First Year Learning Contract

The Learning Contract helps facilitate the University Honors Program goal of helping to create well-rounded students. The Learning Contract enhances students’ educational experience and requires students to take advantage of educational and personal resources.

The University Honors Program has designed five learning modules as part of the first year Learning Contract. These modules are designed to enhance students’ in-classroom learning by introducing students to additional resources and opportunities for academic and personal development.

The modules include:

• Academic Success
• Diversity and Social Justice
• Honors Core
• Educational Enrichment
• Career Development

The modules provide opportunities to increase communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

Each quarter students are asked to attend at least two workshops. Students must submit a reflection paper for each module workshop they attend.

Learning Contract & Verification Forms

All Learning Contracts and Verification Forms (Module Workshop, Community Service, and Personal Growth) are electronic.
There are available at apps.honors.ucr.edu
(You will need your UCR NetID (Webmail username), Student ID, and access to campus Webmail to setup your account.) 

Year at a Glance

Fall Quarter

1. HONORS CORE

A. Courses:
HNPG 009: first-year workshop. Students must receive a B or better in the course.

Students must complete at least four Honors courses (16 units) within the first two years unless granted an exception. Students must receive a B or above in all Honors courses. (see Lower Division Requirements)

B. Meetings
Attend 3 Meetings with your Peer Mentor
Attend 2 Group Meetings with Lower Division Coordinator

C. Community Service and Personal Growth
Complete 10 hours of Community Service
Complete 10 hours of Personal Growth Activity

D. Muffin Morning
Attend 3 Muffin Mornings

2. MODULE WORKSHOPS

Complete 2 workshops and write a 1-page reflection paper for each.

Winter Quarter

1. HONORS CORE

A. Courses:
Earn an “S” grade in HNPG 10.  Students must receive a Satisfactory in the course.
Enroll in a UHP seminar or section if you did not enroll in an Honors course fall quarter.

Students must complete at least four Honors courses (16 units) within the first two years unless granted an exception. Students must receive a B or above in all Honors courses. (see Lower Division Requirements)

B. Meetings:
Attend 2 Meetings with your Peer Mentor
Attend 2 Group Meetings with Lower Division Coordinator

C. Community Service and Personal Growth:
Complete 10 hours of Community Service
Complete 10 hours of Personal Growth Activity

D. Muffin Mornings:
Attend 3 Muffin Mornings

2. MODULE WORKSHOPS

Complete 2 workshops and write a 1-page reflection paper for each.

Spring Quarter

1. HONORS CORE

A. Courses:
Earn an “S” grade in HNPG 10.  Students must receive a Satisfactory in the course.
Enroll in a UHP seminar or section if you did not enroll in an Honors course winter quarter.

Students must complete at least four Honors courses (16 units) within the first two years unless granted an exception. Students must receive a B or above in all Honors courses. (see Lower Division Requirements)

B. Meetings:
Attend 2 Meetings with your Peer Mentor
Attend 1 Group Meeting with Lower Division Coordinator

C. Community Service and Personal Growth:
Complete 10 hours of Community Service
Complete 10 hours of Personal Growth Activity

D. Muffin Mornings:
Attend 3 Muffin Mornings

2. MODULE WORKSHOPS

Complete 2 workshops and write a 1-page reflection paper for each.

Learning Contract Modules

Honors Core Workshop

Workshops will help students develop life skills transferable to future endeavors. They are designed to explore issues students often face as first year students, including time management, relationships, peer pressure, alcohol, drugs, sexual relationships, roommate issues, family issues, diversity, study skills, money management, wellness, and living a healthy lifestyle.

Workshops will be available for students through programs coordinated by Honors staff and Peer Mentors, Honors residence hall RAs, and student affairs departments on campus.

Reflection paper required after completing the workshop.

How do I find Honors Core workshops?
Workshop opportunities will be advertised through emails, iLearn, and Peer Mentors. Students should check emails and iLearn regularly for updates and schedules.

Examples include Peer Mentor-led workshops on peer pressure, dialogues about safe sex offered in the Honors residence halls by RAs, presentations on personal wellness by Golden Arches peer health educators, and alcohol-awareness events sponsored by REACH.

Academic Success

Workshops are designed to help students develop effective study skills to become successful learners. Students are encouraged to take advantage of study skills workshops offered by the Learning Center. Topics include how to read analytically, recognizing what is important in lectures, strategies for improving concentration, engaging in meaningful participation in classes, core writing skills, effective communication, exam prep and test taking, goal setting, effective note taking, stress management, time management, and speed reading.

Reflection paper required after completing the workshop.

How do I find Academic Success workshops?
A list and schedule of Study Skills Workshops offered by the Learning Center is available on the Learning Center website: http://www.learningcenter.ucr.edu/smart/skills/skills.html

Workshops are 50 minutes and do not require advanced sign ups. Topics are rotated weekly, so check the website for a complete schedule.

Additional resources and workshops are available through the Rivera Library, College Advising Offices, and the Honors staff. These opportunities will be advertised via email from the Honors staff.

Diversity and Social Justice

Workshops are designed to introduce students to the areas of diversity and multiculturalism that will impact them as citizens in a global community. Topics include race, ethnicity, religion and spirituality, gender, ability, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status. Programs are offered by a variety of offices and individuals on campus including Honors staff, faculty, and faculty-in-residence; programs offered in the Honors residence halls by RAs; African Student Programs; Asian Pacific Student Programs; Chicano Student Programs; Native American Student Programs; the Women’s Resource Center; the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Resource Center; and REACH.

Reflection paper required after completing the workshop.

How do I find Diversity and Social Justice workshops?
Workshop opportunities will be advertised through emails, iLearn, and Peer Mentors. Students should check emails and iLearn regularly for updates and schedules.

Educational Enrichment

Workshops are designed to introduce students to experiential learning opportunities that combine course work, field research, and work experience. Examples include informational sessions for Education Abroad Programs, UCDC (Washington Center Internship Program), UC Sacramento (University of California Center Sacramento (UCCS) Scholar Intern Program), and other internship programs.

The Educational Enrichment workshop requirement can be waived for students enrolled in a Freshman Discovery Seminar (HASS 092, NASC 092, ENGR 092), CHASS Connect, CNAS Scholars, or other formal UCR learning community programs.

Reflection paper required after completing the workshop.

How do I find Educational Enrichment workshops?
Workshop opportunities will be advertised through emails, iLearn, and Peer Mentors. Students should check emails and iLearn regularly for updates and schedules.

Career Development

Workshops are designed to provide students with information and skills to create and achieve long-term career goals. Students are encouraged to utilize services offered by the Career Center. Workshop examples include Academic Internship orientations, choosing and changing your major, job search strategies, interview skills, and resume writing.

Reflection paper required after completing the workshop.

How do I find Career Development workshops?
A list and schedule of workshops offered by the Career Center is available on the Career Center website: http://careers.ucr.edu/

Additional workshop opportunities will be advertised through emails, iLearn, and Peer Mentors.

Students who plan to pursue graduate education in the health professions are encouraged to attend Health Professions Advising workshops, including interview skills, professional school application workshops, writing personal statements, and health career options.

Learning Contract Modules FAQs

Q: How do I find workshops to attend?

A: Workshop opportunities will be advertised through emails, iLearn, and Peer Mentors. Students should check emails and iLearn regularly for updates and schedules. Students should also refer to the information listed for each module.

Q: How do I know what counts as a workshop?

A: Workshops coordinated and sponsored by University Honors staff and Peer Mentors will fulfill the Learning Contract workshop requirement. These workshops will be clearly identified and advertised as meeting the requirement.

Students who wish to utilize other workshops to fulfill the requirements must receive permission from Lower Division Coordinator.

Q: How do I get credit for attending a workshop?

A: Students must sign in at workshops and fill out a Module Workshop Verification form. Students should also record their workshops on their Learning Contracts.

Q: Can I attend more workshops than are required?

A: Students are encouraged to multiple workshops for their own personal knowledge and development. Additional workshops beyond what is required for the Learning Contract can be used towards Personal Growth hours. However, students cannot “bank” their workshops and credit for workshops will not carry over from quarter to quarter.

Reflection Paper FAQs

Q: What do I write about in the reflection paper and what are the writing requirements?

A: The paper should be one full page, double spaced, Times New Roman, 12 point font, with one-inch margins. You should discuss which workshop you attended, when and where, and a brief summary of the topic. The majority of the paper should be your reflections on the workshop and what you learned. You should include how the information impacted you, how you might incorporate the information into your life or career, why you chose to attend this particular workshop, and any further questions you have about the topic you wish to explore more in-depth. The goal of the paper is to have you reflect on the workshop and what you gained from attending.

Q: Who do I turn my paper in to and how?

A: You submit your reflection paper on the StudentWeb application (where you filled out the workshop verification form). Once you submit the verification form, you will be given a link where you can upload your file.

Q: When are reflection papers due?

A: You are encouraged to write and submit papers within a week of attending a speaker to ensure you remember the information and can reflect accurately on your experience. However, all papers are due by by the last day of classes (Friday of week 10). You must submit all workshop reflection papers to Lower Division Coordinator by uploading them on the UHP StudentWeb by the last day of classes each quarter.