When July Morning saw an opportunity to get help with her biology course, she grabbed it. With aspirations to be a pediatrician one day, Morning, ’25, knew science classes were key to her academic success.
So she enrolled in "Boot Camp," an opportunity to have additional academic support from another student. Boot Camp allow students to gain assistance from their fellow students who serve as Boot Camp coaches in subject matter and study skills and even work in labs.
"I really enjoy this concept," Morning said. "Going to the sessions helped me a lot. The student helped me with her different way of teaching the concepts. She had taken the same classes and was able to explain things differently."
Another benefit of the new friendship was guidance. The student who helped Morning is a senior with the same major.
"She's taking the same academic path I want to take," Morning said. "I can go to her for advice, exam prep help, and things like that."
After her first semester, Morning was nominated by her biology professor to be a coach, something Morning said "has been a good experience and an honor."
Morning said that there are also coaches in chemistry classes, who, like Morning and other biology coaches, help with lab preparations and study help. She hopes there will be more in other science classes in her future.
The Boot Camp experience is currently offered on the Gainesville Campus.
"Biology as a major is hard. The classes are tough," Morning said. "Boot Camp sessions helped me and other students improve their grades. Students have improved tremendously, even a whole letter grade. Boot Camp is a resource students can utilize to be prepared for courses and their futures."
