FALL 2025 FIRST YEAR ADMITS: AUGUST 2025 WORKSHOPS
Fall 2025 Course Registration Support
Join this workship to get guidance and support in registering for and adjusting your fall semester classes! Some topics that will be covered include Smart Start, understanding first year requirements, the UC Merced Catalog, and how to navigate course selection.
Thursday, August 7, 10:30-11:30 am, Zoom link: https://ucmerced.zoom.us/s/83985187780
- Zoom meeting ID: 839 8518 7780
Navigating UC Merced Connect Portal
UC Merced Connect will be your go-to portal to access course registration, CatCourses, financial aid,, campus resources, and so much more. Learn how to access essential information and discover how to make the most of this tool throughout your journey at UC Merced.
Thursday, August 7, 1:00-2:00 pm, Zoom link: https://ucmerced.zoom.us/s/83985187780
- Zoom meeting ID: 839 8518 7780
Academic Tips for Your First Semester
Want to learn how to prepare for your first semester at UC Merced? Join a BAC Peer Advisor to get a head start on your first semester and learn strategies and skills to heave a successful semester!
Wednesday, August 13, 10:30-11:30 am, Zoom link: https://ucmerced.zoom.us/s/83985187780
- Zoom meeting ID: 839 8518 7780
Navigating Change from High School to College
This workshop will help you explore the differences and similarities between high school and UC Merced. We will discuss topics that include college academic expectations and resources to support you through this new journey!
Monday, August 18, 10:30-11:30 am, Zoom link: https://ucmerced.zoom.us/s/83985187780
- Zoom meeting ID: 839 8518 7780
Choosing Your Academic Path: A Workshop on Major Declaration Criteria
Are you an undeclared continuing student or a lower-division undeclared transfer student? Join this workshop for an overview of the next steps to declare a major. We will explore major criteria in SSHA, SNS, and SOE, timefram to declare, and an overview of My Degree Path (MDP).
Monday, August 18, 1:00-2:00 pm, Zoom link: https://ucmerced.zoom.us/s/83985187780
- Zoom meeting ID: 839 8518 7780
Key Tips for Communication
Looking for tips on how to ask for help and connect with others in college setting? Join this workshop to understand the importance and impact of communication during your academic journey. The workshop will cover how to break down communication barriers, request academic support, and engage with professors.
Wednesday, August 20, 10:30-11:30 am, Zoom link: https://ucmerced.zoom.us/s/83985187780
- Zoom meeting ID: 839 8518 7780
Scheduling your First Semester
Staying on top of academics, extracurriculars, and personal life is crucial for academic success. This workshop will provide insight on how to format a set schedule of classes, allocate study time, and extracurriculars/hobbies to stay involved. Learn what UC Merced has to offer to fill the large or small gaps between classes.
Wednesday, August 13, 1:00-2:00 pm, Zoom link: https://ucmerced.zoom.us/s/83985187780
- Zoom meeting ID: 839 8518 7780
Wednesday, August 20, 1:00-2:00 pm, Zoom link: https://ucmerced.zoom.us/s/83985187780
- Zoom meeting ID: 839 8518 7780
PREVIOUS WORKSHOPS IN 2024-25
Fall 2025 Registration
Join this workship to get guidance and support in registering for and adjusting your fall semester classes! Some topics that will be covered include Smart Start, understanding first year requirements, the UC Merced Catalog, and how to navigate course selection.
UCM Connect Portal
UC Merced Connect will be your go-to portal to access course registration, CatCourses, financial aid,, campus resources, and so much more. Learn how to access essential information and discover how to make the most of this tool throughout your journey at UC Merced.
Academic Tips
Want to learn how to prepare for your first semester at UC Merced? Join a BAC Peer Advisor to get a head start on your first semester and learn strategies and skills to heave a successful semester!
Navigating Change from High School to College
This workshop will help you explore the differences and similarities between high school and UC Merced. We will discuss topics that include college academic expectations and resources to support you through this new journey!
Key Tips for Communication
Looking for tips on how to ask for help and connect with others in college setting? Join this workshop to understand the importance and impact of communication during your academic journey. The workshop will cover how to break down communication barriers, request academic support, and engage with professors.
Scheduling your First Semester
Staying on top of academics, extracurriculars, and personal life is crucial for academic success. This workshop will provide insight on how to format a set schedule of classes, allocate study time, and extracurriculars/hobbies to stay involved. Learn what UC Merced has to offer to fill the large or small gaps between classes.
Building a Fall 2025 Schedule Workshops
Fall 2025 first years: watch our recorded June workshops to learn about various web resources to identify your required first semester classes, plan first choices as well as alternates, build your Fall 2025 class schedule, and register for your courses even after your assigned time. Registration is open 24 hours and 7 days a week!
At UC Merced, you will choose and register for your classes each semester. Don't know where to start? Each of workshops focuses on building a Fall 2025 class schedule for students intending a major in a specific School (SOE, SNS, or SSHA).
Undeclared or exploring different majors? Unable to attend a certain workshop due to your schedule?
All Fall 2025 first years are welcome to watch any workshop!
*NEW* for Fall 2025: first year admits who sign up for New Student Orientation by Mon. June 9 will be eligible for First Year Smart Start block registration!
This new program will allow the Registrar's Office to automatically register Fall 2025 first years in 8-16 units of required courses in their first semester based on declared major. Smart Start students will also be able to adjust classes during their assigned registration time between June 23-27. (Registration will continue to remain open 24 hours a day after your assigned registration time.)
Missed our Building a Fall 2025 Schedule workshop? See the recordings:
- Building a Fall 2025 Schedule: School of Engineering (SOE) Majors
- Building a Fall 2025 Schedule: School of Natural Sciences (SNS) Majors
- Building a Fall 2025 Schedule: School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts (SSHA) Majors
Preparing for Fall 2025 Course Registration
Fall 2025 first years: join this workshop for advice on preparing to register for your Fall 2025 courses. Our experienced BAC peer advisor will cover information about Smart Start, understanding first year requirements, My Degree Path, the UC Merced Catalog, and registration tips.
Navigating the UC Merced Connect Portal
Fall 2025 first year and undeclared lower division transfer admits: UC Merced Connect will be your go-to portal to access your Checklist, My Registration, Cat Courses, and so much more! Our experienced BAC peer advisor will go in-depth with this portal and assist you in making the most of this home page that you will use throughout your academic journey at UC Merced.
Academic Tips for Your First Semester
Fall 2025 first year and undeclared lower division transfer admits: join our experienced BAC peer advisor to get a head start on your first semester by learning strategies and skills to have a successful semester! This workshop will provide information on how to schedule academic advising appointments during the academic year (after classes start in fall semester), time management strategies, and online learning tools.
Prepare for SSHA Jump Start Your Third Year
Are you a first year declared School of Social Science, Humanities & Arts (SSHA) major? Want to get a head start to learn how SSHA provides academic advising support to second year and older students? All second years at UCM are required to have a graduation plan built in My Degree Path (MDP). Learn about summer 2025 academic advising opportunities in SSHA. Join BAC peer advisors and SSHA peer navigators for an interactive workshop on how you can incorporate lower and upper division courses in MDP to prepare for Jump Start Your Third Year. If you are a first year in a SSHA major, this could be a great opportunity to begin planning for the next three years. Offered in pertnership by the Bobcat Advising Center and SSHA Academic Advising.
Balancing Your Academic and Personal Workload
Juggling academic, professional, and personal responsibilities? Attend this workshop that focuses on developing time management skills to maintain a healthy balance between your commitments and overall well-being.
Summer Course Planning
Attend this workshop for general advice from a BAC peer advisor on taking summer courses at California community college(s), UC Merced, or other 4-year school. Includes an introduction to summer planning tools.
Tips to Prepare for Finals
Interested in learning tips to preprare for finals? Join our workshop led by a BAC peer advisor to learn strategies for managing stress, improving study habits, and staying organized during finals week. This workshop will help you approach your exams with confidence.
My Degree Path Tips
Join one of our BAC peer advisors to learn how My Degree Path (MDP) planning resources can help in planning your Summer 2025 or Fall 2025 courses and to better prepare for the remainder of your academic journey.
Enhancing Your Summer Experience
Want to make the most of your summer? Whether you're thinking about internships, summer jobs, research, or taking classes, this workshop will help you find the best opportunities to boost your college experience and build your resume. We'll cover campus resources, where to look for opportunities, and tips to help you get ahead while still enjoying your break!
Ask Anything About Exploring/Changing Majors or Minors
Are you a first year or continuing undeclared student considering different majors or minors? Learn about campus resources to help you research careers, understand major requirements and declaration criteria, and develop skill-building techniques for career preparation. Offered in partnership by the Bobcat Advising Center and the Student Career Center.
Summer Course Planning
Attend this workshop for general advice from a BAC peer advisor on taking summer courses at California community college(s), Summer Session at UC Merced, or other 4-year schools. Includes an introduction to summer planning tools.
Reducing Mid-Semester Burnout
Need tips on how to reduce mid-semester burnout? Attend this workshop with a BAC peer advisor to learn ways to lessen academic stress during midterm season.
Fall 2025 Registration Support
Did you know that the Fall 2025 class schedule was released and Fall 2025 registration times were posted in your student portal on Monday, March 3? Or that all current UC Merced students will have an assigned Fall 2025 registration date and time between Monday, March 31 to Friday, April 18? Attend this workshop to help you navigate the registration system, use resources to select courses, and manage registration errors. Plan ahead so you are ready to register for Fall 2025 classes at your assigned registration time between March 31 to April 18!
MyDegreePath (MDP) Tips
Did you know that current UC Merced students will have an assigned Fall 2025 registration time between Monday, March 31 to Friday, April 18? Join one of the BAC peer advisors to learn how MyDegreePath (MDP) planning resources can help you plan your Summer 2025 or Fall 2025 courses and better prepare you for the remainder of your academic journey. Bring your laptop if you have one!
Staying Involved on Campus
Join a BAC peer advisor to discover the basics of getting involved on campus while completing your academic journey at UC Merced. Turn your discovery into action to impact your future academic, personal, or professional goals!
Academic Tips for Spring Semester
Looking for helpful tips and strategies to stay motivated and on top of your academics in Spring 2025? Join a BAC peer advisor to learn about online tools and academic resources to have a successful semester.
Eager for MyDegreePath (MDP) Planning Tips?
Did you know that current UC Merced students will have assigned Summer Session registration times between February 24-28? And assigned Fall 2025 registration times between March 31-April 18? Join a BAC peer advisor to learn how MyDegreePath (MDP) planning resources can help you look ahead at your intended Summer 2025 or Fall 2025 courses and better prepare you for the remainder of your academic journey. Bring your laptop if you have one!
Staying Involved on Campus
Join a BAC peer advisor to discover the basics of getting involved on campus while completing your academic journey at UC Merced. Make your discovery into an action plan to impact your future academic, personal, or profesional goals.
Prepare for Summer 2025 Registration
Attend this workshop for general advice from a BAC peer advisor on taking Summer Session at UC Merced or summer courses at a California community college or other 4-year schools. Includes an introduction to summer planning tools. If you plan to take summer courses at UC Merced, be prepared to register at your assigned time between Mon. Feb. 24 to Fri. Feb. 28!
Navigating the GPA Calculator
Your GPA is an important factor that can open doors for scholarships, internships, job opportunities, and prestigious academic recognition. A BAC peer advisor will guide you on how to use the UC Merced GPA calculator, establish grade goals, and explore academic tips to raise your GPA.
Academic Tips to Enhance Your Winter Break
Interested in learning helpful tips and strategies to stay motivated academically during winter break? Join a BAC peer advisor to explore and plan with the online tools and academic resources that you can utilize during winter break.
Thriving After the First Semester
Join this interactive workshop with a BAC peer advisor to build a personalized interest map as you consider future campus involvement opportunities while completing your academic jouirney at UC Merced! We will cover the five "W's" of getting involved (who, what, when, where, why) and how these may impact your future academic, personal, or professional goals. You are highly encouraged to bring your laptop or tablet with internet connectivity since there will be a web search activity during the workshop.
Roadmap to Success: MyDegreePath (MDP) and Campus Resources
Are you a Fall 2024 first year or undeclared lower division transfer who is eager to learn tips for a successful fall semester? Join us for an informative workshop led by a BAC peer advisor to learn how to use the MyDegreePath (MDP) audit and campus resources.
Holistic Self-Care and Academic Planning
Are you in search of a space to explore a self-care plan in preparation for midterms and final exams? Join a BAC peer advisor for an interactive workshop that will focus on different self-care and academic planning tips to help you establish your personal care plan for the remainder of the semester.
Preparing for Spring Registration: Using MyDegreePath (MDP)
Did you know that the spring class schedule was released on Mon. Sept. 30? Have you checked your assigned registration time ticket for Spring 2025 in your connect.ucmerced.edu student portal? Join a BAC peer advisor for an informative workshop on how to use the MyDegreePath (MDP) planning tool to build a course plan and be ready to register for Spring 2025 classes at your assigned registration time between Mon. Oct. 28 - Fri. Nov. 15.
Creating a 4-Year Draft MyDegreePath (MDP) Graduation Plan
Are you an undeclared continuing student (second or third year) who needs assistance completing a draft MyDegreePath (MDP) plan before you can declare your major? Bring your laptop and join a professional BAC academic advisor and peer advisor for hands-on assistance. Complete your draft plan so you can successfully meet the requirement for a current second or third year undeclared student to declare a major!
Calculating Your Gradepoint Average (GPA)
Your college GPA is an important factor that can open doors for academic scholarships, internships, job opportunities, and prestigious academic awards or special programs. Join a BAC peer advisor who will guide you on how to use the UC Merced GPA Calculator, establish grade goals for each of your fall classes, and explore academic tips to raise your GPA.
Key to Communication
Need help but are too anxious to ask? Join this workshop to learn the importance and impact of communication on your academic success. Includes information on how to overcome communication barriers when asking for academic support, interacting with professors and other key people at a research university, and drafting professional emails.
Bobcat Advising Center (BAC) Open House
Want to meet your BAC academic advisor or BAC peer advisors in person? Or meet other first years and increase your knowledge of BAC services? Have questions about your first year in college but weren't sure who or where to ask?
Join our BAC team on Mon. Aug. 26 or Tues. Aug. 27 (or both days!) at the BAC Open House for an informal, drop in afternoon of fun that helps you become familiar with our services. Stay for a few minutes or as long as you wish.
BAC is located in Kolligian Library (KL) 122, around the corner from the Lantern Cafe/coffee shop. We are excited to welcome our 2024-25 students!
ASCEND Student Experience
The ASCEND Student Experience is a series of workshops designed to provide new first years and transfers with information to help you get off to the best start in your first semester at UC Merced. ASCEND is held on the two days immediately before classes begin: Mon. Aug. 26 and Tues. Aug. 27.
At ASCEND, workshops include Bobcat 101 (exclusively for first years), Bobcat 201 (for transfer admits), tips on using ChatGPT, technology essentials, pre-health advising, time managment, academic integrity, and more. A variety of student panels provide inside information from successful students on what it takes to thrive at UC Merced.
For more information, see the ASCEND Student Experience site.
Diving into Summer Preparation for Fall 2024
Are you a Fall 2024 first year or lower division undeclared transfer admit wondering what resources to review to prepare for your first semester? Attend this workshop with a BAC peer advisor to learn more about syllabi, how to buy books, find your classrooms, transportation in Merced, and much more.
Surfing the Waves: Review of Class Planning Tools
Wondering how to effectively use UC Merced degree planning tools? Attend this workshop with a BAC peer advisor for tips on using our BAC website, MyDegreePath, the UCM Catalog, and CatCourses.
Building a Fall 2024 Schedule Workshops
Fall 2024 first years: join the BAC team for a demonstration on Zoom of using various web resources to identify your required first semester classes, plan first choices as well as alternates, build your Fall 2024 class schedule, and get ready to register at your assigned time in June 2024.
At UC Merced, you will choose and register for your classes each semester. Don't know where to start? Each of our 9 workshops in June 2024 focus on building a Fall 2024 class schedule for students intending a major in a specific School (SOE, SNS, or SSHA).
Undeclared or exploring different majors? Unable to attend a certain workshop due to your schedule? All first years are welcome to attend any workshop!
Missed or couldn't attend the workshops? See recordings:
- Building a School of Engineering (SOE) schedule (video)
- Building a School of Natural Sciences (SNS) schedule (video)
- Building a School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts (SSHA) schedule (video)
Next Steps and Course Registration Overview Webinar
Wondering how to use the online registration system at UC Merced? Join the Office of the Registrar team on June 18 for tips on navigating the registration system so you are ready to register for Fall 2024 classes at your assigned time in June 2024.
Missed or couldn't attend the webinar? See recording:
