We offer two PAWS academic support programs during the Fall and Winter academic Terms, to meet the needs of student-athletes during the varying stages throughout their university and athletic experience. While both programs have their respective years and stages of students to support, both programs aim to enhance the student-athlete's experience, aid in in academic support, increase in student retention to strengthen feelings of connectedness to York University, the York Athletics & Recreation Department, and the Varsity Lions community.

The two programs are:

The PAWS First Year Transition program (PAWS FYT) specifically supports first year student-athletes during the transition from high school to university.

PAWS 2-5 program aims to support student-athletes in years 2-5.

PAWS FYT

As a peer mentor driven program, first-year student-athletes are paired with an upper-year mentor who is also a student-athlete (ideally matched by their program of study) and a mentor-in-training. The student-athlete meets with their mentor and mentor-in-training on a weekly basis during a scheduled time. One PAWS session is offered each day of the week and all first-year student-athletes are required to attend every week as attendance is tracked and monitored by coaches and staff.

Sessions are 90 minutes in length and include a brief informative presentation, time to have a thorough check-in with the group's mentor, and guided study time. A variety of topics are covered in the weekly presentations that are deemed important for success as a first-year student-athlete. Following the presentation, the mentor and mentees meet to discuss any academic questions or concerns and to review the upcoming academic and athletic demands. These sessions are led by our Academic Success Coordinator, Lucas Kidd, but occasionally a guest speaker will be brought in to address areas of expertise.

The guided study may consist of mentor and mentee question-answer time for test preparation, editing written work, or speaking through concepts and organizing thoughts. This is also an opportunity to connect with peer athletes and build relationships across the athletic community.

The PAWS curriculum is rooted in evidence-based approaches and continues to grow in size and scale each year. Metrics are collected annually, and services have been adjusted to cater to the needs of the group. For example, the length and frequency of the sessions have been increased and previously used notebooks and agendas are now in electronic versions for ease of accessibility. A critical component of the PAWS program is the student-athlete's academic progress report, which is now easily viewed by students, coaches and mentors through virtual means. This allows for an up-to-date view of progress in each course and allows us to connect with coaches and staff regarding subsequent support.

Overview

120-150 student-athletes in first year at York

7 sessions of 1.5 hours offered each week that consist of:
- teaching of curriculum
- meet with mentor
- guided study
Students are required to attend 1 session each week from September to April
PAWS representative teaches curriculum
34 peer mentors and mentors-in-training help with grade checking, socializing and guided study

Program Goals

Students feel a sense of community that extends beyond their sport and program of study.
Students feel engaged and supported during their first year.
Students increase their competency in learning strategies.
Students feel equipped to handle both athletics and academic stress.

Students learn the skills necessary to support themselves and each other.

Specific Learning Outcomes

Students should be able to accurately navigate York's webpage of services (my.yorku.ca).
Finances – Reading balances, paying tuition, health care opt in/out
Library – Taking out a book, using databases

Courses – Add/drop, reading schedules
Campus resources – Maps, exam locations, mental health services, etc.
Students should be able to understand and demonstrate accurate reference formatting (MLA, APA and Chicago).
Students should be able to formulate discipline-specific research hypotheses (where applicable).
Students should be able to effectively edit their own writing pieces and their classmates', including critically analyzing content, spelling, grammar and formatting.

Students should be able to craft a professional email to professors and TAs with attention paid to etiquette, appropriate tone and succinct messaging.
Students should be able to understand where and how they can access all the resources that are available to them.

Examples of Topics Covered

Orientation – Welcome first years!
Navigating York's website

How to properly email a professor or TA
Resources available to student-athletes
Note-takin in first-year classes
Money management
How to study effectively

Mindfulness and wellness
Staying motivated
Mental health awareness/resources
De-stress sessions – Snacks and Review Sessions

PAWS 2-5

This program offers continued academic support following their first year at York. Athletes can either opt-in or be recommended for participation in the program. Support through PAWS 2-5 is tailored to the needs of the student-athlete; sessions with their mentor. While the support services were growing robust for first year student-athletes, we found there was a need for continued support as students progress through their academic journey. Specifically, for student-athletes who are at-risk. We have partnered with the Faculty of Education and have been privileged to host their Bachelor of Education placement students. These students are required to spend 2-4 hours per week with PAWS and work one-on-one or in small groups for tutoring and guided study time. Many of the same principles and goals of the program apply from the FYT program but groups are smaller and the duration of the meeting is typically longer and led by our Academic Success Coordinator, Alyssa McQuaid.

Overview

30 - 45 student-athletes
sessions offered each week
15 minutes meet with BEd mentor, 1 hour 45 minute guided study
Students are required to attend 1 session each week from September to April
BEd peer mentors to help with grade checking, socializing and guided study

Program Goals

Increased supervision and support for students from an academic perspective.
Students feel engaged and supported during their studies beyond first year (FYT).
Students increase their competency in learning strategies.
Students feel equipped to handle academic stress.
Students learn the skills necessary to support themselves and each other.

Specific Learning Outcomes for Student-Athletes

Students should be able to effectively communicate their progress in courses to their peer mentor.
Students should be able to accurately identify areas that require improvement in their study and learning techniques.
Students should be able to effectively communicate areas where they would like support (i.e., note taking, study habits, exam stress, etc.).
Students should increase their proficiency in applying learning skills during guided study time (as taught by peer mentor).

Varsity Athletics Study Hall

We also have implemented study hall for all Varsity Student-Athletes that provides active academic mentorship, task and time management assistance, dynamic goal-oriented assignment completion assistance, study support, research techniques, through a monitored workspace by our academic services team. Study hall is also emphasized through athletic & academic progress charting and structuring by our academic service team who runs study hall. Study Hall for the Winter 2023 Term runs from Mon 10-3, Tue 10-2, Wed 10-2, Thu 10-4, Fri 10-12 & 1-4 at the Student Lounge in Tait.

Expansion of PAWS Services to YU Student Athletes
The goals of this augmented support program are:

Increased supervision and support for students who require academic support over the summer
Increased feelings of engagement, connectedness, and support for students taking summer courses or students joining the Lions family (incoming recruits)
Individualized support for incoming student athletes (assist with course enrollment, schedule planning, and degree navigation).

Who is eligible for this expansion of PAWS services?

Varsity student athletes (in all years of study across all programs) taking summer courses at York
Incoming student athletes (recruits)

What services will be offered?

For students in 1-5: Bi-weekly check-ins regarding academic process, access to virtual drop-in hours for 'help desk' (virtual office hours to ask questions with one of our staff)
For incoming student athletes (recruits): one-on-one meetings to discuss transition to York and varsity athletics, access to virtual drop-in hours for 'help desk' (virtual office hours to ask questions with one of our staff)

Academic Advising

Academic advisers offer all York University students help to make informed and thoughtful decisions about their academic pathway as they progress through their programs. These academic advisors have expertise in the programs within their faculties and can assist with the following:

understanding faculty legislation and policies;
program and degree requirements;
degree options: major, minor, certificates;
understanding the grade report and academic standing;
the petition process;
peer mentoring and study groups; and
information and referrals to academic and campus services and resources.

All student-athletes are strongly encouraged to seek academic information and advising where necessary. To contact a faculty-specific academic advisor for a student-athlete: https://advising.students.yorku.ca/locations.

Academic Resources & Supports

Start Strong YU

Handy reference guide to navigate all the student services discussed below.

Mental Health and Well-Being Services

Student Counselling, Health and Well-being

Student support is offered by the Student Counselling, Health & Well-Being offices to make an appointment or to access their walk-in services.

Student Well-Being Resources

An extensive list of on- and off- campus resources and support initiatives for mental-health and well-being.

Debbie Wilkes – Registered Social Service Worker for Student-Athletes

Debbie Wilkes is a registered social service worker within the athletics department, and she specifically meets with student-athletes. Whether you are dealing with an injury, feeling overwhelmed or stressed about academics or athletics or adjusting to life away from home, Debbie is an incredible resource available to you!

Please TEXT Debbie (705-717-3782) to set up an appointment with her either via phone, zoom call or in person.

Student Accessibility Services (SAS)

Student Accessibility Services works with students to provide individualized academic accommodations to those who have learning disabilities, mental health conditions, attention disorders or concussions (among many other things!). You can start the process of registering with SAS as soon as you accept your admission offer. You do not need to already be formally diagnosed with a learning disability - they also offer screening services for students who suspect they may have a learning disability and will work with you throughout the process to receive an official accommodation.

Centre for Sexual Violence Response, Support and Education

Faculty Specific Academic Advising

Faculty specific academic advisers offer all York University students help to make informed and thoughtful decisions about their academic pathway as they progress through their programs. These academic advisors have expertise in the programs within their faculties and can assist with the following:

understanding faculty legislation and policies;
program and degree requirements;
degree options: major, minor, certificates;
understanding the grade report and academic standing;

the petition process;
peer mentoring and study groups; and
information and referrals to academic and campus services and resources.

College-Specific Tutors

Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS)

PASS is offered by the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies that offers students free study sessions to specific challenging courses.

Learning Skills Services
Provide students with workshops and resources to better understand and utilize learning skills. Includes skills such as note taking, time management, tips for success, succeeding in the classroom, exam prep and more.

York Writing Centre
The York Writing Centre provides online workshops, online writing support, Moodle resources and drop-in appointments (pre-register).

York Library
The York Library offers a space to chat to with a York Library staff member. You can ask for assignment and research help.

The Learning Commons
A space that provides support on areas such as writing, citation help, learning skills, time management, career skills and more. The Learning Commons is located on the 2nd floor of the Scott Library.

SPARK (Student Papers & Academic Research Kit)
Provides resources for writing in the form of modules. SPARK can help at any point during the preparation of a paper.