Stay the Course. Support, connection and guidance for your first year

Starting university is exciting and — Stay the Course is here to help you make the most of it. Through personalized advising, peer mentor connections, and skill-building opportunities, you’ll have support as you begin your first year at KPU. Eligible students who complete the experience can also earn a $700 tuition credit towards Year Two

Through Stay the Course, students can:

✔ Get support with course planning and registration
✔ Connect with advisors and peer mentors
✔ Build confidence for university success
✔ Learn how to navigate KPU resources
✔ Feel more connected during the first semester
✔ Explore goals and next steps without pressure

Designed for Busy Students

Stay the Course is designed to support your transition to university - not add stress to your schedule.

Who is this for? Stay the Course may be a good fit if you:

are still figuring out your direction or goals
want help planning courses
are balancing school, work, and life
want to feel more connected at KPU
are looking for guidance while you transition to university.

Who can apply? Eligible students must:

be new Fall 2026 students
be domestic students or permanent residents
be enrolled-full-time
be in Undeclared Arts, Business, Science or Pathway 3
have 8 or fewer transfer credits

How do I apply?

Check your KPU student email for your invitation and application link. Look for the subject line “Start Strong at KPU with Stay the Course — and Earn Up to $700 Toward Year Two”. Can't find your invitation? Email us at staythecourse@kpu.ca

What to expect in Stay the Course

Stay the Course is designed to support you through your first year at KPU — without adding a big extra workload. Most activities are short, flexible, and can fit around your classes, work, and other commitments.

First Semester (Fall 2026)

In your first semester, you will:

Meet with your Academic Advisor to talk about your goals, questions, and plans for the semester (about 30 minutes)
Check in with your Peer Mentor for support, tips, and connection to campus resources (about 15 minutes)
Complete a transition skills workshop or course to help you build confidence and prepare for university learning (time varies depending on the option you choose)
Share feedback about your experience through a short student survey (about 20 minutes)

Second Semester (Spring 2027)

In your second semester, you will:

Meet with your Academic Advisor again to plan next steps and check in on your progress (about 30 minutes)
Connect with your Peer Mentor for another brief check-in and support conversation (about 15 minutes)
Choose one of four support streams based on your interests and goals, and complete a few related activities (time varies depending on what you choose)

Choose the support stream that fits you...

📚 Build Your Academic Confidence
Strengthen your study skills, learning strategies, and confidence as a university student.

🧭 Plan Your Career Path
Explore career ideas, educational pathways, and future opportunities.

🤝 Find Your People
Build connections, get involved on campus, and find community at KPU.

🌱 Start Strong
Receive additional guidance, check-ins, and personalized support during your first year.

Many activities offer flexible scheduling, virtual options, or self-paced formats so you can participate in ways that work for your schedule.

Stay the Course Success Team:

Theresa Voorsluys - Project Lead
Dave Bhatti - The Learning Centre (Representative)
Kathy Lo - Peer Mentor Program (Representative)
Calvin Tiu - Academic Advisor (Central Advising)
Jocelyn Choy - Academic Advisor (Central Advising)
Dominique Cambay - Academic Advisor (Central Advising)