Before coming to Michigan Tech, I honestly worried I wouldn’t have the close friendships I enjoyed back in high school. But the Summer Bridge Program allowed me to meet people in a relaxed, small-group setting, which made connecting so much easier. I’ve always found it simpler to build relationships that way rather than being thrown into a big crowd. So yes, the program definitely helped me feel more comfortable socially and gave me a strong sense of community before the semester even started.
The Summer Bridge Program significantly helped me support my academic preparedness for Michigan Tech. The metacognition course proved one of the most helpful parts because it focused on building essential academic skills. It taught us how to study more effectively, manage our time, and even prioritize sleep. Getting that kind of guidance early on helped me create healthy habits from the beginning. We also had summer math classes with Lincoln and Kylie, which made a big difference. I started in pre-calc, and since that class came more easily to me, I was able to focus more on tougher subjects like chemistry once the fall semester started. This better managed my workload.
My advice to students participating in the Summer Bridge Program to take full advantage of the opportunities offered. I know networking or putting yourself out there can feel intimidating at first, but opportunities like professor meet-and-greets are incredibly valuable. That’s actually how I met my research advisor, and that connection ended up making a big impact on my academic path. So don’t be afraid to reach out, ask for help, and start building those relationships early. One thing I wish I’d known beforehand is how important those small moments can be. Sometimes the most casual conversations lead to the biggest opportunities.
If someone thinking about joining the Summer Bridge Program at Michigan Tech asked about the benefits, I’d tell them that one of the biggest advantages is how it helps you build a support system before the semester even begins. Making friends early takes a lot of the social pressure off once classes start, and having people around you who are going through the same things makes navigating challenges easier. You also get a chance to build strong academic habits and access resources before the full semester workload kicks in. All of that helps make the transition into college life feel way more manageable.